Marquee

My Quotable Kid Journal

2009-11-05T03:33:00.000-08:00

Children say funny, memorable, cute and heart warming things all the time...but how often do we as parents or teachers jot them down?

There is now no excuse for forgetting the precious things our children say with the My Quotable Kid journal. The journal includes a special photo window and ample space for writing plus a cute speech bubble on each page to add date, location and the name of the speaker, meaning the book can be used for more than one child. It is a stylish keepsake journal allowing you to preserve your child's most memorable sayings, for sharing with family and friends and revisiting for years to come.

It is beautifully bound and measures 18 x 13cm wide. My Quotable Kid is available from Little Living and is priced at $29.95 plus postage ($9.50). The journal has been extremely popular and is currently out of stock, but Little Living is taking orders for its next shipment due mid-December. I can't wait to get my copy!

Medical Alert Bracelets

2009-11-02T19:16:00.000-08:00

Having a child with a medical condition or allergy means being alert, and when you're out and about, you want others to be alert as well. These Medical Alert Bracelets/Wristbands help ensure your baby or child is safe. Bright, colourful and stylish, they make life a little easier - at Child Care, Pre-School, Primary School, Camps, Parties and Sleepovers.

The bracelets are available in 5 types:

* Your Alert - a wristband you can write on, suitable for specific allergies, autism, epilepsy, coeliac disease and more
* Asthma Alert
* Anaphylaxis Alert
* Food Allergy Alert and
* Diabetes Alert

They are fully adjustable and fit babies through to teenagers. They are made from soft polyester/cotton fabric which is durable and washable.

The Medical Alert Bracelets/Wristbands can be purchased online from Haggus and Stookles. They are $9.95 each (plus postage which is free for parcels weighing up to 10grams).

Baby Wraps

2009-10-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

One of the best inventions of recent years has to be the swaddling wrap that cocoons and securely fastens a baby within its wrap through the use of velcro tabs. A baby really needs to be Houdini to get out of these wraps!

The SwaddleMe Wrap by Kiddopotamus is available through a number of online stores including Urban Baby. It comes in a few plain colours and a few geometric designs like the blue cocoa dot featured above. It retails from $34.95 plus postage.

For those looking for something a little more luxurious, look no further than the Baby Swaddle Blankets sold through the online store Babybonkie.

With some gorgeous prints available, like the featured Groovy and Lily, your baby will really be making a fashion statement! They have a 100% cotton fabric exterior and a minkee lining. Babybonkie Swaddle Blankets retail for $60 plus postage.

Sock Ons

2009-10-25T05:27:00.000-07:00

Little bubs can be very active and at times it's quite a battle to keep socks on...but a smart mum of 5 little boys who were always losing socks, has come up with a solution - Sock Ons!

Sock Ons are a clever little "garment" worn over the sock to ‘lock’ it into place. This product has been awarded the baby industries most coveted prize for innovation. Sock Ons are a clever and trendy solution to a very annoying problem and are quickly becoming a necessary item that no baby (or sane parent) can do without!

They are made from a softly woven blend of elasticised material with contrasting coloured stitching around the edges. Sock Ons are available in a variety of colours from
Little Bare Bear and they retail for $9.95 a pair plus postage which is as little as $1.10 for four pairs.

Bottle Warmer

2009-10-23T21:11:00.000-07:00

The perfect accessory for any parent on the go, this bottle warmer from Make My Day activates crystals with the click of a button inside the warmer pack, heating it up without the need for water or electricity! To reset it, ready for use again, simply place the pack in a saucepan of boiling water to reverse the chemical reaction. If refrigerated ahead of time, the pack can also be used as a cooler for food and drinks.

It is made from durable, heat resistant plastic and features two sets of snap buttons to secure the pack around bottles of different sizes.

The bottle warmer measures approximately 10 x 15cm and comes in a lime green or flying cow design. It is available from Peter's of Kensington for $22 (RRP $30).

Yunginz Shoes

2009-10-15T00:39:00.000-07:00

How hard is it to find stylish shoes for young children, especially boys? If looking for a shoe that is comfortable and can compliment a range of outfits - and that doesn't have a TV character on it - look no further than Yunginz! The brainchild of two Aussie mums, Jenny Celebrin and Yolanda La Gorce, Yunginz was started in 2007 and provides affordable, trendy shoes for young children at affordable prices. The line of shoes was created in consultation with podiatrists ensuring they not only look good but also fit well and are good for children's feet.

