ROYAL BABY NEWS! 

Welcome beautiful baby  

Charlotte Elizabeth Diana

born May 2, 2015

to the Duke & Duchess of Cambridge

We look forward to the next few years of royal baby fashion!

Congratulations!

Photo: Getty

Sleeping Beauty - Tutu Cute Ballerina Theme Nursery

Lulu has a ballerina themed nursery but it is nothing like this divine bedroom I found by Oopsy Daisy. The colour pallete is soft and dreamy and the artwork amazing. I am a sucker for a pretty chandelier (my girls all have one) and the styling is pretty and feminine. Lulu's room might be in need of a revamp. Simply stunning.....

Future King of Hearts - and his Aussie connection.....

Welcome to the world on one of my little Princesses' birthday - Prince George Alexander Louis!
The Duchess of Cambridge looked naturally beautiful in a one of a kind Jenny Packham dress and we just love, love, love her Pied a Terre Imperia Simple Slingback Espadrille Wedge
Even more impressive for me is her choice of muslin wrap - the delightful Sweet Bird print from Australian label Aden + Anais , part of the Jungle Jam pack of 4 swaddling wraps. Even though we secretly hoped for a little princess to fill the pages of our blog in the years ahead, we couldn't resist and think the new little prince is just gorgeous, don't you? x Congratulations to the first time parents x

GUESS who is the new face of GUESS KIDS?

What a little cutie pie - taking after her late mother Anna Nicole Smith, a former GUESS model herself,  gorgeous 6 year old Dannielyn Birkhead is the new face of GUESS KIDS, modeling here for their Spring 2013 catalogue. You can see what GUESS creative director Paul Marciano, along with Daddy Larry Birkhead thinks about Dannielynn's modeling debut here. No doubt Mummy would have been very proud xo

Burberry Trench Dress - Mini Military Chic

 

Those that know me will tell you I have always been a fan of military chic. Whilst browsing one of my favourite websites for children's apparel - Children's Salon - I came across this divine Burberry Cotton Trench Dress. I particularly love the stitching detail and zip front and the eco-leather trim on the shoulders. The belt is detachable too so mix n match it with baby jeans or baby cargos. With the signature Burberry check lining and branded buttons, your little fashionista will definitely win the battle of the best dressed bub.

Truly Scrumptious by Heidi Klum

Arriving in Babies R Us stores in the US on September 15, Truly Scrumptious is the new children's line designed by supermodel mum Heidi Klum. For a sneak peak at their look book, go to the Babies R Us website - it really is Truly Scrumptious. I don't know about you, but Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was one of my favourite movies as a child and for those that don't recall the details, Truly Scrumptious was the name of the lead female character of the film and there was a song called "Truly Scrumptious" in the movie that brings back lovely memories - you can hear it here.

Happy 6th Birthday little Miss Cruise!

Happy 6th Birthday Suri!

Hope you have a fantastic day and we look forward to another year filled with your fashions and adventures!

Teenie Bikini with a model that might look familiar....

It's here! My beautiful and talented friend Claudia Chabo has finally launched her kids swimwear range - Teenie Bikini - and it is just divine! Having worked in the industry for over 20 years, Claudia has two other labels in her portfolio, ccjuis (swimwear & streetwear) & Pink Bandit (intimates/lingerie). Claudia was a finalist on Project Runway Australia Season 2 and she is a very dear friend of mine.
Her little girls swimwear is age appropriate and on trend, and she has made them with the same fashionable appeal as her women's line, so they stand out from other bikinis on the market for this age demographic. My favourite bikini is the ruffle bound fixed triangle - seen above in the natural colourway with the umbrella prop. It has a very unique crossover strap which holds the little triangle in place, avoiding wardrobe malfunctions that I hate to see on little girls at the beach. It is discreet and tasteful and the colour choices available are beautiful - the photos don't do them any justice.
And my extra special reason for posting this entry - besides the fact the swimwear is awesome!.....my little Gigi is the beautiful little model - hasn't she done a great job!

Butternut Rudolph Cookies!

