Show casing local (sorta) - Nature Baby

I should be more like this lady, or this one, when it comes to clothes for myself and my minis - reuse, recycle, re purpose, create... But I'm not a great sewer (I can, but we're talking pretty basic stuff), I can't knit, and I've always been a terrible op shopper (although truly jealous of those who just seem to walk into secondhand jobs and find fabulous stuff, Grr). 

However that's no excuse not to shop mindfully*.

 

Nature Baby is a New Zealand store that makes beautiful organic clothing and sleep wear for minis, and have an Australian online store (so sorta local).

It's well constructed (designed in NZ, made in India) and therefore should outlast both my girls and possibly (blueberry stains and rough and tumble dependent) be passed on again. And it's pretty darn cute to boot! 

 

Facts and Figures:

 

They specialise in organic wool and organic cotton clothing. The range features sleep and day wear - girls, boys and unisex designs from newborn to 4 years.

 

The fit is long and lean so the size 2 fits my 19 month, 11kg, 87cm tall mini almost perfectly. 

 

The clothing range has bibs for $14.95, tops start at about $19.95, pants at $24.95, and the range runs through to $59.95 for hand knitted merino cardigans. 

 

 

The website also has cloth nappies, organic toys and gifts for Mum, natural remedies, furniture and room decor. 

*I'm saying mindfully rather than ethically, because for me ethically brings up a whole realm of questions and not many clear cut answers. If we try and always buy local are we taking away from Chinese workers who desperately need the jobs these factories provide? Is the Bangladesh accord  enough? (Target and  Cotton On are members. Cotton On also donates sales percentages to charity's and is Australian owned, is that enough)? How do you check Eco/ ethical cred? Only some brands put up statements on their web sites... should we be supporting Australian designers who still get their garments produced in 3rd world country's because they are getting pushed out of the market by 'fast fashion', and sadly buying from local craft markets can still leave wardrobe gaps. (Gumboots, for example )). When you make/ sew/ craft your own where does the fabric come from? Are those manufacturers just as bad as those who make jeans? anyway this is all beyond the scope of my knowledge and journalistic ability. And it's certainly beyond the scope of what I want this blog to be...

Showcasing Local - Alimrose

With the arrival of her little sister imminent, I wanted to find something special for Bug to be a gift for her from the new baby.  Ideally it would be something beautiful, something timeless, a keepsake, a treasure, but also something age appropriate (she'll be 19mnths if Bebe is on time), something she can play with and enjoy.  I didn't have to look far.

I've brought gifts from Alimrose before. The dolls are beautiful, unique and well made. I have a select few go-to sources for new baby gifts and Alimrose squeakers are one of the chosen few.  I love that the range includes Princesses, Poppets, Pirates and Super heroes. 

The brainchild of  of two mums who couldn't find dolls to suit the needs of their minis, Alimrose aims have changed over time but they are still giving back to NSW children's hospitals, Bear Cottage children's hospice and save the children (read more here).  You'd be hard pressed to find a product with more love bundled up into it that that!

Facts and Figures

Starting at $13.95 for bibs, to $59.95 for a large rag doll, with something to suit every budget in between. 

Not available to purchase on the Alimrose website, but there is a large list of stockists here. I have used both Button Baby and Birdsnest to buy products.

Appropriate for all minis, newborn and up.  All the dolls I've brought have stitched eyes and are very well finished with no loose threads or ribbons, but of course one should never leave mini-minis playing alone, or sleeping, with any toys.

Some of the above Images are from Alimrose, please give credit where credits due and link back where possible. Thanks

Showcasing Local - Pure Poppet

In my quest to be super organised (so unlike me, but a girls gotta start somewhere right?), I've brought a few gifts for my neices with birthdays in April as I dont know how good my time management skills will be in those first few postpartum weeks. 

While walking into Big W and stocking up on cheap, super popular plastic toys that are sure to please, is easier, it kinda depresses me to do so. I'd rather find gifts that are a little unique, a little quirky, and made with, well, a little more love ( rather than massed produced in China).

Fortunately there are amazing options available if you do a little digging, and sometimes a lot of online searching (which I'm a little torn on as a buying online supports a lot of amazing eco products and handmade crafters, but potentially causes a loss of physical stores, and thus their staff... But all that is quite a different debate).  Which gives me the perfect opertunity to share Pure Poppet play makeup with you.

Now I'm firmly against enougageing young kids to grow up too quickly, so I love that these products are marketed to boys and girls alike, and encourage creative, imaginate, dress up play, rather than 'being like mummy'.

Not only that, but they are made in Australia and free from chemical nasties. The packageing is super cute too (an added bonus for those who love good product design).

Sweet P (turning 4) loves dressing up as a princess, highland dancing, Dora the explorer and her 'really, really fast' scooter. I got her a Natural Face Paint Pack as the last birthday party we all went to, she got her face painted and lasted 5 mins before yelling at her mum to wash it off. I think it was the drying, tightening feeling traditional face paint has that she disliked, but Pure Poppet uses coloured mineral powders and the crayons are made from coconut oil and beeswax, so will avoid this.  Best of all, most products wash off gently with warm water and a cloth.

Hopefully I can do an follow up post when Sweet P gets her gifts,  in the meantime I found this review (via Pure Poppets blog) by a fellow Mummy blogger.

The Facts and Figures:

Available at Pure Poppet, and there's a list of  other stockists on their website.

Costs from $4.95 for singles packs of mineral powders, crayons, lip balms etc, or a pack of 5 stencils, to $54.95 for play packs with 8 yummy items for hours of play. (Postage extra and determined at check out)

Pure Poppet suggests most of their products are suitable for mini's 4+.

Photos  are from Pure Poppets, please don't use without permission. Thanks muchly!