sweet fashion, stylish living & inspired ideas
life Summer 2011/12
sun! here comes the
OUR fi rst ever issue Jam-pa ! cked w ith gre reads, at fabulo u s fashio n&m ore!
the coolest looks for your kids this Summer! SWEET: EXCLUSIVE READER’S COMPETITION!
+ introducing our
eight new ‘Faces of Sweet Thing’!
issue 1
Blissful Babes: Discover the benefits of Infant Massage
Pretty Pettiskirts! Ella (Purple), Sydney (Aqua), and Claudia (Red) wear Japanese Doll Pettiskirts $69.99 and Japanese Doll Pettitops $29.99. Available in assorted colours in sizes 1-2, 3-4 & 5-7. Sierra (Pink) wears 4-Flowers top $29.99 and Flo Dancewear skirt $49.99. All available from Sweet Thing Baby & Children’s Wear Boutique and at our online store: www.sweetthing.com.au
www.sweetthing.com.au
Summer 2011/12
Contents ON THE COVER 4
SWEET COMPETITION! Enter our exclusive readers’ competition!
5 BLISSFUL BABES Discover the benefits of Infant Massage and how you can learn to help your baby 9
I NTRODUCING OUR FRESH FACES Meet the eight winners of our ‘Face of Sweet Thing’ Competition
PARENTING 8
GETTING SNUGGLY: THE ART OF BABY SWADDLING It’s not as complicated as it seems!
FASHION 6
WEET TOTS: BUBS FASHION S The most adorable Summer fashion for little ones
15 HAIR-TASTIC! We take a look at the cutest hair accessories of the season 16
WEET BLESSINGS: KIDS FASHION S Formal and Christening wear for kids
MUM’S OWN 14 MUM’S THE WORD: MAKE-UP Fail safe make-up tips from Grace, our resident Avon make up consultant 18
RAFT CORNER: BLOOMING BRILLIANT C Meet Sachiko from Tea Rose Home as she takes you through the steps to make your own Eclectic Flower Bouquet Wreath
Credits: Art Direction & Design – Abra Schmidt (Abra{card}Abra cards + design); Photography – Melinda Hird (Melinda Hird Photography) & Peter Kissun (Peter Kissun Photography); Contributors – Katrina Lee (Infant Massage Therapy), Grace Penman (Avon), Sachiko Aldous (Tea Rose Home) & Audrey Tran (Sweet Thing Baby & Children’s Wear Boutique).
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! N I W
sweetlife: Competition!
family! d n a n childre r u o y zes for i r p t a IN gre W o t ance Your ch
Enter our exclusive sweetlife readers’ competition for your chance to WIN a Family Portrait Session & Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear vouchers!
1st Prize: A Gold Portrait Package Family Photography session for up to 2 hours (outdoors or studio) valued at $495! + A $250 voucher to spend at Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear Boutique!
2nd Prize:
Photographed
by Melinda Hi
rd Photograph y
A $150 voucher to spend at Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear Boutique!
3rd Prize:
A $50 voucher to spend towards a Melinda Hird Photography Photo Session. + A $50 voucher to spend at Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear Boutique!
SWEETLIFE MAGAZINE COMPETITION OFFICIAL COMPETITION Entry form: Full Name: Address: Suburb:
Postcode:
Phone Number: Email Address: Are you already signed up to Sweet Thing’s VIP mailing list?
Yes
No
If not, would you like to join the Sweet Thing’s VIP mailing list? Yes
No
Terms & Conditions: Conditions of entry: 1) Complete an entry form obtained from the Sweet Living magazine. 2) Only an original entry form from the Sweet Living magazine is valid. Any other form of entry will be deemed invalid. 3) Enter the valid entry form into the competition box at Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear Boutique (Shop 16a, 2 Sentry Drive Stanhope Gardens NSW 2768). 4) Entries sent by mail must arrive in our mail box by the closing time & date. 5) Entries by phone & email are deemed invalid. 6) Entries will close at 5pm 22/02/2012. 7) Winners will be announced on 23/02/2012 – just in time for Christmas. Selection method: 1) Winners will be randomly selected from the entry box. 2) If an entry form is deemed invalid, another random selection will be performed. 3) A representative from Melinda Hird photography or Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear Boutique will select the winners. Miscellaneous: 1) The winners will be responsible for travelling & accommodation costs associated with the photo session. 2) The photos of the winners may be used for promotional material by Melinda Hird Photography & Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear Boutique. 3) The prize is not redeemable for cash. 4) The prize may be transferable only if the winner provides sufficient notice in advance by either email or letter to Melinda Hird Photography & Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear Boutique.
