Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Matching Miss Mienna

It's been a little while now since I first fell in love Miss Mienna - the adorable girls' clothing range from the talented Lainie Brookman. There was something about the quirky way she combined fabrics and trims - a vintage doily pocket here and a vertical ruffle there - that spoke to me. And I knew I had found a kindred spirit. So much so, that a I just had to ask the big question - would Miss Mienna would like some complimentary Minky Minx accessories - and she said 'Yes'!

And so the love affair began... and now, many months later, here they are - finally - a collection of matching and complimentary hair accessories for Miss Mienna's 'Paris Post', 'Yellow Doily' and 'Butterfly' dresses and skirts.

Dresses by Miss Mienna. Photography by Indie Lane.

'Paris Post' Ltd Ed Lace Rosette Hair Clips

'Paris Post' Ltd Ed Button Hair Elastics 
'Paris Post' Ltd Ed Button Hair Snaps
'Amelia' Hair Bows - available in Red (shown), Pink, Peach, Cream, Black, White & Navy,
and either as a clip or elastic

'Bella' Stretch Lace Headband - available in a wide range of colour combinations & sizes newborn to tween!
'Frangipani' Felt Flowers - available in just about any colour combo you can think of and as both a hair clip and headband.


All of them will be available soon from Kids Style Hub, but also at the up coming Artefact and Piccadilly markets in Geelong - just look for Miss Mienna's stall!


Friday, March 9, 2012

Where there's a will, there's a way...

Lately, life never ceases to amaze me. I know that's a rather general statement, and perhaps may even come across as being a little corny to some, but it none the less is a statement about my life at present. With all that life seems to throw at you, I think it's increasingly important just to stop for moment and savour it. Life at present, unfortunately seems just too short not to!


So, what's the special something I'm savouring, you ask?

Well, it's an accomplishment of sorts: I overcame personal obstacles to attend a very special event. More specifically, I took on the challenge of arranging Kids Style Hub's designers first real market attendance.

And it was a success!

With help of fellow designers Sun-Yin, from Alice Loves, Bree, from MilknHoney Handmade Crafts, Irene, from Missy Minzy, Sonia, from Chef Sonia & You, Camilla, from Nog 'n Piep, and Jyoti, from Pookie Boo on the day, and of course the fabulous Nicole from Kids Style Hub, we, as a collective, attended Rippon Lea's 22nd Teddy Bears Picnic!
'Market stall avenue'. Ours was just opposite the entrance to the mansion.

Despite some early morning dramas - we're forgotten to bring something to hold down our gazebo, and the wind was threatening to take off with it - and the intense heat latter in the day, it turned out to be a really wonderful day for all. Amazingly, despite the heat, most of the kids really seemed to be having a ball. With everything from face painting to carousels, pony rides and ice creams, and oh so much more on offer, I doubt there was a bored kid about, only perhaps a few flustered parents...
Kids enjoying the live teddy bear entertainment on the lawns of Rippon Lea mansion. (Oh, how I felt for the men in the suits!)


Finding something yummy to eat.
Plenty of good ol' family fun - the Carousel and Jumping Castle!
Finding relief from the heat... where ever it's found!

Representing around 40 different designers we packed our stall full of goodies to delight. From kids wear and accessories to toys and prints, there was something for just about every little girl and boy, or perhaps rather, every mum and grandma!
Our stall, a mini Kids Style Hub store, with Irene & Sonia and a suitcase full of tasty treats from BabyButton, Hoity Toity, Bettsy KingstonNicole Herrick Lt Ed, & Natural Kids.
Just a few delightful goodies from Sparkle*Liscious, DeluliSquiggle and StitchTriple Trouble for Kids, Minim kids, Escargot, Macaroon Kids, Boondie Baby, MiniFin & Gypsy Kids.


And a few more from Alice Loves, Miss Mienna, Minky Minx, Nog 'n PiepPooki Boo, MOOPS and Hoops, Missy Minzy, Chef Sonia & You, MilknHoneyAkimbo.
Still more lovelies from Pure Poppet, Signing Stars, Lime Daisy Design, Akimbo, Missy Minzy, Leaf, Olives Tree, MIDA, & ZZ Totz ...
... Dozey BooElk & Ina, Minky Minx, L8R & Found n Bound ...
... and of course Bunty and Sars, Leelu and LuluHappy Hero, Future Presidents Books & Markart
It was certainly amazing, not only how much we packed in in our little stall, but just how it all came together on the day - considering that only a few of us had met previously, and had even come from different parts of Victoria. But in the spirit of co-operation - and thanks to Facebook - it worked! A true 'where there's a will, there's a way' moment coming true.

