#82 Mother's Day As Intended

The First 'Mother's Peace Day'  Proclamation was by Julia Ward Howe in 1870. 

Although the original meaning of the day has been all but lost among commercial offerings, her wisdom is today perhaps more meaningful then ever.

Arise, then, women of this day! Arise, all women who have hearts, whether your baptism be that of water or tears!

Say firmly: "We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking with carnage, for caresses and applause. 

Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn all that we have taught them of charity, mercy and patience. 

We women of one country will be too tender of those of another to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

From the bosom of the devastated earth, a voice goes up with our own. It says, "Disarm, Disarm!"

The sword of murder is not the balance of justice. Blood not wipe out dishonor, nor violence indicate possession. 

As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war, let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel. 

Let them meet first, as women, to bewail & commemorate the dead. Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace, each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesars but of God.

In the name of womanhood and of humanity, I earnestly ask that a general congress of women without limit of nationality may be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenient and at the earliest period consistent with its objects, to promote the alliance of the different nationalities, the amicable settlement of international questions, the great and general interests of peace.


How painful and humbling to realise that now, it is 142 years on, and we are no closer to living these same truths.
For all that we teach our children to learn from past mistakes, it would seem that we are firmly set in a 'do as I say, not as I do' society.

image via american gallery by Jane Lund 

Julia Ward Howe was born in New York City in 1819 and is today best known as the writer of the Battle Hymn for the Republic.

A passionate campaigner for women's rights, anti slavery, equality and world peace, Julia published several volumes of poetry as well as travel books and a play. Along with her husband she also co published the anti slavery newspaper 'The Commonwealth'. 

In 1908, two years before her passing, she became the first woman to ever be elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

#81 Not So Small News

If you happen to read my other blog All ForEver After, then you know that alas, my big news is not that I am running away to join the circus.

Although this photo makes me seriously consider it?


Lilibet, Circus Child. image via tumblr

Back to topic & it's been pretty quiet on here lately as I have been running around like a headless chooken, trying to get organised for five weeks solo overseas as well as packing up the house so that in my absence my little family can relocate to Adelaide, South Australia!
Stressful & exciting all at once? Check!

As a result of these happenings I'll be a wee bit disappeared for about 6 weeks, possibly longer if it takes time to get settled in & back online on the other side...
I really hope you'll still be here when I get back!

Love C x

#80 Rocking Chair

It's no secret that sometimes when the nesting craze hits expectant parents, it can be easy to go a bit overboard & end up with things that aren't needed & are never used.

However you can also end up in the opposite situation where something you dismissed as frivolous, really would have been quite incredibly nice, if not necessary, to have.

That was the case for me & the concept of a feeding chair. I realised that not having one was a mistake quite early on in the piece but had a strange (but unfortunately not uncommon)  little stubborn thing going on with myself that stopped me from rectifying the situation & as a result spent about a year in odd & uncomfortable nighttime feeding positions while dreaming of a comfy chair.

I'm now a bit in love with the Nurseryworks sleepytime rocker nursery chair - Ecru....

      

I have that first chair bookmarked as a bit of a dream for any possible future babies...

I think perhaps I would spend a lot more time accidentally sleeping in the nursery in a chair like that? But surely worth it?

The Nurseryworks chairs aren't cheap however, available from bebe online for $1249.95 & the stool for $699.95 with 10% off for bebe VIP members.

So I think that for me, this will be an inspiration chair...

Cx

#79 Portable Baby Chair

About a year ago a friend of mine bought the Little Beetle portable baby chair, a fabric chair that slips over most chairs (except for those that are very high backed), fastening securely at the back. I had never seen one before but quickly wished I had, it's such a handy little thing.

Great for holidays, visiting friends & family, as well as for cafes & restaurants. When you aren't using it it folds into it's own pocket & fits easily into your bag, it only weighs 160 grams so it's not like your lugging anything around in exchange for the convenience!

 

It's suitable for children who can sit unaided - 16kgs & is safety approved to Australian, US & European standards.
It's fully machine washable & is available in green, red & bright stripes.
You can find it online for $39.95 from Haggus and Stookles

Also available from Haggus and Stookles are these nifty little pieces..
The OnTray Trolley Snack Tray - clicks on to trolley handle & has a slide off lid: $12.99, Munchee Mug Snack Cup - stops snack spills (sultanas! argh!) as the lid is only open when the child's hand is inside: $12.95,  Baby U Juice Box Buddies - stops little ones squeezing juice boxes everywhere: $6.95

  

All 3 are BPA free & available in a range of colours.
We were given the Munchee Mug & both Master C & I love it. I'm particularly happy to not be wasting so much time crawling around on my hands & knees on the hunt for escapee snacks!

Cx

#78 Charlie Bears

Two years ago I discovered Charlie Bears. I actually still remember the moment I first saw one one the internet.
I should pause here & explain that I'm not the bear collecting type, or even that into bears at all to be honest! But you must trust me when I say that these bears truly are something else entirely.

