DIY Project: Fabric Covered Pots

I found a great DIY project idea - covering pots with fabric from Lavender & Limes. The great thing is that you get to stylise your pot with fabrics that you love or even used clothing scraps. Would be a neat homemade trick as a basket or pot plant for easter or mother's day. Now I can finally put my 99 cents IKEA pots to good use! See project here.

Wednesday Wishlist: Baileys Home & Garden

Convert your home to a down-to-earth urban chic dwelling with homeware goodies from Baileys Home & Garden.  Lovin' their philosophy "repair, reuse, rethink" and they believe in selling things that are "simple, useful and well made." Really, as consumers that's what we all want with every product! Their products are strengthen by their illustrations and creative use of materials.

I want to buy everything they have keep the household simple and clean! My home is currently undergoing renovations so have been researching around for some nifty homewares. Is there a store like that in Sydney or Australia - where it won't cost an arm and a leg?

i heart { Kate Spade }

Colourful stripes...I absolutely cannot get enough of Kate Spade. I love that her collection extends beyond clothing – to homewares, accessories and even stationary.

BRAND NEW: Adri Organic Underwear

No more boring plain panties for your toddler/child! Chic Mother and Baby now stocks French brand Adri Organic Undies - another eco-friendly product to add to our range! Choose from little princess knickers, pirate underpants and cowboy pants. Adri’s underwear is eco-friendly and made from very soft, comfortable organic cotton. They are great quality, lasting while your child bounces up and down and all around. All Adri’s knickers and underpants come in a lovely little coloured 100% recycled box. The illustration doodles are too cute and fun! Shop now.

100km Charity Walk

Dig into your pockets ladies for a good cause! Chic Mother and Baby just want to help spread the word for these fabulous and determined team of four called 'Rocks and Roses' who are taking part in Oxfam Trailwalker NZ in April. It is 100km long and under 36 hours walk - crazzzy but oh so brave.

Rocks and Roses are hoping to raise $3000 and at this point up to $1500. Do check their Oxfam donations page out and chip in!

Someone who owns a foot massage palour should definitely sponsor them!!

Good Luck Sarah + team!

It's Stripetastic!

Stripes will never go out of fashion and I am too a self-confessed stripes fan. I have counted 21 striped pieces in my wardrobe...

Hope everyone has had a lovely weekend - we have been working hard to make easter fun for all Chic Mother and Baby fans (see the new header!)

1. Alex&Ant Striped L/S 2. Moppit Coral Striped Tribeca Dress now on sale $30 3. Moppit Blue Stripes Tee sale $28 4. Run Scotty Run Blue Striped Turn Up Pants + match it with Run Scotty Run Blue Chasing Long Sleeve

Guilty!!!!!

This is my friday find via logodesignlove.

Make sure you subscribe to Chic Mother and Baby store mailing list so you don't miss out on any member exclusive specials and previews – we have SO much going on in April to celebrate Easter and MORE new stock! Don't forget about joining our facebook fan page - sometimes we just offer bonus freebies! Woot woot!

Duck Duck.....Chick!

With Easter just around the corner and after hearing a dad joke:
"A duck walks into a store to buy some chapstick, the cashier asks "cash or card?" Duck replies "Just put it on my bill" (haha - I am terrible with telling jokes). So I thought ducks would be fitting for today's Thursday theme!

1. Cuddly and Soft 100% Organic Cotton Crinkle Duck at Chic Mother and Baby 2. Duck Watering Can 3. Duck Fuzzy Slippers. 4. Luxury Ducks (designed in Australia) - I love buying these when I go to speciality gift stores.

Remember 10% off all chic mother and baby items to celebrate our new range of eco-friendly products. Enter ECOWEEK at checkout.

Happy Birthday Mini Gaga

This month's birthday shout out is to Mini Gaga's blog - mini gaga celebrates its first birthday. Chic Mother and Baby have enjoyed reading your blog!

Each month we are happy to do one birthday shout out to you, family member or friend. Follow Chic Mother and Baby on Twitter or become a facebook fan and we'll be happy to do a birthday shout out. We'll need you to supply an image, name, birthdate and one line message. First in best dressed (and be sure they follow us on twitter otherwise they won't know!!) Email me

hehehehe....

Just had to share this! - BeardMe iPhone app - its not for free but a definite entertaining app and definitely made me giggle!

Wednesday Wishlist: HANDBAGS

Hands up if you have a wardrobe full of handbags but still want more? Me Me Me!!!

I am very excited about a brand new Australian designer handbag brand Susu.  I love the personality of SuSu bags - quirky yet cute and definitely a touch of sexy! Definitely visit their site so see all the lovely illustrations for their collection.

I also been drooling over these ever so luxurious illustrated 50 signature handbags featured in LA times magazine (fingers crossed on Oz Lotto). See them up close online.

