Peekaboo December 2011 SYDNEY

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Welcome Features Keep calm and carry bub Anita Lincolne-Lomax is carrying the weight of four children and awardwinning business, Babes in Arms, with ease Charmed life Oobi designer Alex Riggs talks to Peekaboo about her coveted children’s label Stuck on her If you had to ‘label’ Stuck on You guru Carrie Felton, you’d simply call her “cool”

Competitions 09

Win a Gold Coast family getaway, an Ouch children’s wardrobe or some body product lovin’ from Perfect Potion

Fashion

47 Summer splash Summer’s here! Get out the cool threads and look hot this Summer

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December theme: Celebrate My favourite things Peekaboo publisher Bianca Shugg puts a personal call out to the big man in red Christmas gift guide Check out this four-page spread featuring some of our favourite products for Christmas. To make it easier for you, we’ve divided the section up into age ranges so you can find the perfect gift for your special little ones ...and all your favourite regulars Hot Mummy luxe Noteworthy Parks Calendar Travel New York, Disneyland, Atlantic Canada Last page Christmas capers with Zac’s Mum Black

Cover: Charlie is wearing trilby $24.95, Sea salt print t-shirt $29.95 and hibiscus boardshorts $59.95, all by Seed www.seedheritage.com Styled by Jen Arndt.

25 Peekaboo Magazine’s Privacy Notice (1) This notice describes our privacy policy. (2) By reading our publication you are accepting the practices described in this privacy policy. (3) We acknowledge that your privacy is very important to you and that you have a right to control your personal information. (4) We know that you care how information about you is used and shared and we appreciate your trust that we will do so carefully and sensibly. (5) The information we learn from customers helps us personalise and continually improve our publication. (6) We receive and store any information you give us. (7) We use the information that you provide for such purposes as responding to your requests, improving our publication, and communicating with you. (8) We will not collect any personal information about you except when you knowingly provide it. (9) We acknowledge that providing personal information is an act of trust and we take this seriously. (10) Under no circumstances will your personal information be used for any other purpose than intended. (11) The owners of this publication will retain and protect the information provided by you (but may be legally required to disclose it in some circumstances such as if ordered by a court to do so). (12) It is impossible to guarantee the protection of your personal data absolutely. (13) Your data may be exposed due to loss, unauthorised access, use, modification or disclosure. The owner of this publication will not use the information for on-selling to list brokers. Competition Terms and Conditions: (1) By entering the competition you are acknowledging that you accept these competition terms and conditions. (2) By entering the competition you acknowledge that there is one prize per competition and that the winner of the competition will be notified by Peekaboo Magazine that they have won. (3) The prize/s are not redeemable for cash or otherwise transferable. (4) The decisions of Peekaboo Magazine in relation to any aspect of the competition shall and will be final and binding upon every entrant who enters into the competition. (5) Each person may only enter each competition once and must only enter the competition on their own account. (6) The promoter of the competition is Jumpin Publishing Pty Ltd trading as Peekaboo Magazine. (7) Peekaboo Magazine accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to prizes in transit. (8) Peekaboo Magazine makes no representation or warranty as to the quality or suitability of the prizes. (9) To the extent permitted by law Peekaboo Magazine is not liable for any loss suffered or sustained to any person or property by reason of any act or omission, including deliberate or negligent acts or omissions, by Peekaboo Magazine or its agents in connection with the supply of any prize to the prize winner. (10) In the event of that any prize item is unavailable, Peekaboo Magazine reserves the right to substitute a prize item of equal or greater value.

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

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welcome :) “IF YOUR DREAMS DON’T SCARE YOU, THEY’RE NOT BIG ENOUGH” - ANONYMOUS

This edition’s theme is ‘Celebrate’ and what’s not to celebrate at this fantastic time of the year? For me, Peekaboo has officially turned two and is steamrolling into its third year, I am about to turn 30 and my youngest is about to turn one (and I still have most of my sanity!). For all these reasons combined, I will definitely be raising a few glasses of bubbles this Summer.

I have recently been reminded that being a mum is seriously one of, if not the hardest jobs I have ever come across. Not that I would call the role of a mother a ‘job’, but you get my drift. With this reminder, I have taken it upon myself to re-evaluate how I approach my actual job and my role as mum. I really need the ‘mum’ aspect to take centrestage and find a way for my job to fit around it. Which is why I started Peekaboo in the first place so I could work from home and put my children and family first. Along the way, being so wrapped up in the business (and busy-ness) of Peekaboo I had forgotten why I’d actually launched it, and my work-life balance had become really quite unbalanced. Every so often I urge you to take a step back and check that you are still on track with your dreams and goals while still putting yourself and your family first. And I promise I will do the same! On that note, I leave you with the best quote I have read lately: “If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough!”. Well said.

Peekaboo‘s December edition is bursting with fun and fabulous places, things to do and see, gifts to buy and other must-have items. I have also jumped on to the pages of this issue, literally, with my Top 5 favourite things (see page 31) which I hope you enjoy. Remember to visit us on Facebook or Twitter and also stay tuned for the amazing March edition

Check out these wonderful Mini Envy Santa Sacks that will take pride of place at my house this year. Each sack is hand sewn, to order in Melbourne. They come in two sizes, small $55 (74cm x 48cm) and large $65 (74cm x 60cm). I love them!

www.minienvy.etsy.com

Creative Director & Publisher

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Peekaboomag

Peekaboo Magazine Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne

NEXT EDITION - MARCH ’12 - ’SPACE’ theme

celebrate!

What’s at the top of your Christmas wish list?

Creative Director & Publisher Bianca Shugg Something shiny. And my Nan’s Christmas cooking! bianca@peekaboomagazine.com.au Editor Belinda Glindemann Anything shiny, or sparkly, and in a small blue box (hint, hint, hubby!) belinda@peekaboomagazine.com.au Graphic design Vanessa Russell a new iPhone vanessa@peekaboomagazine.com.au Photographer Naomi Vasington | Naomi V Photography A weekend away with Adrian www.naomivphotography.com.au info@naomivphotography.com.au Fashion stylist/writer Jennifer Arndt | Style Milk Spending time with my family - a weekend away would be at the top of my list www.stylemilk.com.au jen@peekaboomagazine.com.au Sales account manager Karrie Harte A Koolaman Designs bracelet in honour of my boys karrie@peekaboomagazine.com.au Area manager (Melbourne) Jana Wilkes Peace, love and joy to all jana@peekaboomagazine.com.au Contributors Carla Adams Penny Price - Alphabet Street Suzanna Tresor - Mon Tresor Jo Watson - Little Melbourne Yolanda Cerra - Kiss Me Kate Louisa and Melissa - The Little Big Company Jenna Somerville - Kidding About Town Jane Wardle - Eat out with Kids Kathrine D’Costa and Eileen Stapleton - KIDsize Living Jordan Bariesheff - Polkadot Prints Special thanks...

Wendy Somerville, Michael Somerville, Jenna Somerville, Cambell Shugg, Claudia and Heidi Shugg xx

SPONSORS

ADVERTISE WITH US! To advertise, please contact Bianca at sales@peekaboomagazine.com.au or 0413 522 152 Submit high resolution images to images@peekaboomagazine.com.au Submit editorial ideas to editorial@peekaboomagazine.com.au DISTRIBUTION Please suggest your local business, childcare centre, cafe and/or boutique to map@peekaboomagazine.com.au Peekaboo Magazine www.peekaboomagazine.com.au Peekaboo Magazine is printed in Brisbane, Australia, by Fergies. Distribution via Fastways and Australia Post Peekaboo Magazine is owned by Jumpin Publishing Pty Ltd

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competitions competitions

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paradise resort, gold coast With a firm ‘kids first’ philosophy, Paradise Resort on the Gold Coast is renowned as heaven for kids and paradise for parents. Renovations to the resort are now complete with the entire central area transformed to feature a giant pool, large heated spa and two enormous Aqua Play attractions. They are three-storeys high, complete with slides and water cannons to entertain the whole family. Topping it all off is a giant bucket that fills with 600 litres of water before emptying over the kids below in one enormous splash. There’s also a smaller version of Aqua Play for the toddlers, plus a new paddling area with a gently sloping beach entry.

Paradise Resort is also home to the Zone 4 Kids, with seven themed play spaces offering supervised care sessions for kids up to 12 years old.

It’s the perfect place to enjoy a fun family holiday. Stay from as little as $144 per night.

Packages include accommodation in a Resort Room for two adults and up to two children (0-12 years), one free session in the fully supervised Zone 4 Kids Club per child per day, plus unlimited entry to the brand new giant Zone 4 Kids Water Park. Seasonal surcharges and conditions apply. Other room types are available for an additional fee. You can win fi e nights in a King Bunkhouse room for two adults and up to three children (0-12 years) including continental buffet breakfast daily, one session in the fully supervised Zone 4 Kids Club per child per day and unlimited entry to the Zone 4 Kids Water Park in the centre of the resort. The prize is valued at $1669.50. Please note, the prize is valid for travel on or before July 31, 2012. Accommodation is subject to availability and excludes travel in high and peak periods. The prize is not transferable and may not be exchanged for cash. Flights are not included in the prize package. Winner will have to arrange own transport to the property. wwww.paradiseresort.com.au

perfect potion

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Perfect Potion’s latest range of gift packs for Christmas feature an assortment of new products and old favourites to celebrate 20 years of potions. Featuring the launch of a new Palestinian Olive Oil range, Chakra Aroma Mists, Five Elements Essential Oil Blend Kit, Green Goddess Perfume and Essential Oil Blend, the relaunch of Turkish Moon Perfume and Body Lotion, and a variety of new Christmas gift packs, Perfect Potion offers a diverse range of certified natural and organic potions as gifts this Christmas. Take the ‘A Beautiful Life’ gift pack for example. Containing products from the indulgent Green Tea and Jasmine range and a variety of other decedent Perfect Potion products, this gift pack will leave you with glowing and radiant skin for summer. You can win one of these coveted packs.

