Easter Bonnet Time!

It's that time of year - Easter parade at school and time to construct that flamboyant monstrosity that we know as an Easter bonnet. I have fond memories of my mother & nonna creating wacky and way out creations for my school parade and had wondered how I would ever measure up when the time came for the baton to be passed to me and the responsibility now on my shoulders to come up with a work of art worthy of comparison. Luckily for me, Gigi's school likes to encourage the children's creativity and hence we only need to provide the materials and they are involved in the construction of their own hats. Phew, big sigh of relief. For those of you that have been lumbered with the task of DIY Easter bonnets, I have found some really cute websites and blogs to help you with some ideas. Whether you prefer layers of tulle and silk flowers, paper mache eggs and tiny yellow fluffy chickens, or more simply a paper plate tied with ribbon and decorated with pipe cleaners, left over Christmas tinsel and crepe paper, there is something for everyone at a cute little blog called Easter Bonnets on Parade. Other sites you way want to check out include Easter Craft, Decorative Packaging Blog and I also found a more modern take on an Easter bonnet on Boo5's blog - an Easter Fascinator. You could even put it away and bring it out again on Melbourne Cup Day! Happy hat making xox

seed Autumn/Winter 2010 in store plus special offer on shipping within Australia until 13th March 2010

seed Autumn/Winter 2010 is in store now, with a special offer of free shipping within Australia only until Sunday. As Katie Holmes' baby boutique of choice whilst in Australia, seed has both a beautiful kids line as well as a practical and chic women's wear line called seed femme. They have some beautiful textured scarves on sale so with my burgeoning belly, I think I am gonna stock up!

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!

Who wore it best? Our Gigi or Dannielynn in Pumpkin Patch

Both these little princesses look divine in this lavender hued dress with jewelled neckline and checked skirt, which was featured in the summer collection of Pumpkin Patch in Australia, unfortunately no longer available online. Gigi just loves this dress - it has a layer of black tulle under the skirt which gives it some flounce and it looks like Dannielynn Birkhead loves wearing hers as well. It is a shame her mummy, the late Anna Nicole Smith never got to see her in it but daddy Larry Birkhead looks as proud as punch!

Online Boutique Critique - Shabby Apple

While browsing around for beautiful little dresses for my Christmas Favourite Red Dresses feature, I came across this gorgeous online boutique - Shabby Apple - which specialises in simple, one piece dresses for little princesses. Worth a look - my favourites are the Canary Dress, the Garden Party Dress, the Starry Night Dress and the Vineyard Dress

Willow Smith in a gorgeous Juicy Couture Coat

Back in December, attending the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony with her parents Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith, stunning little Willow Smith looked ever so grown up in her Juicy Couture Double Breasted Coat, a wool/nylon/cashmere blend, which was also available in a bright watermelon pink colour way (it is no longer available online, unfortunately). Will & Jada were hosting the event but I think little Willow upstaged them, what do you think? : )

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
   

Indigo Packer having a splashing good time in a Billabong rashie

Just before the birth of her baby brother Jackson, cute as a button Indigo Packer, daughter of billionaire James Packer and model wife Erica, was happily frolicking at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia in her very sun friendly Billabong rash vest. We have lots of Billy Kids clothing in our house - their little girls range is just adorable!

Support OmniPeace with these terrific tees

As featured on Celebrity Baby Blog, OmniPeace has launched a children's tshirt line, with proceeds going to their charitable foundation supporting human rights in Africa. The tshirts by joah love say "when I grow up...I want to make a difference". Available in a variety of colours, why not support a worthy cause that helps teach your children about compassion and giving to those less fortunate than us

Just Do it! Get yourselves some cute little shoes like Sam Woods

Though it's been a rough time for her family the past few months, you must give credit to Elin Nordegren for keeping her kids looking so gorgeous! We have seen beautiful little Sam Woods, her daughter with golf superstar hubby Tiger Woods, wearing some funky little footwear, my faves being the Nike Sensory Motion Peanut Girls Shoe and the Baby Gap Furry Pom Pom Boots. The red sweater dress Sam is wearing with the boots is by Hanna Andersson - kudos to Elin for supporting a label inspired by her own country of heritage. Check out the Hanna Andersson website - they have some really cute swimwear designs in stock

I'm BBBAAAACCCKKKKK!!

