Santa, did you send your RSVP?

It's that time of year again - all the big department stores here in Sydney (and I think, Australia wide) are having their big toy sales. I was brave enough today to venture into Big W, at 37 wks pregnant with a 5 and 3 year old in tow, to have a look at what they had and I was impressed. Gigi started school this year and is quite the little party girl. We have lots of parties coming up so I had lots of presents to buy and despite the hussle and bussle, long queues, screaming kids (ironically, not mine this time, surprise, surprise) and Gen Y shop assistants who would grunt at any question, I actually managed to get my shopping done without too much trouble. Hmm, my blood pressure was slightly up at my routine visit this afternoon so maybe I was a little more stressed than I am letting on...
But seriously, if you are in Sydney, Big W & KMart started their toy sales today, Myer started last week and finish up on the 25th July and Target is getting ready for its big sale starting July 22. I better place a call to Santa - in this time of global economic crisis, he will be looking for a bargain wherever he can get it. Wonder if Big W online delivers to the North Pole? : )

The Nanny Diaries - big girl Suri steps out without Mummy or Daddy in JCrew

Can you believe little Suri Cruise will be 4 on Sunday? She looks all grown up on an outing with her nanny (no sign of Mummy Holmes or Daddy Cruise) in NYC earlier this week. Wearing two cute clips in her now very long hair and black ballet flats with socks, Suri is wearing a pretty little JCrew crewcuts Cozy Cotton Tunic Dress in Bright Coral and she is clutching a Webkinz Virtual Velvety Elephant Pet Plush toy - isn't he cute? We found him available online at www.bbtoystore.com or LB Toys website. Thanks to Suri Cruise Clothes Blog for the outfit reference : )

A trip down memory lane with Fisher Price - Little People 50th Birthday Play & Go Farm

When I came across this image of the 50th Birthday edition of the Fisher Price Farm house, I took a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Who doesn't remember this toy? My sister and I played with ours all the time until we were about 10 years old - no Nintendo or Wii back then! I remember loving to attach the trailer to the tracker and hooning around the lounge room. Or bridling up the horse to the trailer to drag the dog around. I distinctly remember the soft nose of the sheep and how I chewed mine like a dummy - I even strangely recall the taste of that soft rubber. Weird huh? My sister and I would dip the cow and the horse heads into the troughs to feed and I can still hear the sound of the cows as you opened the farm house doors. We used to sit the chicken and rooster on the posts of the fences and I think someone even broke off my farmer's hat. I would love to get my hands on one of these sets for my girls - I recall many wonderful hours of fun and imagination with my 1970's version!

All little girls LOVE Taylor Swift - and now they can have her all to themselves...

My little princesses just LOVE Taylor Swift and now they can have their own Taylor Swift doll, available online through Amazon.com. There are several different versions available, and some even sing. Our favourites:

1. Taylor Swift Performance Collection "Picture to Burn" Singing Doll
2. Taylor Swift Performance Collection "Our Song" Singing Doll
3. Taylor Swift Pretty in Pink Fashion Collection Doll
4. Taylor Swift Sundress Medley Fashion Collection Doll
5. Taylor Swift "Teardrops" Singing Doll
   

I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want - a Pink Steer & Grow Trike like Bluebell Madonna!

Baby Spice Style - Bluebell Madonna rocking her Pink Steer & Grow Trike in London this week, available from Toys R Us UK

Online Boutique Critique - The Baby Gardner - Vintage Inspired Originals for Little Ones

Could this hand-made baby rattle BE any cuter? I am always on the lookout for new online boutiques from which to find lovely fashions and accessories for little princesses and every once in a while I come across an absolute gem and this is one of them - The Baby Gardner - Vintage Inspired Originals for Little Ones. The Petit Bebe Soft Baby Rattle is definitely inspired in it's engineering (loving that they stuff a soft baby sock and then sew in a couple of little jingly bells for a sweet ringing sound ) and those embroidered eyelashes are so cute. A perfect and unique gift for a newborn princess - this online boutique is a definite 5 stars from me. I strongly recommend you check out their other items - I plan on featuring some more of their gift wear in future posts. Happy vintage shopping!
Source: Photo courtesy of the Baby Gardner Website

Scooter Season !