Found via NotCot.Org

This little Mummy wished for Prada...

This Little Piggy Went to Prada: Nursery Rhymes for the Blahnik Brigade is my all time favourite coffee book. I love the idea of putting a cheeky contemporary spin on old time favourite nursery rhymes with BEAUTIFUL watercolour illustrations. It's written by Amy Allen and illustrated by Eun-Kyung Kung. Bound in luxurious linen, this appeals to any mum and their fashionista kids.

Fruit Notes

No its not fruit, its actually memo pads by kudamemo. Although it could rightfully sit on my kitchen counter. These are way better than sticky notes – although it is SO pretty you wouldn't want to break it apart. The stem is made from actual tree branches. So clever and detailed! Love the way its presented and packaged. Very very chic!
Of course its from Japan :)

NEW Aden + Anais Wraps

Australian multi-purpose muslin baby Aden + Anais wraps are so soft with pretty prints, have finally landed in store.

• 100% organic cotton.
• Large size, perfect for swaddling
• Machine wash and dryer safe
• Lightweight airy muslin fabric which is breathable for all-season comfort
• Delicate and gentle on newborn skin
• Comfort & luxury – might be a little pricey but your baby will love the comfort and luxury.
• 7 pretty chic patterns and designs to choose from!
• Loved by celebrities mum like Naomi Watts, Isla Fisher, Jennifer Garner and Gwen Stefani + more

Once your baby outgrows swaddling, you can still use the wrap to cover the stroller when he/she is napping - its airy and big enough! Choose from our range of prints like enchanted, star gaze and more.

Take advantage of the 10% ECOWEEK order which is now extended until the end of March 2010. Enter Ecoweek at checkout, not just limited to eco-friendly items.

Ecoweek Roundup

Well it’s the end of Chic Mother and Baby's first Eco-week but the good news is that the 10% ECOWEEK discount is still available until the 31st of March. So do have a browse around the organic and eco-friendly range. Yay!

Thank you to everyone’s support and post comments. We have had a lot of fun researching and sharing with other mums and mums-to-be some of the eco-friendly and organic products that are out on the market. While it can be difficult to adopt green habits, any hints and tips you take on board does makes a difference! We'll still be posting green and eco-friendly posts amongst all our inspirations and product features.

We hope you have enjoyed eco-week at chic mother and baby.

Monday Styling: Mr and Miss Skater Boi

Do you all remember that annoying yet catchy Avril Lingerie song "skater boi" - sort of inspired by that song I heard on the radio recently, but obviously our styling is way more chic! Our sale items aren't so last season, they are easy to mix and match with other clothing styles. I love baby Converses, they make everything look so casual stylish and are sooooo cute!

Our Fresh Baked stock has just arrived with some very comfortable and trendy dark denim bottoms with pockets.

1. Itch Design Tucan frilled hoodie Girls for $30 only! 2. NEW Fresh Baked Denim Puff Skirt match with some cute leggings or huggalugs. 3. On specials Moppit Check Shirt 4. NEW Fresh Baked boys skinny leg denim

Green Feeding Sets

We have been raving on and on about our new Dandelion range because we are still amazed at the innovation. The feeding sets are made from corn kernels! The forks and spoons are sized just right for little hands learning to feed themselves. They also offer bowls, divided plates and feeding spoons.

Corn, really?
Really! Dandelion uses a unique corn (PLA) formula. Unlike conventional plastic, which is largely made from petroleum, their bioplastic is primarily made from corn! Polylactic acid (PLA) requires significantly less fossil resources, and generates far fewer green house gases than conventional plastic. And corn is a renewable and sustainable resource - the Dandelion feeding bowls and cutlery 100% biodegradable!

BPA Free Plastic, really?
Milk only, no chemicals. Green to Grow bottles have revolutionise the bottle feeding industry with their safe and durable plastic bottles. Comes as twin sets with beginner teats and lids. Dishwasher friendly! Comes in 300ml & 150ml, wide neck and regular neck sizes.

Practical for your baby toddler and friendly to the planet!!
So don't miss out with our BONUS GIVEAWAY + 10% off all eco-friendly and organic products! Enter ECOWEEK at checkout. Valid until 26th March.

Green Pregnancy and Post-Baby Habits

Pregnancy is an ideal time to adopt a green lifestyle. You’ll be getting rid of things to make room for baby, and definitely going S-H-O-P-P-I-N-G in preparation for the new arrival. Prepare your home and adopt new habits in advance to ease the transition. Being green can be hard work so we have selected some practical and do-able tips. We don't claim to be 100% eco-conscious but we can feel proud that we are doing our  bit - so anything you can take from this read is great!

