I have a confession…. 

I am addicted to the cornflowerblue sleepwear!!

I did a review December last year on the cornflower blue dress which Tiana and I absolutely loved.  We both gave a review… me as a mum and consumer, and Tiana … just as a 7 yr old girl would.  READ IT HERE.

Since then we have had the opportunity to review the cornflowerblue sleepwear and I must say Tiana and I are both addicted!  Is it because its a gorgeous design?  or its organic properties? Or their Fair Trade philosophy? Maybe its  because it is so comfortable and affordable?  YES YES YES…. its all this!

The above white summer short PJ set  CHARLISE was an absolute hit.    I love dressing Tiana is special PJ’s on Christmas eve and knowing that she will have comfortable sleepwear for gorgeous Christmas dreams, and to wake up excited… running about the house and being in all the photo’s  (yes i am addicted to photography too!)  The above PJ set was perfect for Christmas morning!!  Tiana found them super soft and comfortable and had them on all morning til almost lunch time!  I love the fact that they are so soft, have room to move, quite generous, perfect sizing, have a cute detailing on them with gorgeous little pockets.  Tiana wasnt too sure about the buttons (though she hates butons on anything almost), but loved how “ relaxed”  they were. (think she mean how relaxed she felt… but these were her words).

We had the best Christmas morning and I loved all the photo’s this year as I think the PJ’s really helped make it special!  I have never been so in love with a PJ set before… you know.. take them or leave them… but these… Tiana and I both agree.  (actually I DID just jump online buy them in the next 2 sizes up!!)

(Honestly… not sure how cornflowerblue will top this design… its gorgeous!)

This is the delightful Sarah Drysdale.  I met Sarah at the baby Expo in Melbourne earlier this year!  My word her designs and the whole Cornflowerblue collection is gorgeous!!

The dreamtime sleepwear below took my eye and I love the design! 

 The Aline night dresscan be worn on its own or with the pants. There is a delicate box trim on the neckline, hem of the dress and the pants in the contrasting white. The pants are three-quarter drawstring waist.  I knew Tiana would love this straight away as it has no buttons (and I was right, was the first thing she asked), but what she really liked was the neckline and the length.  She has worn it on its own without the pants when it was warm, but loves it just as much  (I like it more) with the pants.  She especially loves the drawstring pants (again no buttons).

Tiana had a sleep over at a friends in the school holidays  The mum was so impressed with the PJ’s.  “Soft, Striking, Unique and classy” were words she used.  When I told her about cornflowerblue, its philosophy and community spirit she was awe struck.  When I explained they were organic she was wide eyed and amazed.  I actually had to show her the label and get cornflowerblue website up on her PC. TRUE!

  Honestly… you need to see these gorgeous clothes to really appreciate them!  WE LOVE THEM!!

 You would have to agree that the print is adorable!  So sweet, girly but not over the top.  It is very classy!!  You cant tell by the photo here, but the softness is amazing!  You never really believe that organic kids wear can be so elegant, soft and so affordable.  With the whole set only $59.95   I just purchased a couple the next sizes up.  Its rare Tiana and I agree on things, but with cornflowerblue PJ’s… we do!

Cutiepie PJ set… This pj set is comfy and sweet. The knit top is soft jersey and is matched with roomy drawstring pants.  $55.95 set.  sizes 2-10 yrs

 Lulu nightie (left) is soft and easy to wear.  I am sure Tiana would prefer to hang about in her cornflower pj’s all day if she could.  (oooh I wonder if they are thinking of PJ’s for mums….??  I could lounge about easily in these)

I must say… Tiana is a PJ set more than a nightie girl.  I got her to rate which she loved the best…  #1 was the white PJ set and # 2 was the aline set.  The nightie was her last choice… though of course that is personal opinion.  I loved the same as Tiana chose too.  Though must say the  blue ondine dress is still a firm fav of mine!!!