sweetlife: Parenting
Blissful Babes
The benefits of infant massage explained...
The tender, loving touch of a parent has long been recognized as a primal need. But did you know that a healthy and secure parent/infant relationship is now recognised as one of the essential building blocks of mental health?
• • • •
Physical contact in the form of caring touch is one of the critical factors in the parent/infant relationship, and so infant massage allows that relationship to develop, allowing parents to build trust with their new baby.
•
What is infant massage?
•
Infant massage, otherwise known as baby massage, involves the parent or caregiver learning a series of strokes and massage techniques in order to enhance their baby’s physiological and psychological development. In doing so, they deepen their parent-infant bond, thereby promoting secure attachment through nurturing touch. Baby massage is usually taught in a small group setting, or alternatively, some educators also provide individual sessions. Either way, these sessions are run over a few weeks, so that parents can learn the strokes gradually and to allow babies time to adjust to being massaged. The benefits of massaging your baby The benefits of infant massage have been enjoyed in other cultures for centuries, and now Australian parents can learn the techniques to help their babies enjoy this gift of loving touch. Learning infant massage is made easy with a certified educator to guide you through each stroke carefully until you are confident in using the simple techniques. There are many benefits of infant massage including (but not limited to): •
It is fun and enjoyable for both baby and parent;
•
elps both baby and parent to relax & reduce stress H hormones;
•
• •
Improves baby’s sleeping patterns; Improves colic and constipation and calms irritable babies; Stimulates the baby’s circulatory & digestive system and is said to improve their immune system; Boosts a baby’s Serotonin levels which is known to reduce the risks of SIDS; Improves parent/baby’s bonding and secure attachment (important for life-long mental health); Provides an opportunity for fathers to spend quality time with their babies; Strokes can be adapted for use on babies and children with special needs to help them reach their potential; Develops preverbal language skills; and It improves mind/body awareness.
Infant massage is a beautiful and simple way for you, as a parent, to express your love for your baby. However, it is important to note that there are significant differences between massage for adults and massage for infants. An understanding of the correct strokes, ideal timing and length of massage to avoid over-stimulation are important. That’s where infant massage training is essential; like any other form of therapy, it is important to know the specific techniques to enhance the experience. Katrina Lee is a Professional member of the IMIS and is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (trained by the IMIS).
If you would like more information about Infant Massage or want to book into an Infant Massage class, please contact: Katrina Lee, Professional member of IMIS Mobile: 0421 532 060 Email: InfantMssgeTherapy@gmail.com 5
Sweet Tots
Adorable Summer Fashion for little girls & boys!
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1 Mini Treasures Lexis Red Flower Dress $77-$89.10, Zaza Madison Designs square rhinestone clips $8.95ea.
Cocoon Couture Woodland charm $14.95, Life Factory WeeGo glass baby bottle $19.95-$29.95 ea, Bebe Mirabelle Romper $47, Sweet Thing headbands $16.95ea, Baby Chick Italian Sandals $76. 2
3 Giddy Giddy Hairclip $9.95, Bebe Red Poppy Dress $43.90, Bebe Red Poppy Bloomer $20, Sweet Thing lacey headband $16.95.
Photography by Peter Kissun
www.sweetthing.com.au
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sweetlife: Fashion
4 Cocoon Couture Woodland charm $14.95, Bebe Theo stripe tee $25, Bebe Indigo denim shorts $43, Life Factory WeeGo glass baby bottle $19.95-$29.95ea.