Hello again everyone! Following my big announcement in January, I have been so busy preparing for the new baby, as well as doing the run around now that Gigi has started "big" school and Lulu has started ballet, and I do apologise for my self imposed little hiatus from my blog. Having said that, I have still been closely following all our favourite little celebrity princesses and the new trends in fashion, accessories, nursery furniture, maternity wear (ESPECIALLY maternity wear!) for 2010 and I look forward to getting back on track with things, starting today!
So, enough of my babble - let's get right into it, starting with some Funky Little Footwear as worn by gorgeous little Sam Woods, who we have been seeing alot of recently in the media.......

2 Pink Lines.....

It is with great joy that I can announce that I am 13 weeks pregnant! Our much longed for third baby is due late July and we are so thrilled! It has been a very long, hard journey to get here as I have had alot of health complications in the past 3 years that have hindered our progress in getting pregnant but after 3 unsuccessful cycles of IUI, we took a break in October to consider our options and though I was told it would be very unlikely I would fall pregnant naturally, my little miracle happened and we did just that - finding out on my 39th birthday which was the best present ever! There will still be extra ultrasounds and tests required to ensure the safe arrival of our baby but in the meantime, I look forward to enjoying my pregnancy and sharing my experiences with you. I will be continuing with gigi+lulu but I am also creating a new blog - Baby, One More Time, which will be a diary of my pregnancy in my own words and I look forward to talking about my experiences with IVF/IUI, life after an abnormal pap smear and cone biopsy, the fun things that Gigi & Lulu say about my growing tummy and generally just documenting my experiences for my children to read one day. Once again, thank you for your ongoing support and I hope you enjoy my new blog as well x x x
PS: It is a little grainy but above is a photo of our little jellybean, giving us a little wave at my 10 week scan

Exciting News! Watch this Space....

I appreciate everyone's patience with me the past few months - I have had alot going on with me personally & professionally however I have some exciting news that I will be sharing with you all soon before I am back to business as usual. Watch this space xoxox
PS: I almost forgot - Happy New Year! 2010 will definitely be one of my most memorable ; )

Merry Christmas from gigi + lulu - all things sugar & spice

From my family to yours, wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, may you enjoy celebrating the birth of Jesus with your loved ones and have a safe and prosperous 2010 as well. Thank you for your support in 2009, I hope to continue bringing you more beautiful fashions, accessories, party ideas and celebrity baby style for your little princess in the new year x x x

Top 25 Beautiful Red Dresses for Christmas - Part 2

As the kids are tucked into bed, patiently awaiting the arrival of Santa, here is my present to you - Part 2 of my annual Beautiful Red Dresses for Christmas feature:

1. Junior Gaultier Silk Velvet Dress with Detachable Fur Collar - just divine! Available from my wonderful affiliate, Children's Salon
2. Helena Tiered Dupioni Dress, available online at Neiman Marcus
3. Florence Eiseman Girly Girl Dress, available online at Bergdorf Goodman
4. Bonpoint Dragee Short Sleeve Corduroy Dress in Rouge, from the Bonpoint online store
5. Baby Nay Papavero Girls Party Dress, from Bellabelle online boutique
6. Addi & Kinsi Cranberry Red Party Dress - one of my personal faves - from Shabby Baby online boutique
7. Biscotti Christmas Red Dress
   
8. Rare Editions Red Layered Spring Sleeveless Dress
9. Addi & Kinsi Kimono Style Pink Panther Dress, from Shabby Baby online boutique
10. Sugar Plum Girls Boutique Red Sleeveless Christmas Holiday Dress
11. Little Miss Princess Off Shoulder Red Santa Christmas Dress
12. Darlington Red Infant Dress by Isobella & Chloe at Fairy Princess Clothing online boutique
13. Little Miss Princess Sweet Red Christmas Dress

