UNCATEGORIZED
Phoyo Playhouses
A playhouse that is portable, practically indestructible and NOT made of plastic! I'm so excited by this new discovery! Isn't it great? New Zealand architect, Robin Hannah, set about constructing a nifty slot-together version for her kids way back in the '70s and well ... fast forward and she’s kindly decided to not only repeat ...
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UNCATEGORIZED
The brilliance of the SpringFree Trampoline
I was quite adamant that we would never get a trampoline. I had visions of concussions, broken limbs and teeth knocked out (hey, my brother-in-law is a neurosurgeon). That we live in a townhouse with a little courtyard didn't help. The trampoline would take up at least half of this and wasn't really the kind ...
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FOOD
Vegemite -- a great Aussie icon
Ah, Vegemite. Without doubt it is Australia's favorite sandwich spread. But while it is loved by the locals, it is generally repulsed by our visitors.Visually, I will concede, it is a little unappetizing (hmm...black sticky tar?). And chances are, unless you grew up on it or follow the guidelines below (without digressing I should add) ...
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KIDS
The Bergstein Boot
I was beyond excited to discover Bergstein Gumboots from Holland were now available in Melbourne! With torrential downpours of late (which we are so thankful for, especially after years of drought and serious water dam deficits...) we have even had plenty of opportunity for frolicking in puddles and sloshing in the mud! Apart from looking ...
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KIDS
For the cool boys about town
It's not always easy finding the right balance of 'cool' and 'classic' for my son. He has strong ideas about what he likes to wear, which still surprises and amuses me -- he is only 4 after all! Apparently 'grey' is cool but anything neutral is 'so not cool Mum'. Enter Sudo, a hip Melbourne ...
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STATIONERY
Smiggle
If you live in Melbourne and you parent a tween girl then you are unlikely to need an introduction to 'Smiggledom' -- after all, the Smiggle craze is rife down under, even infiltrating our schools. And, judging by the whims of my 8-year-old and her posse of friends, it is not disappearing anytime soon. So ...
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HOME AND DÉCOR
Lark in Dayelsford
One place I always recommend (sometimes even insist!) our visitors to Melbourne see is the picturesque town of Dayelsford. Dayelsford is a village in rural Victoria in the heart of the Wombat Forest; so pretty, so quaint, peaceful & dignified, just as a spar town should be, but with the hippest cafes, shops and restaurants ...
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HOME AND DÉCOR
Miriam Bereson
Prolific Melbourne designer Miriam Bereson is the creator of these striking animal 'collective nouns' prints. Aren't they fabulous? Strong punchy graphics is her signature style and combined with a quirky educational element I think they would make a gorgeous and effective addition to any playroom or nursery. Hmm... am I showing my ignorance by declaring ...
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BABY
The Ergococoon
Are you one of those slightly neurotic mothers (I include myself here) who creep out of their beds to double check their partner's baby-wrapping techniques or sometimes just lay awake in the middle of the night obsessing over whether the baby is properly wrapped -- not too tight, not too loose, not too high, not ...
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BABY
Gittabags
I was never really into the diaper bag thing. I think that the litany of awful maternity bags out there screaming 'I am an unsightly post-partum bag' with very little in the style-stakes really ruined it for me. Instead I opted to use one of my larger handbags, although I never found them particularly practical ...
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BABY
Colour-me-in T-shirt by Pure Baby
I can't imagine a young child who wouldn't be rapt to receive a gift like this 'color me in' t-shirt by Pure Baby. It is 100% organic cotton, handprinted with sweet animal motifs that will appeal to boys and girls alike and is ready for coloring in with 8 fabric crayons provided. So cute! Pure ...
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HOME AND DÉCOR
Jane Reiseger's gorgeous murals
I have long been an admirer of Jane Reiseger's whimsical, child-like murals and illustrations. Whenever I take my children to our local burger joint Grill'd in Malvern I am positively drooling over them on the walls, the menus, the brown paper bags... (nevermind that the burgers are pretty average when the walls are so beautiful!! ). ...
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BOOKS
MadeIt for unique handmade finds
Packed to the rafters with local designers and craftspeople, MadeIt is a virtual craft market containing a wealth of handmade housewares and goodies. It is my go-to source when I want something unique, affordable and hand-crafted. It is similar to Etsy but supports only local Australian talent. What I love about the site, apart from ...
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TOYS & GAMES
Scrabble letters and my sanity
I have discovered a brilliantly simple way to keep my 4-year-old occupied while I make dinner. And it isn't the television. Inspired by something I had seen in Servery & Spoon, a fantastic cafe in East Malvern (credit where it's due), I poured all the Scrabble letters into a big ceramic pot and placed it ...
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BABY
The Lambini Papoose
When my daughter was born I remember lusting after the leather, sheepskin Bill Amberg papoose... but, I just could not justify the cost. So I settled for a far less stylish middle of the road baby carrier, which not only clashed with my clothes (very much to my annoyance!) but I had to refer to ...
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KIDS
Megan Park
Ooh La la!! Megan Park is a Melbourne designer who makes the most exquisite beaded and embellished dresses -- sumptuous vintage styling with a modern edge! I tried to choose a favorite but it is impossible... I was lucky enough to face this choosing dilemma recently when a 'garden party' themed wedding invitation called for a ...
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ESSENTIALS AND TIPS
Adorable Beci Orpin coin purses
These coin purses by talented Melbourne designer Beci Orpin are too cute for words! A little bit quirky but classic enough so that I don't feel like I have just raided my daughter's accessory box. They are made of soft leather with stitch, appliqué and rivet detailing and they are fully lined. My only quandary ...
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OUTDOORS
For the little budding gardener
Considering how gardening helps children learn about the cycle of life and about time, patience, nature, and cause and effect... I can't think of a better gift for a child than this mini greenhouse by HaPe. Not to mention the cool design -- it is made of birch plywood and bamboo and cleverly designed to ...
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TOYS & GAMES
Makedo -- recycled craft
Admittedly when my son was gifted a box of Makedo I was a little bit skeptical. I know that there are a trillion and one craft projects to be had with old shoe boxes, egg cartons and a toilet paper roll, but I personally struggle to think of any (read : hopeless at craft!). But ...
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BABY
Maiike
When a baby is born in our family, they are always gifted with a unique creation from Maiike. Maiike is an eclectic collection of ‘soft things’ lovingly handmade by Melbourne-based Aly Peel who sources old woolen and cashmere jumpers from second-hand and vintage stores and then transforms them into precious patchwork squares for cushions, scarves ...
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BABY
Baby Bloch
Oh, here I am talking about footwear.... again! Baby Blochs are just too cute to ignore though. For a bit of background, Bloch (pronounced 'block') was founded in Sydney in 1932 producing handmade ballet and pointe shoes for ballet dancers. Bloch’s reputation as a leader in technical dance shoes is known the world over, and ...
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OUTDOORS
Bacsac -- a garden on the go
I have been hankering for my own vegetable garden for some time now. Whenever I hear stories of the home veggie garden type, the abundant yield of fresh, nutritious and ripe fruit and vegetables that costs so little and provides endless enjoyment for the whole family, I am, pardon the pun, green with envy. But ...
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HOME AND DÉCOR
Third Drawer Down
I do appreciate a nice tea towel... and I'm fussy with mine. Perhaps it relates to my textile obsession. Nonetheless, I like them to be made of good quality linen, aesthetically pleasing... and generally I find, the more use they get, the better they look. Now, because of this 'pseudo fetish', much to my husband's ...
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