Make every day a Smile Day! 1st April brought to you by the Clown Doctors & Humour Foundation

Wednesday 1st April is Smile Day!
Brought to you by the Humour Foundation - creators of the Clown Doctors - please give generously to this wonderful programme that helps put smiles on the faces of sick children in hospitals throughout Australia. The Clown Doctors "dispense doses of fun & laughter" and help the children in our major hospitals take their minds of their illness and their extended stays in hospital. A great organisation and a great initiative - don't forget to spread the joy tomorrow and SMILE.
As my Nonna used to say: "if you see someone without a smile, cheer them up by giving them yours" x x x

Violet Affleck - "tutu" cute in a FreeCity hoodie

Leaving pre-school with mummy, actor Jennifer Garner, in a cute tutu on a chilly LA day, Violet Affleck is wearing a FreeCity youngones Dove Hoodie in Artyard Red. When will we get to see more of little sister Seraphina?

Bandaged Bear Day - Friday 27th March

Today is Bandaged Bear Day - raising funds for the Children's Hospital at Westmead in Sydney, Australia. Donations received from the sale of the cute Bandaged Bear merchandise helps to fund research into childhood illness, the purchase of high-tech equipment and the provision of extra services for sick or injured children and their families. Having Gigi admitted here with an illness at 4 months old, I can't express enough how great a facility this hospital is. Also, a few years ago, before I had my two princesses, I volunteered at Radio Bedrock, which is the kids radio station and adjoining games room, situated in the Children's Hospital at Westmead. It provided the sick children with an outlet to go and dance, play games, draw and generally just forget, if for only a little while, their pain and the reason why they were there. One little girl with cystic fibrosis looked forward to just having her nails painted every week. I must say, it was one of the most rewarding things I have done in my life, the children there are an inspiration to us all and the staff who care for them are amazing. This is a wonderful cause so please dig deep today to support this fantastic hospital

A Stellar Osh Kosh Party Dress for Stella McDermott

Helping celebrate big brother Liam's 2nd Birthday, Stella McDermott (daughter of actress Tori Spelling and actor hubby Dean McDermott) looked adorable in her Toddler Girls Genuine Kids from Osh Kosh Floral Tiered Dress, available online at Amazon.com

Another celebrity baby loves the good old Aussie Ugg Boot - keeping baby feet warm in the Ugg Kids Baby Crochet Booties

Earlier in the week, Olive Cohen, the cute daughter of actress Isla Fisher & Brit comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, was spotted in her Ugg Kids Baby Crochet Booties. Which is understandable since the Ugg boot is an Aussie fashion staple for those chilly winter feet and mummy is Australian. Also a fan, Jessica Alba put a pair of the Ugg Kids Baby Crochet Booties in Pink Multi colourway on baby daughter Honor Marie on a shopping trip in LA this week

Suri again - this time at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in LA - we LOVE the white tap shoes

On an outing with mummy again (where is that daddy anyway??), little Suri looks adorable in her Ralph Lauren Cotton Pintuck Dress and little white beginner tap shoes, similar to the ones Gigi has by Bloch
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Suri takes an Art class in Santa Monica wearing Juicy Couture

After an arty afternoon at the Santa Monica Children's Art Studio, Suri Cruise & mummy, actress Katie Holmes, went out for an afternoon snack. Suri was wearing the Nordstrom Bella Ballerina Flats that she wore back in November and her Red Striped Bow Cardigan is by Juicy Couture
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Loving Olive Cohen in her Mushroom Hoodie - good enough to eat!

Out in Hollywood over the weekend with mummy, actress Isla Fisher, we love the Mushroom Fun Infant Poly Hoodie worn by little Olive Cohen, along with her warm little Ugg Kids Baby Crochet booties in Blue Multi (Thanks Patty at Baby Chic 101 for the funky little feet info)

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

...and here she is...the NEW TWEEN DORA!

OK, so she is kinda cute, no Bratitude in sight. But new Dora does not come without criticism. The toy company responsible for Dora have revealed that they are keeping the old Dora for the little tykes and the new Dora is for their tween market. In my opinion, this is nuts - why not just create a new character, say Dora's older cousin Nora or something similar, and save us parents the confusing task of explaining away why there are two Dora's??? Seriously, whoever came up with this bright idea, clearly has no children, nor did they consider the confusion this exercise would create amongst the toddler set.
What do you think?

