Tinker's Threads - Choc & Mauve

Well the little Tinker sure has her favourites. When it comes to accessories she really loves her owl hairclip and her brown knitted vest. At least they go well together I suppose, but she has so much choice, why the repetition?! With me the reason I keep wearing the same things over and over again can be blamed entirely on the fact that I'm still sporting about 8 kilos of baby-weight that I just can't shake & I refuse to go shopping in my inflated size. My old clothes don't fit so I am stuck with a rather limited wardrobe. Stubborn? Stingy? A bit of both I think. Either way I need to snap out of it and lose the spare tyre before her 2nd birthday or I'll completely lose my mind. Or my fashion mojo.

**click pictures to enlarge**

Red, mauve and brown all working well. Who'd have thunk it? That said, the Tinker looks cute in any combination of colours. Well, that's what I think anyway. Stay tuned for more trend tips from the Tinker. xx

Tinker's Threads- Some Early 80's Cool

For those who follow me on Twitter you'll know it's been a bit of a rat rat ratty week so forgive me if posts are little light on the ground.

To bring a little smile to your dial I have a couple of cute pics here. The little Tinker modelling something I wore for most of 1980-81.

She is so fashion forward my kid, she rocks whatever she wears doesn't she? Especially my *ahem* vintage gear. Seriously am I that old that my baby clothes are now vintage? Surely not?

*Just click picture to enlarge*

Something new from The Tinker?

Let me know what you think of my latest idea, ok?

I have noticed that so many blogs feature a weekly or a daily outfit post.

Since I'm sitting here in a pair of aqua velour trackpants and an orange cashmere cardi with a hole in the sleeve you can be sure I won't be posting pictures of my outfits.

However I thought it might be fun to show you the little outfits my Tinker wears since she is so amazingly cute and I just love love love kids clothing. What do you think? Boring? Lame? Tell me your thoughts.

Often when I post pictures of her I get a few emails asking where I found her top or her dress etc so I thought this might be a fun segment. She was quite a good little model this morning gladly covering her face a la Michael Jackson kid fashion. You know I don't want her face pimped on my blog so you won't be seeing that, but her outfits are too cute not to share. So let me know if you think this is a fun idea or not.

Here is today's trial post:

Tinker is wearing a Yo Gabba Gabba long sleeved t-shirt from Myer, some Crazy8 straight leg jeans, a knit vest from Purebaby and her pink moccasins with brown bows are from Janie & Jack. The pink beret with little brown scotty-dog is from Gymboree. Cuteness- all her.

*click on pics to enlarge*

Ask and Ye Shall Receive

Well, if you ask me that is, I can't guarantee anyone else will deliver just because you asked. Woodles challenged me to find some gorgeous little boy/baby boy clothes that aren't covered in skulls and cross bones. I also hate all the rude slogans on little boy tops and the ugly prints so here are a few cute pieces I'd buy if I had a little boy. No pirates in sight and no camo print either. *I had a bit of trouble with this post because so many of the stores I like for little boy gifts have coded their photos so I can't copy and paste them here for you. It toook some time to find this little bunch but I think Woodles will approve.



This gorgeous little cream jumper (aka sweater for the Americans) is from Krickets, a Canadian childrenswear company (distributed here by old school Aussie company Lyndonkids) I love 100% cotton knits because they are perfect with a shirt and not too warm for our gentle Sydney winters.


The funky zipper gives the jumper a modern look while the stripes are more classic. Forget Bob The Builder polyster, this is one cool top for your little fellow. I love that it has a neat little beanie that matches. This top and hat would work brilliantly with jeans or chinos or the pants featured below.


Also by Krickets, these little corduroy trousers are so sweet. A nice bright navy coloured soft cord, the fabric looks great. I like that they haven't covered them with giant chunky pockets. Come on people, cargo is so 90's give it a rest! These look hard wearing and as with all cord they are sure to wash and wear well.

You can find Krickets at quite a few online retailers but I borrowed these pics from a cute online store called Maddison Lane.





This sweet little raglan top in cream cotton with a white stripe is from Jean Bourget. I love that it has three non matching buttons down the front and the whimsical panda is cute but not too cheesy-girly.

The little cotton trousers have a tweed-plaid look to them, this picture doesn't really show the depth to the pattern.

I think this is a stylish little outfit for a little guy who likes his fashions understated but cute. I borrowed the pic from Shop Baby Trends where it is on sale 40% off, but if you do a search on Jean Bourget you will find it elsewhere.





I mentioned Velvet and Tweed the other day when I was talking about gorgeous trousers for little girls well I don't think you can go past this beautiful green shirt for your little boys.

It has long sleeves (which look gorgeous rolled up don't you think?) and a cute little pocket at the front. Unlike most kidswear these days this stylish little shirt is not made in China. It is made in San Francisco! The fabric is bright and fresh, two shades of green check with a white background. Adorable with jeans or little shorts or my favourite babywear item- overalls!

Be quick, they're having a 40% off sale PLUS the kind people at V&T emailed me and offered my readers free shipping even to Australia. Enter this code at checkout: StepfordFreeShip



This sweet little duffle coat has cute whales printed on the soft cotton jersey lining. I love it! Oobi Baby has some really nice things for little boys and girls. Another Aussie company you mustn't miss, you can find their stuff all over the web and in lots of stores as well.



This image I borrowed from Babys Got Style. Imagine how cute this little jacket would look with some brown cord pants or the jeans I found below.
Rock Your Baby is an Australian kidswear store I don't normally like because they have lots of those loud slogany tops that I hate and those twitty onesies with fake tuexedo fronts.