1. Eat organic food. Your diet has perhaps the greatest impact on your baby. By cutting out pesticides and junk food, you can give your baby a great start and feel good too. This is also a good time to start a new habit of healthy eating that you will share with your baby and family.
   
   
2. Have a green baby shower.
   
   
   • Create a facebook notes page or blog (remember we have a blogging tips tutorial) where you can list items for your friends and families to view (when they purchase an item ask them to leave a note in the comments).
   • Direct them to Chic Mother and Baby organic range Dandelion feeding and toys range, Ergopouch Cocoons, Aden + Anais Wraps, Baby E organic clothing, Skincare + more (see we got it all :)
     
     
3. Paint the nursery with non-VOC paint and decorate with wall decals. Paints and finishes, which are among the leading causes of indoor air pollution. Wall decals are practical way to decorate the nursery given that they are reusable and you can mix and match sets to create a fresh new look when you get bored (but make sure you stick them up without your toddler seeing them otherwise they'll just be peeling them off).
   
   
4. Borrow big items, such as a car seat and high chair. If you don't know other mums that have you can always post on mum forums like Ministylista or check the trading post.
   
   
5. Switch to biodegradable and eco-friendly cleaning products. It can take a while to change shopping patterns. There are several companies that make eco-friendly cleaning products check a nice list here. Recommend them to us too!
   
   
6. Invest in a stainless water bottle which will last for years like klean kanteen and cheeki. It is important to stay hydrated throughout pregnancy and during the postpartum period. In preparation for baby purchase Green to Grow bottles which are free from BPA.
   
   
7. Research eco-friendly personal care products. There are tons of eco-friendly facial cleansers, shampoos, deodorants, moisturisers, and fragrances on the market. Recommend them to us too!
   
   
8. Invest in organic cotton bedding. Your baby will spend hours sleeping in and on blankets and bedding. That is why we highly recommend ErgoPouch Organic Quilt Sleeping Bags keeps bub comfie and safe from pesticides and other chemicals (both boys have slept beautifully through summer and winter).
   
   
9. Have a garage sale. To make space for the baby you’ll probably be getting rid of a lot of junk so why not let your junk be someone else’s treasure and earn some extra cash. Be sure to have great signage and consider posting an ad in the local newspaper, some tips here. Our friends just did one on the weekend and suprisingly all the coins here and there added up to $1000!
   
   
10. Visit your local farmer’s market. Farmer’s markets are a great place to buy local, healthy, organic produce. Farmers Markets and Organic Food Markets in Australia.
    
    
11. Have indoor plants. You and your baby will spend the majority of time indoors. According to the EPA, indoor air is three times more polluted than outdoor air. Plants recycle oxygen and break down pollutants. Be sure to rearrange your plants once bub becomes a toddler guarantee you’ll have dirt everywhere!
    
    
12. Install energy efficient light bulbs. These products will reduce your energy bill and save electricity. Consider using light sensors and timers will help rid you of the bad habit of leaving lights on when they’re not in use.

Greening your pregnancy (is that even a phrase? :) is a great way to feel good about the choices you are making in preparation for your baby’s arrival. Anyways, these are all handy green tips to take on board post baby!

This little Mommy went to the Farmers Market...

So I recently visited a farmers market. I must say I was a little excited. I am one of those people that spends hours at the shopping centres doing food shopping. I could look at packaging & food content for hours, I read labels, make sure there are no hidden nasty’s, price compare & also look for any new items that might have launched since last time I was there! Im probably not the faster shopper, but I do try to buy the best for my family.

So, back to the Farmers Market. If you ever get the opportunity to go to one of these, I highly recommend it! They are PACKED FULL of yummy fresh produce & food. Beautiful juicy tomatoes (more varieties than I even knew existed), apples, slices, breads (oh the breads!!), honey, strawberries, meat, and also lollies. I think I just love the fact that im buying direct, and that the money spent usually goes directly back to the farm. You also don’t have to worry about your produce seeing several refrigerated trucks, the insides of a cold storage facility (for how knows long!) and best of all, there are no additional big supermarket mark ups.

You get a real mix of organic produce & home made goodies. I highly recommend it, even for a Saturday morning outing. There is usually always a coffee man, so it makes the experience even more worthwhile!

BONUS GIVEAWAY: ELIZABETH ARDEN GREEN TEA SHOWER GEL

We are being extra generous this week :) now we are giving away Elizabeth Arden Green Tea shower gel 500mL to the next Chic Mother and Baby shopper purchasing anything from our eco-friendly and organic range. The 10% extra is still applicable - enter ECOWEEK at check out.

Something for the mums to enjoy feel fresh and energised! It is all wrapped and ready to go :)

Be sure to join us on facebook, twitter and or subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss out on any special offers! We will notify the lucky customer once payment has been finalised. Good luck!!

Is there anything that Bamboo can't do?

