kiwi baby stuff

Oeuf toy storage

2009-11-10T00:20:00.000-08:00

I really love these shelves... excellent for storing toys and I'd happily have one in my bedroom to keep all my books and stuff in. In fact I think I'd need a few of them which could prove expensive... Hmmmm... could I make one?

Barley and Birch poppy top

2009-11-08T19:00:00.000-08:00

If you've been wondering what to buy as a shower gift for that pregnant person in your life, look no further. This is it. It is the perfect onesie from Barley and Birch. In fact... if it came in adult sizes I might be tempted to say it is the perfect tshirt... but yet again, the babies get all the best designs. This one ticks all the boxes being made from organic cotton and water based inks. Seriously, perfect.

70 colours from Muji

2009-10-23T02:26:00.000-07:00

Ooooooooh colours! These pens are SO desirable... nice fat shape, good for being gripped by small hands and just so many colours. I want them in my life! Yours from our friends at Muji for the ridiculously good price of GPB14.95... how can you resist?

Couture maternity wear?

2009-10-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Looking for something a little spesh to wear this time round mid-pregnancy? Jean Paul Gaultier has just the thing... underwear as outerwear for the very boldest of soon-to-be mums. I'm not knocking it... I just don't think I could quite pull this off. Let me know if you plan to have a go though...

Haunted house countdown calendar

2009-10-10T01:18:00.000-07:00

So sad... I'd just found the perfect gift for my north American friend who, being stuck down in here in the southern hemisphere, was missing the enthusiastic celebration of Halloween but too late! Its all sold out... boooo! I was also pretty excited about having found another way to get the advent calendar concept into other parts of the year... I mean, why don't all calendars have doors with cool pictures behind them? Anyway... I decided to post about it anyway so you can bombard Spoon Sisters and get them to restock.

Rustic wooden storage box on wheels

2009-10-06T19:21:00.000-07:00

I've just moved in to a new house and the decorating is almost finished... so now I get to do the fun stuff, like picking out new toy boxes! This one is certainly a lot more stylish than the giant coloured plastic baskets we've been using up until now. It's not even crazily priced... but it is in the UK which is about as far away from my house as you can get. I wonder if I could make one... hmmmm. I'll investigate and get back to you....

Fauna tees

2009-09-11T02:52:00.000-07:00

A print stylish enough to grace anyone's tshirt, I think... boys, girls and grown ups alike, it works! It seems to be becoming almost standard for beautiful things to be 100% organic cotton... and these silk screened shirts are no exception. Hooray! Along with the amazingly detailed gorilla print, you can also choose from rabbits, seahorses, puppies and pigeons... a slightly strange animal selection but they are beautiful to look at.

Stylish oil cloths? Really?

2009-09-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

Yes! Seriously... these oil cloths will protect your precious tabletops and won't ruin your decor. Well, perhaps you should judge for yourself... I like them anyway and these two are favourites of mine. Our new house needs a bit of work in the kitchen so perhaps these might jazz things up as an interim measure. I bet the black and white one would be great for grabbing the attention of the teeny tiny newborns. Take a look at the Strawberry and Cream site for lots more interesting finds... and not just for the babies either!

Wing boots!

2009-09-08T00:36:00.000-07:00

Oh yes... These are as awesome as they look. Magic boots! Enough to make me wish I was little again so I could wear them myself. Difficult to decide which colour to get... would both be excessive? Cleverly they have velcro fastenings at the side to make them super easy to get on. If being the focus of envious looks from your parent and baby group is a motivation to you these boots from Chickpea Kid are sure to do the trick.

Constructive eating utensils set

2009-09-07T03:01:00.000-07:00

I have some experience of having a fussy eater child... she seems to be improving now but for a while there was a lot of coaxing going on during meal times. I found it so difficult to maintain my sunny disposition when every lovingly prepared dish would be rejected with a little shake of the head... sometimes without it even being tasted! Aaaaargh! It's programmed in me now to perk up when I spot some device that might make meal times easier. These construction styled utensils caught my eye the other day... pretty appealing I think. I'm even tempted to use them myself....

Candela Luau night light

2009-09-05T12:26:00.000-07:00

I think this just might be the ultimate in night lights... cordless, whimsical shape, portable... perfect! It even has a dimmer switch! Buuuut... it has an imperfect price tag... coming in at way over $300 this is not cheap. So, lets put this in the luxury-gifts-from-generous-doting-grandparents pile, huh? It's stocked on the excellent Where Did You Get That site... definitely worth a look.

Flirty Bird hair accessories

2009-09-04T00:57:00.000-07:00

On the look out for the ultimate baby hair clips? Me too! I'm quite into hair accessories generally and so tend to make a bee line for the cute hair clips when I go in to baby shops... general conclusions? There is a lot of pink out there... most things I come across are a bit same-y and uninspiring. But not these gorgeous ones from Australian store, Flirty Bird... also, I love the name! The patterns are bright and cheerful featuring apples, cupcakes, cherries and tonnes more. Check them out...

Birthday candles

2009-08-20T01:58:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-12T00:49:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-11T00:09:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-10T03:55:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-09T02:32:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-08T00:59:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-07T00:38:00.000-07:00

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

2009-08-01T22:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds singing toys

2009-07-26T15:09:00.000-07:00

I'm back! Finally I have returned... leaving the UK summer for the cold, cold New Zealand winter. I'm glad to be back but blimey its cold!

So this post is about the last great thing I spotted before I left the UK... we went to the Tate Modern for a wander and on the way in we passed the RSPB folks - they had their telescopes trained on the turbine tower where a peregrine falcon has been nesting for quite some time. They sell these amazing singing soft toys... the peregrine falcon is cuddle worthy and makes an authentic squawk when squeezed. It's a fairly intense noise... I think I prefer the robin. They have all the british birds you can think of and would make great gifts for the new babies in your life. They are amazingly reasonably priced... you could get a set!

