Travelling with your kids these holidays… check out

BYOKids

Featured Business/Blog

Fiji

I don’t know about you… but school holidays always seem to creep up on me!  All of a sudden I realise.. “jeepers… what will we do these holidays?”

I always try to get away for a couple days each school holidays, and whilst I am always half organised for the Christmas holidays, I am not so much for the 3 other lots of holidays throughout the year.

I was wrapped when I learnt about the BYO Kids webiste.

Hawaii

Last year (thanks to this brilliant website with loads of great specials… we went to the Gold Coast this time of year.  we stayed at Seaworld a few nights and then at Paradise Resort.  A couple of us friends and our families went and was a great way for all of us to catch up.  (Thanks Joanne and Christie… are we on again next year?  The kids had an absolute ball!)

Was great for the kids and for us! 

The kids loved the kids club at Paradise Resort and we got to have a great dinner just us adults and us girls had shopping times too.  Sea World was alive and happening and we would def go back to both places again.

This year… am thinking of a trip to Fiji… a friend went with hubby and kids last year and is going back these holidays again!  They loved it for the price and pure luxury.

  If you haven’t gotten around to passports (like me)    Maybe  WA?  Broome looks amazing and I am sure we all would def love it there.

 Broome

Want to stay closer to home and have a beach holiday along the great Ocean Road Victoria?  I would suggest the Surf Coast… Torquay!  From as little as $165 per night you can stay across the road to the famous Front Beach in a 2 bedroom self contained apartment. Torquay Front Beach ~ Beach Houses is fabulous.  We have stayed a couple times and you cannot beat the position.  only 50 steps to the beach… YES  50 STEPS!

Ocean views, beach, playgrounds, restaurants across the road, situated between both shopping centres there is no need for a car!  Great for a family and there are 3 Torquay Beach houses here so bring your friends families too.  Gateway to the Great Ocean Road with Bells Beach across the way.  Perfect.

Look no matter what you are looking for… be it an interstate, an overseas or even a local holiday… if you are looking for a great place to travel to with kids… make byoKids your first place to start looking.  I was so glad I found them.  Sure takes the hassle out of finding great, tried and tested places to travel to with our kids.

and… if you are looking for great ways to keep the kids entertained whilst you are driving about… check out the great travel toys and travel games for kids at ickle kids. 

mmm?  I wonder where i can find a great family holiday that has great kids activities, some great local attarctions, a day spa  (for me) great kids friendly restaurants and thats not too far to travel… oh and one thats affordable too.

am off to browse away at www.byokids.com.au

We understand that mums are so busy…. so let us help you!!

.  www.LaToriana.com.au

  check out all the latest

Do you have your own Little Critter?

Little Critters is THE most unique and personalised way to capture a little part of your little ones childhood.

Inspired by her own children’s chubby little hands, artist Carol Heath is the creator of those oh so cute Little Critters.

Perhaps you have seen them before? Cheeky elephants, fish, fairies, birds and butterflies, all created with a simple hand or foot print.

We all have them at home, stuck to the fridge or adorning the walls among the myriad of kindergarten masterpieces, or even in our special keepsake albums. Our children’s hand prints are just as precious as the little hands that made them, They remind us of just how little our little critters once were and a Little Critters keepsake is a great way to treasure them for many years to come.

When you visit the Little Critters site you will find a wide range of colourful designs to choose from. Most of these designs are inspired by Carol’s own children and their cheeky antics. You’re sure to find one to suit your child’s personality.

If you would like Carol to create one of these whimsical works of art featuring your child’s hand or foot print, you simply send your child’s hand or foot print to Little Critters, either by mail or using the online order form and Carol will magically transform it into one of these quirky little characters. You can then choose to have your art work printed on a selection of products including framed and canvas prints, ceramic tiles, mugs and money boxes, greeting cards, t-shirts or even mousemats.

They really do make the most wonderfully unique gifts and keepsakes.

Carol has made an amazing keepsake of my premmie angels, Lara and Victoria, made with their hand prints. This is the first time I had even thought about doing a keepsake like this… and do you know what… I am so very glad I have.  The Cherry Blossom pink hand prints above are my precious little girls,  my angels.  If you have a premmie baby you may like to turn their hand prints into a framed keepsake like this.  Its gorgeous.