Eternal Creation hat $29.95, Bebe Chilli tee $23, Bebe Dark Grey denim short $43. 5
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Bebe Blue Ridge overall $37.
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sweetlife: Parenting
Getting SNUGGLY The art of baby swaddling: it’s not as complicated as it can seem!
Swaddling babies is a practice which has been used for generations, but as a new parent it can seem like some complicated and confusing form of origami, especially at three in the morning! Research compiled in recent years suggests that wrapping your baby will help them to settle better. This is because when they are securely wrapped, they are able to feel secure, as they did in the womb before birth. Benefits of swaddling your baby • W rapping can help babies develop a more settled sleep pattern. Swaddled babies tend to sleep better and for longer than those who are not. Improved sleep for baby means there are benefits for parents as well! • Swaddling can prevent a baby from scratching their face and eyes. • When babies are wrapped with their hands close to their face they can comfort themselves more easily. Swaddling can mimic the intra-uterine security which newborns have grown accustomed to. • Swaddling helps to keep a baby on their back for sleeps which can reduce the risk of SIDS. Research has shown that swaddling helps to reduce spontaneous waking when a baby is placed to sleep on their back. • Wrapping also helps to contain a baby’s startle or Moro reflex which can sometimes cause them to wake up before they have slept for long enough. It also helps to prevent random arm movements which can disturb sleep. • It keeps babies warm. Body heat is retained and swaddling helps a baby to maintain a steady and even temperature.
• I n cool weather, dress baby in a lightweight jumpsuit underneath the wrap. Don’t use a bunny rug or blanket – it can cause overheating. Also be careful not to overheat the house, especially if baby has an infection. Important points to consider with swaddling: When you are swaddling your baby it is very important to remember the current recommendations from SIDS and Kids (www.sidsandkids.org) • Keep your baby in a smoke free environment. • Put baby on the back to sleep with their feet at the bottom of the cot. • Sleep baby with the face and head uncovered. Wraps that are too high can obstruct baby’s breathing and cause baby to overheat. • It’s not recommended to wrap babies who bed-share with their parents. This can cause overheating (a known cause of SIDS). Dress baby as you would dress yourself in this situation. • Not all babies like to be swaddled. Be sensitive to your baby’s cues or signals which tell you when they are content or uncomfortable. Communication between you and your baby is always more important than following “suggestions” for how to help manage them. • Avoid swaddling your baby too tightly. They still need to be able to expand their chest freely to breathe and move a little under the wrap. • Make sure your baby can still move their legs around freely. Their hips need to be flexed and abducted, the normal position their legs will be in. Babies who are swaddled with their legs straight are at risk of having hip dysplasia. When to stop swaddling Your baby will tell you when they do not want to be swaddled any longer. Each baby develops at an individual rate and will learn how to wriggle free eventually. Full swaddling, including the arms works for babies up to about 6 months. Once the baby starts to roll, you can try to transition into a sleeping bag using a swaddle (such as Ergo Cocoon or The Woombie convertible) which has the open arms. The best way is to start with one arm out at a time with the aim to transfer the baby into a sleeping bag when they are ready.
Do you need help or further directions? Talk to one of our friendly staff @ Sweet Thing Baby & Children’s Wear Boutique. We can offer you helpful directions and point you towards further information.
What is the best material for swaddling? The best fabric to use is 100% cotton. An open weave, light weight cotton or muslin wrap is the most practical option and is not expensive. You can buy wraps ready made in packs of four upwards or if you’re keen, you can sew them yourself! The best shape is square, rather than rectangular because then you won’t be limited to just using 2 of the four sides.
SWADDLING MADE EASY: 3 WAYS
(all available from Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear) 1
2
You can also buy wraps which are designed to envelop the baby and which secure with Velcro. Lots of parents find these are very good for keeping the wrap in place. Expect to use a couple of wraps a day during the newborn period. How to swaddle There are lots of different ways to use a wrap and swaddle. Karitane offers a practical guide on it’s website (www.karitane.com.au) which is worth referring too if you need help. What to wear underneath the wrap • I n warm weather, dress your baby in just a singlet and nappy or a nappy only, under a light wrap.
www.sweetthing.com.au
Ergo Cocoon $29.95 each
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Sleepy Wings $29.95 each
The Woombie $41 each
g n i c du
o r t n I
sweetlife: Cover Story
! s e c a F h s e r F r u O
Photographed by Melinda Hird Photography
Meet our 8 gorgeous new “Faces of Sweet Thing”! At Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear, we recently ran a competition to discover the New “Faces of Sweet Thing”!