Tiana still wonders if cornflowerblue will be doing a “short” short and top set for summer.   My little princess lives in shorts all summer… and if the pj’s are so comfy… she is thinking so will the short sets too!!!!

Will leave Tiana’s request to Sarah…..

A good night sleep is a must for growing minds and growing bodies…. and there is nothing better than an 100% organic cotton kids sleepwear …. of course from cornflowerblue.

Jump across to the cornflowerblue website… you will be so pleased you did!  Til the end of may, they have an amazing offer for you!

Enjoy picking out all your items… I DID!!!

warmly Elizabeth xx

 La Toriana’s FACEBOOK  Profile       

 Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, Princess Allure, FairyFloss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, Dolly Up, babyjo bamboo baby wear, nest organics, early birds premature baby clothes, teeny weeny premmie baby wear, Extreem Glass, Oopsidaisi, boxy design, anamalz, Briit design, Bump buddy, cheeky little soles, Sounds for silence, Deshabille, eco peko, fINNIGAN fINN, gertie and me, Hey baby, huggalugs, i candy, lazybones, Knuffle Kid, Ogilvies Designs, Bethany’s Child, locolili, miniwhisk, mon tresor, nana huchy, nanny pickle, OOBI baby, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tippie Toes, Robert Gordon Australia, Sweetie Pie, Princess Ratbag, Alannah Rose stationary, Mulberry Muse, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa, YmamaY, Xanna,  and so many more!

 

Thomas & Friends invites children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story. The series features a cheeky, fussy, true blue engine and a side cast of track stars including James, Percy, Emily, Henry and Gordon, as well as the fat controller of the Railway – Sir Topham Hatt. As children embark for fun and excitement with their engine friends, adventures unfold that lead to timeless life lessons such as discovery, friendship and cooperation.

Have a wonderful time and be sure to let us know how exciting it was!

warmly

Elizabeth xx

These days Tiana is more fussy about what she wants to wear. 

Now dont get me wrong, she’s easy… a great all rounder when it comes to clothes!  She will wear her finest party dresses when we are out at restaurants or functions, but then loves nothing better than changing into her gumboots, shorts and singlet and going to attend the sheep with dad.  These days however she has become more vocal in what she would like to wear, rather than just accepting what I put out for her. 

I have had a few people ask me what does Tiana prefer to wear?  so  I thought over the next couple weeks will tell you!

Fist up I thought it fitting since The Little ONE Baby magazinephoto shoot was so recent, let you know what Tiana picked out.  It was without any hesitation at all she chose the TikiBoo Kidz  black and white skirt.  Its a full skirt and she has worn it many, many times,  Its so comfortable she would tell me and I can twirl and twirl.  Its not frilly or tizzy, but more classic which she loves. 

Next was this singlet.  Gorgeous designer momie et enfant.  We have had this singlet for 8 months now and she loves it.  It does go really well with her jeans for a casual look and this skirtor a party outit.  Shoes… she wanted bare feet and Lisa Nankervis the photographer for Little One baby magazine was very accommodating.  Tiana loved that she didn’t have to wear shoes! (Thank you to Little ONE baby magazine for allowing me to use this photo and to Lisa who she often talks about the BEST photo shoot)

A few snaps I took above shows a bit more of the momie et enfant singlet.  Tiana loved it so much I actually asked if we could stock it!!!!!  I just know many other little girls will love this vintage look as much as Tiana does.  The motif at the front is a gorgeous little bird, and as you can see there is a motif on the back as well.  Antique lace capped sleeve completes the outfit.  You can find the momie et enfant singlet and other items stocked at la Toriana here. Like the headband it is from Bethany’s Child.

TikiBoo Kids clothing has always taken Tiana’s interest, but none more than this skirt.   You can see by the age of Tiana how long she has had it… a year at least at it washes up beautifully every time. Its a true testament to the quality of the materials and garment by TikiBoo Kids.