Stuff Your Doodle artwork

2009-07-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

Is your fridge door covered in your little one's fantastic artwork? Perhaps one of them stands out and you'd like to immortalise it somehow... This is where Stuff Your Doodle comes in. Take your favourite drawing and send it off to these guys and they will make a stuffed real life version of the doodle. They make a point of saying that legally speaking they are not toys... I suppose this is to do with the production, I'm not sure. But they certainly look great. Chcek out the before and after images of this little green number.

Cox and Cox love heart sugar cubes

2009-07-05T02:00:00.000-07:00

If you've ever thought about planning a sugar and spice themed birthday party at some point let me direct you to the perfect sugar component. Cox and Cox have produced these little love heart sugar cubes as part of their wedding range but I think they'll do very well for my daughter's first birthday which is going to be an afternoon tea. I'm so intrigued about how they're made... I'd love to have a go.

Tree bed by Shawn Lovell Metalwork

2009-07-04T00:48:00.000-07:00

And now for something completely different... and unaffordable. Darn! If you have a spare $15,000 burning a hole in your wallet then here's the perfect whimsical bed for your wee one... its made by Shawn Lovell Metalworks. Everything about this bed feels magical... delicate trees twisting upwards towards a nest in the centre of the bed. I'm almost certain this bed would ensure better sleep... or should I say slumber... enchanted slumber. It's somewhat out of my price range unfortunately but I'd be very interested in a cheaper model if anyone sees anything remotely similar out there.

Uten.silo storage solution

2009-07-03T00:06:00.000-07:00

Yet more from the Design Museum... do you remember these? A bit of a design classic... I spotted them and suddenly thought how useful they would be for storing all of my daughter's paraphernalia... but super pricey. I'm on the look out for a cheaper option. Let me know if you know where I can get one...

Bold and Noble nature prints

2009-07-02T00:15:00.000-07:00

I want one of these SO much... Bold and Noble have created these very desirable prints of leaves from British trees and outlines of various British birds. As a British ex-pat living in New Zealand I really like the idea of introducing this small slice of Britain into my daughter's life. Ideally I would put them side by side with kiwi plant and bird versions if I could find them, but no luck so far. A gap in the market all you budding designers.

Do Frame tape

2009-06-30T00:58:00.000-07:00

OK... so this is not strictly a baby or child-related product but it's SO cool... It is instant framing tape and my idea is to put up some photos and prints in the wee one's bedroom along one wall and use this excellent faux-gilt frame tape around their edges... I think it will look pretty cool. There are some very smart people out there, huh?

Working cable car model from the Design Museum

2009-06-29T06:36:00.000-07:00

So... still in London and I find I'm coming across far too many gorgeous things to fit in my suitcase... like this amazing working cable car from the Design Museum. Back home in Wellington I get the cable car up to my house from the city centre... it's a great way to travel, as long as you time your trip to avoid all the school kids and tourists. I think this would make a great addition to the nursery... it could travel up and down across the wall... perhaps I have room after all. Hmmmm.

Sugarloop artwork

2009-06-19T14:01:00.000-07:00

How many prints can I fit on the nursery wall? Probably not as many as I think... I've come across these lovely prints to brighten up a room... this artwork is produced by Auckland based artist Bernadette Sipkes aka Sugarloop and comes in excellent bright colours featuring cool stylized animals and jungle scenes. Buy NZ made!

Rockin ABC blocks from Beebles

2009-06-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

Oooooh graffiti buildings blocks... perfect for all the hipster types keen to demonstrate their down-with-the-kids parenthood status. I like these blocks but I wonder if my daughter will be able to decode the images... I'm thinking, yes. She already seems smarter than me. Each block has a different letter on each side and they come in sets of 26.

Sibis Villa

2009-06-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen Sibis toys before prepare to fall a little in love... they're not cheap... not even vaguely cheap but they're soooo lovely. There's a whole range of fantastic things... sledges, cool bikes with caravan style trailers and then there's the villa... A simply amazing dollshouse... I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. I still really like the older style doll houses but this modern number could sway me I think. The hefty price tag covers the house, furntiture, garden, pool and, get this, poolhouse... you know you're dealing with the high end products when your house comes with it's own guest pad... impressive. Anyway... it's a thing of beauty... and destined to be played with by the grownups as well as the children. I've put in on my wishlist!

Baby cellphone by Brio

2009-06-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

Baby's first cellphone? I know what you're thinking, but before you dismiss this as a bad idea think about it... does your little one always try to grab and chew your mobile when you try to use it? My daughter is obsessed with mine... and I've heard those things are bad for tiny developing brains so I try to keep her as far away from it as possible. I bought a toy version ahead of our recent long haul flight and it had the essential distraction factor. I got ours from Babystar in Wellington and it had a cool record your voice feature... I can't find the exact model online but this one from Brio looks pretty interesting.

Multifunction urban Taga trike and stroller in one

2009-06-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

Finally! I've arrived in England! Flying alone with a baby is far from fun but it could have been worse. My daughter entertained our fellow travellers with giggles and clapping during our 24 hour flight...

So now I've had a chance to look around... naturally this place is FULL of amazing baby and child focused things... pretty much every store carries a baby line of some kind. One of the best things I've seen so far is this stroller cycle from Taga. This version was just launched at the Design Museum in London the other day... it can carry you and up to two children plus shopping. This clever number is a trike that converts to a stroller with just a few twists... if you're still feeling unimpressed then consider this - you could ride into town on a strudy trike with the wee one in front of you instead of using a wobbly bike with your child strapped behind you out of sight. When you reach the library or the park you switch mode and push the stroller around. Extra cool features include a brake (such an obviously useful addition), wet weather covers and tilting seats so your little one can sleep on the go. I want one!

