Back To School.

School goes back in just a couple of weeks and many are preparing for their little ones very first day of Big School! Nervousness, excitement, sadness and everything in between, it can be with mixed emotions that we send our little ones off. If this is the big year for your family then you’re probably busy worrying about how your child will get along, if they have the right equipment and will they eat their lunch? But in the midst of all the practical preparations don’t forget the fun stuff! Pretty Princess has compiled some ideas to help make the start of school extra special!

Make Memories

Most people will take a picture of their child in school uniform on their first day, maybe in front of the house or the school- but there are some amazing ideas out there to give the traditional first day photo something extra.

You could use an App or computer program to insert words like in this beautiful picture from Allenaim Photography:

Allenaim Photography

Or make some creative use of blackboards like this one from Smile and Wave:

Smile and Wave

If you don’t have any blackboards you could achieve the same effect with some decorated poster board. 

Another sweet idea to capture this moment in time is to conduct a Back to School Interview. Your future big-schooler will feel very special and grown up while you ask them questions about their likes and dislikes and it will be great fun to look back over their answers in the future!  You could collate all their interviews and photos into a book come graduation. To make interviewing your little princess or prince extra easy head over to Petite Lemon where you can download a printable interview sheet for free!

Super Big Kid Breakfast

You’ve probably spent a lot of time planning lunch boxes and organizing snacks in the lead up to the big day but what about the rest of the day?  You’ll want to send them off to school with a healthy breakfast- but health doesn’t preclude fun!

What about Super-Fluffy Wholemeal Pancakes? Top with fruit salad and a tiny bit of maple syrup. Your little one will be delighted with their extra special big-kid breakfast and it will give them plenty of energy for their big day! You might be busy getting ready in the morning so make the pancake mix and the fruit salad the night before, they’ll keep in the fridge and it’ll take no time to fry the pancakes up come breakfast time!

Congratulations Afternoon Tea

Anything out of the usual will delight them. Cookies and milk or out for an ice cream, enjoying a yummy afternoon tea together will be the perfect opportunity to hear all about their big day!

A special gift and a new tradition

Now your little one is a big school kid they’ll be learning to write more and more. They can practice their writing as well as record their first year of school in pictures with a Nightime Drawing Journal!

The Coterie Blog 

Receiving their own special book and perhaps some new pencils will make them feel extra grown up. Explain how journals are used and give them a little quiet time each evening to draw their day. You’ll see more and more words’ appearing as the year goes on and at the end of the year it will be a special record of their development and learning as well as all the fun they've had!

Something for the Grown-ups!

Once the kids are tucked away for the night don’t forget to celebrate your own success! Big school is milestone for the child and for the parents. You've done a great job for the last 5 years, you've got them this far and that’s worth celebrating! Have a glass of bubbly, a special dessert or have an at-home-date. You deserve it! Congratulations Parents!

Welcome to 2013 with a $20 Voucher.

Summer is here at last, and although the presents are all unwrapped and the tree packed away party season is only just beginning! January is the time for BBQ's and the beach, fetes and festivals and of course Australia Day!

Here are our top 3 ways to celebrate Australia Day with your kids:

- Backyard Cricket, kids as young as 3 will enjoy a simplified game, just move the stumps closer together and be prepared to relax the rules a little! Check out our Eternal Creation Marine Stripped Playsuit.

- Beach BBQ. What's more Australian then snags on the barbie? The beach is perfect for a hot January day. If you want to use a public BBQ plan to arrive early- they are popular on Aussie Day! Our Bebe Daisy Shirt and Short Set is ideal for the youngest princesses big beach day out.

- Picnic at the Park. Check your Local council website, many organise fun family events on the 26th. Take along a picnic to save having to wait for a BBQ. Good Aussie picnic food might include vegemite sandwiches, sausage rolls, and lamingtons- yummy! We love the Fox & Finch Coco Frill Back Dress for a special park picnic.


Pretty Princess wants to help you ring in the new year and prepare for the party season ahead so we're offering a $20 Voucher when you spend over $100. Simply enter the code 20PP13 at the checkout. As an added bonus we've extended our free postage offer and all orders within Australia will be sent free of charge! Please note, this offer is not valid with any other offer or coupon. Original purchase total must be over $100. Offer ends midnight 31st Januray, 2013.

Santa Claus is coming to town - tips for getting the perfect Santa photo.

Santa Claus has arrived at a shopping centre near you, and its time to start thinking about the annual Santa photo again. When you still have young children in the family this picture can cause nearly as much anxiety as it does joy, it can be hard to gauge whether you’ll be seeing smiles or tears on old St. Nicks lap!  Pretty Princess is here to help this festive season- use these handy hints to net that perfect shot this festive season.

