June 2010
5 posts
2 tags
Car & Caravan brooch →
I dream of one day owning a real life-size caravan just like this. Until then, this sweet little wooden one will have to do.
$79.95 AUD from Raw Space.
2 tags
Poster grid →
A metal poster holder, just like the ones that display the newspaper headlines out the front of your local newsagent. “Bus driver” blue or “fire engine” red.
$69.95 AUD from Fiona Kate.
3 tags
Rubbabu fridge letters →
Lovely, squishy, flocked, BIG versions of those magnetic letters we all used to have on the fridge when we were growing up. These are so much more tactile, and less likely to be swallowed by younger siblings. Each letter is ~7cm tall.
$44.95 AUD from Flying Penguin.
3 tags
Rolobox →
Re-usable wheels (and a pull-along string) that can attach to any cardboard box, making it an instant trolley for dolls, blocks… whatever!
I’ve already bought this several times for friends with small children. It’s a genius little invention.
$12.90 AUD from Rolobox.
2 tags
Tea Sub →
I’ve been patiently waiting for this little beauty to land on our shores, and finally found one today. My tea tonight will be brewed by a Yellow Submarine!
$16.95 AUD from Opus Design.
May 2010
6 posts
2 tags
Flying ducks →
It’s time for a comeback for the flying ducks, at our place at least. We have a sweet set of green swallows that we picked up at the local auction house, and I love the idea of adding to the flock.
$63.95 AUD from Robert Gordon.
2 tags
Hang It All →
With our renovations nearing completion, we have four new rooms to furnish and decorate. I’m thinking I might finally have an excuse to buy this replica Eames piece.
$99 AUD from Life Interiors.
3 tags
Cakewich →
I’m thinking that this will be perfect for the next birthday party in this house (for a boy whose cake last year was made out of lasagna and iced with mashed potato).
A close second to this one, which (sadly) isn’t available in Australia.
$29.95 AUD from Gifted.
3 tags
Good Homemaker teatowel →
My better half (as chief bottle-washer) has an impressive collection of tea-towels. This is a worthy addition - particularly the lush silver-on-black one.
$26 AUD from Materialistic.
3 tags
Kor water bottle →
A lovely, grownup water bottle.
$39.95 AUD from hunt & gather.
4 tags
Goodbyn lunchbox →
I’ve been waiting for these lunch boxes to come to Australia for aaaages. Each compartment seals completely. Cute, green, clever… what’s not to love? We’ll be buying four (FOUR!) from Biome as soon as they’re in stock.
$44 AUD from Biome
January 2010
3 posts
3 tags
I Would Give Up My Superfast Internet For You →
The perfect geeky Valentine’s card (yes, it’s just over two weeks away).
~$4.50 AUD from Able and Game.
2 tags
Oyster Mushroom Grow Bag →
We tried a mushroom kit last year, but I think we over-watered it - we only got one button mushroom from the whole box. Next time, I’m trying one of these. Apparently they’re more forgiving. And hey - fresh OYSTER mushrooms!
$19.95 AUD from Fungi.
3 tags
Robot stamp set →
Djeco make the most beautiful art sets for kids. So many lovely things that would delight the heart of your budding little artist.
This set is one that I would gladly commandeer for myself - it includes 14 stamps for designing the robot of your dreams.
$34.95 (AUD) from Where Did You Get That?
December 2009
1 post
2 tags
Farmhouse teapot →
The first truly dripless teapot I’ve ever owned, and it has its own built-in stainless steel strainer as well. Off to make another cuppa now…
$49.95 (AUD) from Adore Tea (for the 4-cup model).
November 2009
2 posts
3 tags
Birdcage ornaments →
A set of four screen-printed birdcage softies. For your tree now, but I don’t think I could bear to put them away after Christmas.
$16 (AUD) from Little Diva Designs.
3 tags
Bone china feathers →
A set of five bone china feathers to hang from your Christmas tree - each one different.
$48 (AUD) from Have You Met Miss Jones.
September 2009
2 posts
3 tags
Tempus Fugit planner →
A combined diary/notebook that’s by far the best I’ve owned. I’ve already ordered my copy for next year.
$36 (AUD) from REMO.
3 tags
Chocolate brown hair clips →
I’m a sucker for a good-quality hair clip. These are the sort that I buy, ostensibly for my daughter, and end up wearing myself.
$7.65 (AUD, including postage & packaging) from VanillaPixie.
August 2009
27 posts
4 tags
Customised Sigg bottle →
As if the range of existing designs was extensive enough, now you can print your own images on 1-litre Sigg bottles.
$37 (AUD) from Cafe Press Australia.
3 tags
Glass Drops →
Beautiful hand-blown glass, like giant raindrops.
$4 (AUD) each, from Ivy House.
4 tags
Uchi mini utility →
I’ve got one of these for my little digital camera, one for makeup, one for jewellery when travelling… you get the picture. And I’ve yet to find a better purse/wallet for travelling with.