As you can see from the age of Tiana… we have had this same skit quite sometime.. and yes its the same skirt.  TikiBoo Kids use a high quality material and washes up beautifully time after time!  Team beautifully with a White or  black and is tran seasonal so can be worn anytime of the year!

Want to see what other design  Tiana has been wearing? .. check back here over the next couple weeks

after the photo shoot with Little ONE Baby magazine, we had a picnic and Tiana rode her bike through Rosalind Park.

You can get this look too.. pop onto the La Toriana website today. 

 La Toriana’s FACEBOOK  Profile       

 Our labels include, Alimrose, annieB, Lambykins, Princess Allure, FairyFloss Creations, Eternal Creation, Vanchi, TikiBoo Kids, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Tea Princess, Three Little trees, Tummbear, Dolly Up, babyjo bamboo baby wear, nest organics, early birds premature baby clothes, teeny weeny premmie baby wear, Extreem Glass, Oopsidaisi, boxy design, anamalz, Briit design, Bump buddy, cheeky little soles, Sounds for silence, Deshabille, eco peko, fINNIGAN fINN, gertie and me, Hey baby, huggalugs, i candy, lazybones, Knuffle Kid, Ogilvies Designs, Bethany’s Child, locolili, miniwhisk, mon tresor, nana huchy, nanny pickle, OOBI baby, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tippie Toes, Robert Gordon Australia, Sweetie Pie, Princess Ratbag, Alannah Rose stationary, Mulberry Muse, Vintage Kid, Wild Things of Noosa, YmamaY, Xanna,  and so many more!

This week I have been thinking of 10 years ago… where I was told I would never have a child, I would never be a natural mother.  So much has happened since then, I could easily write a book!

I have so much to be thankful for. 

The photo above shows my little baby girl, sick in SCBU a few weeks old.  I am so very lucky that she is here and now a robust 7 year old.  I am so looking forward to the card she will make me, the rock she has painted for me and the excitement she is going through right now as at school they are making something “special” for mum.  She has her $10 ready to spend at the Mothers Day stall at school and is planning what to make me for breakfast Mothers Day morning. (with dads help of course)

There will be so many exciting little children who just wont be able to hide their excitement and to pamper mum with presents and breakfast, hugs and kisses.  There will be lots of flowers picked and purchased, visits to cemetery’s, gorgeous lunches and lopsided ceramic mugs especially made for mums that will have pride of place in many homes this weekend.

~ Three Sisters ~

I am almost positive there are many mums about who will be spending lots of time this Mothers Day in NICU, SCBU and hospitals, are also so very  thankful too.  Please give a thought to these mums, many who are scared, thankful, feeling overwhelmed.  Its a HUGE, rollercoaster ride having a premature baby, a sick child and all the whilst I can imagine each one peering through the isolette, into cots and feeling an overwhelming love and bond that only a mother has for their child.

There is so much to be thankful for.

Happy Mothers Day

Warmly Elizabeth xx

Last Mothers day I wrote from the heart, HERE,  and more on the anniversary date HERE and had so many people email to  “chat”.  They knew how I felt as they too had been through similar experiences. 

The loss of a child.

We belong to a club no one wants to belong to… one where the common bond is heartbreaking.  This can be so isolating for many, so there is some comfort connecting with other mums, knowing we are not alone.  

There are many new mums this Mothers Day who have heavy hearts and empty arms.  Many mums may have had miscarriages, loss of a neonate, a child…  be it a baby, teenager or adult.  No matter what age, mums are feeling it at this special celebration day of mothers.  

With the release this week of the 3rd edition of Little ONE baby magazine, the interviews with 4 brave women telling about their loss of a baby is compelling.  Their stories are heartfelt, sombre and inspiring.  I  want to dedicate a special poem to mums this Mothers Day, who cannot be with their children as they have grown wings.  I always take comfort in words, poetry and music that often reaches me right to my very core of my soul and  inner self.  I am feeling for this special group of mothers this special day who may find it painfully hard.  