Styles currently listed in the Summer range include these pretty Lace T-Bar Ballet Flats (also available in a dusty pink) for $54.95. Sizes range from 6-13 and 1-3.

The girl's range also includes The Gladette for $79.95 in sizes 6-13 and 1-3.

The boys haven't been forgotten either with a stylish range all of their own. Styles include the Button Drill for $59.95 in sizes 8-13...

the Easy Strap Over Sandal for $35.95 in sizes 8-13 and 1-2...

and the trendy Checka Canvas Black (also available in other colours) for $39.95 in sizes 6-13.

With a range of stockists around the country, Yunginz shoes are sure to please!

Organic Bottom Balm

2009-10-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

I used to use a well known brand of nappy rash cream on my children, but whilst it did the job required I was always wary of using it too much because it wasn't an all-natural product. With the birth of my latest son, I discovered Bottom Balm - a 100% certified organic balm created by an Australian Mum!

Convinced to buy it by testimonials that declared it 'The best nappy cream I have ever tried' and claims that it could be used by the whole family for not just nappy rash, but any skin irritation, soreness or dryness, I wondered whether it would live up to the hype...

It certainly does live up to the hype - I absolutely love this product! Absolutely pure and chemical free, the 50g jar includes Certified Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Certified Organic Olive Oil, Certified Organic Beeswax, Certified Organic Calendula, Pure Vitamin E Oil (not synthetic), Grapefruit Seed Extract (preservative), Certified Organic Comfrey, Certified Organic Chammomile essential Oil and Certified Organic Lavender essential Oil.

It feels lusciously soft and is easy to apply. I have used it on my baby and other members of the family have used it for cuts and scratches. I will definitely be buying more jars!

Bottom Balm is available from Nature's Child for $19.95 (plus postage) or can be picked up from various stockists around the country.

All Natural Laundry Powder

2009-10-13T21:18:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for a laundry powder that is all natural - good for the environment and your family, then Naturally Clean Snow Laundry Powder is the answer! Made from all natural ingredients comprising vinegar, salts (salt, sodium bi-carb, sodium carbonate), citrus (oil), lemon juice, zeolite, eucalyptus (oil) and other essential oils, this laundry powder packs a punch!

Free of detergent, SLS, phosphate and nasty synthetic chemicals, as well as low allergenic, the laundry powder is environmentally friendly from its production right through to its packaging.

Available from MakeUWell, Naturally Clean Snow Laundry Powder gives a fresh, natural feel and scent to your clothes - it even cleans your washing machine! It is safe on all fabrics and rapidly dissolvable meaning no annoying residual soap deposits. It can also save you water and money because there is no need to rinse lightly soiled clothes - just wash on the rinse cycle.

The laundry powder comes in 750g containers, 2.25kg bottles and 20kg bucket. The bucket size gives approximately 250 washes and is priced at $135 plus postage. I was lucky enough to be given the laundry powder as a gift and I love it! I don't think I can go back to chemical laden laundry powder now...I don't mind paying a bit more when I know that I'm washing my family's clothes with something safe to both us and the environment.

With four boys in the house, I'm also loving Alpha Plus Pre-Soak, available from Tri-Nature. It comes in a 2kg bucket and is a non chlorinated, phosphate & nutrient-free destainer. It is priced at $36.42 plus postage and has many household uses apart from the washing!

BPA Free Baby Bottles

2009-10-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

Finding safe baby bottles was once a virtual impossibility. Even glass baby bottles were hard to find, and in any case, not always practical - especially with toddlers around! Thankfully more companies are realising there is a demand for baby bottles free of harmful chemicals.

Green to Grow baby bottles are earth friendly and free of the suspected hormone-disrupting chemical bisphenol A and phthalates(BPA) , found in polycarbonate plastic of which most baby bottles are made. They are also free of PVC and lead. The bottles do not retain odours and are long-lasting.

Bottles are available in 150ml or 300ml regular neck or wide neck styles and each bottle comes with a beginner (slow flow, 0-3 months) nitrosamine-free silicone teat, with other teats available to be bought separately.