They do, however, sell a very nice pair of jeans for your little boys! These stovepipe are really cute.

I don't like the whole head to toe trendy punk look so I'd pair them with a nice top and knitted vest if I had a little boy. I think they are fabulous jeans. You can buy them at the RYB online store or at Babys Got Style where I got this image.

Tinker's Trouser Tips

All Mouth and No Trousers...

Such a funny little phrase, I must use it more. Sounds like a saying that would apply to me I think. Slightly wittier than my woodpecker analogy.

I'm a big fan of wearing trousers, my late Grandad is rolling in his grave I am sure. He was more a Deuteronomy man than a Katharine Hepburn fan!

While I am a big fan of classic smocked dresses for little girls I also love trousers on my Tinker and with her being tall but skinny I have done a lot of trying and buying to find the right trousers.

I thought I might do a little Tinker trouser post for you, with some of my very favourite tiny trousers for stylish tots on the market right now:

These little beauties are by Marie Chantal, Beige Classic Twill Skinny Tessa trousers.

They are so stylish and so cute, perfect wardrobe essential for your little fashionista. Understated but beautifully made these trousers can be dressed up with a pretty blouse or dressed down with a cute tshirt.

You won't find colours that rape your eyes or obnoxious patterns at Marie Chantal, this is the home of classic, elegant childrenswear.

Subtle finishes like the button down pockets at the back make this pair of beautifully made trousers a wardrobe staple for the discerning toddler... or her mama.You can find out more on one of my most-hit baby style sites here!

From one of my all time favourite designers for chic little girls, Ses Petites Mains comes this adorable little pair of trousers Lydia in maxim denim.

So nautical, so stylish and perfect for my Tinker because they have an adjustable waist. Never one to wear a boat shoe, but I am a big believer in nautical. Not over the top "yo ho yo hee hee" but a stripe here and a military button there makes for a classic look that I adore.

I wish they made my size in these trousers because I'd buy the whole store. The buttons are so cute, I am in love! They are so pretty with their relaxed wide leg perfect with a tiny pair of twinkling ballet flats peeping out the front, no?

Friends in high places. It's lucky I have such talented friends, or I'd be lost. My dear friend Wynona has created these adorable cord trousers for her label Ivy Designs. Audrey made from pinwale corduroy is the ultimate in autumn pants!

If you are anything like me you will love the feel, look and warmth of corduroy and pinwale is the cheese! The wales are thin and lightweight so you don't look like a chunky Christmas ornament.

I am a massive fan. The rickrack detailing makes the Audrey perfect for the little one who likes a retro touch to her trousers... or the mummy who chooses for her!

Last but not least is this dose of extreme cuteness.

Velvet and Tweed's Sailorette trousers are to die for. The nautical detailing, the funky wide leg, the beautiful blue fabric...

What more could you want? These are the cutest little spring pants.

Imagine them with a sweet little white top and white sandals or even now in winter you could add a chunky navy knit jacket. Just gorgeous.

This is preppy, heirloom chic at it's best. I adore this store as well. *sigh* I love them all!

Monday Giveaway - Gingerlilly PJs

I am so pleased to start the week with another wonderful giveaway!

This week's prize is from another fabulous store run by an Aussie! Vanessa Sofia is the founder of Gingerlilly sleepwear and I happily stumbled upon her company when I bought some gorgeous PJs for my little Tinker. In fact she was wearing them when she picked the winner for our first giveaway here.

The funny thing about these pjs is I bought them for the box, I thought it would fabulous on the bookshelf in her nursery and the PJs were an added bonus. Well they turned out to be Tinker's favourite PJs and the box looks a treat. See:

To enter this giveaway all you need to do is checkout Gingerlilly's online store here and have a look through their men's women's and baby's sections and let me know what you love.

Your prize is your choice of a pair of baby PJs like the ones the Tinker has.

They are made of the loveliest thickest cotton. Super soft on sweet baby skin. The sizes run large and my almost 18 month old still has plenty of the room in the 6-12 month size. Tinker has a few pairs, they are all gorgeous and you have 2 pages of colour/pattern options so you will definitely find the perfect pair. They come in the cutest boxes made from the same fabric and applique as the PJs. Perfect little keepsake boxes and ideal as gifts.

Thanks again Vanessa for this very generous prize. As usual Tinker will draw the winner on Friday, don't be shy please enter!

Feeling crafty?

*image from clothkits.co.uk*

Thanks to a comment by one of my new readers "mom seeks life " and the lovely Wynona from Ivy Designs who found the link, I thought I'd do a quick post about Clothkits.

This cute little pair of overalls (aka dungarees for the Brits) could be yours, all you need to do is buy the kit and follow the instructions!

What a fab little gift for someone who likes making their own things but doesn't have the creative talent equal to the likes of Wynona. The kit comes ready for you to get sewing, or as the site says you can buy them ready made (but that would be cheating now wouldn't it?)

I love crafting kits! I'm hopeless at cutting and I need to be spoonfed when it comes to sewing or I go off on very very ugly tangents. I really enjoy making things for my little girl, because she is so young I can get away with dressing her in my creations before she realises her Mama is a dork and the clothes I make are wonky!

Anyway thanks again Wyn and Mom Seeks Life for mentioning Clothkits.

Find them here:

http://www.clothkits.co.uk/traffic-dungarees-p-91.html

Edited to add an Aussie link thanks to Miss Rosie:

http://www.larkmade.com.au/products/clothkitstrafficoveralls.html

I think I may develop an addiction to Larkmade. What a great online store, thanks again for the heads up, 5 mins into it and I have already broken my online shopping ban. I bought two kits, nobody tell my husband!

Have a great Sunday. xx