Ouch children’s wear was founded in 2003 and currently supplies more than 150 stores in Australia, NZ and China. Inspiration for the label comes from travel, current trends, art, everyday sights and most importantly, children. Ouch Summer 2011 brings cheerful, vibrant and irresistibly charming style. This season the Ouch child wears comfy retro-style robots, cool floral fancies, dream-like graphics, notions of a land lost in time, billows of sea air and pony adventures. All garments are fresh and full of creative detail, brightened up by fantastic sunny prints in many colours and styles.

Ouch customers have come to love how unique, affordable, comfortable, durable and stylish the label is.

Have fun in the sun with Ouch this season. You can win a $500 Ouch wardrobe, with garments selected from the current range in the winner’s size.

www.perfectpotion.com.au

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how to win Simply email competition@peekaboomagazine.com.au, quoting the prize’s codeword in the subject line of your email. Please ensure you provide your full name, address and contact phone numbers in the body of the email. You can only enter each competition once. Duplicates will be deleted. Your contact details will remain the property of Peekaboo for future newsletters and other correspondence. If you don’t want us to keep your details on file, please include the word “PRIVATE” in your entry. Please refer to page 5 for full competition terms and conditions. Competitions close, and entries will be drawn, January 31, 2012.

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

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SO, IT’S THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AGAIN WHEN US MUMS ARE SO BUSY BUYING THINGS FOR THE REST OF THE FAMILY THAT WE GENERALLY FORGET ABOUT OURSELVES. GO ON, INDULGE. WE’LL LET YOU

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STOCKISTS 1. Country Road print scarf $59.95 www.countryroad.com.au 2. Coclico Lavendra suede shoes at Luceo $260 www.luceo.com.au 3. Little Birdies wall clock by Decoylab $85 www. owlsandapples.com 4. Caribe sun lounge POA www.fanuli.com.au 5. Country Road tassel basket $119 www.countryroad.com.au 6. Il Tutto Neon mini bag $79 www.iltutto.com 7. Country Road linen cushions $59.95 each www.countryroad.com.au 8. Country Road Aggie leather handbag $299 www.countryroad.com.au 9. Blue Illusion French Biaritz dial clock $69.95 www.blueillusion. com 10. Emily de Molly lace collar $55 www.freerangeliving.co 11. Yellow earrings by G.VIE $27.50 www.gvie.com.au 12. Satara family picnic basket $199 www.satara.com.au

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

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KEEP CALM AND CARRY BUB IF YOU’RE A MUM AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THAT BLISSFUL FEELING OF ACHIEVEMENT BY HAVING TWO HANDS FREE TO SHOP, OR EVEN JUST HANG OUT THE WASHING WHILE KEEPING BUB QUIET IN A BABY CARRIER, CHANCES ARE YOU’LL HAVE ANITA LINCOLNE-LOMAX TO THANK. STORY BELINDA GLINDEMANN PHOTOS AMANDA DUCKER

Anita Lincolne-Lomax is the living definition of the mumpreneur – a busy mummy living her even busier entrepreneurial business dream. And believe it or not, she’s combining both with great success. If you don’t recognise her name, you will probably recognise her business brand, Babes in Arms. Babes in Arms is the Australian distributor of baby slings and carriers including the ERGObaby, Breeze Baby and The Peanut Shell, as well as clothing labels BabyLegs and Baby Bella Maya.

Proof of her ‘mumprenuerialism’, in August Anita picked up the highest gong at the Bio-Oil AusMumpreneur Awards dinner in Sydney – the 2011 AusMumpreneur of the Year. And further proof of her amazing ability to combine work and motherhood came when Peekaboo caught up with Anita in Melbourne recently. It was past 10pm, she was in her pyjamas and was finally relaxing on the lounge of her hotel room after a long and hectic day spent with an important United States-based business associate, all with seven-week old baby Grace in tow.

“We were just at this upmarket restaurant for dinner and I’m trying to squeeze in breast feeds between business conversation,” Anita says. “It’s hard because my head’s in business-land and also in boobie-land and I’m sitting there trying to remember which one is the entrée fork!”

Anita admits she is lucky to have the support of her husband, Ralph, in all the craziness. Then there are all the grandparents and godparents who pitch in as well. Ralph is on the Melbourne trip with Anita while their three other children are at home in Hobart with family. And, yes, you did read correctly. Anita and Ralph have three other children - four in total - including Tilli, 7, Jontae, 5, Aviya, 2, and baby Grace. Did we mention that Anita is busy?!

In true mumpreneurial fashion, Babes in Arms came about after Anita and Ralph’s first baby was born. At the time, the husband and wife team were both working as architects and Anita spent a fair chunk of her working day with clients, trudging about on work

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sites. She needed a way to carry baby Tilli around comfortably and still have both hands free. She’d heard something about a product that allowed users to carry bub on their front, back and even on the hip. An internet search uncovered the ERGObaby carrier and further research showed no one in Australia stocked the carrier, so she ordered one from the United States. It was that one simple purchase - one click of a mouse - that would turn out to be the beginning of a whole new and wonderful chapter in her life. Anita described her first site meeting with Tilli in her new ERGObaby carrier as “a magical moment”.

“It was such a liberating feeling to be able to walk around the site with her on my back and continue to be the working mum,” Anita says. “Wherever we went, people would ask me about the ERGObaby carrier which is when I started to think there was a market for it.”

The main difference between the ERGObaby carrier and others on the market is that with the ERGObaby, baby’s weight is distributed to the carrier’s hips which alleviates the pressure felt in the shoulders with other baby carriers and slings. This means users can carry their baby for longer periods at a time, and also as the child grows bigger and bigger – right up to 20kg.

“And the child is in a natural sitting position which is better for their spinal development,” Anita explains. As architects, Anita says she and Ralph have an “affini y with good design” which is another reason why they loved ERGObaby from the start.

So, for all those reasons and more, in 2005, Anita began Babes in Arms. As well as being the distributor of some great baby carriers and associated products, Anita takes her role one step further and is now recognised as a ‘babywearing’ advocate and educator which helped her win the AusMumpreneur of the Year award.

> Continued on page 14

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PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | SEPTEMBER 2011

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> Continued from page 12

“I was at the (awards) dinner, doubting why I even made the award application as I was up against some really stiff competition,” she says. Some 36 weeks pregnant with Grace on the night of the awards dinner and doubting her ability to win, Anita says she had put her swollen feet up on a nearby spare chair to help ease the pain in her back. In total disbelief as her name was called, Anita says all she could remember was trying to untangle the tablecloth from her legs and feet so she could get up to receive the award.

“I was surprised, grateful, shocked – all of the above,” she recalls, honestly. “I literally had to sit down with the organisers after the night and ask ‘Why me?’.”

Anita was told her award win came down to a few key points.

Yes, she had achieved a lot for her business in a short period of time. And yes, she had achieved all this while her babies were very young. But the judges were also impressed with how Anita was educating her market about the new concept of multi-positional carrying and the freedom that these baby carriers were bringing to their users. In this respect, judges were impressed with how Anita was creating demand for her product and how her customers would then become advocates and

provide a groundswell of support. They also liked her thought leadership and marketing around the products that resulted in Australia and New Zealand’s first official Babywearing Week, run from October 10-16 and now in its second year. Anita, herself, is proud of her efforts around Babywearing Week, which is run in parallel with International Babywearing Week out of the US. “We provide the framework for Australian and NZ parents to come together and celebrate babywearing,” she explains.

Babes in Arms sent their support via $2000 in community grants, with prizemoney donated to those charities selected by winners of the different categories.

While Anita admits that baby Grace was a “very big surprise”, this mother of four is in no way worried about juggling her crazy work schedule with her growing family.

“I’ve run the business with kids before so what’s one more?” she laughs. “I basically put them in a carrier and just go!”

At least she’s in the right business to do just that. And the kids make fabulous guinea pigs for any new products they are adding to the Babes in Arms range. Working mothers around the country are in awe of you Anita Lincolne-Lomax, and we salute you for helping to make baby transportation easy for us. www.babesinarms.com.au

e m o c d r a abo

Visit our website www.bratsmodels.com.au or call us 1300 885 071 Photography by Sophie Turner: www.kisschaseyphotography.com.au

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Charmed Life THAT FAMOUS FORREST GUMP LINE “LIFE IS LIKE A BOX OF CHOCOLATES…” SUMS UP ALEXANDRA RIGGS PERFECTLY. ONE DAY SHE’S A UNI STUDENT CHEWING ON A MILK CHOC HAZLENUT AND THE NEXT THING SHE’S A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS OWNER ENJOYING A STRAWBERRY CREAM. LIKE FORREST SAYS, “…YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO GET”.

STORY BELINDA GLINDEMANN

Bold colours, girly frills, bright buttons, ruffle-clad bums, spots, spots and more spots. If you’ve ever goo-ed or gaa-ed over an uber-cute kid swathed in any of the above, chances are that was an Oobi baby.

Alexandra Riggs, or ‘Alex’ as she prefers, is the Sydney-based business brains behind the coveted children’s fashion label Oobi Baby & Kids. Just like all the other stories you read about successful business minds, their entrepreneurial tendencies are generally realised at an early age. Alex is no exception, although it’s taken a twisted and winding path to get her to her current starring role in children’s fashion.

Alex was overseas, backpacking through Europe and earning cash as a nanny after she finished school, when she decided she wanted to get serious about life and start a university degree back home in Oz. So she got her brother to put her application in for an art/history degree. When it came down to choosing a subject for the practical component, Alex says her brother randomly choose screenprinting for her.

“When I found out I was going to have to do screenprinting, I told him ‘Noooooo!’, ” Alex laughs. “But, you know, I went in thinking I’d hate it and I ended up loving it.” It would ultimately become one of those moments where the universe was putting Alex on a path to success, but it would be a while before she realised it.

Some time later, while she was completing her post-grad studies as a history teacher (true story - like we said, it was a winding path to get to Oobi) and was “poor as”, Alex and her friend Zoe Beale were tossing around some ideas to earn themselves some cash to try and help make ends meet.

“We came up with this giftware line using noodle boxes (as containers),” she explains. “We saw the boxes on Seinfeld and were one of the first businesses to import them and use them this way.”