I use them for both my newborn baby and toddlers and have been impressed with their quality. Available from MakeUWell, the Green to Grow bottles are priced from $19.95 each plus postage. Alternatively, you can visit their store at Terrey Hills in NSW.

Natural Nursing Bottle

2009-01-03T16:03:00.000-08:00

Here's another winner from online store, Baby's Got Style!

It's a feeding bottle designed by mothers, doctors and lactation consultants to mimic a natural breast.

The bottle is twisted open at the bottom to be filled which means the teat area is kept germ free. It is also leak proof and designed to reduce air ingestion (and thus colic).

Made from 100% polycarbonate free materials, it the ultimate bottle - perfectly safe for baby! Whether going straight to the bottle, wanting a bottle that baby will easily accept after being breast-fed or whether wishing to combine breast-feeding and bottle-feeding, this seems a great product to make feed times a little easier!

Having had babies who suffered from colic, I would definitely be giving this bottle a go. In fact, I have ordered it for my sister-in-law so she can test drive it when her baby arrives next year!

The Adiri Natural Nurser is $19.95 (plus $6.50 postage) and comes in slow flow (0-3 months), medium flow (3-6 months) and fast flow (6 months plus).

Bib and Booties

2009-01-01T22:51:00.000-08:00

Looking for a unique gift to send someone for their baby? How about one of these gorgeous bib and booties sets?

These beautiful gift sets each contain a pair of hand knitted booties by Bobishi, and a reversible vintage fabric bib by Cinti does Vintage. Both items are suitable for a baby aged newborn to 3 months old.

Priced at $41.95 (plus postage), the Retro Bib and Booties set and the Trees Bib and Booties Set are available from My Poppet.

Wrap and Cap

2009-01-01T22:28:00.001-08:00

Babies love to be swaddled and there are hundreds of wraps on the market, but none quite as cute as this one - the Moo Cow Wrap and Cap set is suited for a baby sized 0-6 months. It is made from stretch cotton and measures 80cm x 105cm.

Available from Baby's Got Style for $39.95 plus postage ($6.50), it also comes in a tiger, leopard and lady beetle design.

2009-01-01T21:57:00.000-08:00

What do celebrities like Cate Blanchett use to soothe their babies? All natural dummies/pacifiers of course!

These dummies are made from pure, natural rubber from the Hevea Brasiliensi tree, which means they are non-toxic. They also provide no risk of a latex allergy reaction because the protein that can provoke such an attack is removed.

These dummies/pacifiers are manufactured in Europe and certified in the areas of safety, health and environment.

An additional benefit is that they are extremely hygienic because they are molded in one piece. There are no joints or cracks where dirt and bacteria can accumulate. The shield of this dummy is also larger than conventional shields so as to prevent babies squeezing the flexible material together enough for the soother to fit in their mouth. So designers have thought of everything it seems!

They may not be as "pretty" as some conventional dummies, but it is nice to know that there is a safe option in soothers on the market for our children. I wish I had known about these when my youngest son used a dummy, as he was very attached to his!

The Natural Soother is available in round and orthodontic shapes, and there are six sizes to choose from. Priced at $12 each plus postage, they are well worth it for peace of mind! They are available online from Make U Well.

Denim Flower Booties

2009-01-01T21:35:00.000-08:00

Cute, cute, cute!!! These denim handmade embroidered booties are a size 0-6 months. They measure 11cm from toe to heel and would look gorgeous on any little girl.

The booties are priced at $29.95 (plus $6.50 postage). Why not team them with a great outfit and get more value from your postage? They are available from Baby's Got Style, who usually ship the next business day after order is made.

If only my nieces were still tiny enough to fit into them...

Snack and Stack Utensils

2008-12-30T19:21:00.000-08:00

Always losing baby spoons, forks and knives in drawers and bags? Here's a simple solution - use them and then stack them together!

Invented by the style team of Fred and Friends, the Snack and Stack Utensils are available from The Rocking Horse for $29.95 plus postage (as little as $4.95 for those in the Sydney Metro area).

Sock Monkey

2008-12-30T18:58:00.000-08:00

There are plenty of sock monkeys on the market today, but how adorable are these little guys? Each monkey is handmade by Little House on the Hill from a new pair of designer socks and polyester stuffing.

