{Winners!} Better late than never!

Finally, finally I have drawn the Momspit winners! They are: SquiggleMum, KirstyS and Olivia Taifalos. Congratulations! Please contact me with your postal details so we can get these sent to you!

This Mama is Tegan

Townsville business woman Tegan Crisafulli is mum to two gorgeous girls, Georgia 4 yrs, Nicola 2 yrs. Her latest venture is the fabulous Georgia’s Garden – Boutique for Kids.
She says - Like many mothers I love to shop for my kids, but working as a financial advisor and caring for my family left me little time for my passion. I wanted to create an online boutique to allow people to shop when most convenient to them. After years of dreaming about the concept, and sick of seeing children wearing the same brands, I created Georgia’s Garden – a boutique with a difference. I stock brands that you can't find everywhere and that are unique, just like our children.

Tegan Loves…

1. Princess Tulle Skirt and Vanilla Rose Singlet Set by Dolly Up

2. My Lolly Pink Bag by Flossie Belle Designs

3. Petit Amour Cologne by Petit

4. Summer Skirt and Singlet Set by TikiBoo

5. Butterfly Dress by Three Little Trees


6. Summer Princess Dress by Wild Things of Noosa

{Query} Tween boy question

Hello readers...can you help me out? I've had a query that I need help answering, maybe you have some ideas?

I am looking at decorating a bedroom for my son over Christmas and need to source some nice fabric. Can you recommend any retailers with some interesting stuff for tween boys - of course he is into soccer and guitars ...no more trains, dinosaurs or rocket ships. I have seen some wonderful ready made stuff on the Next UK website but I can't get it sent here. I would love to hear your suggestions.

Marie, Qld.

This Mama is Stella

Stella: Mum to Sam Theodore, aged 3


Stella is director of PR agency Little Miss Stella Publicity & Media Relations. After over a decade in television and entertainment Stella ventured out on her own and now represents some of the most innovative products and exciting concepts, businesses and personalities in Australia and New Zealand today. When she isn’t spruiking about amazing products and people, writing proposals, reports and pitches, she likes to drink coffee, tweet, be opinionated on Facebook, read magazines and try different restaurants. Her dream is to meet Robbie Williams.


Stella loves…

1. Eco-Kid Prevent Shampoo

2. Burberry Baby Touch perfume

3. ABC for Kids and ABC for Kids DVDs

4. Penaten Baby Cream

5. Bonds Baby underwear and clothing

6. Allpress Espresso coffee (for mummy’s sanity!)

This Mama is Hayley

Hayley is a very happy mother of two - Blade 3 years old and Ripley 18 months - with another baby on the way ! She says: "I am one of 2 company directors of a fabulous Australian Made baby product range, we have been in business for 3 years and hope to introduce more unique and innovative products by the end of this year."




HAYLEY loves…

1. Babywedge
2. Bumbo
3. Rafferty's Garden Food
4. Where the wild things are (the book)
5. Nosefrida Nasal Aspirator
6. Ikea Highchair
Check out Hayley's awesome Babywedge: www.babywedge.com.au. This is a serious cool and very useful product for Mums and babies -

This Mama Loves....

We have some fun new things happening here at Mama Loves to Shop.

First of all our new interview series starts tomorrow - "This mama loves". Real Mums tell us what they're loving for their own kids right now. If you'd like to participate, please EMAIL US.

The second new addition is our "ask the experts" segment, "Dear Mama loves...". If you have a question or query about anything to do with buying things for your children, leave a comment and our panel of experts will do their best to find you an answer! Trying to find a stunning party dress or something awesome for the playroom walls? Ask us! You can't find a great swimsuit for your little one? Ask us!

Stay tuned!

{giveaway reminder} Momspit ends tonight

Don't forget...the awesome MOMSPIT giveaway ends tonight at 7pm. Make sure you enter!

Introducing Jen from Mini-Stylista

What is Mini-Stylista?
Mini-Stylista is one of the first Australian social network dedicated to Kids STYLE. A fully interactive website where parents,designers and online boutiques can come together to discuss latest trends in Kids Fashion, become friends and share their Mini Stylistas style!!!

When did you start Mini-Stylista?
Actually it all began with my vision for an Adult Australian Fashion website called My Style Australia a website where all stylistas: blogger, photographers and designers could come together to share their style. Before I had my son I was obsessed with fashion would study look books and buy so much just to have my own collections! Then I had my son Rocco and I just kept thinking about Kids fashion I just loved all the exciting things Kids designers are doing! So I ended up putting My Style Australia on hold and I started up the Mini-Stylista blog http://www.ministylista.onsugar.com in late July 2009! After only a few weeks I received so many wonderful emails and kind comments on Twitter about the blog and also wonderful Kids businesses started enquiring about advertising! The Kids fashion industry is so amazing everyone is so supportive!!! I then decided to turn my original ideas for My Style Australia into the social network http://www.mini-stylista.com.au.


