Not a lot happens on a Wednesday….

its mid week..  just so so… boring

 pretty wacky really ….

BUT NOT ANY MORE!

The La Toriana Quest starts next Wednesday…

Are YOU up for the challenge?

Do you want free baby gifts? 

Want  designer kids clothes at 20 -60% off?

Want free postage too?

You can!!  

but you have to be the first to find them!!!

all revealed next Wednesday….  get your running shoes on… be the first to find the love angel symbol…. find the bargain within it… and its yours… all you will need is the code!

ahhh… the code….  where’s the code….??

Photograph for cover taken by Jen McCue

The May 2009 edition came out this week with ME on the cover and a 2 page story on La Toriana.  You should have seen my face… what a SHOCK!  We have slowly calming down after seeing it and  of finding out I was on the front cover… I would never have dreamt that a country mum, running a business from home would one day be on the front cover of a big Australian wide magazine like this.  The article is all about La Toriana and its 18 months since  I have operating.

For anyone in business… even us mums working from home  (WAHM)  this is a great magazine resource!  I have gained so much valuable information over the years of reading this magazine  as well as the online version. 

This is a well renowned national magazine that’s great for small to medium sized businesses, with lots of tips, advice, strategies, stories and more. 

We are so proud to be included in this edition, as the magazine has been a long inspiration to me and the setting up of La Toriana.  Read the full article 

Check out www.mybusiness.com.auto get heaps of information, inspiration, tips, resources and more.  Why not take out a subscription if you are thinking of starting your own business or are a small to medium business operating now.   Its a great read!

So now I have something in common with Nicole, Angelina and our very own Mornings gal “K.K”.  I  am no superstar…. but this is just one more thing I can cross off my list of 1001 things to do.

wow.. are you all as shocked as I am?

warmly

Elizabeth xx

 ~   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

L’il Aussie Prems website seeks nominations for Australia’s first award recognising the work of volunteers within the premature baby community.

L’il Aussie Prems (LAP), an online support site for families of premature babies, is proud to sponsor Australia’s first award to recognise and celebrate the dedication of individual volunteers within the local premature baby community.

LAP is seeking nominations from around Australia of “local premmie heroes” – the ordinary yet extraordinary people who give up their time to support the families of premature babies both during their hospital stay and afterwards, doing everything from sewing tiny clothing for very low birth weight babies to setting up local playgroups for prematurely born children to organising fundraising for research into the causes of premature birth.

“As a community of parents, we understand the premmie journey and how hard the road can be. We want to recognise and pay tribute to those people who go out of their way to make things easier for other families travelling that road.” said Julia Toivonen, founder of the L’il Aussie Prems website and mother of two premature babies.

 (pic courtesy of Julia Toivonen)

Solving the puzzle of Premature Birth.  Premature Birth Awareness Week starts today.

Having a premature baby can be a lonely and frightening experience. In our communities there may be very few people who understand the specific problems that parents of babies born very early face.

Sometimes our babies are transferred to hospitals far from home and this can make us feel even more alienated and lost.

Through Austprem, families who have experienced the complex challenges of parenting a premature infant reach out to other families facing this journey, and offer friendship, information and support.

2008 marks the second year of National Premature Birth Awareness Week and we hope that it will be as successful as the first.

As a part of increasing knowledge about premature birth, Austprem Inc. will be offering information to ALL pregnant women in the hope of decreasing the rising numbers of premature births in Australia with Austprem Inc.’s new brochure “Pregnant? It’s probably nothing but it might be something.

 The brochure will be launched during National Premature Birth Awareness Week. and contains a summary of the indications that may lead to premature birth and encourages women to check with their doctor, hospital or health care provider if they are at all concerned.

 Premature Birth Awareness Week starts today. Visit www.bornearly.org.au for full details.

Useful Premmie Information Links

      Austprem

Featherweight Club – Mercy Hospital for Women VIC
Lifes Little Treasures – VIC
Loddon Mallee Kids – Greater Bendigo Area VIC

Little Wonders – John Hunter Hospital NSW
Central Coast Premmie and Sick Newborn Support (CCPSNS) – Central Coast NSW
Miracle Babies – Liverpool Hospital NSW
NNICUPS – Nepean Hospital NSW

PIPA – QLD

L’il Aussie Prems

National Premmie Foundation

Moment by Moment

 Having had 3 premmie babies myself, I understand only too well the rollercoaster journey many families go through.  I am very passionate about supporting groups that support premmie babies and hope you are too.  Please support them by going to their websites and  gain lots of information. 

At La Toriana, we have a specialised catagory for premmie baby and are adding new premmie clothing and products all the time.  Our aim is to be a supportive place where people can shop for their premmie baby in a secure, supportive and understanding environment.

The above groups are amazing in their wealth of knowledge and support and we encourage you all to support those who support the families of premmie babies.  La Toriana in the near future will bring more and more information on the support of premmie babies, an array of new ranges of premature baby clothing and tips an advice along the way.  We are passionate about Premmie babies, their families and helping the community.

warmly

Elizabeth xx

(some of the products and premmie baby clothing collections found at (La Toriana)

We would love to hear your journeys and thoughts, travels and pics of your journey.  We will be posting some stories here on our blog in the coming weeks and months with events around Premature babies, so if you would like to join in… please email  info@latoriana.com.au

warmly

Elizabeth xx

nah… its only a dream…

but here is what it would look like if it were true!  Thanks to PHOTOFUNIA for the fun in thinking it may be a reality… one day!

 If it was true… and in my dreams seems so real….  you would see all your favourite kids fashion items from great Australian and New Zealand kids fashion designers that you find now on La Toriana,  close up and personal. 

   ahhh… and La Toriana on front cover of Vogue Magazine…..  wow… wouldnt that be unreal if it was true  (which its not of course!)  Can’t ever see it happening… but I am just letting my imagination run wild here.  lol

Visit the fun site of photofunia.com where I saw all this.  it had me amused for ages!

Labels as annieB’s, alimrose, anamalz, Babyjo bamboo, boxy design, BRITT, bump buddy, cheeky little soles, Cuski, Earlybirds, Eco Peko, Eternal Creation, Fairy Floss Creations, fINNIGAN fINN, Footprints on me, Gaia Skin Natural, gertie and me, Grommets, hey baby, Huggalugs, i candy, lambykins, Lazybones, Little Pearls for Little Girls, Locolili, miniwhick, mon tresor, nan huchy, Nanny Pickle, oobi, oopsidaisi, penny scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tea Princess, Teeny weeny, Three Little Trees, Tikiboo Kids, Tummy Bear, Vanchi, Vintage Kid, Wild things of Noosa … and so many more

ahhh….  we can only dream…..

 warmly

Elizabeth xx

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

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