The pair took their labeled boxes, filled with assorted giftware goodies including fortune cookies with messages in them for

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example, and hit the Glebe Saturday markets. Wouldn’t you know it, a representative from Myer was visiting the markets that day and signed them up – there and then - to supply the super shopping chain. Instant success and Example No. 2 of fate taking control of Alex’s steering wheel in life. Fast forward things a little, and you’d find Alex and Zoe’s products now stocked by David Jones on an even bigger contract than the early days of Myer. They expanded their gift basket repertoire and were asked to supply contemporary hampers of all descriptions for all the different departments of the store. They did bath produts, craft kits and toys, for example.

“We were so young,” Alex remembers. “We were in our early 20s and so driven and hungry for it. It was a credit to DJs – they trusted us and gave us the opportunity to flex our creative muscles.”

Again, true to many stories you hear about fledgling business success, the pair’s business was initially done out of Alex’s parents’ house. On many of their busiest packing days, Alex says you would have found all their favourite rellies pitching in to help sort and pack the hampers in Alex’s parents’ loungeroom.

Fast forward again and Zoe becomes pregnant and leaves the partnership to pursue motherhood. About the same time, Alex was involved in a project with another friend and Amnesty, producing ‘Peace Baby’ tshirts, and it was to become a turning point in Alex’s life.

“The t-shirts were really well received and brought my attention to kids’ fashion,” she says.

With her ex-fashion designer Mum egging her on, Alex decided to utilise her learnings from her university screenprinting days and put together a design for a short run of fabric. She made the fabric into party dresses and ruffled bloomers and took those pieces to Reid’s trade show. It was 10 years ago. And she was a hit.

“In that time, clothing was generally pink for girls and blue for boys. This was the first time people had seen crazy colours and bold, blocky graphic design,” Alex says. In the early days, oversized rosettes starred against vibrant fabrics featuring apple

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and pear prints and big bright spots. Given their initial, and continued, success on the retail market, many of the pieces in her current Summer 2011/12 range still feature those very details.

Nowadays, Oobi has a comfortable headquarters at Vetland (near Alexandria, Sydney), employs 10 staff and is stocked all over the world in places as far flung as Switzerland, Poland, Brazil and the Middle East. Then there’s also New Zealand, Asia, South Africa and the US. Oobi is the label of choice for many celebrity littlies and the business’s Facebook page has some 11,000 followers.

“As the business grows and more people come onboard, I get to focus solely on the design part which is what I really love,” Alex says. “But I’m still learning to let go of the things I don’t need to be involved in.”

In a coup for the label, KidStyleFile’s recent Annual Reader Survey saw Oobi top the poll as respondents’ favourite brand of children’s clothing. They nudged out big-time players such

Pumpkin Patch, Bonds, Country Road Kids, Target and Cotton On for the gong. And it was Alex’s third win, in that category, in a row.

“Oobi's result is a remarkable feat as they have comfortably achieved the number one position against established multinational brands with far more marketing power,” says KidStyleFile owner/publisher Angela Anderson. “Alex has uncompromisingly channelled her personality into her brand.

Oobi has a real X factor that transcends trend-based fashion and appeals to a very wide audience. Oobi Baby & Kids is a stayer and I see them remaining very popular in the years to come.”

tow, Alex finds great happiness in sharing her financial success with charity. She’s donated some $100,000 in clothing to the victims of the Victorian bushfires, helps Aboriginal women and their communities throughout the Northern Territory and also supports children’s cancer research.

“It is the most important part of what I do,” she declares. “Even in the early days when there wasn’t much money around, you still have to care for other people. There’s karma in it too.”

The KidStyleFile recognition comes on the back of another two big award wins for Alex – the City of Sydney’s Specialty Retail and Wholesale business award and overall Business of the Year. Nice.

So what’s in the pipeline for Oobi? Alex reveals she is looking at doing four seasonal ranges per year (up from her current two annual ranges) and is also considering diversifying into other age groups and products.

“I’m not one bit bored with it,” she says. “I love Oobi, I love what I do and have to keep pinching myself to make sure this life is real.”

Now, at age 37, and with husband Terry and Toast the dog in

www.oobi.com.au

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

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product

rock and roll BOUNCING HAS NEVER LOOKED AS COOL AS IT DOES IN THIS TRENDY NEW PIECE OF ITALIAN BABY BEAUTY FROM DANISH BY DESIGN

Launching at the Baby & Toddler Show in Sydney as this edition of Peekaboo hits the streets, the Bamboo by Bombol is full of wow factor. Given its Italian heritage, there’s no denying it is a beautiful piece to behold in any nursery. But the advantage of the Bamboo is just how much use you will get out of it.

Any mother will tell you that in the early days, it’s handy to have a safe place to put bub down while you try to get other household jobs done. A bouncer is perfect. It’s light and easily moved from room to room. The Bamboo is all that and literally more. It will hold a child up to 18kg so it will be useful for babies from birth, right through the toddler and preschool years.

The Bamboo was inspired by the amazing features of bamboo: it has a light structure (3.5kg) with great flexibility. Despite its simplistic look, it is highly sophisticated. Bamboo allows your child to change position as well as experience soft bouncing initiated by even the smallest of movements. Bamboo has a patented dynamic backrest that is designed to help develop your child’s motor skills.

The flexibility of the frame, doubled with the elasticity of the fabric lets your baby choose position – sitting, playing or resting - by shifting its weight. This means your child is able to move into a sitting position to be part of the action or can lie themselves down for a nap. The safety harness acts like a brace and once the harness is no longer needed, it can be removed and Bamboo transforms into a comfortable little chair – perfect for a rest, watching TV or looking at books. For newborns, the head support (sold as an accessory) is invaluable for keeping bub’s head secure.

Bamboo by Bombol is brought to Australia by Danish by Design and comes in three colours including spring, elephant and coconut. It retails for $299.95. Stockists are listed on the website. www.danishbydesign.com.au

ihn w chair hig

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$430

win a high chair To win a fabulous Leander High Chair, visit Danish by Design’s website and subscribe to their newsletter. One winner will be drawn randomly by Danish by Design on February 1, 2012, from all newsletter subscribers.

The prize includes one Leander High Chair (available in winner’s choice of natural, whitewash, walnut or black, RRP $299.95), cushions (in winner’s choice of eight colours, RRP $64.95) and safety bar with leather strap (RRP $64.95) for a total prize value of $429.85. www.danishbydesign.com.au

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

19

Last days for Christmas orders Dec 8: WA, NT, QLD Dec 12: ACT, VIC, TAS, NSW, SA

unique hand-stamped sterling silver and gold jewellery

www.koolamandesigns.com.au 0419 341 582

noteworthy

take note WHEN SOMETHING MAKES YOU SIT UP AND SAY ‘WOW, COOL!’, YOU JUST CAN’T KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. SHARING IS CARING, RIGHT? MAKE SURE YOU SHARE THESE NOTEWORTHY THINGS WITH YOUR FRIENDS TOO STORY BELINDA GLINDEMANN

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it’s in the stars Whether you read horoscopes for fun over your morning cuppa or live your daily life guided by the planets, It’s In The Stars offers unique and thoughtful keepsake gift options this festive season. For baby’s first Christmas, forget the Santa-suit onesies and other naff glitter-coated tees, a BabyStars report offers parents amazing insight into what their tiny bundle will grow up to become. The report tracks baby’s first 20 years and includes details on the child’s ability to learn, the friends they are likely to attract, the extra-curricular activities that may suit them, and even how they will eventually deal with puberty, dating and joining the workforce, for example.

And if you’re looking for something unique for your partner this Christmas (or even for Valentine’s Day next year), a LoveStars report provides insightful information on compatibility. Discover key relationship themes and understand why your partner has the affect on you that he or she does. You may even learn more about your sexual connection, the depth of your commitment and how to prosper together.

It’s In The Stars astrologer Elizabeth Ball has been honing her astrological skill for more than 30 years.

“As a gift, an astrological report is perfect as it keeps on giving for many years to come,” Elizabeth says. We agree. What a unique idea this Christmas.

fridges my family for Peekaboo, our

of mber edition Since the Septe er Family from The Stick ily fam ry sto feature t only did No . sy bu ve been very car stickers ha get hitched ica on M d an rs Phil have business owne ii (bliss!), they beach in Hawa barefoot on a mily fridge Fa y M of ge a new ran ge. also released tmas sticker ran seasonal Chris magnets and a ly ourite My Fami feature your fav for ed The magnets us kids am will have the g the characters and d was negotiatin ha I m ble pro illed ch ages. The only ss to acce olity while trying gnets fridge-side friv ma the ht nig re dinner on the goods to prepa etic picture frame th me. The magn wi me ho for came ur best snaps yo way to display is also a great e. all visitors to se new Christmas a this season, the For a fun gift ide n accessories d-o ad r vides cleve a sticker range pro play. Think Sant ly car sticker dis sents, to your My Fami pre s, ne ca y ndeers, cand My Claus caps, rei ‘bling up’ your tmas trees to ris Ch d an lly ho of things. irit sp the in t and really ge Family display ur local retailer. website or at yo the on m the Find rfamily.com.au www.thesticke

www.itsinthestarsonline.com

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

21

eat

sucre

love grub

martini cafe

325 DARLING ST, BALMAIN WWW.SUCRE.COM.AU

38 MITCHELL RD, ALEXANDRIA WWW.LOVEGRUB.COM.AU

529A KING ST, NEWTOWN WWW.MARTINICAFE.COM.AU

Now this is a chocolate café like no other. Owners Judy Hall and Ian Newton have got it sorted, with just the right amount of decadence while still serving a fresh and healthy a’ la carte menu of salads and baguettes. But who could resist such decadent chocolates, pastries, cakes, French beignets (similar to a donut) and desserts; all freshly made on site? The kids will love the chocolate rocks, chocolate sticks and Belgian waffles. The café is very pretty and is like being inside one big candy bar as you are surrounded by chocolate - shelves and shelves of the stuff.

And to top it all off, they serve quality Alchemy coffee which was awarded ‘Best Coffee’ by The Sydney Morning Herald’s Good Cafe Guide 2011. There’s a baby change toilet and some mobiles on the wall – this place is perfect for any celebration or a special treat anytime of the day.