Thula Thula bespoke playsuit

2009-05-31T19:50:00.000-07:00

Guess what arrived in the mail this morning! This absolutely gorgeous playsuit by Thula Thula... I found this seller on the Made It website and became obsessed with this little number. The woman behind the label is Naomi and she makes gorgeous things (to order if you ask nicely) and has a new line coming out soon. I'm just about to head off overseas for a family visit and this little suit is perfect for summer frolics. Best dressed baby award heading my way I think...

Cuckoo Nest felt creations

2009-05-30T00:48:00.000-07:00

Ooooooh.... these amazingly detailed felt creations from Cuckoo Nest are great! I love them... I don't usually get quite so carried away about toys... honest. But these little pieces are pretty special. I think I'll have to get one for my daughter just so I can have a closer look. Check out the tiny squirrel having tea inside the cuckoo clock. The handbag gingerbread house would make long journeys more attractive to your little one doubling as a bag and a toy house and I really love the strawberry shortcake hedgehog house with its teeny tiny tea set and bedside lamp... cute!

Green apple shoes from Pedrosprout

2009-05-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

Oh, the cuteness! Some funky little shoes from a Brisbane seller called Pedrosprout. The shoes are fully lined with no exposed seams... made from, get this, kunin ecospun... what's this I hear you ask? Well, the website says this is a material made from 100% certified recycled plastic bottles! Wow... really? My old water bottles can become these shoes? A-mazing!

Banjo puppets

2009-05-29T00:03:00.000-07:00

These puppets make me smile... they're another find from the One of a Kind site. I'm not going to go in to the fact that they remind me of characters from a very popular puppet-based show... no accusations here, I think they're awesome. The plastic arm rods are removable which makes them nice and safe for the wee ones. I'm pretty sure that me dancing around with the puppet will cause much hilarity at home... I need to practice my puppet voices.

Alimrose bird mobile

2009-05-28T00:10:00.000-07:00

Oooooh a 3D mobile! Well, I know most mobiles are 3D but the images hanging from them are often only 2D... and this is pretty! The Alimrose mobile would look great over any baby crib... and I know my daughter would be totally transfixed... I think I might be a little transfixed myself. Alimrose is an Australian company... another team of mothers getting creative. It's such a shame that you only really need one of these sorts of things... I already have a lovely mobile. Maybe next time...

Swiss Strolli Rider from Bibi

2009-05-27T01:54:00.000-07:00

If you want to inspire looks of envy from other parents then read on... I saw one of these in the library today and it caused a bit of a stir... It's a trike attachment for your buggy. The trike seat is slightly offset so you can still comfortably push your buggy. It was cool... the little girl who was riding the one in town looked like she loved it. The only problem is that it might be too envy inspiring... as the buggy was being pushed through the coffee shop in the library the woman at the helm was stopped about three times by people asking where she got it... and several kids spotted it and made plaintive cries to their parents. Why doesn't everyone have one? Well... it seems stockists might be a bit thin on the ground. Amazon occasionally have some in stock and there are some UK suppliers. If anyone finds an antipodean stockist, let me know!

Petit Flaneur doll house

2009-05-27T00:16:00.000-07:00

These doll houses are pretty special... hand made and printed by a talented etsy seller, Petit Flaneur. They have the look of the tall, thin houses you find in European cities, like Amsterdam. I particularly like the modern design of the furniture... the chandelier is excellent. The colour scheme sort of reminds me of my house... it's a little bit Rainbow Brite at my place. A Canadian friend directed me to them on the One of a Kind Toronto site... there are tonnes of amazing hand made pieces here with links to the individual seller websites. Another excellent reason to take a trip to Canada one day!

Moulin Roty collection

2009-05-26T00:34:00.000-07:00

I'm teasing you here... it's cruel to post about this amazing store as it doesn't seem to be available outside of Europe... annoying! But I can't help myself... these pieces are really sweet and next week I'm off to the UK, so with one eye on my spare suitcase I'm looking slightly further afield at the moment. This is a hugely attractive range of child-sized furniture along with some excellent toys and dolls... the sort of things children go dotty for... so talk to your family and friends overseas and hint like mad for some gifts to be sent your way. I really like the shop stand (above)... although to be perfect I think I'd need to combine it with a cash register. There are beautifully detailed tool kits, tea sets and a garden range... with everything so well crafted it isn't just for play.

Honey Sticks beeswax crayons

2009-05-25T00:07:00.000-07:00

These crayons smell like honey! Made from beeswax and non-toxic pigments they are super safe for your little ones. Weirdly enough I have some beeswax currently sitting in my kitchen... I saw a recipe online which said if you add some talc to heated beeswax and then colour it with pigment you get amazing, easy-to-make crayons... so if you're feeling crafty you could have a go yourself. I think I will... I want to create some cool shapes. The Honey Sticks are certainly excellent shapes for little ones... short and chunky and difficult to break.

You can also make crayons out of soap flakes... not so non-toxic but cool for drawing on the side of your bath tub... the theory being that it just washes off when you're done. We don't need any help in our household to make bath time more chaotic but this idea intrigues me. I haven't tried this yet so I can't swear to the crayon actually washing off...

Reinhard Plank hat collection

2009-05-24T00:07:00.000-07:00

Just right for the dress up box but also stylish enough for the little one to want to wear all the time. I love the Robin Hood style feather hats... quite dashing! There are a few to choose from but it looks as though you have to add your own feathers. I feel genuine envy sometimes about the fact that kids can go out in stuff like this and look cool... if I did it I'd look certifiable.