It's more than just panda food, it organic, sustainable and multi-talented, its bamboo! Bamboo is a symbol of longevity to the Chinese - and now we are seeing how versatile and durable it is. Bamboo can be found in clothing, homewares, cosmetics and furnishings. There is even bamboo in baby products - like Bamboo Pjs and Bamboo Fleece Sleeping Bag by Ergopouch.

Why Bamboo fabric?

• 100% biodegradable and grown without pesticides and chemicals. 
• It may have a hard exterior but once the bamboo grass fibre is pulped, it sperates into thin component threads which is spun into incredibly soft cloth.
• Durable and absorbent
• Some anti-bacterial properties and hypoallergenic

Bamboo is an amazing sustainable resource because it is prolific, fast growing and replenishes itself after harvest. This is the best thing about eco-week learning more information about our wonderful natural resources.

1. ErgoPyjamas in cool/mild/warm weights for toddlers 2. ErgoPouch Bamboo Fleece sleeping bag for up to 36 months 3. Noah is sleeping peacefully and comfortably in ErgoPouch Bamboo Fleece - photo just taken yesterday!

BONUS GIVEAWAY: JURLIQUE PURIFYING CITRUS MIST

Keeping with this week's eco-friendly theme we are giving away Jurlique's Citrus Purifying Mist 100mL to the next customer who purchases from Chic Mother and Baby's organic/eco-friendly range. The extra 10% off is still applicable enter ECOWEEK at checkout! Our organic/eco-friendly ranges includes ErgoPouch Cocoons and Sleeping Bags, Green to Grow bottles, Dandelion feeding sets, Dandelion cotton toys, Aden + Anais wraps + more...

Jurlique's Cirtus Purifying Mist is designed to enliven, tone, and refresh the skin. Ingredients of witch hazel and marshmallow, combined with essential oils of tangerine and lemon, act as powerful skin purifying agents that bring out a naturally healthy glow. It has quite a strong citrus-y fragrant. Read more about Jurlique.

The great thing about Jurlique is that its Australian and sources most of its natural ingredients from their own Adelaide farms. I use Jurlique's lavender hand cream which I keep handy in my car - so while waiting at the traffic lights, I give my hands some TLC :)

Be sure to join us on facebook, twitter and or subscribe to our newsletter so you don't miss out on any special offers! We will notify the lucky customer once payment has been finalised. Good luck!!

Plantable Packaging

This is awesome! People can be so innovative. We found Dandelion's made from corn reUsable products and now this. Pangea Organics have eco-friendly and fun packaging for their skin care products. The packaging is plantable as it is infused with seeds and grows to a basil plant! A coconut soap holder is included in the pack too.

The above image is the holiday packaging from last year. Wish I had found this earlier!!
"Born out of the desire to do right by the planet, this year Pangea Organics has a great gift idea to let you in on the fun, too! After two years in development, Pangea just released a series of holiday gift boxes that actually grow Spruce Trees. Yes, that’s right. Just like their plantable packaging that grows organic, edible sweet basil, the box itself grows a tree. Just soak the box for a day, and plant it in the earth. If everyone plants their holiday gift box and bar soap box this year, collectively, we will have planted 122,000 trees which is equivalent to not driving 30 million miles in one year! Multiply that out by 75 years, the average lifespan of a Spruce, and that’s 2 billion, 250 millions that we’re collectively offsetting!"

Rabbit Made out of Carrots!

It is good to know how other industries are thinking of taking more eco-friendly approaches. This is a promo poster for a commercial printer's new adaption to an environmentally friendly alternative is vegetable based ink. It's creative, cute and gets the message across instantly!

Creative by Magpie Studio

Why ErgoPouch is the best investment for your baby

Some organic baby products can be quite expensive and you can feel like your not getting value for money, but when it comes to comfort, convenience and price - ErgoPouch exceeds every criteria. Both Lucas and Noah have slept peacefully throughout the summer and winter nights!

So why should every mum choose Ergopouch?

• Ergonomically Designed     
• All natural materials
• Free from chemicals or pesticides
• Hypo-allergenic
• Resists dust & mites
• Keeps body temperature consistent
• Superior breathability
• Fire resistant
• Warm even when wet
• Odour & wrinkle resistant
• Normal cool wash, hang dry
• Perfect Gift Idea for Newborns

The Ergopouch range is available in a variety of weights, so finding the perfect sleeping bag, or pajamas to suit your particular climate is easy. In winter, your baby will stay warm in the Ergopouch Quilt bag & warm weight pajama. The cozy sleeping bags come in a choice of fibres: bamboo, organic cotton or alpaca each with a different tog rating to help baby stay cool or warm. A paper thermometer is also available with each bag so you can see what your baby should be sleeping in dependent on the temperature.