A surprising little colourful oasis in an otherwise grey urban sprawl, this urban-hippy cafe with a touch of city cool is a delight to the senses even before you order. The café offers everything from divine coffee, organic sourdough sandwiches, sushi rolls and burgers during the day, to family-friendly dinner dining after 5pm from Thursday-Sunday. There’s also an after 3pm ‘Japas’ menu on Thursdays and Sundays which offers a unique blend of Aussie and Japanese cuisine. There’s no kids menu at the Love Grub, as feedback to owners Justin and Jacqui was that kids loved the standard menu just as it was. Great little yummies like rice balls, sushi and croquets satisfy even the fussiest of eaters. One of the highlights of this gorgeous little café is the community garden and play area for the kids. All in all, a great café for the whole family.

Martini Café is a laid back, older style two-level café that oozes rustic inner-west appeal. From the outside you would never know that Martini Cafe has two kids’ rooms upstairs with toys, books and space for the little ones to mess about without disturbing the other patrons, while Mum and Dad can take a break and enjoy a gorgeous meal and great coffee. They also have a great kids menu with items priced from $4-$6.50 including scram on toast, baked beans with cheesy fingers, pancakes with icecream and maple syrup and, of course, standard white bread sambos cut into quarters. There’s also a charming courtyard area among the neighbouring trees and the café is also open in the evenings as a wine/cocktail bar, Bartini (the Lychee Martinis are divine). This place is highly recommended for a relaxing breakfast with the family or a great meeting point for mothers’ groups.

Chibebe

SLUMBER POD!

WHO IS CHIBEBE? Chibebe isn’t just another baby brand.

It’s the brand that parents come to when they not only care about their child, but also style and, most importantly, safety.

We deal with an accredited agency for testing compliance, and they are familiar with us, and understand our need for high quality. They not only test for mandatory Australian standards, but also for additional voluntary standards, to meet the health and safety needs for your baby.

E: sales@chibebe.com.au \ www.chibebe.com.au

eat Tupperware Kids’ Kitchen measuring set $23.95, and decorating set $19.95 www.tupperware.com.au

mix and master

Vapur foldable, flexible, collapsable, reusable, BPA free water pouch. 500ml $18.95 www.drinkvapur.com.au

THROW OUT ALL THOSE DOZENS OF DUST-COVERED KITCHEN APPLIANCES AND REPLACE THEM WITH THIS ONE SLEEK UNIT. HAPPY KITCHEN DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN

Thermomix TM31 is the most advanced kitchen appliance on the market today. It unites the functions of more than 10 appliances in one compact unit. This all-in-one food processor and cooker chops, beats, mixes, whips, grinds, kneads, minces, grates, juices, blends, heats, stirs, steams and weighs food, as well as other functions. If only there was a ‘massage’ function, women around the world would have no reason to ever leave their kitchens!

Featuring a gearless long-life motor, steel blades and a stainless steel bowl, Thermomix brings a new dimension to food preparation and cooking. Faster and more efficient than any similar appliance, it saves time, money and space in the kitchen. Incredibly precise and powerful speed and temperature settings allow for smoother texture, better colour retention and faster speed of execution. Preparation is cut from minutes to seconds and cooking is gentle, ensuring the flavours, vitamins and minerals are locked into each mouthful. Best of all, one bowl and blade do it all.

With today’s fast paced lifestyle, we cook far less than we used to. The fast, ready-made foods that feature in today’s diet aren’t the best options. Thermomix lets users return to the tradition of home-style cooking using superior, streamlined technology, making it simple to bring fresh, wholesome, nutrient-dense food back into our diets.

Thermomix is particularly valuable for people with special dietary restrictions like coeliac disease and food allergies as they can precisely control what goes into the food they cook.

This also means they can monitor the addition of harmful additives, colours and preservatives.

Technology has come a long way since the days when our forbearers had to churn butter or whisk mayonnaise by hand.

But while these products are now readily available on the supermarket shelves, they often contain harmful additives to encourage a stronger flavour, longer life or cleaner colour. Using Thermomix, you can make your own butter, mayonnaise and other basic foods such as bread dough, tomato sauce, icing sugar and even flour with all natural products in a fraction of the time. You can also precisely control what goes into your food, which means no more scrutinising packaging for traces of allergens.

Thermomix is sold exclusively through in-home demonstrations by our extensive network of professional consultants. A local Thermomix consultant goes to customers’ homes and shows them the incredible range of tasks the Thermomix can accomplish. The unit costs $1939, which is a fraction of the cost of all the appliances that the Thermomix makes redundant.

Little Chipipi Animal Friends placemats, $39.95 (set of four) www.littlechipipi.com.au

Love Mae’s melamine Well Fed Kitty Cat set, $54.95 www.lovemae.com.au

www.thermomix.com.au

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

23

place

free range living

hullubullu

my messy room

SHOP 1, 2-4 PRINCE CHARLES PARADE, KURNELL WWW.FREERANGELIVING.CO

243 AUSTRALIA ST, NEWTOWN 1/79 GOULD ST, BONDI BEACH

111A SMITH ST, SUMMER HILL WWW.MYMESSYROOM.COM.AU

Having done the circuit of boutique markets, baby expos and trade shows for the past few years, Deni Fowle of children’s eco fashion label Cheeky Chickies recently made the decision to open her own retail store called Free Range Living. With a passion for retro modern furniture and design of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, Deni and her interior designer sister Loren Zoka have creatively styled the shop with clean lines, natural timber and funky vintage furniture. Free Range Living offers a gorgeous selection of Australian-only handmade and ecofriendly gifts, fashion and homewares. Also in store, visitors will be inspired by the creative learning environment, where demonstrations and workshops of modern handicrafts and creative arts are run regularly. Visiting Free Range Living makes for the perfect weekend outing, accompanied by a walk through the park, a swim at the beach, lunch and gelato at the Endeavour Café and a browse through Kurnell Art Gallery.

Hullubullu kids’ stores really celebrate the art of children’s fashion. Offering two shopfront locations (Newtown and Bondi), they stock locally designed clothes made by owner Lisa Turner using gorgeous quality fabrics, Australian made children’s and babies’ fashion and an array of supporting labels from around the globe. Full of eclectic gifts, retro-inspired clothing and the latest shoe styles and toys, the Hullubullu shopping experience also comes complete with a small children’s corner with a television and a few toys to entertain the little guys and gals while you browse. Keep up to date with what’s going on instore via www.hullubullu.blogspot. com or follow the store on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ hullubullu where product photos, descriptions and prices are loaded regularly to make gift shopping a breeze. Hullubullu was a finalist in the 2011 Waverly Business Awards and the Inner West Small Business Awards.

My Messy Room is a gorgeous babywear, kidswear and homewares boutique in the heart of the Summer Hill village where you’re always guaranteed to find interesting, unique and urban whimsy gifts, furniture, books, clothing, toys and décor. They stock everything from wooden toys to stylish children’s and baby brands including Well Spotted, Apple and Bee, Rock Your Baby, Littlehorn and Havaianas, to name a few. A sweet and extremely helpful touch for mums is the children’s play nook filled with toys to keep your little ones entertained so you have plenty of time to browse through this beautiful children’s store that none of you will want to leave in a hurry. Open seven days a week. And if you are stuck at home and desperately need a gift, you can also browse the My Messy Room online boutique at the above web address. It stocks all the same types of wonderful, unique products that the bricks-and-mortar store does.

love to celebrate love to celebrate

inspired linen and decor for children

decorations • invitations • partyware

decorations

• invitations

• partyware

www.lovetocelebrate.com.au 61 hill street, roseville nsw 2069 ph:02 9416 4868 www.lovetocelebrate.com.au

61 hill street, roseville nsw 2069 ph: 02 9416 48 68

Where elegance , beauty and comfort nest happily together www.katelauren.com.au

shop competitions

Owl tree decoration $12 www.rubyandbelle.com.au

Personalised Christmas stocking $22 www.bubbabling.com.au

Personalised plastic Christmas cups $19.95 each www.stuckonyou.com.au

Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Santa sacks $49 each www.eenimeeni.com.au

Fabric wreath $40 www.madeit.com.au/BubbyMakesThree.com.au

s message from santa ‘Home made’ cookie stamp $24.95 www.myfavourite. com.au For an extra authentic message from Santa, check out this website. They can’t wait to prepare customised video messages for you so you can enjoy a unique interactive experience and bring the magic of Christmas into your loungeroom. www.portablenorthpole.tv/home

Your gifts will be the envy of all others with this fab kikki.K set including wrapping paper, cards, gift tags, stickers and a stamp $29.95 www.kikki-k.com

Godis Mix glasses, set of six $5.99 Slom glass bottle with stopper $2.95 www.ikea.com.au

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

25

park

blaxland riverside park SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK, JAMIESON ST, HOMEBUSH BAY Blaxland Riverside Park is a spacious and scenic waterside location designed for families with children of all ages. It boasts an action-packed playground, a contemporary café, a ‘beachy’ canteen, heritage train rides, bike hire, scooter paths and picnic areas with mini shade sails.

Spanning 3ha with 12 different playing environments, the colourful playground has a huge range of equipment great for the older kids including a mega-swing, play-disc, scramble wall, double flying fox, viking swing, mound and tunnel slides and a play net structure. There are also baby swings, smaller slides, mini rock climbing and plenty of soft fall areas for the littlies. The remainder of the play space, including a water plaza, river-view treehouse and sand play area, with even more shade and shelter areas, is expected to be completed by early 2012. It’ll be worth the wait.

Café, a lovely waterside eating spot perfect for a quick coffee fix casual lunch or early dinner. They have a great kids’ menu, with prices ranging from $4 -$11, and goodies such as Squiggly Squid Rings, Man on the Moon Pizza and Little Lieutenants open grilled sandwiches. And the adult’s menu is lovely too. Breakfast fare includes a traditional English breakfast, corncakes with avocado, bacon and salsa, or Brookfarm Macadamia Muesli (toasted or gluten free) with lemon myrtle and honey yoghurt. A lunch stop will be very tempting as well with some beautiful seafood selections on offer. If you don’t fancy a sit-down meal that’s OK, as the Armory Canteen serves great takeaway coffee, cool drinks, iceblocks and yummy milkshakes and they even have a life-sized chess set right outside. This place really has everything.