Blocks and jigsaws by Fidoodle

2009-05-23T00:01:00.000-07:00

We got a present! Some friends have just returned from Canada and they brought us back some city mini building blocks made by Toronto company Fidoodle. These are great... my daughter isn't quite able to stack them yet but she loves to watch me knock down towers and she's very fond of chewing on them. What I really like are the amazing double-sided designs... they are simple but very different from the usual suspects you see around... and not too cutesy! Lucky for us they are for sale on etsy so you don't have to trek to Toronto.

Floral belt by Black Eyed Susie

2009-05-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

OK... I'm officially buying things for my daughter that I secretly want to wear... look at this pretty, pretty belt! I found it on Made It... everything here is handmade and there are some absolute gems. I mentally spent about $500 in the first half hour I looked at it and had to put my trusty laptop away. I've already ordered a bespoke little playsuit from another seller Thula Thula (but more about this talented lady later). I know when you see some of the simpler handmade items on these sites you might think, "I could make that"... but, will you? I find that the prices are seriously reasonable for these lovely, often bespoke items and well worth it. I urge you to buy your baby gifts from sites like Felt, Made It, or Etsy. The bonus being that your gift won't be duplicated and it will help support these cottage industry crafty people.

Bloom baby lounger

2009-05-22T19:19:00.001-07:00

Pretty! This rocker comes in lots of colour ways but I think this one is my favourite... the idea of using cream coloured leather for a baby seems luxurious to me... and perhaps a tiny bit foolish. It's certainly a LOT prettier than our baby lounger at home. My daughter is not what you might call a mover... slow to roll and even slower to crawl so I haven't had to use our rocker much, but a friend who's son does amazing commando crawling along the floor at quite a pace swears by hers. Good for when you want to take a shower and don't want to leave the little one unattended.

Wooden fishing play set from MOMA

2009-05-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Ah, sweet! This is a lovely update on something I remember from my childhood. I've seen several plastic fishing games in stores but this is worlds apart from those... I'm a big fan of wooden toys and this looks beautifully crafted. The magnets are carefully set into the wood to make it safe for your little one. I just wish it came with two fishing rods so it could be a race to see who hooks the most sea creatures... one rod means taking turns. Hmmmm... well, we can but hope.

Mini Margot by Erica Tanov

2009-05-20T14:08:00.000-07:00

Brrrrr.... it's cold down here in the southern hemisphere. I just got an email from a friend who works in town and he said he sees snowflakes drifting past his office window... in Wellington! It never snows in Wellington. So these lovely winter coats hold a lot of appeal right now. Trench coats look amazing with almost every outfit so I'm very tempted by the plaid number. The only problem... no hood!

The mini-e chair from Little Nest

2009-05-19T00:40:00.000-07:00

Oh my! Just look at this! Our household has had a long and involved obsession with Eames chairs... we have hovered over them in sales rooms many many times, debated the various merits of the reproduction versus the original and argued over which wood finish we should choose... and now it seems we may be destined to have the mini version.

This chair will instantly appeal to certain types among you... I'm one of them, it makes me feel happy just looking at it. I can already picture my daughter sitting along side her daddy in their matching chairs.

Amoretti Designs - Frou Frou with a capital F!

2009-05-18T00:19:00.000-07:00

These pretty dresses and skirts are just on the right side of girlie. I'm all for having a tonne of jeans and tshirts in my daughter's wardrobe but every little girl needs a gorgeous party dress. I love the crossover detail on the back of the dresses... extremely stylish. And I'm always a sucker for twirly skirts. Rebekah, the woman behind the label, is from Idaho and lives in England... the combined influences seem to have produced elegant clothes that make me think of market days in Italian villages... if only they came in my size!

Blik wall decals featuring Threadless designs

2009-05-17T21:53:00.000-07:00

Clever clever clever! I'm a big fan of Threadless... if you haven't heard of this company before, it's an excellent online tshirt store where all the designs are submitted by you, the community. If your design scores highly it gets printed and you get paid! And now, they have paired up with Blik to turn the designs into pretty stunning wall art. I love how the moon image above pops from the wall. It's such a cool way to edit the look of the nursery without spending too much cash. You never know, maybe it will be your design that makes it to the printing stage...

Seedling experience kits

2009-05-16T09:41:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid my mum used to take my cousin and me to a pottery class every week... we used to make some seriously ugly pieces but we loved it and after a while we started to make things that looked pretty good. Some of those bits of pottery are still knocking around my parent's house and I smile whenever I see them. I recently came across this New Zealand company which brought those creative experiences to mind. Seedling produce these great little packs which contain everything you need to grow a vegetable patch, bake cupcakes, design tshirts or build a wormery (plus tonnes more options). The beauty being that this is something creative to sit down and do together with your little one. Seedling can help you find a stockist near you so get in touch!

Wooden tree houses by Tree Blocks

2009-05-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

As much as I love the idea of one of those fancy manor houses for my daughter's dolls I think this wooden tree house is a pretty funky option that would appeal to both boys and girls. With rope ladders and working winch cranes, there is a lot of attention to detail and it looks perfect for mini adventures. They have a great range of rustic wooden furniture too which, in my opinion, is much more attractive than the frou frou, pink, plastic Barbie versions. A quick google search reveals quite a few stockists and the makers have both a US and a UK site. Check them out!

