yep… its school holidays again. 

Spring has sprung and the kids are itching to get outside and play, and with the warmer weather lets all pack up the car and travel!!

well… we all know a trip in the car with baby and kids can be an ordeal with the “are we there yet” chymes by the time we get to the corner.  We roll your eyes, take a deep breath and hope for the best!!

Well I must say, I have great inspiration after being at the ickle kids website.  They have great ideas on how to keep the kids occupied and everyone happy on a road trip. 

Ickle Kids specialises in Activity Packs for Kids on the Go. Are you sick of the standard “kids activity packs” with just colouring books and pencils? Well, so are we! Ickle Kids bring the fun back into Activity Packs! Their range of travel packs contains a selection of handpicked, fun and educational toys for busy mums, dads and carers to just “grab and go”. These activity packs are sure to entertain your kids when you are travelling, dining out at restaurants, waiting for a doctor’s appointment or for taking to Granny’s house.

Laine is the founder and owner of ickle Kids. She is a mum of two young boys and she understands how challenging it can be to travel with kids. “We have travelled around Europe, Asia and many parts of Australia and we have never been able to find a “one stop” shop that offered a range of fun educational toys that were travel friendly. This gap in the market was what inspired me to start my own business”.

Ickle Kids pride themselves on sourcing travel toys that are unique and different to toys found in commercial stores and they are constantly introducing new products to their range. They can also personalise activity packs to suit your needs – child’s age, their interests, the type of holiday you are going on etc.

The ickle Kids range consists of:

* Wooden products - games, puzzles, push along toys, small toys for flights and car trips etc

* Brain Teaser/logic Games - our award winning games are sure to keep kids entertained on their journey and at their holiday destination

* Books - puzzle books and sticker books

* Playscenes - great removable stickers, which can be played over and over again on individual playscenes.

* Craft items –cool metallic crayons, sewing and lacing activities, play dough tools etc.

 Check out their full range of kids activity packs and travel toys on www.icklekids.com.au 

Spring,  Edition 12, Bendigo Magazine

wow… what a privilige it was to be able to shoot some photo’s of a kids fashion shoot   ~ and find out what really happens behind the scenes.

La Toriana was invited to dress a couple kids for a  kids fashion photo shoot on different locations recently, including Tom here at an indoor play area.  Tom was having a wow of a time as we checked out what really happens behind the scenes at a professional glossy magazine fashion shoot.  

Tom is wearing the fINNIGAN fINN boys designer clothing range that is trendy, hip and “smooth“.  This “TOMMY” long sleeve T is 100% cotton and very stylish.  Has contrasting top stitching with main colours of White, Fossil and Blue, and a sherriffs badge motif on the front and the words fINNIGAN fINN printed on the sleeves. A trendy boys designer piece for this sesaons collection that will last for many seasons to come.  The Eternal Creation  bootleg cord pants are an affordable designer boys wear piece that is so comfortable.  Check out the range by the ever popular Eternal Creation collection.

 The Bendigo Magazine team were making sure the kids looked great, explaining what, how etc of the shoot to Toms mum Leanne, and then what happens from there in the publication of the pics etc.  Amy (Editor in Chief) explained. “Its great taking pics of the kids whilst they are having fun… its a fun natural look”.  Esther (Deputy Editor) had all the clothes ready for the kids, and as soon as they were dressed said… “… go have fun.”  They ran off, played on the slide, jumped on the jumping castle and had a ball.  I had a ball just watching them. It was a fun afternoon.

 this what I saw whilst taking pics of David doing his professional shots.

The printed photo’s in the magazine.

You can clearly see Tom had a great time whilst David was able to capture some fun, natural shots which is exactly what Amy and Esther were hoping for.

I must say David was so lovely, patient and extreemly fit keeping up with the 2 gorgeous kids.  I am sure they thought he was just playing with them, not realising they were being photographed.  David made the kids feel so relaxed and at ease… a great job with the end result too David!.

Bendigo Magazine is a full glossy magazine publication featuring people and places of Bendigo and Central Victoria. 

Published in December, March, June and September, Bendigo Magazine features unique home style and design ideas, personality profiles, visits to beautiful sights in the region, nostalgic historical perspectives, the gamut of arts and culture, inspired food and entertaining ideas, a comprehensive guide to events and attractions in Central Victoria and much, much more.
It reflects the best of Bendigo and captures the city’s unique style in a manner intended to make our readers’ lives more interesting and informed. Our objective is to spark a zest for living in Bendigo, new ideas and new experiences.

Targeted towards both residents and visitors to the Bendigo area, Bendigo Magazine is the publication of choice for both long-time residents and newcomers seeking information about the people, places and issues that shape this exciting city.

Amy, the gorgeous Managing Editor states:

“Our aim remains the same: to offer interesting and informative stories about the people and places in and around Bendigo and to have a positive forum for local people to share their successes and their pride in their city.”

Below are part of the Bendigo Magazine “team”. 

From left: Rachael Ralph(work experience),  Amy Doak, (Editor in Chief), Leanne Dynon (Tom’s mum), Esther Mc Rae (Deputy Editor),

David Field (Chief Photographer)

 Check out the Bendigo Magazine website

Thanks again for allowing La Toriana to pop in and watch you do this kids fashion shoot and find out what happens “behind the scenes”

~ Elizabeth xx

Our customers have been sending in their pics of their gorgeous children with the designer baby/kids products the have bought from La Toriana… and here are the finalists!

I am extreemly impressed with the effort and the cute factor of every one that has come in, and what great photography.   The competition has been very popular and have been asked if we will re run it…. ABSOLUTELY!

Look at some of these cute kids… wow.. thank you everyone who sent them in, and thank you for the amazing testimonials coming in too.  Having such positive feedback makes us feel we are on the right track.  

Congratulations to:  ****  Sophie Linda 20 months ****

 Sophie is gorgeous and wearing the Tea Princess vintage inspired crochet cardigan which is one of the most popular items from Tea Princess this season. The “La T” babies are wearing: OOBI, Britt, Tea Princess, and playing with eco friendly anamalz.  It was a hard process choosing only one winner, and we ended up having 12 friends do a secret ballot.

Next one we will get YOU to vote!

 Start sending in your pics of your little one with an item you had purchased from La Toriana.    We will post them on our testimonial page of our website and in our blog at the end of the month (August) for people to vote.  Winning entrants will win  a $75 store voucher!

Linda.. Sophies mum,  (winner)  let us know what you bought with your voucher too!  we would love to know.

email your pics and testimonials to  info@latoriana.com.au

I cant wait to see all your gorgeous babies and kids!

warmly  Elizabeth  xx