Each lucky winner scored a free photographic session
We didn’t anticipate just how many entries we would receive and just how gorgeous the calibre of children would be! Faced with a tough decision, we decided to choose not one, not two, but eight new Faces of Sweet Thing!!
will also be displaying some of the best shots from the
So without further ado, we would like to introduce you to our eight gorgeous winners! We chose gorgeous 8 month Isobel, Scarlett (16 months), Knox (17 months), our lovely 2 years old Allegra, Riley and Imagen, 4 year old Nathan and 5 year old Isabelle!
Sweet Thing Baby and Children’s Wear, or turn to Page
with Melinda from Melinda Hird Photography, as well as the outfit they got to wear on the day of the shoot! We day in store. Why not pop in and visit us today to check them out? Stay tuned for further great competitions like this at 4 to enter our exclusive sweetlife readers’ competition! You could win a Family Portrait package with Melinda Hird Photography, just for being a sweetlife reader!
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. s . e . i b a b e h t t e e M
Above: Isobel (8 months), wears Tea Princess Pink Icing floral bodysuit $49.94, Tea Princess Feather Ivory Triple flower Headband $34.94 Right: Scarlett (16 months), wears Jean Bourget off-white girls dress $123.00.
www.sweetthing.com.au
sweetlife: Cover Story
Left: Knox (17 months), wears Bebe by Minihaha white dressy s/s pocket and tab shirt $33.00, Bebe by Minihaha Elephant pin tuck short $35.00. Below: Imagen (2 years), wears Tahlia Red Flower embellished dress $93.00, satin headband $19.95
So much fun in the sun! Melinda captured each of our winners on a beautiful day in gorgeous summer fashions (all available from Sweet Thing)!
. . . s r e l d d o t e h t d n a 11
. s . e . i l t t i l e h t t e e M
Above: Riley (2 years), Bebe by Minihaha white check dressy s/s shirt $33.00. Right: Allegra (2 years), Tea Princess French Vanilla Babydoll dress $79.94 and hair clips $8.95.
www.sweetthing.com.au
sweetlife: Cover Story
Meet
our Photographer... Melinda Hird of Melinda Hird Photography, is a prize winning Sydney portrait and wedding photographer, based in Acacia Gardens. She has an intense passion for photography and for capturing that special moment, whilst providing you with the full experience from start to finish. All her sessions are fun, relaxed and her job is to make you feel at ease in front of the camera. She is easy-going, friendly and enjoys working with people, especially babies and young children. Melinda has her own studio, but prefers to photograph in beautiful locations with natural light. She is very flexible and will travel to your home, with her lights, backgrounds and props. She understands the importance of capturing life’s precious moments. To her, family photos are an investment, her aim is to bring you the same feeling of joy when you see your photos for the first time, as you will as for the next 30 years! If you would like to find out more about Melinda, please visit her website: www.melindahirdphotography.com To book a session or to get in touch, please call: 0410 760 119
Above Left: Nathan (4 years), Eternal Creation Benji s/s cotton shirt $37.95, 3 Pommes City Chic white trousers $50.60 Left: Isabelle (5 years), Mini Treasure Allira Denim Ra Ra Dress $89.10, Japanese Doll Flower Beanie $24.95.