Twinkle Wrap favour box kits

2009-05-14T00:02:00.000-07:00

I really like this idea... Twinkle Wrap have come up with a nifty way to package the little goodie bags given out at birthday parties. Ecological consciousness is very important to these guys and they use materials that are about as safe as anything can be, with a stringent certification process that tests for over 100 harmful chemicals. So why not get something a little bit different for your party favours? This creative bunch also do some amazing matching onesies... they'd be super cute on twins but I'd happily buy the set just for my daughter.

Cranky Pants from Mahar Dry Goods

2009-05-13T22:00:00.000-07:00

OK... time to post about one of my favourite sites... Mahar Dry Goods sell a great collection of vintage and artisan crafted items and is well worth a browse. What do you think of these woolly cranky pants? Personally I think they're lovely... they are hand knitted by a woman who has set up a fairtrade wool supply from Peru. Do you ever wonder where all these arty people get their energy from? It must take so much work! Anyway... if you need more convincing just imagine your wee one crawling around with a monster face on their bottom.

The ultimate lunchbox

2009-05-12T22:12:00.000-07:00

This is the ultimate in lunchboxes... modelled on the tiffin and bento style boxes it is perfect for school lunches and picnics. The top layer is divided into 4 sections... perfect for some loose nuts or a dipping sauce. I just love it... I already have a japanese bento box but I think I like this even more. It certainly has more space... I'm tempted to get one just for family picnics. I've seen 2 layer and 3 layer versions around but My Messy Room is carrying only the large at the moment. Fine by me...

Blue Fields Locket

2009-05-11T00:02:00.000-07:00

Check out this pretty locket. Maybe you're thinking... this isn't for children... and you'd be right. I thought I'd share a good child-related gift tip with you. Last Christmas I made some lockets for the new grandmothers with miniature pictures of my daughter in them. Jewellery making is super easy these days and I'm not even particularly crafty. You don't need any tools... I picked up a couple of vintage ball brass lockets from etsy.com and then bought the chain and loops from a local craft store. All I had to do was twist everything together and it was done. You can jazz it up with some beads and ribbon if you like. If you're struggling to get good quality, mini pictures for this, get an index or proof sheet done of the pictures you want - each picture will be very small and perfect for using in the locket. And if you don't feel up to making one you can buy one ready made from Pretty Peonies... easy! The grandmothers love them.

Pixie mushroom house

2009-05-10T20:27:00.001-07:00

This pixie-sized house is the sort of thing I would have begged for weeks for my parents to get me when I was little. I had this fascination with all things miniature and my friends and I would build houses for little dolls and animals everywhere... sometimes out of shoe boxes in my bedroom or out in the garden using whatever came to hand. This mini mushroom dreamhouse from Teddy Tree would have been perfect for our home building efforts. I'm sure it would appeal to today's wee ones too. Teddy Tree also make some mini creatures to live in the houses including fairies and wizards but my favourite has to be her tiny bears. Check them out.

Bo Mini Moo Boots - Tan & White

2009-05-09T21:46:00.000-07:00

I think these are a little bit Hollywood for me but no doubt they will appeal to the more fashion forward amongst you. Each Bo Boot is unique with patterns varying between pairs... I can picture them on the trendsetter babies down at Oriental Parade in Wellington. They are pretty cool, huh?

Animal Farm ceramic range by Cat Chapman

2009-05-08T21:36:00.000-07:00

A New Zealand made range of ceramics for kids? Yes please! This bright and colourful collection of plates, bowls and mugs will make any meal time more fun. And knowing it wasn't made in China will give you a warm glowing feeling inside each time you use it.

Standard Issue knitwear for kids

2009-05-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

I am a BIG fan of Standard Issue... I haunt Starfish in Wellington waiting for the new pieces to come in. If you haven't come across it before it is the best knitwear around. They work in merino and cashmere. I have the most amazing red cardigan which has somehow been knitted into little crinkles... it's beautiful and I love it. I've just noticed they have a kids wear section which is pretty exciting. I like this poppy-coloured hooded dress... imagine how snuggly it would be in this current weather we're having. The blue striped hoodie is a great staple for winter. It's a New Zealand label and there are lots of stockists but here's a good online shop. The grown up range is certainly worth a look too!

Acrylic tiles from Quyen

2009-05-07T20:57:00.000-07:00

These acrylic laser cut tiles from Quyen are seriously pretty... my plan is to hang some on the windows in my daughter's bedroom. Light shining through them will create lovely patterns on the floor. These would look good in any room I think but I'm sure they'll catch the eyes of the little ones. They come with wire attached, ready for hanging and are very reasonably priced. [Via]

Baby it's cold outside... Sudo winter collection

2009-05-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

I think Melbourne must be one of the creative centres of the southern hemisphere. So many amazing designers have set up shop there. I live in Wellington and I always imagine Melbourne to be Australia's equivalent to this place. I love these winter coats from Sudo. I think my favourite is the grey ruby coat (above). It's simple and elegant... this is another one of those things I wish came in my size. The purple trench coat is amazing... quite glam. Your little one would feel as though they were playing dress up when they put this on, which could be useful during the put-your-coat-on struggle. Sudo also do a lovely leather jacket for boys which would look great over the red Alex shirt (below). This shirt feels very antipodean to me.

Hugh Hayden plastic chair

2009-05-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

This is a great looking chair... not sure how comfortable it would be but kids don't care about stuff like that anyway. All that matters is that this looks like a ball pool solidified into something to sit on. This is available through the Future Perfect website where the line between art and function is expertly blended and you can find amazing items like this chair and the crayon twigs I posted about previously.

Stylish portable cots?

2009-05-04T02:47:00.000-07:00

We went on a trip last Easter and I splashed out on one of those plastic and mesh portacots for my daughter, but I really wish I hadn't as it's proven to be heavy and fairly ugly. On top of that each of her grandparents have bought one for when we visit. So she has three! They are portable cots... but as you may already know, they tend to take up a lot of room (even folded) and aren't all that portable.