The sock monkey measures approximately 30cm from head to toe and is designed for added safety with double-stitched main seams and no detachable parts.

I can see these being popular not only with babies, but also little people who still find comfort in having a special friend with them :)

Priced at $40 plus postage, Stanley Argyle (blue/green) and Ella Hearts (red/pink) Sock Monkies are available along with 16 other designs from online store All You Need.

Rest Time Bedding Set

2008-11-28T15:11:00.000-08:00

How gorgeous is this bedding set, made with daycare/pre-school rest time in mind?! Described as easy to care for and a delight to lay on, these sets are available in the pink pictured as well as in a blue tone and a green tone. Each piece also comes with a large woven label bearing your child's name - an absolute must for any school setting!

The complete bedding set contains 100% cotton sheets. a rest time pillow and a fleece blanket all in a handy drawstring bag - and designed to fit a baby cot or pre-school stretcher bed. It is available from Jam Berry for $69.95 plus postage ($7.50 regular post and $12.95 express post). I think that's a great bargain for a funky and versatile rest time bedding set. If you're after just the pillow or the sheet set or even the drawstring bag, you can also purchase the pieces separately!

Doctor's Bag

2008-11-19T20:42:00.001-08:00

This doctor's bag is a great gift for any child and particularly suited for children aged 3 to 6 years old.

Children will become engrossed in imaginary play as they pretend to be doctors. I bought this doctor's kit for my son's birthday after seeing him enjoy a similar kit at his daycare centre. The case is made of sturdy plastic and is jam packed with all the tools needed to be a great doctor - an electronic stethoscope, scissors, squeaky syringe, blood pressure pump and lots more!

Besides fostering a child's imagination, this kit is also great for alleviating fears about going to the doctors when sick!

The Junior Doctor Set is available from iQ Toys and is priced at just $25.99 plus postage.

3D Wooden Puzzle

2008-11-19T20:24:00.001-08:00

Here's a great gift for children aged 5 years and up. This 3D beautifully constructed wooden puzzle will provide hours of educational fun. Children are challenged to build castles, block by block and tower by tower, copying the castles in the puzzle book. The puzzles range from simple designs, for inexperienced builders to more complex designs, that will challenge even skilled architects!

Castle Logix is designed to develop children's logical thinking skills and to develop their spatial reasoning abilities. From a teacher's perspective, as well as a parent's, I think this would make a great educational gift.

Castle Logix is available from Fun Baby Toys for an affordable $25 plus postage!

Ride on Racer

2008-11-19T19:41:00.000-08:00

How about this gift for something sleek and stylish? These gorgeous ride on racers look great and will last the distance, being made from durable heavy gauge pressed metal rather than cheap plastic! They are chip and rust resistant and covered with a child safe powder coat paint.

Pedal-free for little kids, they give new meaning to the term "Flinstones car"! The steering wheel is not just for show, allowing its driver to move the car around easily - and it comes with a safety cover. The distributor even stocks spare parts!

The racers are 80cm long x 35cm wide x 30cm high. They are perfect for children aged 1 to 5 years old and carry a maximum weight of 18kg. The ride on racers are also available in pink and red and are available online from itsybitsybabies for a very reasonable $110.00 plus postage. I think they make a great gift for a first birthday or Christmas! I have actually ordered the pink racer for my niece - I just couldn't resist :)

ZOOB Building Set

2008-11-01T21:51:00.000-07:00

Here is a building set with a difference! Unlike other building block sets, ZOOB pieces snap, click and pop together to form joints that rotate, limbs that extend and axles that spin. This means that kids can actually play with the creations they come up with!

Animals, bikes, cars, insects...the possibilities are endless. Limited only by their imaginations, children (and adults) will become absorbed with this toy.

Perfect for children 6 years and older, this ZOOB set contains 250 pieces and comes in a reusable storage tub. It is available from PeeDee Toys and costs $74.99 plus $7.95 postage. If this set is too large for your liking, you can always pick up smaller ZOOB sets like the 40 Piece Travel Bag for $29.95 plus postage or the 125 Piece Tub for $49.99 plus postage. Check out PeeDee Toys for all the options.

