FREE! Download and print out these cute flash cards to teach your child the alphabet. Get it here (you'll need to sign up to see them - it's free)
And a few more. You also have the option of printing them out in black and white so the kids can colour them in - clever thinking by those Huggies people
I love this! Perfect for (cow)boys or (cow)girls! From Taverne Agency
A little round up of cool kids rooms for all ages and sexes. Enjoy!
Quirky and cool. The painted wall silhouette is a brilliant idea. Up the cleverness again and make it chalkboard paint to keep them visually and creatively stimulated. From VT Wonen
Trees in nurseries are not new, but this is particularly beautiful. Paint on the trunk and branches then cut out a gazillion tissue-paper flowers and stick on for the see-through effect. For my next baby (!) I think I want one of these Leander hanging cradles. Pic from VT Wonen
A chandelier and mozzie net make for a romanticly girlie room. I know we're not meant to place canopies or mobiles above a baby's sleeping space but I think as long as it's so secure there is no chance of it falling and they're small enough that they won't be able to reach up and pull on it or get wrapped up in it, I don't see the problem. I think maybe we're too careful these days... From Taverne Agency
The nerd in me loves the learning aspect of a wall map; the decorator-obsessed in me loves the look of it. A win-win! From Taverne Agency.
A daybed gives tweens a hang-out spot of their own during the day and princess bed at night. From Taverne Agency
If you're going to invest in a wall of custom-made beds, might as well include extras for all those sleepovers! The inbuilt storage in each bunk is a good idea - allows the kids to give their own space their own personality. No idea where this picture came from. If you know, please let me know!
Little projects to style up the little person in your life - and all their paraphernalia
Look! A playmat with no Wiggles, Bob the Builder or any ridiculously creepy character from In The Night Garden in sight!
A nappy bag non-mums would want
So-cute kiddie clothes
A cheeky monkey bag for cheeky monkeys: great for storing toys, nappies, laundry... All pics above from Amy Butler
A few pretty projects. Pic from Amazon
You can buy the book online at Amazon if your local bookstore doesn't have it. Have a good weekend x
You can't go wrong with streamers!
Sorry, not here, but in the August issue of Real Living. I'm only posting a sneak peek cause I need you to buy it cause I need to keep my job! But, let's just say they're colourful, cheap and cheery ideas anyone can do!
Red = funky gender neutral space
We had fun at the shoot - Zak makes an appearance - and it's always great to see the published result after you've seen the time, effort and mess that goes into creating each shot!
Layla's initial - customised by moi. You can see how here
How many kids rooms do you know of that don't have the child's name or initial featured somewhere in it? Not many, I'm guessing. It's a hugely popular trend that doesn't seem to be disappearing anytime soon. So, the trick is to try and do something a little different. So what's out there aside from wooden letters? If you want to create something yourself, you can simply customise a plain plywood letter like I did above (instructions here). Or if you'd rather someone did the hard work for you, here are a few ideas...
I love this! A gorgeous elephant wall decal with your child's name printed all over it. You get the choose the colours and it's also available in a giraffe shape. Elephant decal, $65 plus $20 for customised name, The Wall Sticker Company
Fabric-covered letters. You can get pretty versions from Freedom or try this eBay seller for this gorgeous paisley "W"
Get cursive - Empire Vintage's pretty font is priced $45 per letter and is available in white, red or black
Choose your fave fabric from 12 patterns and create your own word at Wallspace. Cost is $20 per letter
And if the wall just doesn't do it for you, go for these cute little blocks with letter decals, $8 per block, The Wall Sticker Company
Boy + girl versions
It's been a busy birthing month this one - a good friend of mine gave birth to her daughter on my due date, June 5 (how jealous I was!), my colleague, Nat, gave birth to her son on Monday, I popped out Layla last Wednesday and another friend from my mother's group is being induced next week. So it's gifts galore at the moment - giving and receiving. I love giving gifts - it gives me great pleasure rounding up a few little items and packaging them nicely. I also love a personal touch - something handmade whether it's a card, creative wrapping or the gift itself. This latest baby boom had me making this simple little singlets.
And I can't forget my little Layla - she gets an elephant
It cost virtually nothing (the singlet itself was a whole $3), took about an hour to do and while it might not last the distance, the baby will probably outgrow it first!! And it's so simple, anyone can do it. Just cut out a shape - a heart, a star, an animal, the initial of the child's first name - pin to the front of the singlet, shirt or onesie, and stitch around the silhouette a few millimetres from the edge.
A pretty pink newborn parcel
I paired my little singlet with a wooden letter of bub's initial and packaged it in a cute little pink suitcase from Baby's Got Style which is great for storage or as baby's first bag (a friend of mine used her little red case as a nappy bag for the first few months!)