So make way for a super attractive range of cardboard cots. These are durable, safe and eco friendly (being made from recycled materials). Cardboard seems to be the medium of choice for a lot of designers at present... and plenty of people are using these as their main cot, not just a temporary travel bed. The cots are solid and come with a mattress and best of all this stylish number folds away when you no longer need it. They are designed to be at bed height which would be great during those early days when you have to do a million night time feeds (well, that's what it feels like).

Album di Famiglia ensemble

2009-05-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

This is a bathing suit in the old fashioned sense... not so much for getting wet as for looking super stylie by the beach. It has a bit of a fifties vibe to it. I think it's never too early to start playing dress up. The Album di Famiglia range is full of gems... I could happily buy the whole lot.

FUNFAM by Tsuneyuki Fujoka

2009-05-03T02:03:00.000-07:00

A place setting that doubles as a jigsaw and teaches dining etiquette using engraved diagrams? A-mazing! I saw these on a fellow blogger's site and fell in love... but imagine my disappointment when I went hunting for the supplier only to find the sellers were all based in Japan, with complicated sites covered in kanji symbols. Oh no! But... I have now discovered an international seller and am sharing the details with you. Lucky!

The set is made by hand from natural bamboo and comes with the tray, plates for each course and cutlery. Your little one can use the pictures engraved in the wood to work out which pieces to use with each course. Japanese design + western style utensils = uber-desirable object.

Table upon table child chair by Richard Hutton

2009-05-03T01:30:00.000-07:00

I think I like this... but I don't understand it. It's weird, right? It's definitely a child's chair but what it gains from having a second table below it, I'm not sure. Somewhere to stash toys perhaps... I suppose the obvious thing is that it's stable and that's good but the price tag... well, it's not cheap. But then, you are getting two tables. I wonder how it will look with mushed up avocado smeared across it, though.

Twigs cast in crayon by Stanley Ruiz

2009-05-01T23:34:00.000-07:00

I've said it before and I'll say it again... at least half of the time I buy something for my daughter it's really for me. How amazing are these crayons? If your little one isn't interested in drawing they could double as magic wands. I have a bit of a thing for drawing and painting materials... just having them near by makes me feel more creative. These twigs would look great propped up in a jar... almost too good to draw with... almost. These are definitely not just for the kids.

Label blankets and tag mats

2009-04-30T20:38:00.001-07:00

Have you discovered tag and label playmats yet? Babies just love loops of fabric they can chew, grip and hook their fingers in to. There are tonnes of blankets and playmats with tags attached for sale out there... a quick search on etsy.com will toss up a load if you haven't seen these before. Pia Eriksson makes some of the neatest ones I've seen including this fancy Thilde pocket... each pocket has labels attached to attract your little one's fingers - the idea being that you velcro the pocket along the top of the crib and fill the pockets with interesting items. When morning comes you get some extra rest while the mischief maker plays happily and explores the pockets. When I look at this I can't help but feel that it would be easy to make something similar yourself... but even easier to buy I suppose.

Tammy Donohoe's babywear

2009-04-30T15:52:00.001-07:00

Check these babies out... I like! All of Tammy's designs are gorgeous. She has even come up with a novel way of dressing up a pacifier by turning it into a brooch. It's certainly not at the budget end of the spectrum and Tammy uses a lot of high end fabrics like silk. But if you have money to burn and a model baby who never spills anything on their clothing this is the collection for you. Perhaps for a special occasion...

I'm always amused by the clothes designers designate as being "for boys" or "for girls"... usually you can re-read it as "unisex" or "frou frou", respectively. The shirt style onesie above is lodged firmly in the boys section but I think it would be lovely on any baby. Same goes for the cute all-in-one below... I'm developing a bit of a thing for these woolly suits. Maybe it's because winter is looming.

Free Range Baby winter coats

2009-04-29T22:12:00.000-07:00

I've posted about Free Range Baby before and I'm a big fan... how amazing is this jacket? The quilted moss vinyl jacket is a little bit rock and roll, a little bit vintage and a LOT cute! This coat is seriously limited edition... in fact there are only two of them but the makers faithfully promise that they will be producing more during the winter months. They also provide links to their treasured fabric samples so you can put a custom order in. Tempting!

Is it raining where you are?

2009-04-29T02:07:00.000-07:00

Sigh... it's been wet here in Wellington for days... days and days. I could continue to bemoan the fact and wistfully think about summer... or I could use this as an excuse to look for stylish wet weather gear for the wee one. First stop is the quintessential pair of Hunter's... these are THE wellington boots... by appointment to the royals, don't you know? These are high up on my list of essential gear, but it's a bit of a tradition with my family. I'm keen on the traditional green or yellow colours but for something different why not grab some in metallic gold!

Decaf plush

2009-04-28T00:43:00.000-07:00

If your little ones are anything like my daughter then they probably just about live in onesies. Lots of other clothes sit on the shelf but the onesies get used all the time. So I always perk up when I spot some bright new designs. Decaf Plush have a great range that ticks all the right boxes - interesting colours, fun designs, and the option to mix and match shapes and styles. My little one is all about feeling different textures at the moment so I think she'd love the designs on these.

Ultimate in pedal power from Pampered Tots

2009-04-27T01:30:00.000-07:00

I had a pedal car when I was little but it certainly wasn't anything like these... I'd LOVE to buy one. I'm not sure who would be more excited, my daughter or me.... I might be falling into the nostalgia trap. It would need to be an outside only toy I think... but picture your trips to the park! The yellow, black and chrome plane whooshing down the paths... and the firetruck has a flashing light and ringing bell. You'll be the envy of the neighbourhood.