Here we are showing the NEW zip up Ergopouch ErgoCocoon – The new design includes poppers in the arms, which helps for an easy transition into a sleeping bag when baby is ready.

Choosing organics is also a moral and ethical decision - Ergopouch are certified and award winning Australian fair trade products. View entire ErgoPouch range here. 

Remember 10% off all Ergopouch products to celebrate ECOWEEK! Enter ECOweek at checkout. Valid until March 26th.

Your baby deserves the best in ultimate comfort, warmth and safety.

1. Ergopouch ErgoCocoon comes in white, grey, pink and blue (newborn to 12 months) 2. Ergopouch Quilt Cotton Sleeping Bag (0-36 months) 3. Ergopouch Alpaca Sleeping Bag (0-36 months) 4. Shows how the Ergopouch Cocoon works for your baby.

 

Guest Post: The Little Things by Kellie from Mini Style Hive

When I was asked by Mina to write a guest post for Eco week I immediately began scrutinizing what my family does to contribute to the health of the planet. What was I going to write about? I don’t use cloth nappies, I don’t buy organic (at least, not regularly enough for it to really matter) and I have no second thoughts about using the clothes dryer and almost every heater in the house during winter – well, not until I receive my electricity bill that is!

So, I was beginning to wonder if there would be anything I could write for Eco Week. After much thought, I decided that there is definitely value in the small contributions my family makes to sustaining the earth’s resources. Now, none of these are by any means original or creative, but if they give you food for thought and maybe a new tip or suggestion, then I have done my job - so to speak.

Here’s my list of eco friendly family habits:

• Wherever possible, I use natural-based cleaning products. I do have my favourite brand but I also use a vinegar and water mix in the kitchen, baking soda and vinegar (great for the sink and bathroom) and oil of cloves for removing mould. This last one is tricky and it has taken me a while to get the mix of water and oil correct but it’s highly effective and smells so much better than those harsh cleaners.
• My kids use BPA drink bottles and cups. Poppy is now 3 so she has gone through a few but my youngest is only 4 months old. When it’s time for him to drink from a cup he will not be using plastic. At the moment we have had no need for bottles however for future nights out without my baby in tow, I will be definitely be using glass bottles. 
• We recycle – no surprises there but I am proud to say that Poppy can distinguish between what goes in which bin. Most of the time anyway.
• We use organic shampoos, conditioners and soap.
• We turn electrical items off at the power point rather than leaving them on standby mode.

Finally, in no particular order, we also:

• Turn the tap off when brushing teeth, wash clothes in cold water only and avoid the dryer where possible, use the fabulous Keep Cups for takeaway coffees, try to discourage our pre-schooler from switching every light on in the house and generally try to keep adding to the list of little things we do for the good of the planet. After all, it’s the little things that count!

**Kellie from Mini Style Hive has been a great supporter of Chic Mother and Baby. Thanks for contributing your thoughts to Eco Week. Love your style :) Make sure you visit her blog for her all the latest on baby and kids stylish designs in Australia and New Zealand **

New Uses for Old Things

Reuse and Recycle in your own home. Find more use out of the ordinary household items!!

1. Use newspapers to help wet shoes preserve their shape and speed up drying by placing crumpled newspaper in them overnight (see previous post)
2. Velcro will keep a jacket or a blouse from gaping open. Just sew small pieces between the buttons.
3. Unstuck a stubborn zipper by rubbing the teeth on both its sides with a pencil (graphite is an excellent dry lubricant).
4. Red wine spill? Salt helps take red-wine stains out of washables. Stretch the fabric over a bowl, cover the stain with salt, and carefully pour boiling water over the area.
5. Gently rub a nail file (either side) a few times across a suede splotch to remove it.
6. Use a hair straightening iron to crease out minor wrinkles in between buttons and even the tricky collar bit (hmm – I have not tried this yet...not sure that I will...)
7. Baby powder prevents sweat stains on white shirts. Sprinkle a little on the shirt’s underarms and collar, then iron. The powder forms a barrier that keeps gland’s oil from seeping into the threads.
8. Protect your nicest shoes from wear and tear by slipping them into a clean pair of men’s/sport socks (great for when you are travelling)
9. Clear nail polish will keep a loose eyeglass screw in line. Tighten it, then dab nail polish across the top for a longer-lasting fix.
10. If a screw has already gone missing, replace it with an earring for a temporary fix.
11. Baby wipes can lift those hard-to-remove deodorant stains.
12. For those extra bloated days – a rubber band can give you more breathing room in a snug pair of pants. Loop one through the buttonhole, securing the other side around the button.

What other tips do you have?

8 Extra Uses of Newspapers

We all get the local community paper each week  and recycling is every two weeks so there is plenty of newspapers floating around the house! Newspapers are a very absorbent product which means it is capable of absorbing all sorts of moisture and odours found in shoes and vegetable drawers.

