Chalk - Concepts for Kids

KIDDI KUTTER - The child safe knife

 

The fabulous new Kiddi Kutter has just arrived instore.

This knife is designed for children 3 years & older to cut their own food in safety. It will cut anything that a sharp knife can but it won't cut kid's fingers. The Kiddie Food Kutter knife is a fun & safe way for parents to teach their kids one of the most important life skills - Cooking. The Kiddie Food Kutter can also be used as an every day piece of cutlery at the table. It has proved useful for both adults & children with a disability.

It retails at $11.95 and I'm anticipating it flying out the door.

 

Back To School

If you're in Melbourne than you may be starting to think about contacting school books, labelling pens and clothing and getting ready for school.  Or not, if you're still soaking up the sun on a beach some where - lucky you.

My School Days is the perfect gift for a new school attendee or anyone who wants to be reminded of their school days.

This week I have sat down with both my kids as they filled in their "My School Days". It is a great way to get them ready for the new school year.  They loved looking at their school photos, remembering their friends and filling out their record book.  

We've stocked up at CHALK  - My School Days is $39.95

Go The F--- To Sleep

 
 Go the Fuck to Sleep is a bedtime book for parents who live in the real world, where a few snoozing kitties and cutesy rhymes don't always send a toddler sailing blissfully off to dreamland. Profane, affectionate, and radically honest, California Book Award-winning author Adam Mansbach's verses perfectly capture the familiar--and unspoken--tribulations of putting your little angel down for the night. In the process, they open up a conversation about parenting, granting us permission to admit our frustrations, and laugh at their absurdity. (Amazon)

Adam's inspiration came one night after trying unsuccessfully to get his daughter Vivian to sleep.  He updated his facebook status later that night, jokingly saying that he was writing a book called Go the F*ck  to Sleep. The response from his Facebook friends was so overwhelming that he called on an illustrator friend, Ricardo Cortés, and got the independent publisher Akashic Books in New York on board to make his Facebook status a  reality.

Fast forward and the book hit the number one position on Amazon one month BEFORE it was released!!  Impressive and proves that many of us are ready to laugh at ourselves and the trials of having young children.  It certainly isn't all puppy dogs and bunny rabbits.

NOW INSTORE AT CHALK - $17.95

The Drought Has Broken

 
 So we have replenished our stock of Clifton Umbrellas.  They come in yellow, red, pink, and purple and at $19.95 they are a steal.

My favourite feature of these umbrellas is the fact that my kids can actually see where they are going!  Much safer when there are lots of people around or for crossing the road.

 

 

Time For Bed

Bebe has just delivered their Winter Pjs and sleeping bags and it almost makes me wish the cold weather would hang around.

Chef Sonia & You

I hate cooking but now that Chef Sonia has arrived even I am going home and baking.  I think we might  even be one of the first stores to stock Chef sonia's products which is very exciting. 

She has a range of three cooking kits - Chocolate Brownies, Gingerbread Martians and Cupcakes.

To cap off my fabulous baking - there is a range of stunning fondant decals to pop on the top of my cup cakes to make it look like I am a decorating professional - It couldn't be easier and they look amazing.

 

Penny Is Back

It's been a while but Penny Scallan is back and not only do we have her lunch bags and drink bottles, but she has a fabulous new range of wooden products that we have fallen in love with. 

 The bookends and money boxes are two products they we are often asked about so it is great to find such lovely ones at a reasonable price too.

 
I also managed to sneak in a couple of lamp shades, mainly because I want one for home!

The other product we are stocking is the Hair Accessory Tin which makes a fabulous gift - It includes 2 sets of wooden clips, 1 fabric headband, 1 set of wooden bobbles, 2 styles of hair ribbon and a wall decal.  How good is that!

The Master Plan

No, I'm not about to take over the world - the best diaries EVER are back at CHALK for 2011.

 The Master Plan Family Diary is brilliant and allows me to see my week at a glance.  I was a die hard Filofax user up until 3 years ago when I decided to try Master Plan and I'm so glad I did.  I love it and wouldn't go back now.

This year it is back in red and also comes in cornflower blue - both are great.  $34.95

 

ERGO COCOON

Thanks to a lovely customer who raved about the Ergo Cocoon and it's many joys we now have them at CHALK.  We love it when we get a great lead on a product, especially one with such a great price point.

The Ergo Cocoon is a zip up baby swaddle which also helps with the transition into a sleeping bag by having poppers in the arm slots.  It comes in 4 great colours - blue, pink, grey and white, and is only $29.95.

