My Darlings!

Downunder, that is!

Most of you would already know my next stockist - Darlings Downunder. They have stocked MiniLaLa nappies before - though they didn't last long, and poor Tania has had to wait for me to get my act together ever since!!

I LOVE Darlings. In fact, I bought the majority of my 'stash' from there. It is definitely the most well-equipped (and prettiest looking) nappy site around.

You can visit Darlings Downunder at www.darlingsdownunder.com.au

Or if you're in Melbourne, visit Tania (and I!) at the Pregnancy, Babies and Children's expo next month.

A couple of places you might like...

Gee, I'm really getting into the blogging this week! It feels like there is so much going on here, and so much that I want to share as well!

The first thing I wanted to tell you about is Style Collective.

It's just an absolutely gorgeous looking site (just had a great makeover), showcasing even more gorgeous things! I especially love the 'Style Living' pages - I'm a sucker for pretty decor! There is also Style Fashion, Style Bridal, and Style Junior. Plus there are always great deals for newsletter subscribers. I've been enjoying Style Collective for ages, and just wanted to share something I love with you all :)

The second site that I'd like to show you is L'il Aussie Prems. It was created by a lovely lady, Julia, after her first son was born at 27 weeks gestation, and is has grown to be the most amazing support network for parents of premature babies. It is well worth a visit for any parent - it never ceases to amaze me that some of these tiny, fragile babies survive. I can't imagine what it must be like to watch your tiny baby fight to survive.

Julia does a wonderful job, and offers information and support to these families. She generously pays for most expenses out of her own pocket and doesn't like asking for handouts, but she does need help. If you are able to spare just a little, you can sponsor a Premmie Parent Bag with a small donation - your 'hope message' can be added to the bag/s you sponsor - lovely, huh?

Introducing... Bay Bee Cino, Launceston!

Well, the nappies are only weeks away, so I thought I had better introduce my stockists!

Bay Bee Cino Launceston (TAS) was my first ever stockist. They have been selling my hair clips for well over a year, now, and will be stocking MiniLaLa nappies aswell.

It is run by husband and wife team, Scott and Julia, whose children are almost exactly the same ages as mine, and who also have an eco-friendly focus. The shop is just lovely, and well worth a visit if you live in, or are visiting Launceston.




What a lovely little shop!

Visit Bay Bee Cino:
111 George Street
Launceston
Tasmania
Phone: 03 6331 1455

A few things I like...

I visited a brand new shop on the weekend - actually it was opening day! Such a lovely little shop, too - The Enchanted Closet in Armadale (Vic). The ladies there are just lovely, and the shop itself is divine! It has a very 'vintagey' feel, which I love. If you are around that area, it is definitely worth a look!

Anyway, whilst there, I did make a couple of purchases and wanted to share them with you, firstly, I had been wanting an excuse to buy some Babyjo goodies for a while, and finally I have one - a friend's new baby. Everything is made from the most deliciously soft and silky bamboo! I just adore it! You won't even believe how luscious it feels, and of course, being bamboo is perfect for delicate newborn skin, and even better for sensitive skin. Take a look



I also got a gorgeous little dress for Ivie (not that she needed any more - but I couldn't resist!). It is made by Brusselsprouts. I hadn't heard of them before - they're a mother and daughter team, and their stuff is lovely! I love the crocheted features :)

All way too pretty not to share, right?

Down to business...

Post 3 for the day - woah!

OK, so nappies. I know you are all eagerly waiting. I thank you all so much for your patience, and support!

The past few months have been beyond stressful! Moving, manufacturing, the supplier dramas and things not arriving! Plus all the usuals - kids, sewing etc etc. Nothing has gone smoothly, or as expected, of course.

I did say that we were on track for a late August stocking, but after the dramas regarding the waterproof fabric, we are behind *sigh*. It should happen in the next couple of weeks though!

And as for the manufactured nappies, we have also had a few *issues*, and therefore these will be arriving later than expected. I'm hoping for late September to Early October. I have everything crossed!