Anyone who has had a premature baby will know how small and delicate they are… and anyone like myself, who have had babies become angels… this is a truly remarkable and happy way of celebrating their life.

Carol… you have an amazing talent and will definitely be telling everyone about you!

Little Critters

www.littlecritters.com.au

If you are looking for something different to designer baby gifts, or kids vintage clothing… why not let Carol create something unique and personal.  Believe me… you will be so glad you did.

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15% off

From now til July 25th.  All you need to do is pop the code La Torianaon your order form and Carol will give you this great discount on your next order.  Why not turn your child’s hand prints into a personalised keepsake as a gift for Aunty, kinder teacher, a Christmas present or a keepsake for yourself. 

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warmly

elizabeth xx

Introducing  Little One Baby  Magazine

Offering inspiration, Beautiful idea’s, Great nursery design, Stylish solutions for mum, stylish solutions for baby, Sharing stories from real life mums, ideas for living your best life and the best for your little one.  The pages are full of quality and stylish designer baby clothes, amazing baby gifts and trendy, classical and eclectic baby furniture and items needed for a new baby. Amongst the pages you will find stylish and affordable baby products from gorgeous baby boutiques and businesses Australia wide.  Not only will there be the quality baby fashions, but also amazing real life nurseries in real homes. 

Simply stunning and inspirational.

Australia’s newest baby magazine.  Out Now

You’re heading from Hermes to Huggies

Your conversations are a little one-sided now

You’re packing a few more bags for weekend outings

Your new favourite furniture piece has toys hanging from it

You now know more about a bottle of formula than a bottle of shiraz

You’re more impressed by the Silver Cross than the Mercedes CLK these days

You’re loving the look of Oobi Baby like you once loved Sass & Bide

You’re embracing life in a way you never thought possible

You are loving the new world that you are in

wow… what a publication!  If you are looking for inspiration to set up your baby nursery, then this is a great publication full of amazing photography and great articles.  With a clever unique style this is sure to become a book you will want to keep.  Full of Great ideas, tips and inspiring real life stories of mums around Australia. 

Your new favourite magazine

is Little One Baby

in newsagents across Australia

 *** GIVEAWAY! ***

La Toriana has teamed up with Little One Baby magazine and we are giving you a FREE COPY of this magazine with all orders over $50 (excl. postage) from June 19th til July 20th (or whilst stocks last)

FREE MAGAZINE only available at

Should you like a subscription please email the publisher e.amy@littleonebaby.com.au
“Enjoy the very first issue of Little One Baby – be inspired, encouraged, motivated and excited by what the world can bring to you and your Little One.”  Amy, Publisher

check out La Toriana’s inclusions here too.  We just love this mag and know you will too.

Warmly

Elizabeth xx

ARTICLE

More and more people are changing their shopping habits and buying baby and kids clothing, toys and accessories online.   Why?  There are just so many positive reasons!

• Mums these days are time poor and just don’t have the luxury to “window shop” going from store to store, shopping centres to shopping centres these days.  Finding the ideal newborn baby gift for a friend, a birthday present for their children or even to buy a special occasion outfit for your baby for their first birthday or Christening  takes quite a bit of time.   Many mums these days juggle work, kids, outside activities and families,  and when they have time, need to fit so much more essential tasks into their time.

• Internet shopping can be done in lots of intervals, you can open a website, compare sites and products and save your favourites to a folder or desktop for ease of finding again. Many online kids stores are able to tell you in their descriptions of the particular baby item all the details.  eg:  sizes avail, measurements, what its made from, whats included, washing instructions and more!  No need waiting in line to ask a sales girl, who is often 17 and never had a baby and cant answer any of your questions anyway!!  yep… no more  “ums?”  and blank stares!  Many baby stores online also have lots of reviews and testimonials about particular baby products, so if you are looking for an item… chances are someone may have written to the store owner and raved about a product or/and reviewed the one you are after!  Easier to read this than ask a shop keeper who is just really after a sale!