(It comes boxed so it makes a great gift)

 

Sophie The Giraffe

Born in 1961, her success is legendary in France. Made in the French Alps with natural rubber and non-toxic paint, Sophie has been safely cuddled and chewed for over 40 years! The famous giraffe ‘Sophie’, in natural rubber (phthalate-free) is soft, light, and easy to grasp and fits perfectly into little hands. Sophie is loveable and amusing. She even makes a happy sound when squeezed. Babies especially love her bumpy head to soothe their teething gums.

Customer Of The Week

It's Miss Eloise looking fabulous in a winter hat by BEBE.  I think I spy a Rock Your Baby Peace Skirt too - doesn't surprise me as I think Miss Eloise owns most of the stuff we stock at CHALK!!

Looking gorgeous missy.

 

Whirlies

Look what I just ordered!  I'm very excited - these wonderfully bright and happy products should be in store next week.

There is no way you can't crack a smile when faced with these bursts of colour.

    

  

Minimink Is Back

And as gorgeous as ever.  We have stocked up on the glorious blankets and have added mittens and russian hats to the collection this season.  The bootees are still in stock and all three come in the signature colours of rich lush chocolate, warm honey brown, and creamy soft milk.

 

  
I regularly find myself inanely stroking these blankets when I should be busy with something else - There is something so opulent yet soothing about them.  I'm addicted.

So Much To Choose From

 

CHRISTMAS AT CHALK

It's that time of year again - my favourite time of the year.  When else can you cover your house with garish lights that drive the neighbours mad? Oh, actually, I do that at Halloween and I may even do it at Easter this year...

Anyway, I also get to decorate the shop which is always a highlight and this year we have so many gorgeous tree decorations that I couldn't decide which ones needed to come home with me.

 

Rhubarb also came through with the goods and we still have some of their lovely felt decorations and Christmas cards.  Unfortunately all the wreaths sold out in days, which is great for us but not so good if you weren't one of those who bought one!

    
  
Over the next couple of days I'll show you some of the goodies we have in that would make fabulous gifts this year - and remember, we GIFT WRAP FOR FREE!

I may have gift wrapping RSI but I love doing it so make sure you take advantage of not having to go home and do it all yourself.

I've been having a lovely time tonight looking through the Country Living Blog.  I wanted to share these kids room images with you as I think they're gorgeous.  I found heaps more but I'll save them for another day.  Enjoy the weekend.

Lamb Love

How exciting - Caitlin from Little Lamb has done a lovely write-up about CHALK and featured it on her blog.  Check it out ...

http://littlelambtales.blogspot.com/2009/08/little-lamb-chalks-one-up.html

I spent some time with Caitlin and Little Lamb at the Life In Style trade fair last week and we had great fun setting up her display and checking out the other vendors. 

It was chock full of lovely products and the displays were amazing.  All credit to those people who put together such creative displays, especially in the Kids In Style section.

We have picked up a few new labels from the trade fair - Huckleberry Lane pajamas will arrive to brighten next winter's range which is exciting.  I'll let you know about our other new delights soon.

Chalk has a Little Lamb

Those of you who have visited CHALK this week may have noticed our fabulous new product - Little Lamb Jewellery.

We are thrilled to be the FIRST EVER stockist of Caitlin's new jewellery.

 Caitlin Boyce has developed a wonderful and whimsical range of bangles, bracelets and necklaces specially for the young jewellery lover. Those of us who are lucky enough to own Caitlin's

pieces ourselves can now buy a mini version for someone special in our lives.

The bangles and bracelets come in two sizes, infant (0-2) and child (2 up).  You can choose from five gorgeous charms - fawn, lamb, rabbit, elephant, or bird, and these can be made in sterling silver or if you are feeling like a little extra glamour, 9ct gold.

 Each piece is beautifully packaged and comes complete with it's own crocheted Little Lamb, and information about Little Lamb's support of orphaned children in rural Bangladesh.

They really are divine - I even have the elephant necklace myself and believe me, I would have the bracelet if I could convince her to make one to fit me!

 

Toasty Warm

I don't know whether I under dressed last Saturday or whether it was particularly freezing but even with the heater on in the shop I couldn't get warm.  (People who know me will not be surprised by this)

After suffering for a couple of hours I decided to pop on some of our leg warmers.  I can't tell you what a difference it made - by the way I wore them as arm warmers, not on my legs you will be pleased to know.

I managed to survive the day and thought I'd post about them as a thank you.  So if you're suffering this winter pop in a grab some leg warmers for your kids then pinch them for yourself.  It's a win/win situation as they'll love you for buying them a pressie and you'll get a fabulous new accessory. 

 

Flagged

 

Paper Eskimo have developed these fabulous paper flags.  They come in a pad of 100 assorted flags and are only $9.00!!  The string I've hung up here is the girls version and this is about half of the pack.  What a fantastic way to brighten up a room or decorate for a party for under ten bucks.