What have you bought recently!
I recently bought a pair of Rittenhouse Denim pants and a Tiny Mammoth Singlet from Little Pin Wheel http://www.littlepinwheel.com.au

A Munster T'shirt from Kido store for my son to wear at his spooky party! http://www.kidostore.com



A typical day:
Wake up and feed my baby his breakfast (he just turned one) Read emails while I eat my breakfast. Take my little one for a morning outing. Lunch and Sleep time for Rocco- While he sleeps I work on my site or answer emails.
Play with Rocco/Dinner

Then work till midnight/1 on MINI-Stylista!

If I gave me $200 to spend only on you, what would you do with it?
Well like all mothers we would sneakily spend it on our children straight away!
But if I had $200 I would either:
Take a friend out for tea and a cupcake!
Buy the latest Vogue or Russh mag and read with a cup of coffee! or Buy some yummy stationery from KIKKI K Or buy/part buy a divine dress from LOVER, Karen Walker or if I could DIon LEE!

{Giveaway} Let me just wipe that off your face...

Remember the days of Mum or Grandma spitting on their hanky to wipe that spot of chocolate off your cheek? How we always swore we would NEVER do that to our own kids and vowed to always carry a pack of wipes in our bags? Uh-huh.
I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of wipes. With an inquisitive 3 year old around they tend to get left open and dry out, and while they are fine for hands I find them a little harsh for faces. I do always keep a small bottle of antibacterial gel on hand - but again, it's far too rough for soft baby skin!

Two clever Mums obviously felt the same way as they have come up with a VERY cool new product. MOMSPIT.

Its not a sanitiser- it’s MOMSPIT- the universal no-rinse cleanser. It cleans dirt and grime, leaving the skin clean, moisturised and smelling divine. It comes in refreshing and fresh scents and even an unscented version for those people who prefer au natural. It contains no alcohol.
Foams up brilliantly, absorbs quickly and thoroughly and feels fabulous. Basically it’s soap and water, minus the sink!

• Moisturises like a lotion, absorbs quickly
• Alcohol free and biodegradable
• Gentle enough to be used on the face
• Cleans just like soap and water- minus the sink and tap!
• Recyclable and refillable packaging
• Not tested on animals, no child labour
• No rinsing necessary
• Definitely does not contain human saliva (‘cos that would just be gross!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now for the best bit...the generous folks at MOMSPIT have kindly donated us three bottles of this very cool product! Just leave a comment telling us what sort of icky-sticky messes you'd be using MOMSPIT to clean off, and make sure you're following Mama loves to Shop.

Entries close next Monday evening, 7pm Brisbane time.

MOMSPIT is available in three unisex scents- Fig & Green Tea, Lemon & White tea and Unscented. From www.mumspit.com.au and selected stockists in Australia and NZ.

Handmade Giveaways!

Here are a few great giveaways I've found for you!

The BrisStyle blog features monthly giveaways - this month the featured members are Wicked Child Designs & Little Mary Moo, both with fabulous giveaways.

Bettsy Kingston is giving away a a ruffle pant kit.

A stunning Grace Designs headpiece up for grabs on Handmade Canberra's Upmarket

Introducing Stephanie of MooBear Designs

Name and Location: MooBear Designs, Sydney Australia

Your business? MooBear Designs Philosophy is "Designed by children, made by adults and not the other way around" All our designs are either drawn by Moo or inspired by Bear our two oldest children. All their designs use recycled materials which are sewn onto ethically made and environmentally garments. We have just extended our sizes to babies 000-1 and big kids size 2-10. We are also excited to be offering a MooBear Designs Baby Accessories Gift Pack very very soon.

How long has MooBear Designs been operating?
It's beginnings were stitched into concept back in 2006 and we finally launched our online store in May 2009. It was always something I wanted to do and now we are finally here.

What inspired you to start your business?
I have always needed to be creative. Keeping the kids involved in projects is always easy because they want to be creative too. Moo did a drawing when she was 5 years old and we just thought "Hey, that would look great on a t-shirt" and that's what we did. We found some old clothes and scrap fabric cut, out the pieces and after some careful assembling sewed it onto a shirt. After that people wanted their own. We are very Earth orientated and try to do our part for the planet. Our Family business is an extension of what we follow in everyday life. Our shirts have no negative impact on the environment which is like our family. We don't even drive as we live so close to everything it would be silly.

What are your top 3 best selling items?
Moo's Rocket has always been the most popular, Bear's Rar! & Bubble Factory are close behind.


What is a “typical” work day for you?
Hmmm A typical Day... All 5 of us get up. That's always a good start. Carlos and I take turns walking Moo to and from school so if I get to stay home I will often catch up on any sewing. Carlos and I do a lot of tag teaming so he'll play with Bear and Bubble while I do some sewing and then I'll get lunch ready while he does admin or there are always designs to trace and cut although I like to leave that for Carlos. We are lucky that both Bear and Bubble sleep during the day so we use that time to our advantage as well. We also have a policy of not working after 8.30pm. That's our time to sit and relax and enjoy each other with a good movie!! We aren't doing anyone any favours by not resting ourselves. We also have friends and family who like to pop round and help out. Often they play with the kids which frees up more time to tie up loose ends or sometimes they come round and ask what needs cutting.