Egg by Susan Lazar

2009-04-27T00:20:00.000-07:00

Hmmm... How to politely drop major hints to the oldies (aka grandparents) that we want them to buy decadent and frivolous clothing from Egg Baby for the wee one? Answers on a post card, please! This range of clothing is seriously tempting. There are so many lovely little things... it's not cheap but it looks good enough to blind me to the cost. The pink heart kimono is a big favourite... and imagine combining it with the little bear hat and booties! The woolly all-in-one looks so snuggly I'd be keen to have a grown-up sized one. Time to hide my wallet...

Build your own playhouse

2009-04-26T21:23:00.000-07:00

I found these right on my doorstep in sunny old New Zealand (although it's far from sunny today... winter approaches... woe is me). Hamish and Angie run a business making these lovely pieces for children. My favourites are these building boards (above) that kids can easily construct into dens and houses. There's a whole range of great toys, kids furniture and swings along with these cubes which are perfect for clambering over or climbing inside. Definitely something to get the kids moving around.

Flobibs - super stylish baby bibs

2009-04-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

My little one (pictured below) is a big fan of these bibs... well, I am and therefore she is by default. These outfit enhancing bibs are the perfect solution to her dribbly woes. Ever since my daughter started teething she's been a much damper baby with lots of dribble on her shirts. So, we clad her in bibs to keep her dry and these Flobibs are so much more attractive than the average bibs on offer. Handmade by a friend in Sydney using a mixture of vintage and recycled fabrics there is a style to suit everyone... they would make a lovely shower gift.

Fortune cookie shorts

2009-04-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

I've definitely shifted in to playing-dress-up-with-my-daughter mode. These cute shorts made by Handmade Charlotte have a secret fortune cookie message sewn in to them and I can already picture my wee one wearing them. Good for romping around at the beach, I think. I hope she appreciates these amazing outfits when she's older... right now, she just covers them in mushed up broccoli... which is why it's great that these are very reasonably priced.

Twirly skirts and skinny jeans

2009-04-20T22:24:00.001-07:00

I had the most amazing twirly skirt when I was little... it was a hand-me-down from an older friend of the family. Apple green and a bit too big, it had to be held up by tying a big ribbon around my waist a few times.... but when I span around it twirled up in the air. It was so amazing I wore it for years... and now I think I've found it's equal. A Little Horn red ruffled skirt available at Baby's Got Style. My other find on this site was this pair of skinny jeans by Mine by Kayla... so stylie!

Hide n Seek artwork

2009-04-16T22:10:00.000-07:00

Looking for something for the walls in the nursery? I'm in the process of decorating and will be getting a few of these Hide n Seek prints for my daughter... I love them. They seem to balance fairytale sweetness with a bit of mystery... and they are extremely reasonably priced. You could get a whole set!

Money boxes!

2009-04-14T20:16:00.000-07:00

Ahhh finally... I've been hunting for a money box for my daughter since Christmas and at last I've found some that fit the bill... and I do love it when I come across something that both works for my daughter and manages to satisfy my desire for something more funky than frou frou (not that frou frou doesn't have it's place from time to time). Three Potato Four sells so many gorious things in the online store it's hard to narrow the choice down at all. Many of their items are one-of-a-kind or vintage and have to be snapped up quickly if you want to score before they sell out. My pick is this french pear money bank... it's so simple that I love it. Also on offer is this antique tiger bank... the tiger slides across the box as you move it. I also really like these coin bank kits... very reasonably priced and it comes flat packed so you get the fun of making the box up yourself.

Easter weekend shoe special

2009-04-08T21:57:00.000-07:00

I'm currently packing for the Easter break (well, supposed to be packing anyway)... and I decided to do a monster sized post to cover the next few days while I'm away. Also... I have a bit of an obsession with shoes anyway so it was only a matter of time before I started buying for two. So to begin, the Heidi red leather shoes (above) are handmade and good enough for me to wish they came in grown-up sizes (although I feel that way about all of them). Next we have the gold mary jane peep toe sandals from See Kai Run. These guys have such a huge range that it's hard to narrow your choice down to just one pair. The blue Veja sneakers are super tempting as I wear Vejas myself... like mummy like daughter. They are an excellent choice for the ethical shopper as they are fairtrade products, oh and organic, bonus! Or, how about some funky red hightops... super cute for boys or girls I think. Etsy seller TinyWhales makes these lovely wool and tartan baby boots... perfect for keeping a non-mobile baby nice and warm. Vincent make famously good children's shoes and have buckets of styles and colours to choose from. These little leather sandals are my pick as a good option for a little one ready to take first steps. The final shoes on the list are a fun pair of wooly moccasins from the ultra hip Kido store... if you're a big design fan this shop is the place for you. They sell gorgeous things and ship from Australia.

Wooden teething toys

2009-04-07T22:21:00.000-07:00

My daughter is in serious teething mode at the moment and is frantically trying to chew on everything... her fists, my fingers... umpteen plastic rings and toys. I've been looking for something more natural for her to dribble on. Maple seems to be the wood of choice for those crafty types who have made these lovely toys. EenieBeanieThread make these rattles (above) and Etsy seller, Little Sapling has made a whole range of teething and grasping toys which will fit the bill. Little Sapling also make a whole range of larger wooden toys and rockers that I really like the look of.

Kids On Roof eco friendly dolls house

2009-04-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

This turquoise doll house is great. I love its modern, functional design... it's made of cardboard so it's super portable and ready to be decorated inside and out. Good for taking to the grandparent's place. Kids On Roof also make a playhouse version of this that the little ones can actually get in. The totem tree would look lovely in the kid's bedroom... I think it would make an excellent prop for elaborate games and make believe. It's all dutch design like so many of the best kids products on the market but there are NZ stockists... huzzah!