La Toriana ~ the name and logo is  a major comfort to me. Combining our 3 daughters names into something thats so strong and lasting.  I love the name, though may not mean anything to anyone else… it does to me.  I love being able to provide quality premmie baby clothing online to the parents, family and friends for babies born early.  Its something I am very passionate about after having had 3 premmie babies.  

Its funny how things just vividly stick in your mind isnt it.  

Some things I don’t remember about the twins and then other things are just like it was this morning.  Its almost 9 years since Lara and Victoria became angels due to prematurity after medical issues in my pregnancy.  I still cannot believe it all happened.   

I vividly remember the time we told family we were having twins… was the happiest day, I was elated.  

I vividly remember cooking salmon  fettuccine when “it” all started…. where my dreams started to fall apart.  

I vividly remember that one tiny spot of blood on the bathroom floor in my hospital room and the nurse saying “Oh that’s ok.. nothing to worry about” and left  

I vividly remember that frantic feeling, that helpless feeling when the drs said “there may be nothing we can do”  

I vividly remember that angry old woman frantically breaking down the door to get to me (this was days after the emergency surgery,  a hallucination from medications as there was no door, just a blank wall… but at the time was SO REAL)  

I vivdly remember the looks on peoples faces when they saw me for the first time afterwards.  Some were of pity, some of true sorrow, some eyes just searching mine for help as to what they should say.   

I vividly remember one person in particular come over about 3 months later, at a time I was feeling down and said matter of factly ”oh aren’t you over it yet?”   

I vivdly remember the first time a stranger asked me at swimming “how many children do you have?” and I couldnt answer.  

and I vividly remember Nardine, someone I recently only met coming over and handing me chocolate at the door… not wanting to come in, but wanting to help in some small way  

I know this Mothers Day I am not alone in missing my babies.  There are many mums out there who cannot cuddle and kiss their children, no matter what age.  Some mums will be sad, heartbroken with heavy hearts and emty arms.  These mums I reach out to as I remember vividly that first Mothers Day after the twins passed away.   I was lost and scared.

Some mums will have a bittersweet day.   I take comfort in knowing that Lara and Victoria are part of our family this Mothers Day, and are here with us, everyday, in spirit.  

This is a poem that I truly love.  

To ALL mums out there, with heave hearts and empty arms, may you have a wonderful, special Mothers Day.  

A Mother’s Day Wish From Heaven

Dear Mr. Hallmark,

I am writing to you from heaven, and though it must appear

A rather strange idea, I see everything from here.

I just popped in to visit, your stores to find a card

A card of love for my mother, as this day for her is hard.

*

There must be some mistake I thought, every card you could imagine

Except I could not find a card, from a child who lives in heaven.

She is still a mother too, no matter where I resideI had to leave,

she understands, but oh the tears she’s cried.

*

I thought that if I wrote you, that you would come to know

that though I live in heaven now, I still love my mother so.

she talks with me, and dreams with me; we still share laughter too,

Memories our way of speaking now, would you see what you could do?

*

My mother carries me in her heart, her tears she hides from sight.

She writes poems to honor me, sometimes far into the night

She plants flowers in my garden, there my living memory dwells

She writes to other grieving parents, trying to ease their pain as well.

*

So you see Mr. Hallmark, though I no longer live on earth

I must find a way, to remind her of her wondrous worth

She needs to be honored, and remembered too

Just as the children of earth will do.

*

Thank you Mr. Hallmark, I know you’ll do your best

I have done all I can do; to you I’ll leave the rest.

Find a way to tell her, how much she means to me

Until I can do it for myself, when she joins me in eternity.

~ by Jody Seilheimer ~

 

To ALL mums, may you have a wonderful Mothers Day.

warmly

Elizabeth xx

“The mention of my girls names may bring tears to my eyes,

But it never fails to bring music to my ears.

my friends, let me hear the beautiful music of our gorgeous girls names.

Dont be afraid. It soothes my broken heart, and sings to my soul.”