I will be so glad when everything starts running smoothly - I am confident that there will come a day! It feels like I'm constantly getting nowhere at the moment, which is very frustrating! I am usually en extremely organised and punctual person, and for everything to feel so late and out of control... It's driving me insane!


While I'm here, I am going to show you the patterns that are being manufactured. There will be lots of these to go around

I'll be back to update when I have more information!

A quick one - my kids!

It's been a while since I posted anything about my little darlings! I just can't resist showing a few new photos. Time just whirs by!

Ivie (my little baby) is now 16 months old! She started walking about a month ago, and I just love seeing her toddle around.

Nicholas (who is 3, going on 30!) adores his little sister (most of the time)! He is so sweet, and there is nothing cuter than seeing him hold her hand, cuddle, or kiss her.

And finally, one of 'my boys'. Aren't they lovely? Nicholas has a bit of a thing for band-aids at the moment, so that's what's on his chin...

I just have to mention Steve (my darling husband) this time aswell. I know I don't talk about him much, but I need to tell you how great he is. He deserves an award! Can you believe he sews and makes hair clips?! What an awesome man (though he would kill me if he knew I told you that!). Hehehe.

An Ordinary Life... A worthy humanitarian cause

I have recently been made aware of a project, of an amazing woman, Cate Bolt. Her website is titled 'An ordinary life', though it's anything but (ordinary, that is). I have been so inspired by what Cate and her family are doing, so I wanted to share this.

Cate is a mother of 9 from Queensland who is working toward a special project. Here is a little about the project (from Cate's website):



We love children, and we raise our children to love and respect the earth. I’m passionate about children and it pains me to see children suffering in any way. For those of you with children under 5, or even older, try this simple visualisation exercise for a moment:

Imagine taking your child into a crowded street at dusk, walking away from them and never going back. Imagine the fear in that child when they realise you’re gone. Imagine them wandering scared and hungry through the streets…imagine their life now, day after day.

If you can do this exercise without tears, then you are stronger than me, but for 1.8 million children in Indonesia, this is reality. Every night 1.8 million children in Indonesia sleep homeless. For most of us that number is unfathomable.

Over 50% of Indonesians survive on less than $2US per day. Of the 500,000 children in Indonesian orphanages today, almost 90% still have a living parent. They just simply cannot afford to feed them and out of desperation, many of these children are dumped in hope that someone more fortunate may be able to give them a better life.

Well, I am someone more fortunate and while my family is not wealthy, by any means, we plan to make a difference. My husband and I are both self employed, we have 9 children and we live, like many people, week-to-week. In a country like Indonesia where so many people are so very poor, a lot can be achieved with less money than one might expect. We are ordinary people, living an ordinary life – we are no different to you.

I don’t expect everyone to give up everything. I don’t expect everyone to build an orphanage. But EVERYONE can do something. Whether you donate to our project, or one of the dozens of other aid agencies, whether you just extend the hand of friendship to a colleague or stranger or whether you just take a “man in the mirror” moment and be the change that you want to see in the world. EVERYONE has the power to make some change in the world.

FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT

We are counting on the kindness and generosity of the greater community to raise a large percentage of the money required for this ambitious project. I have also started a program which will be continued by the house mothers in the village to raise a residual income to maintain the program – this is recycling unused/unwanted clothing and fabric items and making them into saleable fashion and homeware items, such as bags, placemats, quilts, aprons, pillow covers etc. We are also making wedding items from donated wedding dresses (including my own). I should have enough stock made up for a decent stall at the Eumundi Markets by summer (hopefully mid-late October) continuing indefinitely.

Other than that I have committed all the profits from my art & photography sales, and my husband and I have committed to donating 50% of the profits from our small online business also. Long term we plan to start a sponsorship program – as the major foreign aid agencies do.

We will be setting up an affiliates page on the website in the coming weeks, if you click on these links and make a purchase a percentage of your purchase will go to the IO&WR project.