Matilda Ledger - blooming cute in some groovy Doc Marten boots

Growing up so fast, and looking more like her late father, actor Heath Ledger, gorgeous little Matilda Ledger cut a cute figure in her Juicy Cracklin' Dr Marten Boots as she carried a potted plant on an outing with mummy, actress Michelle Williams. We love the Little Girls Winter Tights too, available from online boutique, Best Dressed Tot. Matilda also appears to be wearing a hand knitted cardigan, just like the ones your nanna would knit for you, so we would not be surprised if this one came from one of her grandmas

Valentina Baby Chic - Baby Gap Villa Collection

How we do love a gorgeous little dress and Valentina Pinault, toddler daughter of actress Salma Hayek is sure giving Suri Cruise a run for her money in the fashion stakes. Seen out with her fabulously stylish mother on Friday (love the handbag & boots) little Valentina is wearing the Baby Gap Smocked Eyelet Dress in a lovely light camel colour with white embroidery. It is part of their Villa Collection - it is worth taking a look at the entire range - fresh and funky
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Violet goes nuts over Peanuts - Snoopy would approve!

Looking her usual casual cute self, Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner's daughter Violet wore a pretty pink Mini Fine Peanuts Balloon Tee - from online boutique Tutti Bella - while out and about earlier in the week. She was also wearing her trusty Superga Torino Hook & Loop Sneakers
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T-Shirt of the Week - Harajuku Lovers Camp Kawaii!

"Kawaii" is Japanese for "cute" - and kawaii it is! In case you didn't know, the label is the brainchild of singer Gwen Stefani, and we just love this Harajuku Lovers Love Puff Sleeve Tee, available at online boutique - Tutti Bella

Clone Zone & Recession Buster - Look-a-like Leni in an Adidas Striped Hoodie Dress - a steal at 20 bucks

Loving this Adidas Toddler Pink Striped Hoodie Dress from US online store Dillards. Very affordable at USD$20.00 in these harsh economic times. I found it while looking for the one worn by Heidi Klum's daughter Leni, seen out and about over the weekend with her supermodel mummy in LA

Sunday Rose in Trumpette Baby Socks

So sweet! In a new photo of gorgeous little Sunday Rose Kidman-Urban we can see that mum Nicole is another fan of the Trumpette Baby Socks range. Little Sunday is wearing the white pair of the Mary Jane Pastels range on a visit to a baby gym in Nashville, Tennessee last week. Who do you think she looks like? Mum Nicole or dad, country singer Keith Urban?
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Suri in JCrew Safari Print Ballet flats in Japan

Looking cute in her JCrew Crewcuts Girls Salina Safari Patent Leather Ballet Flats (the brand favoured by the First Kids, Malia & Sasha), Suri Cruise and her entourage (mummy & daddy Tom & Katie) arrived in Japan last week. Coordinated with the Ralph Lauren Baby Duchess Dress she wore to see The Nutcracker in New York in December, Suri looks ever the gorgeous little fashionista : )
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80's Revival - Converse All Star Hi Top Canvas Sneakers

Just today at Gigi's ballet class, one of the younger sisters of her classmates was wearing a pair of baby Converse All Star Hi Top Canvas Sneakers in Pink - she looked so cute, her mummy having teamed them with a grey & pink striped hoodie dress and pink leggings. Coincidentally, I was surfing the web and found that just this past weekend, actor Breckin Meyer was seen out in Beverly Hills playing tennis with daughter Caitlin Willow (gorgeous name BTW) and she was wearing these same shoes. It takes me back to the 80's when I am sure I went through several pairs of Converse All Stars...

Goody Two-Shoes - Two celebrity sisters, footloose and fancy free in two groovy pairs of kids shoes

Enjoying an outing to a toy shop in Washington DC with their daddy, the Jolie-Pitt sisters, Zahara & Shiloh were all rugged up and looking every bit the trendy toddlers. They were wearing some really groovy shoes too - Zahara is wearing Naturino Silver Glitter Mary Janes, available from one of my fave online boutiques Chasing Fireflies. Little sister Shiloh is wearing the ultra hip Vans Kids Authentic Sneakers in the Multi Monkey Print , Black/Hyacinth colourway. Zahara is giving her cable knit hoodie a good workout - it is the third time she has been spotted in it in the past month. And we are loving the grey cords Shiloh!

Tszujing up Dora or just another Bratz incarnation ??

Let it be known - Gigi & Lulu LOVE Dora the Explorer. We have DVD's, we have t-shirts with Dora on them, we have pool toys and dress up dolls. We even have a Dora the Explorer mobile phone upon which I downloaded off the Internet "Ola, Gigi" in Dora's voice. In a nutshell, Dora & her sidekicks Boots, Diego et al, are more than welcome in my house, being good role models for children, teaching them problem solving, geography, process of elimination, some Spanish language skills ...the list goes on. With her Suri haircut and casual shorts and t-shirt, the most bling Dora can be accused of wearing is a simple bracelet on her right arm. For Dora, life is simple & fun, as it should be for children. In fact the most stressful decision she has to make is usually whether to go over a bridge or under it. Basically Dora is your everyday girl, with no reason for parents to be concerned about her brainwashing our little girls with body issues or forcing other adult issues on them.
Until now.
Mattel has announced that Dora is getting a face lift. Coy on the details, we have been given a preview in silhouette - obviously so as to create the buzz that blogs such as mine are having as we go into overdrive discussing the pros and cons. The general consensus - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Ok, let's break it down. Her hair has grown out (is this some subliminal message that to be attractive, you must have longer hair?), she has graduated from shorts and sneakers to mini skirt & ballet flats (some would say a natural progression for tweens but how will this impact the littlies?) and has generally given in to peer group pressure for a, and I quote, "new fashionable look". How sad that they have forced Dora to be a superficial fashion victim when we all thought she would go on to navigate around and/or travel the world, problem solving and charming everyone she met along the way. She would make a fantastic UN ambassador, not brand ambassador for some fashion house. Needless to say, I eagerly await the unveiling of the updated Dora the Explorer and as I mentioned in comments I made on this topic on one of my favourite blogs, mamamia, I can embrace this new Dora provided she is true to the original and continues to provide my little girls with an anti Paris or anti Britney role model that they can aspire to be like.
Any sign of excessive make up, superficial jewellery (belly rings and multiple piercings), cleavage or an ounce of "Bratitude", it will be adios Dora the Explorer...