The Mini Micro Scooter is getting a real workout amongst the celebrity babies - Ava Eliot Jackman has shown her skills on the scooter several times this year, as has Matilda Rose Ledger, seen over the weekend with mummy actress Michelle Williams in New York on her scooter, on which we first saw her in April

Mini Jackman, Ava Eliot, on her Mini Micro Scooter, speeding along in a Speedo rashie - phew, that's a mouthful : )

Iconic Australian swimwear brand Speedo makes these cute Long Sleeve Toddler Sun Tops, as seen here on Ava Jackman, daughter of actors Hugh Jackman & Deborra-Lee Furness. Down in these parts we call them "rashies". Gorgeous girl is again working that Mini Micro Scooter which we saw her on in March and earlier this month

Snuggle Sweet Pea Pod - a great first toy snuggly for baby and beyond

Every child has a toy they love and have had since they were a little baby and though probably worn and dirty, you could not bear to part with it on your child's behalf. Gigi has a toy bunny that is called M&M, and a Play School Jemima Ballerina doll. Lulu has the Anne Geddes Baby Bunny and this gorgeous Snuggle Sweet Pea Pod by Manhattan Toys, which is obviously a favourite of little Violet Anne Affleck. We bought ours from the Australian online boutique Urban Baby though they are currently out of stock. US retailer Barnes & Noble have them in their online store

Who's the fairest of them all? Ava Jackman of course!

Ava Jackman just LOVES her Mini Micro Scooter - and she LOVES spending time with her daddy, actor Hugh Jackman, combining both loves in New York this past weekend. Ava must also love Disney Princesses - she has a Snow White princess dress on over her tracksuit on their play date

Celebrity Princesses - from boots to scooting - getting around on the Mini Micro Scooter

After seeing some groovy little shoes on some of our favourite little fashionistas this week, the Mini Micro Scooter has popped up as the popular mode of transport for our pretty little friends. Ava Eliot Jackman was first seen on hers back in March and this week we have seen Matilda Rose Ledger & Clementine de Vere Drummond scooting around their neighbourhoods on the same pink Mini Micro Scooter. Clementine in new to our blog - she is the daughter of model Claudia Schiffer & film producer Matthew Vaughn, and we hope to see more of her soon : )

Ava Jackman out with Daddy on a Mini Micro Scooter

What a cutie! Little Ava Jackman was scooting around the West Village in New York City with brother Oscar & actor daddy Hugh Jackman on a Mini Micro Scooter, available in Australia from awesome online boutique, Bambini Pronto

Kushies Zolo Toys Stacrobats - Gigi & Lulu love them!

This is a really cute toy that will bring enjoyment to all ages - Lulu actually received it for a first birthday present but Gigi plays with it alot too. The little Kushies Stacrobats attach magnetically to the circus stage base and then they all interconnect magnetically as well. There are many different combinations to join them all together and I have watched my girls sit and make several combinations as they play happily together. I would also recommend this toy for it's hand/eye coordination and dexterity benefits to your little princess

Cute Toys by Les Deglingos at FAO Schwarz Las Vegas

Looking for something unique for Lulu for her 2nd birthday next month, my husband and I came across this gorgeous range of soft toys in the HUGE FAO Schwarz toy store in the Forum Shopping Centre at Caesar's Palace, Las Vegas. Meet Pikos the Hedgehog by Deglingos. Deglingos is loosely translated to be a unique species of contagiously quirky animals. Check out the entire range available at FAO Schwarz. It was a no brainer for me - when I walked past the entire range, it was Pikos and his pink button nose that jumped out at me as if to say "pick me, pick me!". So cute : )

Cupcake Puzzle by Moppit

I found this delightful toy from one of my favourite websites, Moppit. It is a cupcake stand wooden puzzle, where each little cake is numbered so your princess can not only have a fun tea party, she will also learn her 1-2-3's as well. I have been a fan of Moppit, ever since I bought both Gigi & Lulu little slogan tees - and we all know how much I love them - in hot pink with white writing that says HIGH MAINTENANCE..so true at times...just ask Gigi about her tantrum today over what shoes to wear to the shops ..precious, SO precious..

