Too cool for pre-school

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AN OPEN LETTER TO CAMPING

Dear Camping,

Sorry it’s been so long. When was the last time? By the river at Easter many moons ago – a chestnut festival in a nearby country town. I even won the hay-bail stacking competition! You were good for me, and so were the summers building board-walks in the National Forests, getting to know the local Trackies and Rangers and their families. I moved cities, and there were so many other things to do. Then I craved a more stable environment for a while – the kids you see. They’re older now, not much, but enough that got me thinking about you again. I’ve been looking at tent catalogues, eyeing-off inflatible mattresses, even slipping into my sleeping bag on the odd occassion. I’m coming back, and this time I won’t leave it so long.

XX Nanny Goat
Otways

ARTWORK OVERLOAD

Refrigerator Gallery

Refrigerator Gallery

Throughout the year the kids have brought home a bundle of paintings, drawings and pastings. The sheer volume would rival the basement collection of any commercial gallery. I love the ritual of rotating each one with whatever else is on the fridge, however there’s always that feeling of guilt about putting even one A5-size artwork out with the recycling.photo (1) So we try to reuse it as wrapping paper for birthday presents, which people seem to love. Still, the fridge and walls are covered top-to-bottom with paper of all sizes and colours. So I’ve decided to make a decent effort to declutter – if only to find the overdue bills on the fridge – before the onslaught of new artwork in February. There’s usually a favourite painting from the year, and by putting this in a frame (hello Ikea!) we’re able to hang it on the wall as if it was from a commercial gallery.

SHOP BLOG – THATONLINESHOP

Cass from thatonlineshop is a newbie to our little knuffle family. But I can tell by her answers below that we are going to get along just fine. She has that young family,gardening, community orientated kind of vibe going on… Love it.

By the way her site went live today, be sure to head on over and check it out.

View from Cass' office

View from Cass' office

SHOP TALK
How long have you been established? Just started in 9/11 but been mind mapping for years, just waiting for the right time between other businesses and 2 children.

Where did the name of the online shop come from? We have several domain names to use for this brand, the first one we claimed was myfavouritestore.com.au but we let the business name lapse a few years ago and in that time Matthew propelled the idea of going online – hence thatonlineshop is our company name and thatonlinshop.com.au is our domain. We like the catchiness of ‘I got it from thatonlineshop’.

What is the best quirk about the neighbourhood your office/studio is in? The online world is endless! But our social community is where our word of mouth starts; so it’s all about people we’ve met or do meet along the way, in business, over the fence, at the cafe, at school and kinder.

Your areas best kept secret? No secrets about the broad reach of online. But we do have a few little tricks to bring a loyal following to thatonlineshop.com.au. In the new year we’ll be launching some exciting benefits to members of thatonlineshop – so for now it’s still a secret, but join us for the launch in the new year! No need to wait people it went live today!

Favourite part of your working day? Checking out what our community is up to; either on facebook seeing what suppliers and customers are up to or at the local coffee shop or with friends talking about all the exciting new products coming soon!

What tunes are played in your office/studio? We listen to the birds outside our window, and the chime that keeps those same birds out of our vegie patch!

What do you look for when buying for your online shop? Products from companies that share our philosophy and passion for treading lightly on the earth….and items that remind us of nature and home. We also like to have a bit of fun with colour and design.

Where do you buy your coffee from? The cafe on the corner where we live, replete – at the end of our street, or HOME on burwood road.

Where do you like to hang when your not in the office/studio? In our garden.

Who lives in your family? Matthew, Cass, Jemima (5) and Wilba (4) – oh and Amy the black Labrador (10)

What did you want to be when you where a kid? A lawyer (I still haven’t finished my law degree) or performer in CHORUS LINE (it’s coming to Melbourne so I’ll at least see it!)

thatonlineshop is always open visit thatonlineshop.com.au

SHOP BLOG – CHOCOLATE FRECKLES

Knuffle Kid has been in the Chocolate Freckles shop since it first opened. Somehow Julia (the inspiring owner) found KK on the world wide web and decided to stock it. Let me say I’m so glad she did. I love that little shop!

Julia manages to pick extremely complementary products for her shop and has a strong following. She knows all her customers by name and knows what they like. You can tell she brings a strong sense of community to her neighbourhood.

But also, there has been times when dropping off stock, that I’d hear someone saying they had travelled across town to Essendon, because they heard her shop is so fantastic.

Yep it is well worth the trip….

CFSHOPFRONT_MG_0041SHOP TALK

How long have you been established? 2 years this month YAY!

What is the best quirk about the neighbourhood your shop is in? Essendon has schools on every corner!