. . . s d i k g i b e h t d an 13
sweetlife: Mum’s Own
Mum’s THE WORD Makeup doesn’t need to be tricky as our resident makeup expert Grace reveals! “We believe that making up should be easy…” To be honest, I hardly wore makeup before I started doing AVON about a year ago. As the baby daughter in the family, my Mum always thought I was just too young to wear makeup! I have learned most of the makeup tips from You Tube since I married my husband 9 years ago. I used to only put makeup on for my husband’s company Cocktail party and it used to take me about two to three hours! I have always loved bright coloured eye shadow, but until recently I only used pink or brown just to stay on the safe side. I didn’t want to end up looking like a clown! But now I can tell you that with makeup practise makes perfect. It’s a lot easier than you might think. Cool Skin Tone, Warm Skin Tone? In order to find makeup that compliments your skin tone you will first have to figure out what skin tone you have. But how? It is easy! Stand in front of a mirror with gold material and silver material. Take turns holding the different material up to your face. If the silver material makes you look bright and vibrant but the gold material gives your skin a sick appearance then you have a cool skin tone, if it is the opposite then you have warm skin tone. If you look good in both then your skin tone is neutral. Get Primed Primer is super hot at the moment because it helps set makeup so that it stays in place for hours. It also helps to prevent a meltdown in the heat, keeping eyelids oil-free to prevent eyeshadow melting into your eyelid crease as the day goes on. Just remember to wait for primer to dry before you apply any makeup.
With so many shades to choose from, don’t choose a colour just because you like it. Choose colours that go well with your skin tone and ones that will make your eye colour pop. On special occasions you can match your eyeshadow with your clothes. Cool skin tones work well with mauve, plum and rose colours. Warm skin tones are complimented by coral, neutral and bronze colours. People with neutral skin tone can wear just about any colour of eyeshadow as long as it suits their eye colour. Blending is key: start light then go dark. Use 2 or 3 different colours, use a light colour for the base, brush the base colour on the entire eyelid and right up to the brow bone. The main colour (a medium shade) goes on the lid and the highlighter (the darkest shade) is for the crease. Pro Tip: Remember to keep lips a nude colour when applying strong eyeshadow. Put the focus on either eyes or lips, never both. So don’t get stressed about applying makeup. Just remember that the more you play around with it, the more confident you will be! Play with your makeup a few days before a big event and you will get it just right.
Pro-tip: try AVON Magix Face Perfector
If you would like more information about how to choose foundation, eyeshadow or any other makeup products, please contact your local Avon representative.
Get the Foundation right!
Grace is a Sales Leader Representative with AVON Australia.
Too much and you look like a clown; too little and you look unpolished. Foundation comes in many varieties: cream, stick, liquid, powder. So how do you get that naturally flawless look? First, choose the right kind for you! For dry skin types, choose a liquid, stick or cream stick foundation that contains moisturizer. For oily skin types, use an oil-free liquid or powder foundation that absorbs oil, leaving you with a matte smooth finish. Mineral makeup often works well on oily skin. This is because these types of foundation contain lightweight particles, are free of talc, artificial dyes and fragrances. You can build cover that suits you, from sheer to full coverage. The eyes have it Your eye makeup plays an important role as it can make or break the overall effect you are trying to create. We all know your eyes are the window to your soul. So how can you make them come alive with a touch of shadow on the lids?
www.sweetthing.com.au
Are you interested in learning more? If you would like more information, please contact: Grace Penman mobile: 0406564821 email: gracepenman@y7mail.com Do you want more cash for you and your family? Do you want the freedom and flexibility of working from home? Do you want to work for a company that understands mums? Say YES today with Avon, the company that will support you! It is FREE to start with no up front costs and FREE training.
Fe lt in flow mu er st ard head $12 band .95
on hair Red ribb $8.95 bow clip
Pink polka-dot clip on interchangeable headband $12.95
Hyd chan rangea cl i geabl e hea p on dband $
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and
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Photography sun by Peter Kis
Ribbo clip gea 12.95 n a r Hyd ove) $ ab (see White lac e & linen headband $16.95
Shab b $12.9 y Chic 5ea
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Jean Bourget Baby Chic set $102.80, Faultley silk shoes from $24.95.
3 Pommes striped shirt $71.05 and Collector shorts $55.90
Sw
Blessings
Formal Fashions, Christe
Photography b
3 Pommes Adventurer shirt $55.80 and Adventurer shorts from $50.60, Eurobimbi Italian shoes $79.99.
www.sweetthing.com.au
Absorba Boutique white shirt w/ tie $84.50 and pants $93.50.
sweetlife: Fashion
weet
lessings
ening & Baptism outfits!