Cool Cubbyhouse, Cool Mum - First Lady Michelle Obama plays with Malia & Sasha on their new swing set at the White House

Now that's a cubby house! Meet the newest addition to the White House - Malia & Sasha Obama try out their new playground equipment in the grounds of their new home at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Mum, First Lady Michelle Obama is joining in the fun too. Sasha is wearing the Juicy Couture Hooded Puffer Coat - the same one worn by Coco Arquette in January - and we love Malia's boots - they look very warm & toasty!

Another gorgeous embroidered number - Violet Maye Grohl in BabyGap

Here is another gorgeous embroidered tunic (we blogged about Suri's Bonpoint dress earlier) - rockspring Violet Maye Grohl, seen here on a playdate with daddy, musician Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters, complete with painted face, is wearing the BabyGap Embroidered Tunic in white (it is also available in a lovely light camel colour with light blue stitching). This would look cute with a red skivvy & leggings/tights with boots for winter, what do you think?

Winter Coat Review #2 - Olive Cohen, the Junior Shop-a-Holic

Neatly tucked into the seat of the trolley, Olive Cohen looks all warm and cuddly in her fur trimmed Juicy Couture Baby Puffer Parka in Angel White. It is very similar to the Juicy Hooded Puffer Coat that Coco Arquette was wearing a few weeks ago. Shopping with her Confessions of a Shop-a-Holic mummy, actress Isla Fisher, Olive also wears Ecco Toddler Hug Oxford Shoes in White/Shadow White Silver. And we are love, love, loving the spotty tights and three quarter pants...I am still sourcing those for you, will keep you posted ; )

Winter Coat Review #1 - Matilda Ledger Bundled up in Brooklyn

Just as we are starting to consider our snow bunny wardrobes for 2009, here is a cute winter jacket from Lands End. The Little Kids 3-in-1 Squall Jacket comes in four colours, including Berry, as seen here on Matilda Ledger last month. She stepped out again this week in the same coat with mummy, actress Michelle Williams, following their trip to LA to catch up with the Ledger family, who were in town to accept the Oscar on behalf of Matilda's late father, actor Heath Ledger

Flashback - Suri in Bonpoint in Brazil

Finally...I have been looking for this gorgeous little sundress worn by Suri in Brazil back in February. It is part of the new Bonpoint collection, which is available through their new online boutique. The Carla Dress in White with it's lovely embroidered yoke is made from a light cotton poplin and also comes in a chocolate brown colourway. More on the new Bonpoint online store in upcoming posts

Tartine et Chocolat - So many beautiful designs - "you never know what you are gonna get"

With a billionaire daddy and actress mummy, Valentina Pinault will never be without a pretty new dress. Seen here with mummy Salma Hayek, Valentina is wearing a gorgeous pinafore dress by French children's clothing label Tartine et Chocolat. View the whole range available through UK online boutique Kids in Chic.
Thanks to Patty at BabyChic101 for the fashion info

Double Clone Zone - Gorgeous Tocca Dresses

Browsing through one of my favourite online boutiques - Milk Shop - I found two gorgeous dresses that are very similar to those worn by two of our favourite little celebrity princesses. Nahla Aubrey, daughter of actress Halle Berry, wore a delightful little sundress that looked strikingly similar to the Tocca Lauren Dress. Rock chicklet Harlow Winter Kate Madden spent the day with daddy, Good Charlotte lead singer Joel Madden, in a cute peacock print top which is very similar to the Tocca Zoe Dress

I HEART Milk Shop!

Gigi & Lulu's Mama LOVES LOVES LOVES Mamas & Papas - and so does Ms Alba for baby Honor Marie

I love, LOVE, LOVE...this beautiful cardigan worn a few times in the last week by Jessica Alba's gorgeous baby girl, Honor. The Mamas and Papas Limited Edition Hippy Trail Cardigan is a soft angora wool blend hooded cardigan with crocheted flowers - delish!