Where did the name of the shop come from? From some zany part of my brain! People still come in looking for lollies! Actually just thought it sounded colourful, fun and well, quirky!

Your areas best kept secret? Chocolate Freckles of course!

Favourite part of your working day? Opening up for each new day of trade

What tunes are played in your shop? Given it is a children’s shop I have to be  fairly conservative. At the moment it’s Adele and lots of great jazz artists

What do you look for when buying for your shop? Originality, interesting design and anything I would buy for my own children

Where do you buy your coffee from? Lucky enough to have a cafe right next door! It’s called Stonz and the coffee is consistently good!

Where do you like to hang when you’re not in the shop? With my kids and friends- usually anything that involves eating or a nice glass of wine!

Who lives in your family? What did you want to be when you were a kid? Me and my 2 lovely children and when I was a child I wanted to be a big shot Lawyer!

Chocolate Freckles is open;
Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 10am-3pm

194 Buckley Street
Essendon VIC 3040
Phone: 03 9004 5241

Julia’s Tunes
Adele – Someone Like You

SHOP BLOG – LITTLE BIRD ON CHAPEL

Today it is time to speak with Kate from Little Bird on Chapel.
I’ll start by saying, Knuffle Kid loves being a part of the Little Bird family.
Our very first range ever, graced the racks of her Port Elliot store, but the call of the big smoke lured Little Bird to it’s new nesting place in Glenelg S.A.
Kate has an amazing style about her. She also has an endless enthusiasm to hunt down unique wares from all over the country. She then takes them back to her divine little nest in Adelaide to share, seduce and surprise the locals with her sense of style and fun.

Enjoy getting to know Kate.
Did I mention she has a lot of style about her… she really does!

SHOP TALK
little bird

How long have you been established? Little Bird first opened its nest about 4 years ago in Port Elliot, on the coast about an hour from Adelaide. About 4 months ago we relocated the shop to Glenelg, a coastal suburb in Adelaide about 20 mins from the CBD.

Where did the name of the shop come from? The name ‘Little Bird’ came from the idea of nesting, creating that special place that you call home, full of unique and beautiful things. Little birds are constantly out collecting and creating their own little nests, and we like to think we have our own little bird.

What is the best quirk about the neighbourhood your shop is in? The wonderful sense of community.

Favourite part of your working day? Seeing customers get as excited as us about pretty things.

What tunes are played in your shop? Chilled out, beachy tunes. At the moment we’re loving the music from a local artist called Laura Hill.

What do you look for when buying for your shop? Beautiful product that has a point of difference, sourced from independent artists.

Where do you buy your coffee from? Zest Cafe, a quirky little cafe down a little side street off the main road.

Where do you like to hang when your not in the shop? At the beach of course!

Who lives in your family? Kate, Zoe and our newest member, Shannon.

What did you want to be when you where a kid? Superwoman.

SHOP BLOG – BIG DREAMS

Today we look at the lovely shop Big Dreams in Northcote Victoria. This summer season is the first time Knuffle Kid has graced Big Dreams which I am very excited about.
I’m constantly being told, my range is VERY Northcote! Which I think is a wonderful complement. So it’s fantastic to finally have a stockist in the area.
I always love having a chat with Mary from Big Dreams, she is a wealth of information regarding the kid fashion industry. Not only does she run the shop, she also has a label and throughout the years been a rep for other labels. Lets just say she knows a lot about the business.
She also has a fantastic ride-on horse in her shop…. worth the visit I say!

big dreams

SHOP TALK

How long have you been established? a couple of years.

Where did the name of the shop come from? the previous owner, it was my favourite part of the shop, the name! changed the logo though..just to add my touch.

What is the best quirk about the neighbourhood your shop is in? hmm so many, but my favourite is that old fashioned sense of values from all the families.

Your areas best kept secret? cafe Koula, for the simple cheese & full salad sandwich. And of course Big Dreams, one stop shop for the babies & kids in your life.

Favourite part of your working day? fitting good quality shoes on kids, especially the first walker, love it when they want to keep them on & skip out the door.

What tunes are played in your shop? I went through a UB40 faze…the mums loved it, but we need to improve the tunes.

What do you look for when buying for your shop? quality value…then I squeal at over priced too cute must have stuff, we have it all!

Where do you buy your coffee from? Cafe Siyia on Smith st before drop off…if I have a 2nd Joe Green or Palemino, we share the love both make good coffee.

Where do you like to hang when your not in the shop? at home with all my boys.

Who lives in your family? Christian, Savva & Petros, our bunnies Bugsly & Angel are boarding at Grandma’s she has an appropriate space. We visit on weekends.