Okay, just quickly before I sign off two special mentions. The first goes out to Su-Yin for doing a fantastic job on the day. I doubt anyone would have ever guessed it was just your second market! Well done for a fantastic job!! I hope you had a wonderful day. : )
Myself with Su-Yin - both looking a little tired, well at least I do!

And the second goes out to the lovely Eleanor and her mother, Naomi, for not only responding to my facebook post and coming on the day, but for allowing me to photograph her wearing her latest find - one of my new 'Bella' Stretch lace headbands. How gorgeous does she look!

The lovely Eleanor wearing a 'Bella' Stretch lace headband, by Minky Minx


Lastly, many, many thanks to everyone who participed in the event. What a 'beary' wonderful day it turned out to be!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Kids Style Hub meets Indie Lane

Life is unpredictable. I well know that. Sometimes things happen that turn your whole world upside down and make you wonder if you'll ever get back on your feet again. Yep, been there many times.

And then sometimes things happen that truly renews your strength and will to go on just when you need it the most.

Incredibly, I've experienced both of these moments already this year, and although I can't recommend having your life turned upside down by a freak storm, I am now in some ways thankful that I did experience it, for I may not as fully appreciated what followed if I hadn't...

What do I mean? Well, a few weeks ago I was invited to include my creations in a professional photo shoot with the talented Donna from Indie Lane photography. Little did I know at the time just how much I needed this opportunity, a break from the seemly never ending task of sorting through mess. Suddenly there was something positive for me to work towards, a chance to turn my hands to creating again, a chance to restart the year on a more positive note.

Doing the photo shoot with Indi Lane and along with a  few of the lovely designers at Kids Style Hub was just what I needed at that particular moment to remind myself that although my whole world might occasionally be turned upside down by unforeseen circumstances, that eventually it will turn right way up again. A little reminder I very much needed at the time... (Thank you again Nicole & Donna!)

So, here's to restarting the year on a better note!

Now for some photos, and a little sneak preview of a few new creations coming soon...
Outfits by Alice Loves



Alice Loves 'Clover' & 'Amy' Dresses, and 'Susan' Bolero. 'Yellow Daisy' Shoes by Cocco & Phoenix

Detail of Alice Love's 'Clover' dress.
Detail of Alice Loves' 'Amy' dress with matching 'Bubblegum Bloom' hair snap by Minky Minx.
Reversible Bucket Hat by Pooki Boo
'Baby Doll' & 'Mr Robort' Tees by Zee & Me
Dresses by Nicole Herrick Ltd Ed with accessories by Minky Minx
Detail of Navy Floral dress By Nicole Herrick and 'Juliet' hair snap by Minky Minx.
Shoes by Coco & Phoenix. 'Bella' Stretch Lace Headbands by yours truly, Minky Minx
Detail of small 'Bella' Bow Headband. Available soon.
Dresses by Miss Mienna and soon to be released accessories also by Minky Minx


Detail of Miss Mienna's 'Paris Post' Dress & matching rosette headband (available soon)

'Butterfly' dress by Miss Mienna. Matching flower clip by Minky Minx, of course.



Detail of matching felt flower clip. Available soon.


To book your own fabulous photo session with Donna too, be sure to head over to her facebook page.





Friday, January 27, 2012

So, this is Christmas...

Hello all! Welcome to the new year - and the first anniversary for this little blog!

A little late, I know, being already almost the end of January (can you believe it!?), but better late then never, I say....

After all, I do have my reasons. I didn't quite start the new year as I would've liked...

Remember Christmas day 2011? Remember hail as big a golf balls? If you were in Melbourne at the time then you'd had to have been in a coma not to remember...

Well, we were flooded. Bad. The rain flooded our courtyard, so much so that my husband had to go out and push it out through the garage with a broom. Rain also came through our garage roof (little did we know that a tennis ball had somehow found it's way into the down pipe...). For the worst part of two weeks (plus some) I was mopping up, sorting through piles of books, supplies and even photos that I had unfortunately had kept there. No, not the best way to start a new year...



Thankfully I am s-l-o-w-l-y now getting on top of things, but it's been a really rough ride, both emotionally and physically - far more then I ever would have expected!

BUT, on the upside, I have managed to get a little break from the mess, and work on a few new creations. Here's a little sneak peek of something I made for a little girls' first wedding...

(yes, she bought both - her mother couldn't decide which was the cutest of the two... Can't wait to find out which she actually wore on the day...)


Stretch Lace 'Bella' Bow headbands

... more pics coming soon - including some from Kids Style Hub's first official photo shoot!