·         Pick your location.  There are so many Santa’s to choose from! Try and choose one in a place the children are familiar with and will feel comfortable at. If time allows walk past Santa a few times in the days or weeks before photo day. Watch other children have their pictures taken so the kids know what to expect.

·         Build it up! Talk to the kids about what they might ask Santa, and about what’s on their wish list. If you can try to make a day of it- is there a favorite store or playground nearby the family could visit afterwards?

·         Pick your time. You don’t want tired or hungry little Princesses and Princes, if they aren’t going in happy its unlikely they will warm to Santa and a photographer waving bells in their faces!

·         Come prepared. You could be in for a long line up! Make sure everyone is toileted before arriving. Have hairbrush and baby wipes on hand for any last minute touch ups. It might be a good idea to bring along a small toy for each child to play with as they wait.

·         Dress to impress. When picking clothes its fine to go festive but try to avoid red- Remember Santa will be in red and you want your family to stand out not blend in! And remember this means you too! If all goes south you may need to hop in the photo even if you didn’t initially plan on it!

·         If your little one is shy allow them to take along a special toy or teddy bear. Having that security blanket with them may give them the confidence needed to produce a smile!

Check out our suggestions for dressing your Little Princess to meet Santa and remember all orders between now and Christmas enjoy FREE postage as our Christmas gift to you!



Bebe Isla Blue Floral Dress

Fox & Finch Candy Pink Sundress

Eternal Creation Violetta Dress



 

 

Photoshoot Play Day

There was fun to be had at Pretty Princess HQ on our recent photo shoot play day! We invited six very special little Princesses to be the first to try on our newly arrived range from Minihaha. These little Princesses had a ball trying on all the beautiful new clothes, playing tea party and laughing in the garden!

You’ll be seeing some of the photo’s taken by Busy Bee Photography in our future advertising and on the website but we’re giving you a sneak peak at the fun we had with this beautiful range today!

 

Minihaha produces two ranges, Bebe by Minihaha is for girls’ newborn-two years of age and Minihaha’s Fox & Finch is designed for Princesses between the ages of two and eight. The new introductions to these lines are all about summer. Summer colours, summer weather and summer fun!

 

New to the Bebe line is the beautiful ‘Ruby’ dress. Perfect for summer play this sweet dress flares out beautifully at the bottom and features ruffled sleeves and a summery fine floral pattern.

Bebe Ruby Dress

We are also welcoming Bebe’s Isla Blue Floral Dress.  This sky blue summer dress features a row of white buttons down the chest that highlight the tiny white flowers adorning this lovely light fabric.

Bebe Blue Isla Floral Dress

 
In the Fox & Finch range say hello to the Pink Floral Bubble Dress. This one would make a superb summer party dress but would be just as suitable for a day at the beach. Adorably gathered at the leg to create the bubble effect this dress is really something special.

Fox & Finch Pink Floral Bubble Dress

 
The Candy Pink Sundress also features in Fox & Finch reminiscent of retro carnivals, pony rides and fairy floss this dress is perfect for your Pretty Princess’s big day out. Pleats falling from the chest below neat square neckline and perfectly detailed sleeves this dress is the perfect mix of practicality and pretty!

Fox & Finch Candy Pink Sundress
 

Eternal Creation Summer 2012 Range

Pretty Princess is excited to be introducing you to our just-out-of-the-box, new season, Eternal Creation Stock. A feature of the Pretty Princess store, Eternal Creation has long been a favorite of many customers and we’re sure their latest offering won’t disappoint.

Committed to ethical trade, Eternal Creation is based in the foothills of the Himalayas where they maintain good working conditions; provide fair pay and work to keep up employee morale.  Employees enjoy good job security, bonuses, holidays and parental leave. Eternal Creation also provides its employees with a range of free training programs in English, computer use and specialised tailoring. In purchasing Eternal Creation clothing and accessories you not only get a spectacular product you’re also supporting fair trade and ethical practice.

Eternal Creation creates beautiful, high quality products. Their fabrics are durable and yet very breathable and light. The care taken in design and production is evident in each piece. Every Eternal Creation item fits perfectly and wears well. The colours and patterns you’ll find in the Eternal Creation range are truly special and stand unique when compared to anything else available.

If your dressing more then one little Princess the Eternal Creation range offers ample opportunity for organising their outfits to complement one another. Each fabric in the range comes in more then one style of dress allowing you to match fabrics but choose a style that best suits the age and personality of the individual child. The Violetta dress sports an exquisite magenta patterned fabric enhanced by block coloured waistband and hem. The same colours and fabric are found in the ViolettaGemma, which features a flared skirt, a ruffled trim and neatly tied sash about the waist. There are also matching hairclips available for the Violetta designs.

