Ivy Designs Update

For those slow coaches who haven't caught onto this week's giveaway you'd better hurry because Tinker is drawing the winner tomorrow. Just click here to enter, it is as easy as ever. There has to be a winner, shouldn't it be you? Give it a try!

You know I hate those stupid giveaways that make you jump through hoops. I saw one last week for a dog's lead I think it was. To enter would have taken at least 20 minutes and you'd need to follow this and that tweet this, comment here, read this. Blah blah. I promise never to do that.

It is a particularly good time to check out my giveaway link because Ivy Designs is having a massive sale. Wonderful winter stock is making way for some seriously cool summer stuff so get in quick and stock up for next winter while you can.

Just click here to shop shop shop. You know you want to!

Monday Giveaway - Ivy Designs!

Today is a marvelous Monday! Why? Because I have a massive giveaway from my gorgeous friend Wynona at Ivy Designs that is sure to cheer even the grumpiest of Mondayitis sufferers.

Wynona has long been a friend of mine and she is the most modest but talented mummy on the block. How she manages to juggle half of what she juggles, I'll never know but she does, and she does it with style!

Ivy Designs stocks the most stylish but playful childrenswear made right here in Australia. Wynona and her sister Anna both mummies to gorgeous little ones spend their time designing and creating these beautiful little works of art. Unlike some childrenswear, Ivy Designs is made to be washed and worn and definitely made for play. Tinker has so many gorgeous little gifts from Ivy Designs but her very favourite is a long sleeved top that she calls her "Winnie Deer Deer" because of the deer printed fabric that Wynona sourced from Japan.

Today's giveaway is a bag of goodies from Ivy Designs! The bag itself is gorgeous, printed with original Ivy Designs' illustration. 100% heavyweight cotton. It comes with a handmade fabric badge and grosgrain ribbon. Great for shopping, beach, daycare bag etc. RRP $20.

Inside your adorable canvas bag you will find these:

1. Headscarf: SIZE LARGE for adults - polka dot (pink). 100% cotton. RRP$19.95

2. Headscarf: SIZE MEDIUM for child - polka dot (blue). 100% cotton. RRP$14.95

3. Genuine leather bag: lined with Japanese cotton print. Beautiful buttery soft leather. It comes with ivy leaf key ring and a detachable handle - adjustable for adults and children. RRP $119

To win this amazing prize from Ivy Designs all you need to do is check out the store here and leave me a comment below. Tell me what you love about Ivy Designs- it is that easy! As always my little helper will draw the winner on Friday. It might just be YOU this week so why not give it a try, someone has to win.

Happy Monday!

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!

Crafty Corner

Just a quick note to let you all know you can sleep easy tonight. I finally made something kinda cute for my Tinker.

Until now every sewing project of mine has been a mish mash of naive ambition and the sewing skills of a gnat.

Well, thanks to my lovely friend Wynona who gifted me with a pattern kit from the very wonderful Little Fish Big Pond and the generous sewing books and supplies from Theoretic Gal, I managed to make something she can actually be seen in at Playgroup tomorrow. Complete with a skivvy and matching tights- because it is rather chilly here right now.

Step back people, an amazing piece of fashion history is being rolled out of the showroom. Here it is, my masterpiece dress for my little ruby haired girl:












I hope everyone had a great weekend and a not too painful Monday. Anyone get up to anything exciting? Probably the most thrilling thing that happened for me was hearing my very clever 16 month old count to ten, and ask me "papa like work?"... so perceptive my child.

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

Wisdom & Fashion

“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?”


I am definitely not an owl. I am more like a woodpecker, banging on all day not really saying much but making a lot of annoying, repetitive noise. For someone who so admires wise folk it is a shame I don't strive to be more owl-like. I speak before I think and I disappoint myself a lot with my overly talkative nature.


Really I think I should try a lot harder to be more wise. Now that I have a child I often think about the example I am setting for her. So many things I'd like to change about myself, one of them being my big mouth!


Anyway on the topic of owls I thought I might take the opportunity to show you all the work of a very wise lady. Wynona is terribly modest and oh so talented. She has a childrenswear label with her sister Anna, it is called Ivy Designs. A beautiful Aussie handmade-with-love brand that is close to my heart. Their much anticipated winter range has just been released and it did not disappoint. My very favourite is the Owl Pinny pictured below:

Image taken from here: http://www.ivydesigns.bigcartel.com/product/owl-pinny


Oh how I love owls, they are so beautiful and perfect for this little frock. The fabric is ever so pretty and so stylish without being an adults dress in a tiny size. I am very particular about the way I dress my daughter, I am of the belief that children should enjoy their childhood in gorgeous playful clothes. I see no room for children to dress like adults, in clothing designed to makes waistlines look smaller and chests bigger.

I know these days kids are being forced to grow up so quickly. The sexualisation of children worries me greatly, little things like babies in bikinis and mini skirts might be harmless fun to some but to me symbolises a step away from what a childhood should be all about- nice, clean fun! You can get about in skanky attire to your hearts content as an adult why not wear the superman cape to the shops with rain boots and a cute sunhat now? I love pretty childrens clothes but I have no time for sexy or tweenie.

I really think it is a shame to miss out on your only real chance to be playful and innocent. Why start wearing midriff tops and hot pants with lip gloss and trashy shoes when you are 6? You have your whole lives to do that. I'm not into awful dowdy clothes, I love fashion and I love stylish little outfits, I just like them to be fit for children.

What are your thoughts?

It's friday night now and I think I might sit back and read a few magazines I treated myself with this week. Have a lovely weekend everyone. I'm off to a funny store called The Foam Booth to collect my foam order tomorrow. Yes I have some crafting in store, I will definitely post photos when and if I achieve anything of note, I promise!