What did you want to be when you where a kid? an actor, but I don’t have it, get stage fright.

Big Dreams opening hours:
9.30-5.30 Mon – Sat
11-5 Sunday
Every Thursday until Christmas
trading until 9pm.

269 High St
Northcote Vic 3070
Ph: 03 9489 2193
www.bigdreams.com.au

XX Nanny Goat

Mary’s Tunes
UB40 – RED RED WINE

SHOP BLOG – GIFTS 4 KIDZ

Today we chat with Petty from Giftz for Kids. She has had this great online shop for a while now, and has taken the leap into a bricks’n'mortar one also.

Petty is always hunting for something a little bit different to sell in her stores. That is one of the reasons I love dealing with boutiques like this one, it’s not about selling the same old, same old. It’s about finding unique items, that have been crafted rather than produced.

Enjoy meeting Petty today.

SHOP TALK

gifts for kids 1

How long have you been established? Shop has been open for 15 months. Online 3 years.

Your areas best kept secret? Gifts 4 Kidz!!

Favourite part of your working day? Love a busy day in the shop with customers.

What do you look for when buying for your shop? Clothes that are current, funky, pretty, something a little special. We like toys/gifts that are not found in every department store….no plastic toys either! It has to be beautiful, exclusive, and makes the recipient go “wow”.

Where do you buy your coffee from? Around the corner at Gusto restaurant.

Where do you like to hang when your not in the shop? With friends….out at restaurants, theatre, movies……or a not so quiet night in with friends cooking up a storm.

What did you want to be when you where a kid? A dentist!! Glad I didn’t go down that path!

The Shop 4 Kidz shop opening hours are:

Tuesday to Friday: 9.30am – 5.30pm

Saturday: 10am – 4pm

Sunday & Monday: Closed

Or visit them whenever you like at www.gifts4kidz.com.au

SHOP BLOG – LITTLE INDIGO

The beautiful Jo from Little Indigo has stocked Knuffle Kid for a couple of seasons now. Its alway’s fun putting orders together, seeing what each shop has chosen to work together for their store. I particularly love the way Jo puts the range together, she has a wonderful eye. I do love her favourite colour also and yes she did pick a lot of the teal items from my current range.

little indigo

SHOP TALK

How long have you been established? Since November 2010.

Where did the name of the online shop come from? I have always loved the name “Indigo” (for a girl), but never had the chance to use it, as I have two boys.   I also love all shades of blue.

Favourite part of your working day? Definitely mornings, particularly if I am able to have an hour on the computer before the boys wake up.  And I love my morning coffee, I can’t function without it.

What tunes are played in your office? I am currently listening to Boy and Bear, which my boys have also taken a liking to.

What do you look for when buying for your online shop? Beautiful fabrics, gorgeous colours and items that are quirky or different.  An alternative to mainstream baby and children’s products.

Where do you buy your coffee from? All over the place, but generally from our local coffee shop in Cheltenham.

Where do you like to hang when your not in the office? I love to shop and go to markets, I also work part time at a Turkish Café (which is great fun), the beach during the Summer

Who lives in your family? Myself, Dan (husband), Jack (5), Cooper (3) and our border collie, Tully.

What did you want to be when you where a kid? Hmm, a little bit boring, but I always thought I would be a lawyer.  But if I had enough courage I would have pursued photography.

Little Indigo is always open – www.littleindigo.com.au

Jo’s Tunes

Boy and Bear – Rabbit Song

SHOP BLOG – HOPSCOTCH

Hopscotch has not been in the Knuffle Kid family for very long, but we are very pleased to have them.

Jenny the creator of this wonderful website is a passionate lady. When she first contacted me, she had outlined what she was after.

It is as follows; all clothing is to be made with creativity and ingenuity; functionality and durability is key. She wanted to avoid mass-production, to ensure that all garments where unique, one-of-a-kind or limited edition. They only stock Australian owned and/or made labels, to support the livelihood of home-grown talent, rather than large international labels. Plus, many of the clothes they stock, are made in small batches, that ensures each item is personally inspected for quality.

Right from the start, I loved what Jenny was doing, and had to be apart of it.

Plus how great is the name, everyone loves a bit of hopscotch action!

hopscotchSHOP TALK

How long have you been established? We actually celebrated our 1st birthday this in September.

Where did the name of the shop come from? I’m a big kid at heart and love the innocence and care-free-fun of kids and I wanted a fun name that could effectively represent the funky Aussie threads we stock.  So after watching a group of kids play hopscotch one day and I saw how much fun they were having drawing on the ground with the chalk and then hopping all over it, I thought ‘Hopscotch’ would be the perfect fit for what we were wanting to achieve – fun, simple, creative!