Ingredients:

1 x Packet of Arnott's Butternut Cookies

1/3 Cup of Cream

200g of milk or dark chocolate melts (I used cooking chocolate)

65g Unsalted Butter

1 x Packet of Jaffas

1 x Packet of Marshmallows (preferably white)

1 x Tube of White Frosting Gel

1 x Tube of Black Frosting Gel

1 x Packet of Mini Parkers Pretzels (Shapes)

1 x Packet of Silver Foiled Muffin or Large Cupcake Patty Pans

Step #1 - The Cookie Cups

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Place the cookies over the holes of a mini muffin tin/rubber tray
2. Stick in the oven for 3 minutes until cookies soften
3. Remove and gently (they split really easily!) mould the softened bikkies into the holes, forming a cup shape
4. Allow to cool a little then transfer to a tray (I did these the day before so they were fully set the next day)

Step #2 - The Yummy Chocolate Face

1. Put the butter, cream and melts into a saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and shiny with no lumps (at least 5 minutes)
2. Pour into a clean bowl and refrigerate for approximately 20 minutes
3. Put the cookies back into the muffin tin to get ready for filling - this keeps then steady so the chocolate won't spill over the edges
4. After 20 minutes, stir and then heap each bikkie with a full teaspoon of the chocolate mixture
5. Refridgerate again for 20 minutes to set the chocolate

Step #3 - Becoming Rudolph!

1. Using kitchen scissors, cut a white marshmallow in half. Stick a jaffa into the sticky side (it should hold it in place) and place the smooth side of the marshmallow down towards the bottom of the chocolate cup, so as to leave room for eyes. I did this step while the chocolate was still setting, as it helps secure the marshmallow in place
2. Using the white frosting gel, make two eyes above the marshmallow nose and then use the black frosting gel to dot eyeballs in as well
3. Select two pretzels of similar size and gently press into the chocolate to secure the antlers.
4. Serve in the foil patty pans for a festive presentation!
5. Voila! Merry Christmas : )

PS: Thanks Woolies for the recipe!

Here's one for the yummy mummy by Alannah Hill - why should the little princesses have all the fun?

Those that know me know I absolutely LOVE red and I especially love Alannah Hill and her flirty, girly style. I couldn't resist throwing this one in for all the yummy mummies out there - after all, who doesn't love a splash of red too!
This is the Saving Face Bolero by Alannah Hill, available in store or online at www.alannahhill.com.au

Christmas Countdown - #1 Holiday Red Dress

I'm back!!! And just in time for my annual countdown of my favourite red dresses for your little princess for Christmas. First up, this beautiful tiered dress from Little Miss Princess. This Holiday Red Tiffany Party Dress, with three layers of chiffon and jewelled neckline will suit all sizes. Love it! If you are looking for a special occasion dress, flowergirl dress, pageant dress etc, then LittleMissPrincess.com has lots of lovely styles for you to choose from.

Witchery Kids - Special Offer 20% Off

Check out some great savings on Witchery Kids for online shoppers. Go to their Facebook page, become a "liker" and follow the instructions for online shopping. For good, quality children's wear, check out the Witchery website - they have beautiful ladies wear as well

Gwen, What You Waiting For? Bring your Harajuku Mini line to Australia - pretty, pretty please!

Love, Love, Love Gwen Stefani - her quirky style is perfectly suited for a mini princess collection so we are very excited she is launching a new fashion line in the US aimed at her littlest of fans - Harajuku Mini collection for Target, launching in November. Hey Gwen, don't forget your Australian fans.....please bring your collection down under - it will go B-A-N-A-N-A-S!!
Source:

Beautiful Baby Beckham - the new Baby Spice in Stella McCartney Kids

Adorable....loving the Stella McCartney Kids Emma Dove Print shirt, as seen very stylishly on beautiful baby Beckham - Harper Seven - out shopping with mum Victoria.
Source:

Head Over Heels Appeal - For the children and families of flood affected Queensland

Inspired by a story on the Today Show this morning of a family of six children whose new school shoes were lost in the floods in Queensland, the Head over Heels Appeal was born. Most families get their children new school shoes at the start of the school year and I sent out an appeal for my group of school mums to see if they had their children's old school shoes available to be donated to this family and also to others in this particular town that was in the Today Show story. I went on to include school supplies in my appeal so that the kids would have new supplies to start the year. I also emailed our school principal, the Today Show, rang in some favours from some local newspaper contacts and sent out a few tweets to the lovely reporter who broke the story and what started as a little appeal for shoes has grown to include clothing, toys, manchester and first aid equipment, all of which my friends and their friends have so far offered up for donation. My husband and his mate had planned on taking an overnight road trip in his ute and trailer direct to this town so that the goods went straight to the family mentioned in the story and I am now looking at some bus options as the response has been overwhelming.
I am blown away by the generosity of my friends and their friends and I hope that we can now get alot more things to take to put smiles on the faces of these families again. The plan is to wait until the first week of February to head up north, as we would like to allow time for more donations to come in and also to give the families some space to clean up first, as this is their number one priority. If you live in Sydney, Australia, and would like to donate some old school shoes or school supplies, please email me for details : )