Wishing you and your families all the very best for Christmas x x x

FINALLY - Top 25 Beautiful Red Dresses for Christmas - Part 1

Finally, I have compiled my list of the top 25 beautiful red holiday dresses for your little princess this Christmas. Due to illness, I haven't had a chance to post one a day like last year but here are the first half for you to swoon over:

1. Little Maven by Tori Spelling Red Plaid Jumper
2. seed Frill Front Dress in Cherry
3. Oobi Baby Tennis Skirt with Bloomer
4. Be my Valentine Dress from www.fairyprincessclothing.com
5. seed Fruit Print Dress in White
6. Ivory & Red Holiday Dress by Sarah Louise from www.fairyprincessclothing.com
7. Janie & Jack Rose Flocked Silk Dress
8. seed Petal Trim Dress in Watermelon
9. Oobi Baby Carmen Dress in Scarlet
10. Janie & Jack Bow Plaid Jumper in Berry Pink Plaid
11. Nicole Miller Olivia Party Dress in Red
12. Monnalisa Kids Red Roses Dress (available online at www.shopkitson.com)

Enjoy!

Suri in Holmes & Yang

I came across this beautiful editorial photo of Katie Holmes and co-designer Jeanne Yang with their daughters, who inspired the children's line of their new collaboration Holmes & Yang. Suri was wearing the dress that is pictured hanging in the doorway on a shopping trip with mummy Katie Holmes and big sis Isabella in New York last Sunday

COMING SOON: Back by popular demand - my picks for the 25 Delightful Little Red Christmas Dresses - can you believe it is that time of year again already!

Did you miss us?

As you can see, we have all been busy settling in to our new life on the farm. Gigi & Lulu just love wearing their new gumboots everywhere and can't wait until the arrival of our new dogs in the not too distant future. On top of completing a massive interior renovation of our little homestead, we had Gigi's birthday, moved house, had a week's vacation that had been planned a year ago (ie before we knew it would fall on the same week we were moving house!) and at the same time I have been undergoing some fertility treatments in the hope of conceiving baby #3. PHEW! Stop and breathe! As you can appreciate, I have hardly had time to keep up with my blog so I apologize for the few postings of late. I am almost unpacked now so watch this space - gigi + lulu, all things sugar & spice will be back soon with lots of new fashions, accessories, party ideas and celebrity baby style : )

Suri HEARTS Australian fashion

I apologise for the minimal posting of late - I am finally back online tonight as we have just moved to our beautiful new farm and I have spent the last week packing and unpacking boxes, cleaning the new house, organising tradesmen and adjusting the girls to their new schedule. It is safe to say we all love it out here - it is so peaceful and pretty. It sounds so cliched but we are awoken every morning by a family of kookaburras - so very Australian! Speaking of all things Australian, I have been catching up on all things Suri from my friend Vania's website Suri Cruise Italia and it appears that Katie & Suri spent alot of time during their stay here in Australia shopping up big with some of our wonderful local children's labels. This week in Boston Suri has been seen in seed (of which the Cruise's are big fans, having several pieces from their collection), Polka (I love all their prints!) & Mini Metalicus (who have a fabulous women's label as well). Please check out Suri Cruise Italia for all the details of Suri's fashions - Vania is always first to find Suri's wardrobe details - and her website is generally just awesome!

The twins! The twins! New pix of Vivienne Marcheline & Knox Leon with mama & papa Jolie Pitt - so cute but we want a closer look at little Viv!

This pic was taken by a fan at an ice cream parlour in Ammam Jordan - we want to see more, more, more of these gorgeous kids, especially little Vivienne! Side on, she looks alot like Shiloh, and Knox is even a dead ringer for his big sister - can't wait to see what style these little cherubs will have - loving the Jolie-Pitts!