Charlie Bear was founded by Charlotte & William Morris in November 2005 & they launched their first collection in February 2006.
The bears are each fully jointed & some have magnetic hands that can be positioned either together or on their faces, each comes with it's own 'birth certificate' & a collectable canvas bag. I'm also fairly that each bear comes with a bell hung around it's neck?
Each bear is completely handmade, from the cutting of the fabrics to stitching each nose, meaning the attention to detail is absolutely exceptional.
There are two bear houses, one in Cornwall, UK & one in Victoria, Australia,  you can't buy directly from the bear houses but there are plenty of stockists in Australia. It can be tricky if you are looking for a particular bear & you want to see it in person first, obviously it is a little easier if you are happy to buy online. They vary in price but most come in between $50 - $130, not including limited edition bears. There are also smaller bears & a baby range that are even more budget friendly but personally I think these mid range (in both price and size) bears are the best.
Being both very nicely weighted & fully jointed gives them lots of extra cuddle factor!

   
    
       

Each bear is made in a limited quantity, usually between 250- 3000 bears & then retired.

This means that they can also become a valuable investment, as demonstrated by 'Cheesecake' (pictured second last), a 2009 limited edition bear of whom only 300 were made. They originally retailed at about $220 however since being retired, on the very rare occasion that they do come up for sale it is in excess of $1300. Crazy eh? 

There are Charlie Bears that are made to have their mouths open & I don't really like those as I think they are a little strangely comical but everything else about them, in my opinion, is spot on.

My favourites are easily those with the more elongated, realistic looking noses. 

We bought 'Diesel' (pictured last) for Master C as his special bear, he was a little hard to find since we decided on him & then had to seek him out but thankfully we found one before they were retired & avoided paying the increased cost.

We bought a Charlie bear for our niece when she was born, as well as for 2 children of very dear friends as 'welcome' presents. We will definitely be continuing the tradition with any future children of our own. * 

They are the perfect gift for a new arrival as they really are the kind of bear that you will likely keep for a lifetime & pass on to your own children.

Our 'Diesel' has since been renamed 'Easel' due to some pronunciation confusion & is a firm favourite for both games & snuggles.

The hardest thing is choosing just one!

Cx

* See what I'm doing here? Planning my collection under the pretense they are for my children? I'm sneaky like that sometimes... shhhh no one will ever know...

#77 Honey Sticks

Honey Sticks = Best. Crayons. In. The. World.

Honestly!
Unlike some other crayons that leave a clumped waxy residue with minimal colour, Honey Sticks draw easily & smoothly with vibrant colours.
They are wonderfully solid & sturdy, it would be a marvel if a child managed to break them & the choking hazard is also addressed. Master C has had his for over two years (he uses them a lot) & the most damage sustained is that one has a tiny chip off it from a visiting child throwing it across the room. Oh & obviously, they are a fair bit shorter!
Made in New Zealand from local beeswax which is a natural bi-product of the honey industry & using non-toxic pigments, they are both safe for children & environmentally gentle.

The best thing of all? The smell. 

Oh my goodness. I love when the crayons are left out & walking into the playroom means you are met with this positively delicious smell. Yummo!

Cx

p.s sorry for the lack of posts lately, computer meltdowns. ugh.

p.p.s It has been brought to my attention that I neglected to include a sale point. Oops! Honey Sticks are available from a number of places including online from ecobabe for $14.95.

#76 Emma Wiesenekker

How much do you love that photo. Too sweet for words? I would actually really love to see a whole series of Emma Wieseneker's illustrations in photos, I think it's a concept that works perfectly with her whimsical style.

I am a big fan of Emma's work & I think it would look wonderful in a nursery or children's bedroom, however one of the especially lovely things about these pieces is that while very cute & certainly captivating for a child's imagination, maturity would bring a new level of appreciation for the intricate detail & talent of the artist. They would transition perfectly from a childhood fascination to an art piece in your child's home, laced ever so delightfully with memories & sentimental value.

 
  
 
  

It was so hard trying to narrow down my selections for this post, I'll admit I did have some help from one very opinionated three year old.
Please visit the Emma Wiesenekker blog in order to truly appreciate these gorgeous illustrations in their intended larger sizes, unfortunately my indecisiveness meant images at a smaller size (to fit more in) & I'm afraid some detail is lost, so head over & have a look!

The birds are truly remarkable in intricacy, though I think my favourites remain the horses & the whale. The use of watercolour is just stunning.

You can also find Emma Wiesenekker Designs on facebook & there is apparently an etsy shop opening quite soon - excitement!
I have my fingers crossed for a picture book in the not so distant future too... can you imagine?!

Cx

#75 Wooden Toys by Wood Mouse

There isn't even the slightest chance that these wooden phones will stop the mischievous monkeys from sneaking off with yours, but they're still cute no?

  

The figures from the Children of Nature series -Spring & Summer are sweet, very much in the Waldorf style, & are released in quite limited quantities.
Hand cut hardwood poplar with wood burnt details, Wood Mouse uses only non-toxic water based paints & each piece is sanded by hand to a perfectly smooth finish before being coated with beeswax & organic jojoba oils.

 
  
  
  

Wood Mouse pieces, especially considering that to break or even damage them would be near impossible, are very affordable. All those pictured with the exception of the block set come in at under $20.

Cx