Looking for something for Easter?

2009-04-06T16:26:00.000-07:00

Cradle Rock have created these limited edition seasonal bags in collaboration with Itch Design and I think they're pretty cool... big enough to hold a huge stash of eggs at the end of an Easter egg hunt. If you're looking for something more cuddly how about these one of a kind bespoke bunnies from Palomino Morgan? This ski pattern bunny is my favourite. If the weather turns sour then you can always set you little ones to work colouring some free, printable Easter drawings.

Little mouse felted merino baby ankle booties

2009-04-05T02:58:00.000-07:00

Baby booties are by definition super cute and are sold practically everywhere so you don't really need any help from me to track them down... but, even so... these little numbers are pretty special and worth a mention. Hand made even down to the traditional felting method by Pretty Little these bespoke slippers are definitely some of the best I've seen.

Amazing playmats from Helicopter Studios

2009-04-05T02:40:00.000-07:00

These are so so fantastic... a whole range of 3D landscapes for kids to play on/with/around featuring cities, forests, fishing holes and campfires amongst other things. And then best of all, when playing is finished for the day you can fold it all up in a portable little tote. I've had a look at the whole collection and can't figure out which one fires up my imagination more. So creative, I just love them and seriously reasonable in price too.

Binkie tees

2009-04-04T00:47:00.000-07:00

These Binkie tshirts are so good I'm planning to get one for myself but they also make a great range of kidswear. If you're looking for something handmade and a little bit different these are the shirts for you... How about springing for one of these rocking guitar firework shirts? The sizes range from six months upwards.

Radio Flyer trailer

2009-04-03T14:21:00.000-07:00

Does this look familiar? To be honest this iconic trailer is recognizable to me only through childhood movies not actual personal experience... they're huge in the states. But I really love the idea of them... I'm picturing tugging my daughter along the waterfront and when she's older she can cart her toys about in it. I'm keen to grab one and a quick search shows that lots of places sell them... from Amazon to several NZ stockists, like Busy Kids and Kookychoo. They aren't super cheap so it may have to wait until Christmas... or perhaps it's a perfect grandparent gift! Hint hint...

Baa Baa Blinds portable blackout curtains

2009-04-02T21:06:00.000-07:00

These look super useful... I was just chatting to the folks in my parent and baby group about how awkward it can be to get your little one to sleep properly when on holiday and something like this could be the answer. My daughter definitely sleeps better when the room is nice and dark. BaaBaa Blinds are a UK product but they can ship from Australia. I haven't used them yet but I'm sorely tempted. Good for taking to the grandparents house too.

Babylegs leg warmers

2009-04-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

My daughter is rapidly edging towards crawling which is somewhat daunting since I haven't really gotten round to baby-proofing the whole house yet. We have wooden floors throughout and I've been looking for something like these to pad her knees. A friend recommended them to me... little leg warmers for your wee one made by BabyLegs. She swears they don't fall down and they have the added bonus of letting you change nappies without taking them off. There are loads of patterns too... from delicate pastels to funky giraffe prints, I'm finding it hard to choose.

SpiltMILK

2009-03-31T13:46:00.000-07:00

I spotted these in Wellington store, Swonderful... I've been weighing up whether it's nuts to buy things for my daughter she can't wear for two years, but that's how much I love them! Patches seem like the ideal addition to leggings or tights... it's not just that they are super cute, oh no. They also let your little one scramble about without getting scrapes. SpiltMILK design and make all their stylish and functional clothing in New Zealand. I love the colours... all fairly unisex. This lovely cardigan with little heart-print patches is made from merino wool so it will be toasty warm.

Sticky wall art

2009-03-30T14:18:00.000-07:00

I love this amazing hundreds and thousands wall graphic for the little one's nursery. Sticky Tiki are based in New Zealand and have come up with some seriously lovely (and very reasonably priced) mural kits which they make to order. Many have a pacific feel which makes them stand out from the crowd, among them this amazing pohutukawa tree design... you can't get more kiwi than that. Imagine getting one of these as a shower gift... beautiful and certainly more memorable than a onesie.

Dangle and drape gym and tent by Haba

2009-03-30T00:02:00.001-07:00

I have to admit that I have the typical brightly coloured fabric and plastic bulk standard play gym for my daughter... but as much as she loves it, it is a bit of an eye sore. If you're seeking an alternative the Haba gym is a bit more aesthetically pleasing and it has the added bonus of converting into a teepee when your little one is too big for the play gym activities. I don't know which the baby would prefer but this certainly looks like fun.

Dream trikes

2009-03-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

I. LOVE. THESE. TRIKES. They are on my fantasy wish list but I'm frightened to find out if they ship to New Zealand because I don't trust myself. I have visions of myself effortlessly pedalling my daughter around town collecting groceries and running errands. But seriously, I live in Wellington! The city of hills... but still... they are pretty. If I could choose I'd grab the Johnny Loco version (above) but the Nihola scores well on the safety/ease of use tests.

Origami birds and summer overalls

2009-03-29T19:52:00.000-07:00

I started looking for things to decorate my little one's nursery when I was pregnant. I didn't know if I was having a boy or a girl and whilst I'm not a major stickler for specific colours for boys or girls I didn't want anything too gender specific. Free Range Baby work out of Wellington, NZ making the most gorgeous small runs of clothes for ages zero to three years along with amazing little decorative items. They use a lot of vintage and reclaimed fabrics to make the pieces and I love these origami birds and think they look amazing dangling over the crib. I'm currently eyeing up these lovely summery overalls.