Violetta Dress

 
The same opportunity for matching sisters exists with the Eternal Creation red polka dot Party dresses.

 

Eternal Creation bibs are highly recommended, not only for use with their co-coordinating sister products in the range but for everyday wear. Double the thickness of your average bib they offer your daughters clothes and skin an added level of protection. Eternal creation bibs are also beautiful in their own right so you needn’t feel frustrated covering up a sweet outfit. We’ve welcomed the Eternal Creation Miriam bib to Pretty Princess. Lined with pink piping and dotted with sweet rosy flowers this bib will complement any little princesses outfit even while it protects it.

Miriam Bib

The Miriam bib is cut from the same fabric as the Miriamplaysuit. Eternal Creation playsuits are ideal for the active baby who finds it difficult to navigate a dress. Pretty enough for a wedding or church service and practical enough for a day at play.  The Miriam range also includes the Dress for older girls.

Miriam Playsuit
 

Eternal Creation is one of the few companies we source boys clothes from- because they are absolutely irresistible. If you’re shopping for a little Prince you’ll love the Eternal Creation Marine Stripe Playsuit. This little overall style outfit screams summer by the seaside. Cool and easy to play in the suit has a little pocket at the chest (perfect for collecting seashells) and snap buttons for easy nappy change.

Marine Striped Overall with Hat

 

 

Be sure to check out the rest of the products in this range, we’re sure you will be as excited as we were at what you find.

 

 

 

 

 

WIN AN ALIMROSE TOY

We’re warming up for Christmas here at Pretty Princess! The festive season is only just around the corner so Pretty Princess has decided to get into the giving spirit with a special competition!

Christmas is just around the corner.

 

To enter all you need to do is make any purchase on Pretty Princess between September 1^st – 30^th! Each order will receive a number and Random.org will pick the lucky one. Announced on the Facebook page and notified by email on Monday 1^st of October the winner will be able to pick out their favorite Alimrose Design toy as a prize! Be sure to leave a valid email address when ordering so we can notify you if you win.

 

Alimrose Design Musical Lamb

 

If you’re not already acquainted with the beautiful Alimrose Design toys then Christmas is the perfect time. There is something for little Princes and Princesses of all ages. Check out Alimrose Designs Knit Ellie the Elephant. I saw Ellie in person at the recent Pretty Princess new season showcase and she is even more adorable in real life. Little Ellie Elephant is unbearably soft and sure to delight any lucky child on Christmas day! For new arrivals Alimrose Designs has some very special mobiles and for older children the Do It Yourself Owl Kit is sure to delight!

Alimrose Designs Mary Doll

Alimrose Design Ellie Apron

 

There can only be one winner in our Alimrose Design competition, but Pretty Princess wants to share the Christmas joy with all their customers… so ALL orders will enjoy FREE postage from now till Christmas!

Meet Alicia

Spring is in sight, and with only two weeks of winter to go some Pretty Princess loyalists recently gathered for an extra special sneak preview of some the Spring range. The new stock won’t be available to view on the website until the end of August but here’s a little preview of what you can expect to see.

As winter fades away Bebe by Minihaha has introduced us to their new ‘Alicia’ range. You can expect light cottons in clean whites and pastels, ruffled fabrics, lace trims and sweet floral patterns alongside neat pretty-in-pink pinstripes.

The Bebe ‘Alicia’ Striped Dress, adorned with the beautifully embroidered hot air balloon speaks of icecream, longer days and beachside holidays. The entire range screams spring and summer fun. The light airy fabric used throughout the ‘Alicia’ range will keep your little princess cool and comfortable while she enjoys the sun.

Bebe Alicia Striped Dress

While the days are certainly getting sunnier that nip in the air isn’t going anywhere just yet, evenings out in the spring air call for light cardigans to keep chilly breezes off little arms. The Bebe Swing Cardi in a crisp white will match any spring dress beautifully and is just the right thickness for that in-between weather as we emerge from winter.

Bebe Swing Cardi

Light cotton bodysuits are the staple item of a warm weather wardrobe for the baby-toddler age range. These practical little pieces don’t have to be boring. Smocking and adorably frilled sleeves make the Bebe ‘Alicia’ Frill bodysuit perfect for special occasions as well as everyday wear. Lightweight and easy to move around in, the bodysuit also has easy nappy change fasteners so it’s just as practical as a plain romper.

Bebe Alicia Frill Bodysuit

We’ve all been so enchanted by ‘Alicia’, and there is so much more of this special range to be revealed at the end of the month. Check back so that you too can get acquainted with this Springs’ must-have Princess wear.