You could easily spend the whole day here.

STORY KATHRINE D’COSTA AND EILEEN STAPLETON OF

Wander down the grassy hill and you’ll find the Armory Wharf

WWW.KIDSIZELIVING.COM.AU

new books

Feelings can be messy... Kimochis速 can help!

www.kimochis.com.au p: 61 3 9008 4699

xmas

ho, ho, ho!

CHRISTMAS IS COMING PEOPLE, THERE’S NO DENYING IT NOW. GET PLANNING If you’ve been living under a rock since Christmas decorations hit the supermarkets in August, you may not have realised that Santa is on his way.

You’ve got 25 days to get planning so we thought we’d help you with some essential (and some non-essential, but fun!) things to do in the next 25 days: ❤ Immediately organise your personalised Christmas cards so you can get them in the mail asap. Try www.raspberrycreative.com.au for fabulously stylish personalised cards. ❤ Get into the spirit by downloading one of the bazillion Christmas apps available for your iPhone. You can get Christmas coutdowns, gift list helpers, festive jokes and songs and even wallpapers for your phone.

sounds of the season NOTHING SCREAMS CHRISTMAS LIKE A GROUP OF KIDS SCREAMING CHRISTMAS CAROLS. WHEN THERE ARE PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINERS INVOLVED THOUGH, IT’S THE RECIPE FOR A GREAT NIGHT OUT

If you only get to attend one Sydney Christmas event or activity this year, this has got to be the one.

Pack your picnic rugs and the family and head to Woolworths Carols in the Domain on Saturday, December 17. This is one Christmas event that will be sure to get everyone into

the Christmas spirit. The day will commence at noon with a children’s carnival and carols on the big screens, followed by pre-show entertainment at 3pm, finishing with the fabulous Carols and entertainment at 8.30pm. This year marks the 29th celebration of Woolworths Carols in the Domain and there are plans to have some of the biggest

names in Australian showbusiness on stage singing some of the season’s finest songs As this wonderful event is free to attend, it is advised that you secure your spot early to give the little ones a good vantage point. www.carolsinthedomain.com

❤ If you are yet to nail your Christmas menu, www.taste.com.au has an iPhone app to help make this Christmas deliciously memorable with more than 140 recipes, tips and other how-to videos. Easy. ❤ Two words: Elf yourself. You know you want to. Visit www.elfyourself. com ❤ And if you haven’t already, make sure you get some value out of Santa’s impending visit by reminding the kids Daily (or hourly, if required) that they need to be on their BEST behaviour as he’s always watching.

highlights

party animal LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PARTY LIKE A TRUE PARTY ANIMAL? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN TARONGA PARK ZOO Get ready Sydney and prepare to party with your friends as a brand new, exciting line-up of shows gets set to sizzle across the Taronga Zoo stage.

The 2012 Twilight at Taronga concert series kicks off on January 28 with one of the greatest ever rock bands, The Church, performing all their classic hits in a very special show under the stars. Week two features the hugely popular family favourite, Bjorn Again, with their all-singing, all-dancing tribute to ABBA. Then two Aussie rock icons, James Reyne and Mark Seymour, join forces to perform all their hit songs straight from the heart.

Star of stage and screen Tom Burlinson follows with a sensational swingin’ big band night and the stunning Marina Prior returns to sing her favourite Broadway hits, joined by guest Kane Alexander.

March blasts off with an all-star line up paying tribute to the incredible musical force of Queen. To keep things rockin’, the Zoo welcomes singer songwriter Diesel for an awesome night of blues rock. This is followed by a high-energy celebration of the music and dance of the ‘King of Pop’ Michael Jackson featuring some of the best musos in the country and some extraordinary dancers.

Then, journey back in time to the fabulous 1950s for some good, clean, rock ’n’ roll fun. Australian music legend Richard Clapton teams up with Wendy Matthews to play the songs that warmed the hearts of a generation, then the series is wrapped up by international jazz maestro and Taronga favourite James Morrison for a funky farewell night of jazz.

Tickets are all unreserved, picnic style, to allow concertgoers to bring their own rug or chairs. You can also bring along your own picnic or purchase fresh sandwiches, salads, fish and chips, beer, wine and soft drinks at the concert site or you

can order a gourmet picnic hamper for two via Ticketek. As an added bonus, every concert ticket permits free entry to the Zoo from 3pm on the day of the show. Set against the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour and the exotic chorus of animal calls, this is truly an experience not to be missed.

❤ T wilight at Taronga runs from Jan 28-March 31.

See www.twilightattaronga.com.au for more.

Tickets via Ticketek at www.ticketek.com.au

calendar noteworthy

ket To mar . o we g .. o, high h o high h

high high ho, ho... with m and c ummy hic we go ks

local events calendar december

01

Summer’s here! Don your best rubber thongs, slap on some sunscreen and head outdoors with the kids for some Vitamin D

24

Australia’s largest Christmas appeal, The Kmart Wishing Tree, ends today. Make sure you donate what you can to this special cause

january

01

Did you know it’s the National Year of Reading - a cause close to Peekaboo’s heart (only because we all LOVE books). See www.love2read.org.au

16

Get the kids interested in tennis via the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena from today until Jan 29.

Do you have a budding Lleyton on your hands?

february

01

Harry Potter: The Exhibition continues at The Powerhouse Museum this month with many of the movie’s props on show - cool!

19

Movie Extra Tropfest will be held at various outdoor locations around the country and in our city. Visit tropfest.com/tropjr

05

Do you like to lend a hand?Today is International Volunteer Day and recognises the massive effort put in by volunteers the world over

25

Who’s that big guy in the red suit snooping around our lounge room? Oh, that’s right.

SANTA’S HERE! Enjoy your day today everyone

07

The Sydney Festival opens today with a bevvy of events all over the city. Best bet is to check out www. sydneyfestival.org.au

23

Kung Hei Fat Choy, or in other words, Happy Chinese New Year. The Year of the Dragon officially gets under way today

10

Jo Frost (Super Nanny) is here to share her wisdom with parents.

She’s at Newcastle tonight and the Ent Cent tomorrow

25

Big and little kids will love the Stanthorpe Doll, Bear and Craft Fair at Blacktown Leisure Centre See www. stanthorpedbcfair.com

15

If your kids are addicted to Hairy Maclary books, like ours, take them along to the stage show at the Opera House’s Playhouse, until Jan 15

20

The Royal NZ Ballet brings Angelina Ballerina’s Big Audition to the Opera House for shows from Dec 20-24. Your daughters will love it

12

Seven of the world’s best magicians hit the Opera House’s Concert Hall for a fi st-time event from today, until Jan 18. It’s suited to kids 5 and up

26

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie - Oi! Oi! Oi! Slap on some thongs and sunscreen, grab a cricket bat and hit the backyard for Oz Day

14

The day of the year for lovers - and a good excuse to hit hubby up for flowe s - is here: Valentine’s Day. Smooch your loved ones today

29

We just had to put this date on the calendar because it only happen once every four years.

Happy Leap Year day to you all!

16

No more reading, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks!

School’s finally out or Summer!

31

Lucky last day of the year. Make sure you put your family fi st when making New Year’s resolutions tonight

12

Sydneysiders, check out Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival at the Ent Cent until Jan 15.

See www.disney.com. au

28

Twilight at Taronga Summer Concert Series kicks off tonight with The Church. Program details at www.twilightat taronga.com.au

16

Get dressed for success because Roxette’s in town today - we don’t know about you, but that band takes us back to our childhoods

30

...it’s almost Peekaboo time again! Look out for a copy at your local stockist in the next week. March edition theme is ‘Space’.

dec markets Glendenning Early Learning Centre Market December 4: 2 Stone St, Glendenning,10am-3pm Raffles, barbecue and lots of stalls so you ca finish your Christmas shoppin Mathilda’s Markets December 4: Special Christmas Shopping Market at The Entertainment Quarter, Bryon Kennedy Hall, 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park www.mathildasmarket.com.au Handmade, Handcrafted Creations Market December 11: 1st Terrigal Scout Hall, Terrigal www.handmadecreationsmarket.vpweb.com.au Mumz Share The Love Boutique Market December 18: Mingara Recreation Club, Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi www.mumzsharethelove.com

jan markets Mumz Share The Love Boutique Market January 22: Mingara Recreation Club, Mingara Drive, Tumbi Umbi www.mumzsharethelove.com

feb markets Baby & Kids Market February 4: Fitzroy Pavilion, Exhibition Park (EPIC), Flemington Rd, Mitchell February 5: Bernie Mullane Sports Complex, Kellyville February 19: Newcastle Basketball Stadium February 26: Illawarra Sports Stadium, Hooka Creek Rd, Berkeley www.babykidsmarket.com.au Handmade Craft Market February 19: Erina High School Hall, Erina, 10am2pm www.handmadecraftmarket.blogspot.com Mathilda’s Markets February 19: Albert Hall, Commonwealth Avenue, Canberra February 25: The Entertainment Quarter, Bryon Kennedy Hall, 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park www.mathildasmarket.com.au Pitter Patter Markets February 26: Camden Civic Centre, Camden, from 9am-1pm www.pitterpattermarkets.com.au

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

31

INTRODUCING SUMMERRANGE

Feel good and look great, in hospital or at home, in the mamá y bebé summer pyjama range.

The new mamá y bebé Eze singlet top with clip down nursing bra is made of a soft 95% cotton/5% spandex blend perfect for summer. Pair Eze with either the villefranche 100% cotton pant or nice short both available in turquoise or pink.

This pyjama set is perfect for pregnancy and for your hospital stay!

Now available! Free shipping for all orders Australia wide. Shop at www.mamaybebe.com.au

To celebrate the spirit of Christmas, mamá y bebé is giving away a mamá y bebé baby pyjama/sleeping bag valued at $29.95 to the first 300 peekaboo readers to register. Go to www.mamaybebe.com.au register your details and quote the promotional code “peekaboo” to receive your free gift.