• You can actually save a lot of time and money shopping for baby wear online. Just think of time saved on petrol, trying to get a park and the lollies at the checkout counters!!!  Shopping in the convenience of your own home is idea.  There are many online  shopping directories, kids fashion websites, baby blogs and more stocking just what you are looking for!  Its just a matter of searching for key words and “wholla”  you have found the ideal baby blanket, designer boys clothes or even a vintage girls outfit for your next special occasion.  Google and search functions help you narrow to exactly what you are looking for.  No need to run all over the city or to different town to find no one has what you are looking for!

• Some websites have great bargains via their newsletters too.  It may be they are wanting to clear out some over stocked baby clothing, or it may be the last one left or might just be having an awareness campaign and generating a buzz… no matter what the reason… the customer can often save a heap at these times.  Many online baby boutiques in Australia will also let you in on VIP sales that are not open to the general public.

• there are so many great online children’s and baby stores out there, its just a matter of finding the ones that suit your style.  Some like La Toriana specialise in Australian and New Zealand designers of baby and kids fashion, many others source items globally and there are even dedicated baby stores online that cater just for organic baby clothes.  The customer service is also a great draw card.  building a rapport with the online store helps give credibility and relationship and many customers are more likely to be loyal and refer.  Word of mouth referral is always the best advertising!!

• Buying good quality designer clothes online, means you often will have something unique and will last a lot longer.  Often, but not always the case, you may have to pay a little more than the retail chain outlets that have a mass product, but what you will have is a better item that will often see out the life of a couple children.  Sometimes paying a little more will give you a better fabric, cut and sewing workmanship.  This together with a uniqueness and a garment not readily found is worth so much more to pay $10 + more.  Many mass produced cheap items fall apart after the same wash.  We have all experienced this.

• Many mums looking for online baby products find it totally convenient and are hooked.  Its so easy, its safe and instant.  Shopping online is easy, with mums n their PJ’s, after the kids are in bed and even perhaps in the middle of the night whilst breastfeeding.  There is no need to traipse about with a baby pram,  no more feelings of embarrassment whilst your toddler throws a tantrum, or that sales lady looks you up and down whilst you give your 3 yr old a chocolate biscuit to keep them occupied whilst trying to choose a gift.

• Rural and country  mums who are often isolated by geography, who find it difficult getting to shops … (that could be hrs and hundreds of km’s away) can have the latest fashion tends just like their city cousins, and again with the right websites or blogs, may have them the very next day!   No more distinction of the country cousins in their “country clothing” at the next family reunion!!  Your kids can look chic, trendy and be dressed in fashions direct off the catwalk!  So can mums for that matter too!  see more here

• Buying  baby gifts for special occassions can be made easy too with deliveries being able to be posted to mums or dads workplace…  many times overnight too!  Also the flexibility and ability to pay via many different payment methods and where some may offer free or small priced shipping to the gift recipient themselves… all again a great time and cost saving for mums.

so what to look for when buying online.

• The baby or children’s product you are looking for.
• enquiries you seek are answered promptly and succinctly
• a clear payment and return policy
• good contact details of the store owner in case you need to contact them
• any testimonials or feedback…. people love to know what other people think!
• Secure payment facilities
• ease of the navigation and shopping checkout process
• good, prompt clear communication before, during and after sale
• Prompt shipping and costs of shipping, with no hidden costs involved

There are so many great reasons for shopping online for your baby clothing, toys and accessories.

Apart from convenience of shopping for time poor mums  (I am one of them!!!) there is such a much wider choice of designer baby products out there… all in the comfort of your own home, and at any time you choose.  There are great baby bargains to be found and best of all you can have the latest style,, kids fashion clothing item as soon as the fashion designer releases their latest collections.

I just love the diverse range of Australian online baby boutiques out now, and many have such a great point of difference, you will be hopping across from one to another to another.  We look forward to seeing you at La Toriana too.

Happy Shopping!

warmly  Elizabeth xx

Do you ahve any other reasons to shopping online?

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La Toriana is an Australian online baby/kids boutique synonymous with quality, stylish and affordable designer baby and children’s clothing, toys and accessories.  Specialising in products for premmie babies and a special interest in organic baby clothing, we cater to 8 year old as well as great gifts for mums and dads.

We invite you to grab your cuppa, sit back, relax and enjoy the La Toriana shopping experience…  we know you will!

Elizabeth Murphy

Business Manager/Boutique Owner

www.LaToriana.com.au