Special celebrity post today comes from Leonie at twiggi  

 ~   10 Steps To A stylish Party with twiggi   ~

1. Choose your theme and

2 Base colours, the base colours will be the main colours you will include in decorating and partyware any other colour should be kept to a minimum.

3. Create a Shopping List: Invitations, Plates, Cups, Napkins, Party Bags, Plastic Table cover, Thank You Tags, Ribbon, Bunting, Balloons,

    Table Centre, Table Scatters, Party Snacks and Drinks, Cake, Candles, Prizes, Party Loot, Fruit

4. Send out Invitations 4 weeks prior to the party with a RSVP request date of 1 week prior.

5. No matter where your party is held ( home or out ) always decorate the main party area extensively with your chosen decorations, however, children love getting a hint of the party from where they enter… helping to build the excitement… You could put down a Red Carpet to enter on or hang a Door Curtain to start creating the atmosphere.

6. Have your themed Party Table set with all the trimming and definitely have party food that does not need refrigerating out for when guests arrive… Like adults Yummy Party Food is definitely the way to children’s hearts and will help relax any shy children who may feel a little uncomfortable.

7. Once all guests arriveplay 2 pre-organised Party Games back to back then allow some Free Play time, you may have set up a craft table or the sand pit with activities, however most children will love amusing themselves.

8. Serve the rest of the Party Food, Load the Party Table with a nice balance of Sweet Treats and Hearty Food… Fruit Kebabs and Fruit Punch are a great idea, they are fun yet healthy. Allow kids to munch and talk at their own leisure.

9. Serve the Cake… Happy Birthday Songs and Clapping are such a traditional way of celebrating and must not be forgotten.

10. It is now time for 1 more Party Game and then letting guests wear off some of their steam before unwrapping the presents.

11. When it is time for everyone to go, it is a nice touch for the Party Host to hand out Party Bags and thank their guests for coming.

12. If planned Mum and Dad can now sit back with close friends and family and relax… a couple of Champers and good company finishes the day perfectly!

Relax, Enjoy and Have Fun, these are the memories you and your children will have forever…

Party Tip: There is no need to spend a fortune on creating a gorgeous party, www.twiggi.com.au have gorgeous themed Party Packs from just $32.00

 Leonie will help get you organised and steer you in the right direction.  She has heaps.. yes HEAPS of gorgeous items to help make that special day a success and a memorable occasion.  That’s why her customers keep coming back time and time again!  Leonie sure does know her stuff!!!

make sure you check out www.twiggi.com.au and tell her La Toriana sent you!

Leonie is going to be helping us make Tiana’s next birthday Magical.. and Mysterious!   oooh I cant wait!!

warmly

Elizabeth xx

La Toriana customers tell all…

yep… more of our delightful readers and customers have sent in some amazing things this week.  check this out

 Mum- Renee

Child- Caitlyn, 4, (Melb, Vic)

(a great recipe… Tiana & I made it together,  tried it and its yum!!)

Strawberry Yogurt Smoothie

(Serves 2)

 Ingredients

250g strawberries, hulled, roughly chopped

1 1/2 cups strawberry frozen yoghurt

1/4 cup milk

 Method

Place strawberries, frozen yoghurt and milk in a blender.  Blend until smooth and frothy.  Serve and enjoy!  Yummo!

 Caitlyn loves books!  She could literally spend hours “reading” books and making up magical stories!! 

Amy (mum) and Taylor Maree.   21 months, Female 

Tip/Idea - While everyone loves the Ikea highchair (I do too) the recline highchair still has it’s benefits too. If you have purchased a reclining highchair for your bub, don’t wait until they have reached the age to start solids to get it out of it’s box.I found it useful during those awkward times when you had things you had to do, but bub wasn’t happy if they weren’t stuck to your side eg Wheel the highchair to where you need it (kitchen, bathroom etc) recline it, pop bub in and get on with what you were needing to do……….taking a shower, preparing dinner etc. I found she loved being up at the same level as me, rather than on a blanket on the floor.what your child loves playing with the best -Drawing would be her favourite thing to do, closely followed by going on her swing outside and playing with her cuddle pillows Makka Pakka and Upsy Daisy. She moves her cuddlepillows around the house, standing them up,laying them down, hiding them under her couch LOL and giving them loads of kisses and cuddles and giving them some of her flixotide (asthma preventer through a puffer) too LOL

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Jacki (mum)  and my sons Liam & Ben Fanto
Both gorgeous boys, aged 5 yrs & 18 mths

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I am an avid crafter, cook and all round mum!   I love anything to do with kids and more so their beautiful and inquisitive minds. 

 One of my first loves is creating fantastic and memorable kids parties. 

Liam, who is 6 in August, is so into them also that he likes to help create them.   His birthday is another 6 months away, yet he has his theme worked out and has already started to make his own invitations!  He loves to help create the cake and just loves to help out anyway.   Ben also adores watching his brother do all these things and is starting to attempt drawing himself, usually over his hands and mouth though!

 

So my tip on crafting is, make it fun, make it unique, make it theirs, praise them ALL THE TIME and the good times will also be yours!

 

What they love playing with best ….. each other!!  Liam’s main passion is still trains and construction, but he loves to colour and draw and make things.   Ben on the other hand loves hiding things and carrying around spoons and powder bottles!  Go figure! 