! wtime s with many popuglamr onths: o h s s ’ it comin e show of stag state in

on ing the e seas rs visit bring It is th ec haracte ds will c ’s n e on D ir frien e th childre C d n t entr a n y’s e ie m n n a d Sy e rtain teph ec 17, n Ente cus, S use e on D alhave o tr Sporta o h a h y e S la h P urse T wn to ntre’s Conco Lazyto tre Ce ec 20. wood’s e on D 8, Thea 1 tr ts a a c e h e h C D T n ic o 15, iv e C tr e Thea wcastl Enmore the Ne us 19, and u c .a e m D o to vario on show town.c y y a z saur’s d a o .l th in ir www y the D ir Big B th e ro th o g D brin bsite, well as iggles eir we s. ou, as The W al date near y . Visit th s w e o f u h o n s t loc e 1 s 1 li 0 a 2 r s local v , fo tma om.au ’ Chris gles.c Rockin hewig .t w w w

Work-at-home mums, SMEs, start-ups:

If your business is small but your ambition is...

BIG Get people talking about you!

get your disney on WHETHER YOU ARE FIVE YEARS OLD, 35 OR 65, DISNEY CHARACTERS ALWAYS BRING OUT THE CHILD IN YOU Gen Y music lovers aren’t the only ones set to be attending music festivals this January.

and Ursula, Jasmine, Aladdin and Genie, Woody, Buzz and Jessie.

Mickey Mouse and his band of friends, including Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, will perform in the musical extravaganza ‘Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival’ this coming Christmas holidays - so kids, grab your parents and get ready to rock.

You won’t be able to resist dancing, singing, playing your air-guitar and laughing with this band of fabulous characters. Join them at Disney Live! Mickey’s Music Festival for a lively concert experience guaranteed to deliver enough rockin’ memories to last a lifetime.

Joined by Disney favourites from Aladdin, The Little Mermaid and Disney/Pixar’s Toy Story, this fun-filled concert experience will entertain the whole family.

The Disney hits will be remixed to the hottest sounds of today featuring hip hop, pop, swing, reggae, rock and country styles. Some 25 Disney characters star in this jam session with the line-up of performers featuring the likes of Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy, Ariel, Sebastian

❤ Disney Live! is at the Sydney Entertainment Centre (January 12-15), Newcastle Entertainment Centre (January 17-18) and Wollongong WIN Entertainment Centre (January 21). Tickets are available from Ticketek. www.disneylive.com.au

Belle PR’s DIY ‘One-page Wonder’ media kit will get your good news business story into the media (and get you noticed) the affordable, simple, professional way.

We also love larger-scale business campaigns and event PR too Mention this ad in January for a discount on your media kit

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magazine

magazine

Ryan FRAMED custom prints acrylic wall names & cake toppers

DEAR SANTA: YOU KNOW I’VE BEEN WORKING EXTRA HARD THIS YEAR WITH THE MAGAZINE AND THOSE CRAZY KIDS. SO... I’M JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE THAT MAYBE I DESERVE LOTS OF PRESENTS THIS CHRISTMAS?! TO MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU, I THOUGHT I’D ROUND UP SOME COOL PRODUCTS I’VE SEEN LATELY. PLEASE PASS ON MY THANKS TO THE ELVES. LOVE, BIANCA

kikki.K sundae wooden stamp set $19.95 www.kikki-k.com Little fawn wall clock $88 www.owlsandapples.com

Greta espadrille wedge $99.95 www.seedheritage.com

‘My wonderful world of fashion’ book $35 www.seedheritage.com

Il Tutto Neon mini bag $79 www.iltutto.com.au

Friendship bracelet kit $19.95 www.seedheritage.com

celebrate

my favourite thing

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7 STOCKISTS 1. Little Treasures heart bracelet $65 www.littletreasures.net.au 2. Stella Cove bikini from Le Tween $69.90 www.letween.com 3. Appaman hat from Le Tween $29.90 www.letween.com 4. Mini & Maximus tee from Le Tween $39.90 www.letween.com 5. Rabbit lamp by Heico from Lark $150 www.larkstore.com.au 6. F.11gravity racer $120 www.f11gravityracer.com.au 7. Just Dance 3 DVD $69.95, ABBA: You Can Dance DVD $69.95 8. Momiji iPhone4 cover $9.95 www.jasnor.com.au

celebrate

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STOCKISTS 1. My Nature Press $24.99 www.seedling.co.nz 2. Pure Poppet natural children’s play makeup set $39.95 www.purepoppet.com.au 3. Personlised mini chef sets $24.95 www. spatz.com.au 4. kikki-K stationery case $31.96 www.kikki-k.com 5. My Own Crazy Guitar - Designed by Me! $64.95 www.moosaidthecow.com.au 6. Fun Explores rocket ship playset $199 www.bubbabling.com.au 7. Mamas and Papas passport and luggage tag set $48 www.cocoonliving.com 8. Frankie Ray My Design sunglasses kit $39.95 www.itribe.com.au 9. Lundby Stockholm doll’s house $199.95 www.lundby.com.au PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

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STOCKISTS 1. Happy Hair set by Cotton Candy Chronicles $29.95 www.larkstore.com.au 2. Bamboo motorbike $34.95 www.bamboovillage.com.au 3. Timber Rose Cottage doll’s house $260 www.cocoonliving.com 4. Ballerina magnetic dress ups and Pirate magnetic dress ups from Little Red Chick $32.50 each www.littleredchick.com.au 5. The Grateful Tread classic guitar $49.95 www.alittlebitofcheek.com.au 6. Bit Balance bike $154.95 www.bonitobaby.com.au 7. Christmas tutu from My Posh Baby Boutique POA www.myposhbabyboutique.myshopify. com 8. Afternoon tea party set $60 www.myposhbabyboutique.myshopify.com 9. Classic red racing car $595 from Monty and Frank’s Designer Toy Company www.montyandfranks.com

38 PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

celebrate

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STOCKISTS 1. Little Red Chick monkey bowling set $19.80 www.littleredchick.com.au 2. Woon portable iDoll with built-in speakers and an MP3 player $69.95 www.roseandlily.com.au 3. Dandelion organic cotton soft stacker $62.99 www.littletreasures.net.au 4. Ruby & Belle’s Ava doll $45 www.rubyandbelle.com.au 5. JiP wooden rocking motorbike $89.95 www.limetreekids.com.au 6. EverEarth activity walker $88 www.cocoonliving.com 7. Ebulobo wolf playmat $174.95 www.coccinella.com.au 8. Love Luck and Wonder giraffe booties $49.95 www.loveluckandwonder.com

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

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party

blue christmas Baby’s first Christmas is a special time for any family and so the girls from Just Call Me Martha, The Little Big Company and Lily Chic Events got together to celebrate that very occasion for baby Hugo recently. Using Delftware as inspiration (otherwise known Delft pottery which is blue and white pottery made in and around Delft in the Netherlands) they followed a blue and white theme with touches of silver. The look was fresh and elegant and a nice change from traditional Christmas colours of red and green.

STOCKISTS Food by Just Call Me Martha; printables by Ham&Pea Design and Paperie; French dinner set, tea cups, platters by Shoppe With Lily; cake stands and hanging decorations by Little Big Company. www.hamandpea.com, www.tlbc.com.au, www.justcallmemartha.blogspot. com, www.shoppewithlily.com.au Photos by Clair Bremner www.clairbremner.com

40 PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

When Suzanna of Mon Tresor’s son Maddox turned four, it gave her reason to host a bowling party with a vintage/retro, yet modern, twist in colours of aqua blue, orange and chocolate.

The two-level sweets table was purchased from a local vintage store and given a coat of white paint. She used an antique blue wood chair, tissue paper fans and honeycomb balls to complete the look. The main birthday cake was definitely one of the main features of the table.

Sitting on a milk glass stand purchased from Sweet Style, Marie from Couture Cupcakes and Cookies created the perfect cake. Other sweets on the table included bowling pin cookies and cupcakes, macarons, rock candy, m&ms, chocolate twizzlers and retro candy buttons. The children took home little polka dot treat boxes that were filled with the sweets from the table.

STOCKISTS Printable chocolates and tote boxes by Mon Tresor; cake, cookies and cupcakes

by Couture Cupcakes & Cookies; macaroons by 2Bites; mason jars by Sweet Style; vintage table by Robin’s Nest Vintage; candy by Dylan’s Candy Bar NYC. www.montresor.com.au, www.couturecupcakes.com.au, www.2bites.com.au, www.sweetstyle.com.au

off and racing Creatively styled dessert tables are fast becoming the hottest trend when planning a special event. This dessert table was designed to encapsulate the excitement and thrill of being behind the wheel of a racing car. This is just one of several themed dessert tables that Kiss Me Kate Events can personalise for your child’s next birthday party. The party was styled for Patrick, 6, who loves racing cars. Inspiration for the theme was taken from the excitement of a Grand Prix as well as vintage petrol stations. Vintage style oil tins, a gas station pump and vintage racing cars were the perfect props. Chocolate stones made up the gravel pit. Other sweet treats included helmet cake pops, wafer racing cars and chocolate tyre donuts. Guests were given chocolate champagne bottles along with a winning trophy as a take home favour.

STOCKISTS Printables designed by Anders Ruff Custom Designs www.andersruff.com; more fun and whimsical dessert tables can be found at www.kissmekate.net.au

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

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party

knock ‘em down

feature 42 PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

If “necessity is the mother of invention” then Peekaboo knows the exact ‘mother’ they must have been referring to when they coined the phrase. Carrie Felton. But before she was the mother of invention, Carrie was the mother of a toddler son named Charlie and Charlie had a sticky problem at daycare – he needed labels for his belongings. It’s bad enough when your little tackers come home with some other kid’s smelly socks or grotty hat but worse still when they don’t come home with their belongings at all.

At a time when Band-Aids and black Nikko pen were the daycare label du jour, Carrie set about having her own labels professionally produced for Charlie by a local printer and, quite unexpectedly, they quickly became the talk of the mums at pick-up time.

With enquiries coming thick and fast, Carrie knew she was on to something – a hole in the market that needed plugging – so she enlisted the help of her close circle of friends to spread the word and before you could say ‘Holy labeling empires, Batman’, Carrie was at the helm of a (holy?) labeling empire – Stuck on You. From those early days in the late 1990s when Stuck on You was a one-woman operation with the mummy grapevine the most successful style of marketing, Carrie nowadays employs 50 full-time staff at the business’s Geelong, Melbourne, headquarters and that number can grow by up to 70 extra staff in peak seasons.