Use Newspaper to (you all probably know them but doesn't hurt for a gentle reminder):

1. My favourite little trip – ripen tomatoes. Wrap them individually and leave them out at room temperature.
2. Pack delicate items like glass frames and figurines.
3. Wipe away tough streaks on glass.
4. Dry shoes. Place crumpled paper in them overnight to keep them dry and preserve its shape.
5. Wrap gifts. Use the comics sections to wrap a child’s birthday gift, or child’s party game like pass-the-parcel.
6. During the rainy weather, keep a pile of newspaper near the door. They can toss their wet gear and umbrellas onto the newspaper instead of creating puddles on the floor.
7. Prepare a garden. Mow a patch of lawn to make room for a dedicated bed. Cover it with a couple of layers of newspaper, then layers of shredded leaves or mulch. Hose it down. By spring, the bed will be ready for planting.
8. Keep the refrigerator vegetable drawer dry and free of smells. Line the bottom with newspaper.

Have you got any other uses for newspapers? 

Organic Playdough worth your dough?

We have been at two minds about whether to stock organic playdough now that Lucas is old enough to play with playdough. But would mums buy organic playdough when 1) you can make your own organic playdough (although I couldn’t be bothered) or 2) there is a cheaper alternative Play-doh compared to organic playdough brands like Clementine Art ($44US) or Mrs Brittany Organic Fun Playdough ($33US)

So is organic playdough worth your dough? (mind the pun :) We'd love to hear your thoughts. If you have a great organic recipe please do share it with us!

Organic Toys

Why choose organic toys?
Fact is babies and toddlers will put toys in their mouth! Most manufacturers of toys use materials which are artificially made. Researchers have shown that artificial products cause many ailments and affect the health of the child such as cause like allergies, asthma and even cancer. That is why Chic Mother and Baby support and stock organic toys.

How safe are organic toys?
Organic toys are eco friendly. The products that have gone into the making of the toys, say for example wood, are not exposed to any type of pesticides.

Although they may cost little more than the other toys, organic toys are the safest and therefore it is worth investing in them. For example, Keptin-Jr toys are stuffed with organic cotton instead of synthetic plush or Dandelion Crinkle Bear are made from organic cotton.

Make a sustainable and safe choice when it comes to buying toys for your little bub. Here is so more information to support our organic range. Our organic toy range is suitable from birth.

1. NEW Dandelion Toy Range Crinkle Bear, Duck, Bunny, Flower and Pear-Shaped Book. All of Dandelion toys are made with 100% organic cotton. The velour fabric and waffle-weave, are incredibly soft and last through baby's teething period, playtime and machine washings.

2. Keptin-Jr
Invest in Keptin-Jr. (made in the Netherlands) collection of soft, comfortable and natural toys for babies & toddlers. Keptin Jr’s attention to detail is amazing!

• Their toys are made from natural cotton wool, which easily absorbs the mother’s & child’s natural smells & matching temperature. 
• The colourful toys have been bleached without chlorine and are dyed using non-metal dyes. 
• As babies will chew, Keptin-Jr have made sure that the toys have durable fabric, reinforced stitching & no small parts.
• Keptin Jr designs are simple to help stimulate the child’s creativity
• Suitable from birth and perfect baby shower gift

All these organic toys and other organic products have 10% off – enter ECOWEEK at checkout. Valid until 26th March.

Why Soy Based Candles?

There is nothing like a nice cup of tea,  a romantic comedy DVD or a good magazine and definitely candles as the finishing touch in the winter. I love candles and I used to splurge on candles from well know brands like Crabtree and Everylen, L'occitane, Thannh, and Dusk but now I have converted to soy based candles.

Soybean wax is a new, environmentally preferred alternative to paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is leftover residue from kerosene whereas soybean wax is biodegradable, non-toxic, and does not leave any black residue or soot (paint will last longer :) All natural soy wax candles are great for dispersing diaper smells.

These are some great gift ideas! If you know of any other great soy-based candles, leave a comment :)

So indulge in these Australian based soy-based candles we found:
1.  Mind to Body Melon and Fig by Mum to Be –  have a gorgeous luxury range of candles and other beauty goodies for mums to be.
3.  Pink Lychee Blossom Soy Barrel Candle by Dusk (35 hours burn time).
2.  Whiteport Soy Candles – Green Tea & Jasmine or Fresh Cotton scents.
4.  We highly recommend the Mango and Papaya by Illuminate candles (50 hours burn time).