Pizza Box Set

2008-10-31T21:20:00.000-07:00

For the child/early teen who really loves to cook, this set - Australia's first child-size complete pizza baking set - is a wonderful gift.

Packaged in a pizza box, it even looks the part! The box contains a chef's apron featuring an embroidered pocket (pink "Princess Chef" or blue "Master Chef", both with a crown motif), chef's hat (in black or pink), mini whisk, pizza cutter, aluminium 9 inch pizza tray (restaurant quality and able to be used for other baking), rolling pin, mini pastry brush and pizza recipe cards (vegetarian and non-vegetarian).

Available online from Mini Whisk, the pizza baking set, along with all other products on their site, is 100% owned, designed and made in Australia! The set costs $84.95 plus $8.00 postage (a flat rate applied to all orders no matter how big or small). So what are you waiting for?

Healthy Eating Reward Chart

2008-10-30T19:25:00.001-07:00

Who has a child that is a fussy eater? So many toddlers go through a fussy eating stage and many a parent is driven crazy! Here is the perfect solution to not only encourage kids to eat, but also to get them eating healthy food.

The DooWell 5 A Day Fruit/Vegetable Reward Chart, available online in Australia from Little Possums Toys, makes eating fun by providing rewards as an incentive to healthy eating. The 40 fruit and vegetable magnets also encourage children to try new foods.

You simply add your child's name to the chart and write/draw in a reward. Then, each time during the day that your child eats a portion of a fruit or vegetable, its magnetic piece goes on the plate. A full plate in a day and they earn a star. Up to 7 stars earns the chosen reward.

A great "toy" for toddlers, it measures 18 x 18cm and costs a very reasonable $22.95 plus postage (pick up in the Brisbane area is also an option). The chart, manufactured by UK company, Fiesta Crafts, won the 2006 Practical Pre-School Awards Gold Medal.

Cashmere Dress

2008-10-29T14:35:00.001-07:00

These cute little dresses caught my eye when I visited Rustic Lily, a site dedicated to eco-friendly children's clothes. Made from Mongolian cashmere and lambswool, these dresses are individually hand knitted!

Soft and luxurious, the beige cashmere dress is available in size 3-6 months and the hot pink cashmere dress comes in size 12-18 months.

The dresses cost $49.95 each plus postage. Rustic Lily also offer gift vouchers and they take international orders. I think these dresses are great value considering they are hand made and look to have some good detail to them. Very cute and stylish!

Bean Bags

2008-10-28T21:50:00.001-07:00

If the lounge chairs were a little too formal for your children, maybe these bean bags are what you are looking for!

Available from Little Possums Toys in both the Junior Dark Blue with Rocket and the Hot Pink with Flowers, they add a fun touch to any children's bedroom, playroom or even lounge room.

They are made from a soft and durable, easy to clean faux leather and have child proof double safety locking zippers.

The bean bags stand at approximately 55cm high and span approximately 73cm wide when in use. Bean bags are $89.95 each plus postage, however if you are in the Brisbane area you can contact Little Possums Toys and arrange to pick up your order. I also know that matching Ottomans are manufactured, so you can ask about those too if you are interested. Please note that polystyrene beans for filling need to be purchased separately.

Pirate Apron

2008-10-28T17:25:00.000-07:00

I'm loving this Alimrose Designs apron for the little man (or little woman) who wants to help in the kitchen.

Perfect for a 3-8 year old and adorned with a pirate motif, it is sure to be a hit! Getting children involved in cooking from an early age can help them develop a variety of skills - from the obvious cooking ones to mathematical skills (measuring, weighing and counting).

Available online from Trendy Tots Toys and a variety of stockists throughout Australia, the Jolly Roger Apron is priced at a very reasonable $19.95.

Baking Set

2008-10-28T17:10:00.001-07:00

For the little person who loves to bake, comes this gorgeous cake baking set, available from Trendy Tots Toys.

The set includes a food/cake mixer with rotating whisk, rolling pin, knife, baking tray, canvas and gingham apron with cup cake motif, teacakes with interchangeable toppings, sliceable velcro swiss roll cake and a cake stand!

Great for imaginative play - I can see it providing many hours of fun for a 3-5 year old aspiring chef! It is priced at $99 plus postage, which isn't too bad considering the items that are included.