When you’re not working, what do you do for fun?:
I am down the park with the kids, Crafting with the kids. Moo is learning to sew and Bear doesn't mind sewing either. I love to go to my local coffee shop and read over a hot cup of coffee. If I am not crafting at home I am out somewhere. Oh I love Op shopping. I have to be doing something I am a little bit hyperactive... I need to learn to stop and just watch the world spin round sometimes!!

Handmade for SPRING!

Continuing with this weeks Handmade theme, here are a few glorious springtime selections for you!



1. Pretty Teatime apron from Wink Designs
2. Corduroy clips from Bowtique
3. Musical Butterfly PRINT by Kathy Panton Art
4. Wise Owl bib from Flobib
5. An Apple a Day bodysuit by Little Choopie
6. Beaded Honey Snap bracelet from Strat Designs
7. Merino baby headband from NaturalStar
8. Forest Friends Little Kid Satchel by meeabee

Introducing Jemma of Handmade Kids

Name and Location: Jemma - Midwest of WA.

What is Handmade Kids?

Handmade Kids is a blog site dedicated to showcasing all the fabulous creators of handcrafted items for kids in Australia.

When did you start Handmade Kids, and what was the inspiration behind it?

Handmade Kids was started in August 2008. I started the blog a I had discovered places such as Made It and Etsy and from there found I was shopping for and looking at handcrafted more and more, and when I would tell me friends they had no idea what I was talking about. So I started a blog of all the items I would find and hoped one day someone would read it.

If you can possibly narrow it down, show me three of your favourite handmade products.

Very hard task, as I have so many favourites, so to narrow it down decided to focus on some softies, otherwise if I covered a bit of everything we would have a list a mile long.

I love toys and softies, and adore One Red Robin, she uses such fabulous fabrics and designs, really individual and so detailed, such as this gorgeous owl. I also love her patterns and dream that one day I will manage to make one (I did try once, it did not work out well lol)


My other favourite softie maker is Nooshka. I have always loved dolls, even tho I have never been a girly girl, so love the character in these dolls.


Another store I am always drawn to is Two Little Banshees, I love the fabrics and the shapes, this fish is especially cute


What is a "typical" day for you?

A typical day starts with at least 4 cups of tea to get the motor running a quick check of email before we head off to school. My days are not interesting in the least, I wish I could say, I pop off to the salon, a quick girls lunch etc, but I have an 20 mth old at home, so my day is spent playing trucks, working on the blog, playing more trucks and cleaning up all day after the cyclone in between more truck playing.

If I gave you $200 and two hours to spend it only on yourself, what would you do?

I would use it to pay for a flight to go to Perth for the day and go shopping (so can I have more than that please). A quick plane trip to the City for a wander around the shops for a day on my own would be lovely, I can pretend I am rich jet setting about the place, I might even pretend that Skywest is my private jet.

Mama has had some Georgeous Styling!

Do you like our new look?! Tell me what you think.

Sarah from Style Me Gorgeous created our beautiful banner, it's perfect! She is a very talented lady...look out for more of her work around the blog and internet world.

We also have the smaller square banner which we'd love you to display on your own blog if you like. If you're interested in advertising your store here, please EMAIL US for more information.

This week at Mama Loves to Shop, we're celebrating all things Handmade - Mama Loves Handmade. If you know of any other handmade designer markets coming up this month, please contact us!

Handmade in Bloom

Looking to experience a market which is full of original handcrafted designs that are stylish, unique and exceptional quality?

Handmade - Canberra's quarterly Upmarket brings together talented artists, designers, stylists, craftspeople and gourmets all at one destination. It is a unique event to connect the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate the quality, handcrafted and locally designed.



Handmade market is now located at The Yarralumla Woolshed. This beautiful heritage listed building is located just 5KM from the City Centre. Just off the cotter road.

Market dates for 2009

Friday 11th September 6-9pm Twilight market

Saturday 12th September 10-4pm

Parking is free & there is so much of it too!

There will be allocated Disabled and Elderly parking at the very front of the hall. There will also be drop off and pick up points at the front of the hall also.
Entry is also free, please rememeber there is no ATM at the hall.

Details:-

Friday Twilight market 6-9pm. Come and casually stroll around the 50 boutique stalls open for twilight trade. Come for dinner & enjoy a wine whilst you shop!

Saturday market 10am - 4pm Saturday will showcase over 100+ retailers. we will launch our new Fashion walk (over 35 stalls just foucusing on fashion), The food will be plentiful with the addition of EAT@Handmade. There will also be a wine bar and plenty of seating. If that is not enough there will also be our "Chill out zone", our outdoor lounge room!

Handmade proudly supports Motor neurone Disease.