Eco Babies Book

1. This little illustrated book "Eco Babies Wear Green" is one of many series by Michelle Sinclair. Urban baby goes the extra mile to be green

2. Peter Rabbit Naturally Better "I Love You" - Delightful board book featuring two heart-shaped picture frames for photographs of loved ones. Printed on 100% recycled card inside with 70% recycled cover with environmentally-friendly vegetable inks 

3. This Dandelion Crinkle Book is NEW to Chic Mother and Baby is made of white velour fabric, and includes a crinkle sound when touched and squeezed. It is super soft and cuddly, and will make provide any exploring baby endless hours of fun. If baby puts it in their mouths, its a-ok because it is organic and chemical free! 10% off bonus!!

Welcome to Eco-Week

We are so excited about this week! With the arrival of our eco-friendly range we couldn't help but have fun with a whole week of sharing our green knowledge as to how to live a simple green(er) lifestyle. So make sure you subscribe to the blog so you don't miss out!

Chic mother and baby have all your eco-friendly products to cater for your bub from birth to the toddler stages. This is just some of the green and organic products we have in store now. 

BONUS: 10% off all our new eco-friendly range such as ErgoPouch, Green to Grow, Dandelion and Aden + Anasis. Enter ECOWEEK at check out. Valid until March 26th so be sure to tell your friends!

1. Green to Grow Glass Bottles – BPA FREE!!
2. Dandelion ReUseable infant feeding bowl & spoon – made from corn and will decompose in your compost once your finished using it.
3. Dandelion Crinkle Organic bear toy - safe for bubs to put in their mouths.
4. Aden + Anais organic muslin wrap

Mum's Style: Sleeping Beauty

Every mum to be deserves to have a great night's rest or even lounging arond the house. HOTmilk PJs are the most comfortable maternity PJs (with elastisized and drawstring waist) in the world and for sure you will be wearing it even after birth.  

1. HOTmilk Delighted with her victory cami and pant 2. Sleeping Mask by Mary Jane 3. Ginger and Smart Candles 4. Organic Bird Cushion made by Marley Locker

Sock Story

Very cute collection styling for socks by townhouse Who knew socks could have a story to tell :)


Found via Ohjoy

Stay Tuned!

With the arrival of new eco-friendly products instore, Chic Mother and Baby are having an Autumn Eco Week next week – so make sure you keep posted. Learn some handy green tips around the house and more importantly eco-friendly and organic products for mum and baby.

So make sure you subscribe to Chic Mother and Baby newsletter so you don't miss out on any special offers! Our special newsletter will be in your mailboxes on Monday.

If you know of any product that should be part of Chic Mother and Baby Eco-Week do leave a comment (remember we have peekaboo magazine competition this month for the best blog comment!)


Looking forward to next week!

This photo features our very own toddler Lucas wearing Run Scotty Run outfit who loves to water the garden. Photography by Kimberly Ngo. 

Bonjour Le Malmaison!

Love a bit of French Country elegance in your own home? Malmaison Botantical Interiors brings to you beautifully rich unique French home furniture, decor and accessories that you can buy online and enjoy!

We are loving the Legle de Limoge exquisite handcrafted, made-in-france porcelain range for all mums to enjoy a nice cup of warm tea. Malmaison has a range of French inspired products from large furniture to bathroom homeware accessories like luxury French scented soaps.

If you are around in Melbourne, Malmaison is located in Castlemaine (90 min drive north of melbourne) so drop by the shop and let Chic Mother and Baby know!

Au revoir !

Chic Mother and Baby also want to say a big thank you to Edwyna from Malmaison for being our 100 twitter follower!

Miss Queen of Hearts

Continuing with Chic Mother and Baby's interpretation of the Alice in Wonderland theme...only our miss queen of hearts is cute and adorable! We spotted some cute hearts around town, starring a charming and classy Anne-Claire Petit Red and Pink Rabbit Toy! So Chic - wish I had a baby girl!

1. Alex and Charli Heart Singlet 2. Anne-Claire Petit Red and Pink Rabbit 3. Fred Flare Heart Sunnies 4. Elle Baby Heart Shoes

We think Ministylista is chic!

Bored? Got some free time while the bub is asleep? Join Ministylista Forum and start a discussion, ask questions, offer advice or add comments to other discussions and connect with other mums! Ministylista is an Australian network dedicated to stylish kids shopping and fashion.

Also if you want to start your own blog there is a MUMS WHO BLOG group - learn tips and advice from others.

Tuesday Theme: Alice in Wonderland Inspiration continues...

This one is for the ladies :) Just a sample of Alice in Wonderland fashion and accessories I found amongst the crazy stuff out there!

1. White Alice I'm Late Vest by Miss Selfridge 2. Kate Spade 'Make Your Move Idiom' Bangle 3. Dark Chocolate Heart by Choc on Choc 4. When and Where Scarf

Yummy...Bakelab features Alice in Wonderland

In honor of the movie release, we've gone mad and done another Alice in Wonderland themed post.  Laurel Avenue Bakery sell these adorable Down The Rabbit Hole curio boxes which are filled with little Alice in Wonderland inspired edible cakes like interesting sugary blue meringue mushrooms, purple and pink Cheshire cat macrons.