Crayons

2008-10-26T05:12:00.000-07:00

Children love to draw and colour-in and they can never have enough crayons! My Kangaroo, based in Tucson Arizona, and selling through Etsy, stocks some great miniature crayons - perfect for little hands.

Mum Lia and First Grader Ava run the store and have some wonderfully creative crayons on offer. Amongst them are the pictured Robot Crayon Set (US $4.50 plus postage) and the Train Crayon Set (US $6.50 plus postage). They also love taking custom orders like Personalised Name Sets (US $6.50 each).

Click here to quickly and easily convert US dollars to your chosen currency. With very reasonable postage costs (and extremely inexpensive when ordering multiple items), these crayons make great gifts. Perfect as Christmas stocking fillers too!

Organic Comfort Toys

2008-10-25T03:29:00.000-07:00

Today's parents are seemingly more aware about the health and environmental implications surrounding the production of goods. Parents want products that are safe for their children and the environment. That is exactly what these organic comfort toys, available from Nature's Child in Byron Bay, provide.

The toys are made from pure wool, and 100% organic cotton, cultivated without the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. They are soft, cuddly and safe!

The Keptin Jr Organic Cotton Doll Cozy pictured above comes in two sizes - 15cm (priced at $21.95 plus postage) and 21cm (priced at $29.95 plus postage). The Doudou Teddy Blanket pictured below is approximately 27cm and sells for $39.95 plus postage. Nature's Child are dedicated to excellent customer service and will gladly refund your money if you are not satisfied with the product purchased (see their website for conditions). They also take international orders.

So if you are shopping for a newborn, consider giving them a gift that is 100% organic - safe for baby and the environment!

Lamp Shades

2008-10-23T20:21:00.000-07:00

I think children's bedside lamps are one of the hardest things to find when you are after something a little different. If you are looking for style and originality, rather than cartoon characters, Little Light House has the answer! The brainchild of Sue Jackson, the business started in 2002 and quickly moved from

local markets in Brisbane to the world wide web!

Being the mother of boys, I love the fact that the boys' designs are just as fresh and unique as the girls' ones. The lampshades range from $57.95 to $64.95 plus postage and are sold without the base. A simple, white timber lamp base is sold separately and priced at $49.95 plus postage. There are 3 different lampshade shapes to choose from and 38 gorgeous designs including those pictured - One Fish, Two Fish ($64.95), Skipping Spots - Ink ($64.95), Flowers - Hot Pink ($62.95) and Pink Gingham ($59.95).

The lampshades are also available at a number of stockists throughout Australia, so if you are near one check them out!

The lampshades are handcrafted meaning there is attention to detail, and if you still can't find a design to suit your child's bedroom decor, then there is also the option of choosing your own fabric! So now there is no excuse for not decorating children's bedrooms in style!

Children's Lounge Chairs

2008-10-23T04:25:00.000-07:00

How cute and stylish are these Le Baron Designer Children's Lounge Chairs?! Made for children ages 1 to 10 years old, the lounge chairs are approximately 53cm wide and 55cm high. The design is based on a cocoon to give children a feeling of safety as well as comfort and luxury.

For those that want a children's chair that fits in with their home interior, this stylish furniture piece is available in 6 colour combinations including the lime green and orange and the red and pink featured. It is available from The Kids Store who will deliver to the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane Metro Areas (they will also take enquiries regarding delivery to other areas). The lounge chairs are priced at $279.95 plus postage, and considering they have the potential to be a long-lasting piece of furniture, are well worth it.

Rag Dolls

2008-10-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

These gorgeous rag dolls have the honour of being the first products on the Marquee site. The dolls are available through Raggidy Rag Dolls, and are proudly handmade in Melbourne, Australia.

A great alternative to mass produced and imported dolls, they make wonderful keepsakes and great gifts for any little person looking for a special friend.

To date, there are currently 18 designs in the range. From sweet to funky, there's a doll to suit every personality. And the boys haven't been forgotten either, with a couple of rag doll pirates in the mix.

Measuring 19" (approximately 48cm) and priced at $89 for the girls (like Audry, pictured top left) and $85 for boys (like Oscar, pictured top right) plus postage, they are sure to impress.