And toddler Charlie is no longer much of a toddler. He’s 16 and currently on student exchange in France while his two younger brothers Harry, 14, and Dugald ("Doogs", pictured left with Mum and Dad), 12, count down the days until Christmas from their home in country Geelong.

You’d honestly be hard pressed to find a parent who doesn’t use Stuck on You products, or has never heard of them. Carrie sends Stuck on You orders to 113 countries including the United States, United Kingdom and outposts such as Iceland, Kenya, Nigeria and even the Bermuda Triangle. And it’s not just about the labels anymore. The current Stuck on You product range includes everything from nifty bags, lunchboxes, drink bottles, party invitations and stationery, to clothing, children’s homewares, toys and much, much more. The common element tying the modern range of products back to those humble labeling beginnings is that all Stuck on You items can be personalised with your child’s name. Now that’s sensible and, like we say, nifty. When asked about her amazing business success, Carrie describes it as “weird”. ‘Weird?’ I ask.

“When you’re in the business, you’re so busy living, eating and breathing it that you always seem to look at the opportunities that you may have missed and not so much at the achievement,” she explains. “It always feels like there’s still this huge mountain in front of me to climb.”

feature

Stuck on her

IF YOU’VE EVER HAD TO DIG THROUGH THE LOST PROPERTY BOX AT DAYCARE OR SCHOOL AND BEEN RELIEVED TO FIND THAT MISSING JUMPER OR HAT DUE TO A FABULOUS NAME LABEL, YOU CAN THANK CARRIE FELTON. AND HER SON CHARLIE. STORY BELINDA GLINDEMANN

It's an understandable point of view for someone who earned her first buck in London in 1988 delivering sandwiches to corporate types in the Chelsea district. But, true to her entrepreneurial form, she wasn't just delivering sandwiches. She saw a niche, started the business, employed a handful of staff and found success via her "big, fat Australian salad sandwiches" which no one had enjoyed before that time. She was even riding her bike to the butcher's shop at 4am to collect ingredients, but it was a labour of love as she always enjoyed cooking. And her time in London also proved fruitful as she met husband Jon there.

Times have definitely changed since the early days, when it was all first taking off for Carrie. She remembers the era well as there weren’t too many mums doing business.

“It always feels like there’s still this huge mountain in front of me to climb.”

“Because of that, men didn’t really take me seriously,” she recalls. “But now it’s so different. Mumpreneurs have really emerged in the past 10 years and there are so many awards showcasing businesswomen nowadays. It’s great.”

Carrie admits to being “so headstrong” about the business while she was in her 30s. But now that she’s 'somewhere' in her 40s, Carrie says she’s loads more “chilled out”. Not that there’s much time for ‘chilling’ in the world of Carrie Felton. In fact, business is ramping up for her with the acquisition of Penny Scallan some three years ago, the addition of her own “vintage/crafty” children’s toys and homewares label Golly Gosh some 18 months ago, and the recent launch of yet another business – Labels Fast.

“I was obsessed with all things Penny Scallan when Dugald was a baby,” she admits. So when that business came into difficul y and required a financial backer, Carrie was quick to put up her hand. It wasn’t long before she owned the company outright and was making changes that have seen the product range “explode” in recent years.

“We simply listened to our customers and began adding the products that they were asking for,” she says. The new bed linen, lampshades, moneyboxes and bookends, for example, were a direct result of customer feedback.

“There’s a real obsession for people to collect the different pieces,” she explains. “We’ve got about 700 stockists here and in New Zealand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Korea.”

Carrie describes Golly Gosh as her “new baby”. With international business travel a constant in her life, Carrie is able to see firsthand those trends taking over the globe. Some years ago, she recognised a worldwide shift back to vintage and “craftylooking” toys and homewares featuring recycled doilies or grandma’s crocheted blankets, for example.

“The GFC probably has a lot to do with it,” she says. “People seemed to be creating new things out of old pieces.”

She now travels to India on missions to hand pick vintage fabrics made of natural fibres from the oldest of old factories and other market stalls and turns them into classic, timeless, individually unique toys. Toys featuring embroidery and patchwork like what Nanna makes. Toys that you know will be stored as keepsakes for your children’s children.

So, as you’ve probably now realised, Carrie doesn’t like to be idle for too long. So it should be without shock that she’s in the process of launching yet another business, Labels Fast. The idea is that this business will serve start-ups and other small businesses via small runs of all those required stationery items such as business cards, letterhead, printed envelopes, invoice books, barcode labels, whatever. Carrie says she knows how tough it can be to be a start-up and pull together enough cash to get your business off the ground. And when many other print sites require large quantity minimum runs, and therefore a big initial spend, Labels Fast is helping those newbies get a business leg up.

And before you get the idea in your head that because of her brilliant business success this woman must be a hard-nosed ball breaker, I will have to pull you up. Carrie is an engaging, funny, honest, open woman. She’s down-to-earth, and a listener, and just way too cool. You can understand why she calls her staff “family” – I’m sure anyone would love to have her as a boss, let alone call her Aunty Carrie.

With Christmas now just around the corner, there must be some kind of break planned for the woman who can’t stop? “We love going down to our beach house at Barwon Heads,” she says.

“It’s only half an hour away but the minute I arrive I can relax.”

And relax, dear Carrie, we believe you should. Only so you can recharge and bring us even more cute and wonderful personalised products for our kids in 2012. We are stuck on them, and on you too. www.stuckonyou.com.au PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

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Jump online now!

oo b a k e Pe an c s r e read ff o % 5 2 enjoy e. d i w e r sto

Everything you need for babies, teens & in betweens.

de Use co 25 BOO A K E E P

Childrens boutique for babies, teens & in betweens.

online shopper

{ promote your business here. Email karrie@peekaboomagazine.com.au }

online

mickey house kids

luv child

finella

caroline’s angels

We are turning 1 and to celebrate, we are offering 30 per cent off storewide to Peekaboo readers (enter code PKB30 at checkout). Any order placed before Dec 31 receives a free gift plus chance to win a $100 gift voucher. Facebook fans can also win one of three gift vouchers. www.mickeyhouse.com.au

LUV child offers a fresh take on that vintage look that is so ‘hip’ right now.

The label offers beautiful clothing for beautiful little girls and is made in Australia. Check out the website and give someone a little ‘luv’ soon.

Finella’s beautiful plate and bowl sets come in bright designs that little ones will love. BPA free, durable and ideal for new table-setters they are great as gifts and happy-ever-after mealtimes.

Caroline’s Angels offers gentle and effective strategies to help set up healthy sleep rhythms and resolve specific sleep hallenges. We offer interactive online services, Skype hook-ups and in-home support.

www.luvchild.com.au

www.finella.com.a

www.carolinesangels.com.au

little frenchy

plus maternity

bambino brands

finlee & me

Little Frenchy is Australia’s leading importer of French designer baby clothing (newborn to 5 years), accessories and maternity clothes.

Look for iconic French brands as well as Certified Fair Trade and 100 per cent organic cotton labels. www.littlefrenchy.com.au

Australian designed and manufactured, Plus Maternity offers maternity and breastfeeding wear for women in sizes 18-28. Generous in sizing, flattering and comfortable, the range includes corporate wardrobe staples, jeans, cool cotton tops, shorts, swimwear, sleepwear and t-shirts www.plusmaternity.com.au

Bambino Brands is bringing baby and maternity products to you at up to 80 per cent off, in their members only sale events. We have the world’s best baby brands at baby prices and a brilliant range of products to choose from.

Finlee & Me source a wide variety of products that are not only safe and beautiful but encourage development and learning through play and curiosity. Use code MARKET15%OFF to get 15 per cent off your total order.

www.bambinobrands.com.au

www.finleeandme.com.a

red plum linen

mum’s the word

Whether your style is contemporary, shabby chic or classic, red plum linen will have the perfect bedding and accessories to suit your interior design.

With a huge range of fabrics to choose from, it will be easy to create the room of your dreams. www.redplumlinen.com.au

Mum’s the Word boutique is committed to offering customers high quality, handmade and unique children’s pieces at affordable prices.

S

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L chuckies sick bags SI CKNES Chuckies can be used by children as young as two years, have a ‘can’t miss’ opening and, with a twist-andseal lock, hold the contents and smell until the bag is disposed.

www.chuckies.com.au

www.mumsthewordboutique. bigcartel.com

kayla’s kloset Kayla’s Kloset was created for girls with great fashion sense and for mums who love dressing up their children. This line features accessories that are affordable, beautiful and just the right fit. You’re bound to find the per ect piece to go with that special dress. www.facebook.com/kaylasaccessories

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Colour, Comfort Covers • Tag-a-long Blankets in the cutest prints and patterns, sure to entertain.

• Unique Breastfeeding Covers in the latest fabrics.

• Co-ordinating Burp Cloths and Reusable Breastpads.

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• Great Gift idea.

Stylish, educational gifts and nursery interiors for babies and children

15% off using code ‘peekaboo’ (does not include sale items or Il tutto bags)

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BOBBI SUNSHINE SWIMWEAR

GORGEOUS, FUN AND FUNKY SWIMWEAR FOR LITTLE GIRLS AGED 1 - 10 YEARS. ALL MADE FROM SPF 50+ LYCRA & 100% COTTON. WWW.BOBBISUNSHINE.COM.AU

fashion

SUMMER SPLASH

BRING ON THE WARMER WEATHER AND BALMY DAYS, POOLSIDE WITH THE KIDS. THERE’S NOTHING BETTER IS THERE? MAKE SURE YOU LOOK THE PART WITH SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE FASHION IDEAS FOR THE LITTLE KIDS AND BIG ONES TOO. AND DON’T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN. FASHION STYLIST JENNIFER ARNDT FOOD STYLIST JORDAN BARIESHEFF OF WWW.POLKADOTPRINTS.COM.AU PHOTOS NAOMI V PHOTOGRAPHY

fashion

Cover page Summer Skye wears Seed kaftan $69.95 Facing page Top row Lisa Brown dress $599 from Oriri; Lil Ludy swimsuit $49; icecream and cone wraps by Polkadot Prints. Middle row Fox & Finch Henley tee $29.95 and Fox & Finch denim shorts $46.95; Stella Cove swimsuit approx $70; Fox & Finch dress $77. Bottom row Seed bikini (top shown, as part of a set) $39.95, Seed skirt $69.95, Mother wears Ripe maternity top $99.95 and Maternal America jeans $169.95 from Queen Bee; Fox & Finch shirt $39.95 and shorts $39.95; icecream wraps by Polkadot Prints.