$11.95 (AUD) from dStore.
5 tags
I Heart Guts plushie →
The perfect gift for a friend who’s had their heart broken. Or for the one who’s stolen yours.
$39 (AUD) from Ruck Rover General Store.
3 tags
Bathroom door sign →
Quirky WC signs in gorgeous colours and patterns. Beats saying “third door on the left, down the hallway”.
$40 (AUD) from Mooza Designs at Made It.
4 tags
Laptop Lunch bento box →
Maybe if I had the red-and-black set, i’d get up early enough to make my own lunch for work.
$46.90 (AUD) from Baby Grow Safe.
3 tags
Leather travel wallet →
The closer we get to our next big trip, the more nervous I get about staying organised with five of us on seven flights. That’s 35 boarding passes! I’m tempted to get one of these for each of us (in different colours, of course).
$19.95 (AUD) from Hart & Heim.
2 tags
Sat-Nag →
If you’d love to buy Dad one of those exxy satellite navigation systems for Fathers’ Day, but it’s beyond your budget, this might be solution.
$24.95 (AUD) from Tesora.
3 tags
Hall of Fame Toy Pack →
Want your kid to put down that DS for just a second? Or just want an excuse to wallow in the rememberance of your own childhood? Either way, you can’t go past this set.
$31.99 (AUD) from PeeDee Toys.
3 tags
Heart coffee spoons →
For your sweetheart to stir their morning coffee.
$50 (AUD) from The Good Store.
3 tags
Press Any Key →
I’ve written a lot of software user manuals in my time, so this self-adhesive “Any Key” really appeals.
$4.95 (AUD) from City Chix Gifts.
3 tags
Fisher Space Bullet Pen →
Small, cute, comes in funky colours and (just as advertised) still writes smoothly when upside-down. I lost mine a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been lost without it.
$70 (AUD) from Just Write.
2 tags
Hotel Mama hand towel →
“You treat this place like a hotel!”
$14.95 (AUD) from de de ce +.
4 tags
Bananagrams →
The best game we’ve bought for the family. Kind of like Scrabble, but faster, more portable and easier to play with different ages (I’ve been beaten by a 6-yr old). Brilliant when travelling.
$33 (AUD) from The Games Shop.
3 tags
Cat cubby →
Now I know what the cats are getting for Christmas.
$33 (AUD) from Top 3 By Design.
2 tags
Squishy bowls →
Many of the other silicone camping bowls out there are too shallow to remain stable when full, or have tiered sides that are a nightmare to clean. These are high-sided, but can be flipped inside-out for easy wash-up. Important if you’re trusting your 15yr old to stay healthy on a long hike.
$24.95 (AUD) from GoGoGear.
3 tags
Lunch Punch →
Yes, I bought one. Because, despite the fact that my three kids are now too old to bribe with cute lunch-box treats, the idea of a fully-tesselated platter of sandwiches was too awesome to resist.
$12.95 (AUD) from Cool Things.
2 tags
Noodle cup →
My guy is the king of instant noodles. He can turn a humble packet of ramen into a feast. The only possible improvement would be to eat them out of this cup.
$19.95 (AUD) from Latest Buy.
4 tags
Cinnamon bun travel candle →
I’m not sure whether this will satisfy my patisserie cravings, or make them worse, but anything smelling of cinnamon is fine by me. Actually, pretty much anything by Demeter is fine by me.
$39.95 (AUD) from Candelabra.
3 tags
Chalkboard stickers →
Add an instant blackboard to your fridge, or the side of your pantry, or a bedroom door…
From $15 (AUD) at Mooo.
3 tags
Retro salad bowls →
Just like Mum & Dad used to have.
$1.95 (AUD) each at Home Couture.
3 tags
Wild hibiscus flowers in syrup →
Put one of these in the bottom of your glass of bubbly - better than a sugar cube any day.
$14 (AUD) from Biome.
3 tags
Dot grid book →
The notebook for noodlers, doodlers and inveterate list-makers (like me).
$27.95 (AUD) from NoteMaker.
4 tags
Solar fairy lights →
The way I reckon, if I leave these lairy fights up for months after Christmas, I won’t have to feel the slightest bit guilty.
$44.95 (AUD) from Black Frog.
3 tags
Sophie La Girafe →
Makes teething-dribble cuter.
$29.95 (AUD) from Across The Oceans.
3 tags
Miranda July pillow cases →
A pair of limited-edition, pure cotton pillow cases from the brain of Miranda July. One reads “Here you will dream of endless kissing” and the other “Here you will dream of people you admire exposing your fraudulence”.
$65 (AUD) from Third Drawer Down.
2 tags
Cuddle Buddy →
A great little travel pillow - very squashy, very light. More versatile than the standard peanut or U shape.
$29.95 (AUD) from Cuddle Buddy.