They have some fabulous nicely decorated treats (oh how I wish I could try some!) Their blog is also worth checking out!

Miss Alice in Wonderland

Inspired by Tim Burton's Magical Alice in Wonderland Film. A 'pink' alice featuring our favourite Alex and Ant Pink Smock Flower Dress.

1. Alex & Ant Pink Flower Dress also in black. 2. Roberto Cavalli Rose Leggings 3. Alex & Charli Pink Pearl & Sterling Silver Bracelet on sale! 4. Alex & Charli Mary Jane Shoes reduced to $27. 5. Juicy Couture charms

New Mum's Style: Vanchi Bags

Who says Mum's can't look chic and be practical?! Vanchi Bags are the hottest accessories this season, complimenting every autumn winter fashion piece! At Chic Mother and Baby we welcome our new autumn/winter 2010 Vanchi Nappy Bags. Vanchi Swag Nappy Bag is fashionable, funky and functional with all mum essentials – insulated bottle holder, key clip, dummy holder, cute dummy charm, wetpack, adjustable shoulder/pram strap and change mat. Shop online now!

1&3. Witchery Purple Wool Cardigan and Ballet Flats. 2. Marc by Marc Jacobs Sunglasses. 4. NEW Vanchi Nougat Swag Nappy Bag - comes in truffle and chalk. If you have any questions about vanchi bag just contact us.

Oh Sweet Rain

Cheer up a rainy weekend with these colourful and fun umbrellas.

1. Radley 2. Kate Spade 3. Burberry Love 4. Juicy Couture

Friday Finds: Meet the Twist Family!

Meet Dish Dumpling, Loofah Scrubby, Ravioli Scrubby and Sponge Blossoms. Here to help make cleaning the dishes a bit nicer (apparently :) House cleaning doesn’t top most people’s list of favorite activities. But according to Twist Sponges, "We think it's because a lot of people don't love what they're cleaning with."

The genius of the sponge design is that its 100% biodegradable, eco-friendly, dye-free and looks a lot nicer than the average supermarket sponges.

The Sponge Blossoms is interesting - its dehydrated sponges that comes as a set so that when you’re done with one, you simply unloop another one, give it a drink of water and you got yourself a full sized ready to clean sponge!

I'm still not convinced that I would enjoy cleaning more (but who would?!) but I know it will sit a lot nicer in my kitchen and helping the planet is a great bonus! Wish we could buy them here locally!

Chic, Sexy & Comforable while Pregnant? Absolutely!!!!

I don’t know if you were like me when you were pregnant, but fitting into my normal underwear seemed to get harder & harder as the months went by. Also not to mention stretching all my beautiful lingerie, of which I would have to replace once I’d stopped breastfeeding.

This is when I started wearing my HOTmilk lingerie. It held up during the growing & slimming days (these are my post baby days where my jelly belly was starting to shrink back to my pre-baby days!)

The support in HOTmilk’s bras, and feeding tops is superb! I honestly forget that there is no underwire in the bra’s & ‘my girls’ are not feeling neglected at all! The fit, style and comfort of their products are genuinely great and i will also honestly say that the knickers are the most comfortable knickers ever! They compliment the bra’s and you also feel a little bit chic whilst wearing them, even if I am wearing my track pants around the house that day!

We are offering some super special prices on HOTmilk this month, so be sure to check out our sale. Be quick as stock is limited & wont last at these prices.

You will honestly love your HOTmilk purchases. I promise you’ll feel a little bit chic whilst wearing your HOTmilk lingerie pieces.

If you love HOTmilk too be sure to share your experience, so other mums-to-be can feel comfortable too! 
If you need help with sizes, do not hesitate to contact me!
1. HOTmilk Her Playfulness was Captivating Bra & Brief 2. HOTmilk Sweet Reminiscence Maternity Camisole 3. HOTmilk Sweet Reminiscence Maternity Brief 4. HOTmilk She embraced the moment bra 5. HOTmilk She embraced the moment bikini

Wednesday Wishlist: Baby Eat your Words...

Your little tot can be entertained and educated whilst eating with SugarBooger's Vintage Alphabet Feeding Set from Ore. Definitely comparable to the Hello Hanna Placemats :) Although...I am a sucker for anything that plays with typography and matching sets!

Tuesday Theme: Moustache

Ok ok, weird I know but I think moustache themed things are uber chic, quirky and cool! Definitely makes us chuckle!

Spanish label Bobo Choses hoodie. Mug and Plush Labbit sold at Urban Outfitters.  Moustache Onesies & Moustache Tote made by Handsome Howard found via swissmiss.  Pencils from Curiosity Shoppe