Mimi's First Christmas

Merry Mimi's First Christmas! & Happy New Year

Mimi is wearing a vintage red polka dot baby dress worn by Lulu in 2007 and prior to that Mummy in 1971! My mum took wonderful care of it and I am so lucky two of my little princesses got to wear it after I did. Her little booties are also vintage - the ones I wore at my baptism, also in 1971 : )

More Sugar & Spice! Its a GIRL! I have a princess trifecta!

Introducing Mimi! Born on 22 July, 2010! I have my little princess trifecta - Gigi + Lulu + Mimi

Without going into too much detail, I ended up having to have a caesarian (after two natural births) and boy oh boy, was that a shock to the system! A whole new world of firsts for this third time mum! Had a few feeding issues to start (no one told me that milk flow is a bit slower with caesarian births) and of course I wasn't up and at 'em as fast as I was the other two. Coupled with a hubby who was banned from the nursery for 2 days as he had a stomach virus, a concerned & emotional 5 year old and a robust 3 year old it was a hard ol' slog in hospital this time around. Once I was home, I felt much better - nothing like your own environment to relax and bond with baby.

Mimi is settling well - a very happy baby - but a night owl like mum - and yet to sleep through. She started off taking an occasional bottle (I am breastfeeding) however one day decided it wasn't for her. With solids starting, I am hoping a full belly will help with the waking in the night issue and I am going straight to a cup, having tried numerous teets, different bottles and trying & changing brands of formula when she didn't want expressed breast milk out of a bottle. This proved challenging for hubby when I had a night out in November - he ended up using the syringe you get for administering Infant Panadol to feed her 100mls, 2mls at a time! Besides this one night, Mimi & I have basically been inseparable and I think she is a real mummy's girl and just wants me and my booby juice ha ha. I am not complaining, in fact just quietly, I am savouring this baby time as I know she is my last.

My apologies for keeping you all in suspense for so long - three kids is definitely a handful, but I am loving it and though my blogs have been a little neglected, my new years resolution is to try and get back into the swing of things so thanks again for your patience - I have lots of baby fashions & accessories to catch up on and especially with my third little girl, I am searching more and more for all those beautiful things "sugar & spice" x

Inside the Princess Boudoir - beautiful artwork by Casey O'Connell

Inspired by some exceptional artwork I have been introduced to this week, I am creating a new section of my blog. Titled "Inside the Princess Boudoir", I will be featuring all sorts of lovely items for your little princesses' bedroom or nursery.

Now, as for that exceptional artwork I was talking about, every now and then I come across an artist who just blows me away with work that has such beautiful use of colour and, what I call, a picture that talks to me. I am no art expert but I judge art by how it makes me feel to look at and whether or not it tells me a different story each time I look at it. Casey O'Connell's stunning works do just that for me. When Casey contacted me, I immediately went to look at her website and I found myself checking out painting after painting. Each one so brilliantly unique and with such a lovely blend of colours. I was particularly drawn to My Sugar, especially as a nursery gift for a baby girl, as well as All In, both from Casey's current collection. I strongly urge you to browse through her website - I am sure you will enjoy and appreciate her wonderful talent as much as I did. Thank you Casey for introducing me to what you call your "autobiographical dialogues" - keep up the great work! x x x

Funky Little Feet - A Week in Beautiful Shoes

While surfing around the web looking for more gorgeous items for Gigi & Lulu (more specifically, a little present for each of them from their new baby brother or sister), I have encountered some of the most beautiful little summer shoes for little princesses. It is winter here in the southern hemisphere so we are rarely out of our ugg boots or sneakers but if I close my eyes and imagine we are on the beach in Hawaii or on the sand in Santorini, here are three little pairs of sandals that would go with Gigi & Lulu's summer sarongs:

1. pediped Phoebe Gold Flex - or ANYTHING pediped - stunning shoes for little princesses (click on the link in my sidebar to check out their whole catalogue)
2. see kai run Ashley Maija style
3. Stride Rite NMS Daffodil in Ballerina Pink

Enjoy x x x