 

Hope this helps, and I have a photo of my gorgeous guys attached.   I hope this makes it on your fabulous site.  As a small business owner myself, I love all the unique things you have.   Keep up the good work 

(Note:  thanks for the kind words.  Its great customers ;like you who help shape La Toriana.  Thanks to everyone who has contributed so far!!)

 

 

 wow… your free gift is on its way to you.  All were sent today!!

We still have a couple weeks left of customers tips, recipes and stories… and yes… we still would love to hear from you.  This segment ends in April and we have a new Customer contribution to join in… stay tuned.

 

warmly

Elizabeth xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTHING MUCH HAPPENS ON A WEDNESDAY!

So.. we thought we would let you know some of the great Organic items that our customers have viewed the most over the last 6 months.

This heirloom Organic Baby Blanket by NEST ORGANICS, has been extremely popular!  we have sold many of these and know many of the new mums who are eco conscious are extremely happy with the designer baby organic Manchester range.

So soft, luxurious and affordable…. a perfect newborn baby gift, or to keep for your own expecting little baby.

only $39.95… and YES it is ORGANIC!

check out the rest of this gorgeous organic baby linen and manchester range from Nest Organics

Nanny Pickle has TAKEN OFF!

Mums all over Australia have started to see how luxurious and gorgeous this new baby designer range is.  We have some nanny Pickle Fans out there, but since the promo of a FREE Nanny Pickle Lavender Bed Bird giveaway with all items, Bad Bunny is actually doing very well and starting to behave… (or is he???)

The Nanny Pickle, Sleepy Bunny Care Packageis a great hit with many nana’s. au pairs, grandma’s and new mums.  Soft, organic bamboo and cotton and a great gift for new mums this collection comes with a sleep bag, beanie hat, towelette all in a beautiful Nanny Pickle Muslin bag… PLUS…. for a limited time, you get the essential oil scented lavender bed bird as well!!  only $72.95 for all of this.  everyone loves Nanny Pickle!

Not only are these Baby Organic Lavender Babushka Dolls by Oopsidaisia great addition to any baby nursery, they are also great for toddlers rooms, playrooms and also for us mums next to our beds.  It gives a gorgeous lavender smell about the house, a calming influence and most of all a great sleep environment.  Can you do with out it?

Our daughter has one in her bedroom, playroom and I have one on my bedside table.  AAHHH… I NEED this. and has certainly made a huge difference to quiet times in our house and many of our mums around Australia love them too.

Organic lavender babushka dolls by Oopsidaisi are only $14.95

Babyjo Organic Baby Wraps are fast become popular.  These organic baby wraps are super soft with organic bamboo and in delightful 3 colours.  I cannot even tell you which colour is most popular as they are all are selling well.

A generous size and yes ARE MACHINE WASHABLE!!!

Many customers are buying online organic baby wraps for baby gifts and teaming with other organic baby clothing.

Each babyjo organic baby Wrap is $29.95… amazing isnt it!!

You should check out all Babyjo Organic Baby Clothing online at La Toriana.

anamalz…

fast becoming a phenomenon!!   These eco friendly little organic wooden anamalz are sooo popular and we sell out almost as soon as we list them.  we even have an anamalz fan club!

These little anamalz are by far a collectors item and there are many more new anamalz coming like the Australian group, the new dinosaurs and more.

Snap them up when you see them as the almost walk out the door.  only $9.95… you’ll soon find yourself playing with them when the kids are in bed… (confession… I Do!!!)

anamalz… do you have a favourite?

We have a wacky Wednesday treat for you.

a 20% off Finnigan Finn items for one week  only…

or whilst stocks last on all use the code FINN at checkout.  Includes all discounted items!!

also… don’t forget to go in the draw to win a Mothers Day PJ and Robe set (as seen here)

all you need to do is either sign up to our newsletter and / or comment on any of the blogs up to the 6th May!  EASY!!!

2009 Winter Collection by Tea Princess

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This week we have some more great Tips and recipes from you our readers and customers. 

There are sure to be many, many mums who will love them too.  You are going to have to agree with me, we have some absolutely gorgeous Kool KidZ here at La Toriana!!

Rebecca (mum)

 Samuel (2 1/2) and daughter Isobel (5 months)

(Launceston, Tas)

 My recipe is for a quick and healthy toddler lunch I give Sam when he is being a fussy eater:

 Toddler Animal Omelettes:

 Use a cookie cutter to cut out an animal shape (or any shape you have) in pieces of fresh toast bread (or better still cut your own so it’s nice and thick) then using a fry pan or grill plate which has been lightly sprayed with olive oil, lay the bread down and fill the ‘hole’ with a mix of whisked egg, ham, diced cherry tomato, and cheese. Flip once mixture is set and then serve! Healthy and Fun!

 Samuel is a funny, gorgeous and active little boy whose favourite toy is his train set, followed very closely by his tricycle! He has just begun using his trains to act out scenarios which are very funny and I hope to catch them on video one day soon to show at his 18th birthday!

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 Mum: Jo

Daughter: Ruby  11 months

(St.Kilda, Vic)

tip, idea : Got a wriggler on the change mat? Get a bottle of bubbles to blow!

what your child loves playing with the best Books, especially toucy feely ones and a wooden maraca. (Actually anything wooden!)

remember too… all comments and sign ups to our newsletter go into the draw to win the

Deshabille Mothers Day giveaway!

dont forget the Nanny Pickle’s Easter giveaway too!

have a fun week

warmly

Elizabeth xx