Gigi & Lulu with Gigi & Lulu!!

One of my friends was Googling me (gigi and lulu) a few months ago and she found these gorgeous dolls, appropriately named Gigi & Lulu by Joo Sweetie, available through Etsy. Etsy is an online market place for buying & selling anything hand made. I had a look through all the beautiful dolls made by Joo Sweetie and there were so many to choose from. I ended up getting the Gigi & Lulu doll (of course!) and my little name sakes just adore their new friends, as you can see. I also ordered them a tooth fairy doll each - which is such a beautiful idea for a present for a little princess, and I got myself a keyring with the cute little Japanese doll on it. Joo Sweetie sent these to me in record time from the US and she explained how she meticulously researches then chooses the names for her gorgeous pillow dolls and how it is such an amazing coincidence that these two names went together, as do my little peas in a pod. Well worth a look at her online store as she has several combinations of pillow dolls and other lovely hand made gifts

He's here - Elmo Live!

If you haven't seen the original Tickle Me Elmo, then you are missing out on a really good belly laugh. If you have had the pleasure of this fun experience then you will love the new, improved Elmo Live doll, released today in Australia. Check out this You Tube clip that shows Elmo Live at the New York Toy Fair earlier this year. Gigi & Lulu just LOVE their Tickle Me Elmo so it looks like Santa may need to add Elmo Live to his list for Christmas. And not just for the girls - for mummy and daddy too! In the meantime, he is available at Toys R Us & Target if you can't wait that long.
Source: Elmo logos & images courtesy of Sesame Workshop

Kate Finn - Delightful Children's Toys

Both Gigi & Lulu have a matching pony and an elephant in each of their bedrooms from the Kate Finn collection of children's toys. I have been known to give them as gifts to several of my friends with children as the craftsmanship and design are so cute and unique. Kate Finn has been selling children's toys for over 32 years and the prints and colours available in the collection are simply delightful. The rag dolls are beautiful too - if you are lucky enough to find one of them that matches your child's name, it is a great gift idea - every little girl would love a doll named after her. Come on Kate, what about a "Gigi" & a "Lulu" please? In all seriousness, the Kate Finn website is well worth a look.

Suri Builds a Bear

Cute little Suri Cruise, accompanied by daddy Tom, had a great time on Saturday night in New York at the Build a Bear Workshop. We took Gigi when she was a baby to personalise a bear that said "I love Gigi" but we have yet to take Lulu to make hers - slack mummy & daddy! Maybe Santa might help us out in that department. It is also a fun place to go with the kids for a birthday party - all the children get to take home their own bear which is a nice memento from the party - better than a bag full of lollies. Check the Build A Bear website for locations in Australia.
UPDATE: With thanks to Baby Chic 101 - Suri is wearing a Bonpoint dress and with thanks to Suri Cruise Italia, the silver ballerina flats are also from Bonpoint - gorgeous!
Photo Source: Just Jared

It's Diabetes Buzz Day!

Friday, 19th September is Diabetes Buzz Day - a day to support Diabetes Australia in raising much needed funds that will go towards Diabetes awareness, research, education & advocacy programmes. In their words - to take the "sting" out of Diabetes. Not only was I borderline gestational diabetes with Gigi but also one of my very close friends has recently had her gorgeous 9 year old son, Ryan diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, so this charity is close to my heart. Ryan is a fantastic kid - he has taken everything on board and is coping really well with his injections and special dietary needs - and it is important that we all know more about this condition as it affects around one million Australians - some statistics suggest 50% of those affected don't even know they have it. The Buzz Day awareness programme has several items of merchandise, such as pens, key rings etc available to buy through various retail outlets or you can get some of the cute plush toys featured above through their website - http://www.buzzday.com.au/