Freshbaked Floral Garden dress $65, Sterling silver and crystal bracelet $17.95, Sweet Thing headband $12.95.
Jean Bourget dress set $112.90, Sweet Thing headband $12.95, Faultley Satin Rose shoes $29.95.
by Peter Kissun
Dress?, Eurobimbi silver heart shoes $79.95, Sweet Thing headband $16.95.
Ouch Pasley dress $63, Sweet Thing hair clip $8.95, Chino lavender mesh leggings $19.95.
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sweetlife: Mum’s Own
Blooming BRILLIANT Learn to make a stunning Eclectic Flower Bouquet Wreath – from scratch! We have fallen in love with this wreath and we think you will too! Follow Sachiko’s step by step guide and make your own beautiful wreath, just in time for Christmas! Shopping List: • 10” Wreath foam (available from craft supply stores) •
metre of 100% cotton fabric (try muslin or 1 something with a rough texture)
•
Cotton Lace
•
lowers (Sachiko used flowers she made from a past F project – try silk flowers)
•
Sewing Pins (Lots of them!)
•
Ribbon (to make a loop to hang the wreath)
The finished result: a beautiful wreath for your home or to give as a special gift, just in time for Christmas! pins that are more then 1” long, this will make it very
The Steps... 1
With 1 metre of fabric make bias tape (to learn how to make bias tape, visit the Tea Rose Home Website: www.tearosehome.blogspot.com). Cut three 7” wide bias fabrics.
2
Connect two bias fabrics together to make a big loop. Cut the third bias fabric in half to make 3 1/2” strips.
3
Wrap the bias strip from step 2 around the foam wreath. When you come to the end, simply use the sewing pin to stabilise the fabric. Make sure to push them all the way in!
4
Fold the fabric 3” to the middle part all the way around.
6
Place the folded fabric on top of the wrapped wreath, and start making pleats and secure it with sewing pins. Keep going all the way around. Now, the fun part! Decorate the wreath with flowers. You can use sewing pins to secure the flowers. Use
www.sweetthing.com.au
Note: The flowers Sachiko used are leftovers from past project. Her website has tutorials showing you how to make flowers. See the Ruffle Shirt tutorial or her Fabric Flower tutorial. If you are not up for making flowers, you can use silk flowers. Just remove the plastic centre in the middle of each one and pin them on to the wreath.
On the one side of the big loop, sew on the lace all the way around. For the other side, stretch and move the fabric around roughly, so that it will fray a little bit and give it some character.
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stable (just in case you are worried about falling flowers).
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If you like, you can add a touch of glamour with some individual pearls too.
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Cut about 3” of ribbon to make a loop so that you can hang the wreath. Seal the edge with your favourite method, and pin it onto the back of the wreath. If you want to make it extra secure, you can use a glue gun and then pin.
10 Have
fun figuring out where and how to place the
flowers!
Once you are happy, you are finished!
Follow these steps to make your wreath: Shopping List:
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MEET SACHIKO FROM TEA ROSE HOME: “Tea Rose Home was born three years ago when I started blogging. I’m happily married with three beautiful children. I love to design, sew, work with beads, and restore old items. On my blog I share sewing/craft tutorials, fun ideas and a little about my life. Through blogging I have met so many wonderful people and been given great opportunities. My projects have been printed in a national magazine and more is on the way!” To read more about Sachiko and for more craft and design ideas visit the blog at: www.tearosehome.blogspot.com 19
Life should be sweet...
What we offer: Customer Loyalty Program Free Gift Wrapping 2 Month Lay-by Grandparents Club (15% off purchases) Baby Shower Registry Special request orders
Shop 16a, Stanhope Gardens Shopping Village, 2 Sentry Drive, Stanhope Gardens, NSW 2768 Phone: (02) 8883 0649 | Email: sweetthingkidswear@yahoo.com.au
www.sweetthing.com.au