This page Charlie wears Seed tee $29.95 and shorts $59.95

PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

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fashion

This page Left Zeke wears Minti singlet $34.95 and boardshorts $44.95 from Style Milk Shop Above Seed smock dress $69.95 Facing page Top row Seed swimsuit $39.95; Minti shirt $39.95, Fox and Finch shorts $39.95; Mother wears Lisa Brown maxi $655 from Oriri, Violet wears Stella Cove kaftan approx $55 Bottom row Straw tags by Polkadot Prints; Seed tee $29.95, Seed hibiscus boardshorts $59.95; Bobbi Sunshine swimsuit $39.95 Stockists Bobbi Sunshine www.bobbisunshine.com.au, Fox & Finch www.minihaha.com.au, Oriri www.oriri.com.au, Queen Bee www.queenbee.com.au, Seed www.seedheritage.com, Stella Cove www.stellacove.com (for Stella Cove in Tween sizes 8-14, see the new Summer range at Le Tween online boutique www.letween.com), Minti www.iloveminti.com, Polkadot Prints www.polkadotprints.com.au, Style Milk Shop www.stylemilkshop.com

fashion

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travel

great states THE UNITED STATES IS SUCH A BIG, BUSY PLACE AND SOMETIMES BIG, BUSY PLACES ARE SCARY FOR PARENTS PLANNING FAMILY HOLIDAYS. BUT TRUST US, ADVENTURES AWAIT YOU THERE

bite the big apple Horse and

cart ride

STORY BELINDA GLINDEMANN

in Centra

When it comes to family holiday destinations, many would dismiss New York City as too busy, too noisy and too chaotic.

But you’d be surprised just how amazing and awe-inspiring the city can be when you’re two or fi e. Hubby and I, Miss Five and Miss Two spent a week in The Big Apple recently and managed to easily tick off all the big-ticket tourist attractions - and some.

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First on the list, and a good bribery measure to ensure premium aeroplane travel behaviour, is the world’s biggest Toys R Us store at Times Square. It’s more a tourist attraction than a toyshop with loads of big kids also stopping by to take in the sights.

There’s a full-sized ferris wheel inside the store, a two-storey pink castle filled to the brim with all things Barbie and Ken, a life-sized dinosaur, NY tourist attractions modelled in Lego and staff everywhere demonstrating the latest toys. In fact, if you’re

mini

looking for the world’s best place to work, look no further. The staff are paid to play. Remote-controlled helium balloon fis swim past you on one side while model planes whiz through the air to your right. Be warned though - it’s a hard place to drag the kids away from.

Just outside the toyshop door, the lights and sights of Times Square at night had my girls craning their necks in awe. It is a hectic place, and I felt I had to keep one hand on each of the girls at all times, but the buzz is incredible.

Central Park is an amazing green oasis in the concrete jungle and a place of wonderment for kids. Paths weave through lush green trees, rock formations call out to be climbed and squirrel spotting turned out to be a fun game for our family. Although a little pricey, a horse and cart ride through the park is an absolute must for pony-obsessed girls, or you could grab yourself a pretzel and some iceblocks and watch the horses parade past from the

sandcrabs

comfort of a park bench. Within the park is the iconic Central Park Zoo, made famous by the animated Madagascar movies.

Although Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman don’t live there anymore, there are heaps of other amazing animals to view. The zoo, and the separate Children’s Zoo, are super clean, interactive and well designed for visitors of all eye levels. Highlights for my mini travelers included wandering around inside the bird enclosure, the outdoor seal tank, the snow leopard, lemurs, polar bear and the penguins. So, although the main Madagascar characters aren’t living at the zoo anymore, you will still get to see Skipper and King Julian’s relatives in the flesh.

I had heard that the New York Subway was far too busy and unsafe for little kids so I was a little apprehensive. But, given my need to experience the culture wherever I am on holidays in the world, that mystical Subway just had to be conquered. Who would have believed that my kids would love it? At $2.25 a ride, however many stops you take, it’s the cheapest and one of the easiest ways to get around.

At the end of the One train downtown is the free Staten Island Ferry and it’s a good way to see the Statue of Liberty. That in itself is a good reason to tackle the subway. While you’re at that end of town, Wall St (and Tiffany’s!) and the World Trade Centre site are all within walking distance. Although those sites may not interest the kids, give them an iceblock and the walk is all the more easier.

For a break from the city, seek out a park and let the littlies play with the local kids. We couldn’t believe how tame the city-savvy squirrels were. My girls relished the chance to hand feed them some Tiny Teddies, although I’m not quite sure how nutritious human biscuits are for furry little animals. And don’t miss a Broadway show. Mary Poppins and The Lion King offer great options for the family.

All in all, my guys loved the buzz of New York City and we made a promise with The Big Apple that we’d be back for another bite one day.

surviving disneyland STORY VANESSA MANNIX-COPPARD

The United States was one of my favourite travel destinations BK (before kids). And so shopping, eating, quality newspapers, cheap magazines, natural beauty and friendly people were just some of the reasons my husband and I felt the urge to head to LA again. But we knew this time would be different. As much as hubby and I sometimes delude ourselves into thinking that our six and eight year old daughters are little bon vivants of the world, we know that leisurely lunches, hours in the Getty Museum and long hikes through the Sierras were not going to cut it with the demanding double act. We knew that if we were going to sell this trip to them we’d have to bite the bullet. We’d have to go to Disneyland.

We were off to the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California and so the challenge was set: do Disney, keep sanity, have fun. To start, you should know something about me: I’m a teensy bit cynical. But here’s the thing with Disneyland – if you decide to go, you really have to go. Give in to it. Sure, it’s tempting to start taking

We survived the

the Mickey out of ‘the happi-est place on earth’ but those Disney folk do it all so well that I was sucked into the fantasy.

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Here, the magic is complemented by a fair degree of military style precision which, as parents, you’ll be grateful for. A FASTPASS means you get to ride at a specified time, while Rider Switch Passes allow you and your partner to wait in line together, then take turns staying with your child while the other one goes on the ride. I hesitate to recommend the ‘must do’ rides because my kids are scaredy cats. They loved Dumbo, Jumping Jellyfish and Toy Story Mania (which was my favourite too) but braver types rave about California Screaming, Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones Adventure. My tip would be to do your research to see which rides you really want to do and which ones you need to hit early before the crowds build.

We loved Disneyland once we gave in to the schmaltz and embraced our inner Mickey. What more can you hope for than bright-eyed, happy children and a mum and dad who still managed to savour the delights of a US holiday – with a bit of magic to boot? www.disneyland.com

canadian gems STORY BELINDA GLINDEMANN

Atlantic Canada in Fall would have to be one of the prettiest places I’ve ever seen. As the weather starts to get nippy, the leaves on the Maple trees change and feature the most amazing array of colours. It’s postcard material wherever you look. So, if you’re visiting those parts at that time of the year there’s only one way to spend a weekend with the family outdoors on a road trip.

Among the random, but truely delightful find we uncovered while travelling through New Brunswick was Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy (where the world’s largest tide is recorded up to 16 metres difference every six hours), Magnetic Hill Zoo (where the lions seem WAY too close through the clear plastic fence and where you’ll want to adopt one of the many super-cute monkeys) and the Ramada Crystal Palace Hotel at Moncton (where there’s an amusement park inside the hotel complex - including full-sized chair swing and rollercoaster and where kids are treated as the most important hotel guests).

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We only had one problem all weekend - dragging the kids home. www.crystalpalacehotel.com www.thehopewellrocks.ca www.moncton.org/zoo

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I can’t bloody wait for Christmas this year. Being shaken awake in the dark by a little hand desperate to start unwrapping presents

Zac was just fi e weeks old when we had our first Christmas together. And while his recent birth meant I wasn’t able to be quite as vigorous on the Wii Fit as I would have liked for fear of losing a vital organ through my mangled pelvic floor, I was determined to enjoy the day as much as possible.

❤ Ditto Christmas nut bowl.

Not that enjoying Christmas is generally that tricky, as my family is fairly non-mental and generous on the pressie front.

But, like all things with a new baby, Christmas had changed forever.

❤ Acting as designate driver AGAIN, even though you did your fair share over the last nine months.

❤ Having to insist elderly rellies sit down before holding new baby because of said drinking combined with a bad case of the geriatric wobbles.

Still, there’s always a soppy Christmas telly movie to look forward to having a hormonal weep in front of.

These reasons include, but are not restricted to: ❤ Getting maternity bras in your Christmas sack. Or, worse, using your maternity bras as Christmas sacks. ❤ Spending a good three hours waggling baby’s presents in the air trying to elicit some kind of response. It turns out not even boxes or scrunchy paper are that interesting to a newborn.

But Zac turns two this month. And, already, Christmas is looking up.

He’s oohing and ahhing over the Christmas decorations that have started to spring up around town. He’s developed an obsession with helicopters and dinosaurs that makes shopping easy as. He inexplicably prefers disco music so we have avoided the whole Wiggles Christmas CD thing.

STORY ZAC’S MUM BLACK

❤ Being the only one awake after lunch because you had one glass of champagne compared to everyone else’s rampant festive season binge-drinking. ❤ Eating Christmas prawns and immediately sterilising fingers and rinsing mouth out to void giving baby shellfish allergy even though there is absolutely no evidence that baby has an allergy besides your own paranoia.

54 PEEKABOO MAGAZINE | DECEMBER 2011

In fact, I can’t bloody wait for Christmas this year. Putting out a carrot and a bottle of beer (binge drinkers unite!) for Father Christmas. Being shaken awake in the dark by a little hand desperate to start unwrapping presents. Buying our first Christmas tree.

And, best of all, he’s shown no sign of an allergy to prawns.