Look out for charity events in 2010!



Amazing people, right? I have been touched by Cate and her family's generosity, and have just sent a box of bits that I don't need up to hopefully help with the project. Cate doesn't ask for monetary donations. The address for donations is also on the website.

Amazing. I am so glad to know that there are people out there who are so willing to give unto others. It takes a very special person to do what Cate is doing, and I hope that she gets all the support that she needs. Good Luck Cate!

I Love Posy Dolls!

Love them, love them, love them! They are one of my very favourite things.

When my Posy Dolls arrive, I get so excited! I love seeing them all for the first time. I have so much fun naming them, and I even get a little sad when I have to send them on their way. They are just divine!

My newest group arrived yesterday, and I have just finished putting them online. They always go so fast, so check them out as soon as you can!

Introducing a few of my favourites...

Frankie

Gracie
Anabella



Daphne

Remember, they are all one-of-a-kind, so you need to be quick!

Trifle Shoppe - Launching today!!!

That's right! I'm very excited! The site looks gorgeous, and the grand opening should be huge!

ABOUT TRIFLE SHOPPE

Shopping as we know it has changed. Welcome to Trifle.

We invite you to stroll through our layers of lovely and take a trip around the globe in the process, for at Trifle you'll find over 60 designers hand picked from around the world.

Here, innovation meets design. One click and you can order from our collaboration of designers, niche companies, handmade artists and amazing start-up companies destined for greatness. One click sorts through countries and currencies to help you find products you will simply adore.

We have a philosophy of doing things a little differently. We believe in the power of synergies, where collaboration triumphs over competition.

Detail over Retail every time. Trifle is the community garden of design, where passions and ideas are shared for the benefit of all.

Here, you can indulge your senses and enjoy a vast array of products. The world is changing and we believe that it's all good. Enjoy your Trifle experience.

MiniLaLa is amongst 60 handpicked designers from around the world featured on Trifle Shoppe, and the range of gorgeous things is amazing! You have to check it out. I feel very honoured to have been chosen amongst these amazingly talented women (yes, all women).

So, for this weekend only, I'm offering a 20% discount on all MiniLaLa TrifleShoppe orders!!! Simply enter the code 'LoveTrifleShoppe' at checkout. I look forward to seeing you there!!

Nappies, Nappies, Nappies!

Gosh, it has been so long! I'm sure many of you are getting frustrated with me! Thank you for your endless patience with me and my nappy stockings! I don't want to make excuses, but please let me explain...

Well, as you might know, we moved house (and cities) a month ago - so no nappies... I did plan on having a lottery in early July, however, I ordered my waterproof material from a new 'supplier' in early June. Ordered quite a bit so that it would last me a few months. Two months later, that has not arrived!!!

I am not happy, to say the least!!! This particular shop has neglected to answer emails, and I cannot get through on the phone (they are in Canada). So anyway, I have given up on that shop - lost many weeks, and many hundreds of dollars! I have just placed a PUL order at the very reliable and helpful Tiny Toosh. Lisa will get my PUL here quick-smart as always, so I hope to have a lottery before August is over. That will be thanks mostly to Delma, my angel (sewing helper)! She is a Godsend!

Now, on the manufacture side of things.... This is very exciting! My patterned material has just arrived on my manufacturer's doorstep, so I would expect my first lot of nappies to be complete in about 3-4 weeks! HOORAY! I believe they will take somewhere between 3-6 weeks to get to me after that (broad, I know - will find out more later). So, all going well, September will be MiniLaLa month!!!!!! Are you as excited as I am!!??

I'm going to come back soon with an update, hopefully with good news on timeframes, and of course, to let you know which patterns will become available with the first shipment. I'll also have some stockists to introduce!

It's all happening! Once again, I know there are many of you who are tearing your hair out waiting for me (and I'm taking my time)! Thank you for your patience - MiniLaLa loves you all!