What is the best quirk about the neighbourhood your shop is in? We’re primarily an online store operated from my home in Calen, North Queensland but we have converted a section of our house for viewings and appointment shopping.  Calen is a small farming town so the quirkiness I suppose is that people can shop for gorgeous ‘city style’ clothing whilst looking at the gorgeous country views – it’s something we get a lot of lovely comments on.

Your areas best kept secret? I would have to say it’s the strawberry farm up the road from us.  Many of our customers that come and see us end up heading to the famous Ballentines Strawberry Farm to pick and eat the most delicious strawberries you’ll ever taste!

Favourite part of your working day? It would have to be early mornings before my little girl wakes up, packaging orders and responding to emails whilst having a cup of tea and watching the sun come up from my office window – bliss!

What tunes are played in your shop? I suppose our ‘flavour’ of only stocking Aussie threads also runs through to the music we play.  So you’ll hear a variety of tunes that make you feel happy… some a little cruisey/poppy the likes of Goyte, Megan Washington and Sia right through to some funky energetic sounds from the likes of Blue Juice and The Presets.

What do you look for when buying for your shop? First and foremost they have to be an Australian Label and if possible made in oz.  We look for threads or accessories that are unique and made with creativity, ingenuity and that aren’t necessarily mass produced.  Most importantly though, we select products that are practical, durable and affordable for our customers.

Where do you buy your coffee from? Coffee is a big part of my morning and afternoon rituals, so we have a coffee machine… caffeine ‘on tap’ – perfect!

Where do you like to hang when you’re not in the shop? Anywhere outdoors – the beach, pottering in our veggie patch or simply jumping on the trampoline with my little girl!

Who lives in your family? My family consists of my wonderful husband Brad our 2 year old little sweet-heart Bailey and our dog Jack.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? I always wanted to be a vet as I thought it would be so much fun working with animals but when I learnt this involved having to occasionally put an animal down, I quickly changed my tune!

Hopscotch is always open www.hopscotch.com.au

Jenny’s Tunes

Goyte – Hearts a Mess

Megan Washington – Sunday Best

Sia – Soon We’ll be Found

Blue Juice – Broken Leg

The Presets – This Boy’s in Love

SHOP BLOG – RAMONA TIENDA

Knuffle Kid has proudly been hanging in Ramona Tienda since the shop opened. I remember being very excited when Ramona contacted me about stocking my range in her North Melbourne store. You see Nanny Goat here, is a sentimental old goat. North Melbourne was my share house, Uni going, stomping ground. Its also where I met my other half, Billy Goat. In a funny turn of events, Ramona now lives in the house Billy Goat use to live in. How amazing is fate.

Anyway aside from all of that, Ramona’s shop is truly beautiful. She has been in the industry a long time, so every piece/designer/range within her shop has been carefully considered. There is a simple elegance to the shop, which gives every item space. Everything is made to look special in its own entity. Ramona herself has a calm about her, that instantly puts anyone at ease. With her succulent collection, great tunes and a sweet little bonsai on her desk, Ramona’s shop makes for a lovely experience.

tienda

SHOP TALK

How long have you been established? established August 2009.

Where did the name of the shop come from? friends/colleagues encouraged me to include my own name in the shop title because it’s unusual.  tienda is spanish for shop.

What is the best quirk about the neighbourhood your shop is in? best quirk about the neighbourhood – interesting locals.

Your areas best kept secret? wooly bully…. newcomers to Errol St.

Favourite part of your working day? customers stumbling across something they love.

What tunes are played in your office? yo la tengo, sodastream, holly golightly, grizzly bear, devendra banhart, cat power, beirut, andrew bird and ‘the xx’.

What do you look for when buying for your shop? Beautiful fabrics, gorgeous colours and items that are quirky or different.  An alternative to mainstream baby and children’s products.

Where do you buy your coffee from? auction rooms.

Where do you like to hang when your not in the shop? it varies, where ever my friends are… the mess hall soon for food and galleries such as beam contemporary to inspire.

What did you want to be when you where a kid? a photographer.

Ramona Tienda is open;

Monday to Friday 10 til 6
Saturday 10 til 5
Sunday  closed.

113 Errol Street
North Melbourne
03 8682 8722

www.ramonatienda.com

Ramona’s Tunes

Yo La Tango – Today is the day
Sodastream – Twin Lakes
Holly Golightly – There’s an End
Grizzly Bear – Two Weeks
Devendra Banhart – Feel Just Like a Child
Cat Power – Warewolf
Beirut – Elephant Gun
Andrew Bird -The Privateers
The xx – Infinity