An Ethical Gift Guide // Gender Neutral Gifts for Kids.

I had quite a few requests for a more gender neutral gift guide and I loved looking around for this. My big girl doesn't have a penchant for pretty or glitter and prefers to run free and come home muddy and exhausted from her adventures. Here are some lovely and timeless gifts for boys and girls of many ages.

1. Fanny + Alexander are a very cool small business creating high quality keepsake toys. This adorable satchel would be perfect for the many adventures of childhood.

2. The original A frame tent, The Natural Wonder Tent is the perfect hideaway for quiet play or stealthy adventures. Made by one of our favourite Australian brands, Such Great Heights.

3. This apron set, made in the USA by Oddette Williams lets little people help in the kitchen or create mud cakes outside. Find it at the creative and cool shop, Mercimilo.

4. Sustainably made and educational, these wooden scales aim to please big and little people. From Shorties.

5. Answering the question, "What lies beneath", this beautiful story adventures into the world below the surface. Find it at Flora and Henri.

6. BOBO. BOBO. BOBO. Y'all know how deep my love runs for this brand. This pink and mustard jumper is perfect post beach in summer and to cosy up in winter.

7. Perfect tea party kit. Shorties.

8. A bug hotel to create a home to study and observe the movements of incredible insects. Found at Fawn Shoppe.

9. Unisex sandals. Classic, timeless and well made. From Tiny People Shop.

10. A beuatifully crafted kit of child sized tools from French toymaker Moulin Roty. Find them at Flora and Henri. There is a smaller version at HoneyBee Toys.

11. A star sleep suit from Aussie brand Thread Store. Swoon.

12. A Jess Brown Doll. We have three of these rag dolls and I have restitched parts and made them clothing for many adventures. Piper has a boy doll on her list this year.

13. This treehouse is buildable and sustainably made. So open ended it can be used as a fairy home, a pirate's ship, a medieval castle, an animal shelter...the list is endless. A toy that would last for many generations to come. Clever Santa! Find it at the amazing HoneyBee Toys.

One more to come, for those with a penchant for glitter!
♡

An Ethical Gift Guide // 5-7 year old.

I LOVE getting my Christmas on. From choosing gifts to advent activities (hello hot cocoas at sunset on the beach!) this really is a magical time of year. Last year I created a much loved gift guide for both my girls and thought it would be nice to share some more inspirations in case Santa is a bit stumped. Do enjoy!

BEST: The PolkaDotClub Classic Bear. Made by a second generation toy maker this heirloom bear is sure to be cherished on many adventures and passed on to your grandchildren one day. The lavender is divine.

1: A wheely basket for storing and pulling treasures around by Olli and Ella.

2: Maileg Mum and Dad Mice from Wild and Whimsical Things. Hands down the current most treasured toys in our home for both my girls.

3: The BonBon porcelain jar for hiding tiny treasures from KidoStore.

4: Mabo MaryJane Clogs handmade in Sweden.

5: Nailmatic Lipbalm and Polish 97% natural and made in France (oh la la) from Wild and Whimsical Things.

6: A linen apron dress from Yoli & Otis. Timeless and beautiful and coveting it hard.

7: Summer and Storm Calming crystal necklace.

8: Acorn Willow Hat from My Messy Room.

9: The George Truck from Such Great Heights. Piper loves driving her little toys around the house, away on caravan holidays and tucking them into sleep in the back of the pickup. This beautifully handmade truck should cover all the bases.

10: Jumper no15 in Flame, organic wool and handmade by Babaã.

11: Sunnies by Sons & Daughters. Swoon.

12: Grimms Fairydoor. Help the fairies find a way to visit your sleeping babes. From Honeybee Toys.

❤

WANT, NEED, WEAR, READ // AN ETHICAL GIFT GUIDE FOR 2-4 YEAR OLDS.

As a follow on to my gift guide for 5-7 year olds, I have searched high and low for some lovely and ethical items for the littler people in your life. Following the same simple rule of "something they want, something they need, something to wear, something to read" we will be gifting our little Poppy a few keepsake items made with love and to be loved for a long time. I hope you enjoy this second round up of ideas.

1. Ostheimer wooden horse from Oliver's Twisty Tales // We have a handful of these beautiful wooden toys and they are always played with and when not look beautiful to adorn a shelf or dresser.

2. Oli & Carol forest animals from Wild & Whimsical Things // Made from natural hevea trees, these toys are safe to whew on, use in the bath or for any imaginative play.

3. Musical Marble Tree from Dragonfly Toys //  This marble tree plays beautiful clinking sounds when a marble is dropped in from the top. Brilliant for grown-ups too!

4. Wooden Australiana Puzzle from Shorties // Adorable vintage looking puzzle to start your little traveller dreaming about their next adventure.

5. Heirloom Bonnet from Mountain Honey Clothier // These bonnets are so loved by Poppy and come with ears that can be changed and is two sided so can be reversed. Handmade with love it is a keepsake and looks delicious on toddlers.

6. Wooden Stacking Boxes from Mr Wolf Kids // Stack, knock down, repeat. Fill with little collections, hideaway little toys. So open ended and well constructed. These will be loved and used often.

7. Wooden camera from Fanny & Alexander // These beautiful wooden toys can be taken on bush walks and adventures and encourage little ones to focus on tiny details in nature and "capture" them through the push of a button.

8. Maileg Baby Mouse in a box from Wild & Whimsical Things // Both of my girls have a handful of mailer mice and bunnies and treat them like real tiny babies, tucking them into their boxes for nighttime sleeps and cuddles.

9. Fleece Skirt from Bobo Choses // It's no secret and we adore our Bobo. This skirt has pockets for hiding little treasures and gems found on walks and has a beautiful mustard print. Swoon.

10. Enamel Mug from Bobo Choses // Hot cocoa, camping trips, water for naps, these little mugs are the perfect size for tiny hands and can take a banging.

11. Mini Saucepan Set from Oliver's Twisty Tales // Adorable toddler sized set for cooking up stews, and treats for all their wee friends.

12. Wooden Kitchen from Honeybee Toys // Beautifully constructed wooden stove with lovely details for your little chef. I can picture my grandkids playing with this one day.

13. Play silks from Sarah's Silks // Every home needs a handful of these, they feel beautiful and can be anything. Capes, baby blankets, oceans, table cloths, baby slings, the ideas are endless and inspiring.

14. Organic Fleece Friends by Mountain Honey Clothier // Made from the leftover scraps after making her beautiful bonnets, these tiny bears are beautiful and delicate and treasures for tiny hands.

15. Lyra Ferby Coloured Pencils from Wild & Whimsical Things // We started using Lyra pencils a while ago and never use anything else. High quality and these ones are shorter and fatter for tiny hands to grip.

16. Little Fairy Can't Sleep from Dragonfly Toys // A magical, dream inducing bedtime story.

17. Black + White Stars Nightie from G.Nancy // Poppy's favourite nightie and so well made.

I hope you find some inspirations here and remember that the biggest gift is time with you, so give that first and always. x

fly away with me.

what a day the 25th was.

pure magic.

♡ ashley

p.s. i didn't explain 365 right and scared some takers away. it is a photo a day, a post with the photos whenever. anyone more keen now?!

see you next year. x.

and the beat goes on.

The last week came and went quickly. Our small town continues to unite to fix the devastation of a force much stronger than we could control. Pieces are picked back up and things continue in a way as they were.

In my home, piper failed to notice anything was out of the norm.

she is her own force of nature.



some days i step on the fields of goodies strewn from spot to spot and forget to smile at the joy each holds. she wore my sandal on her hand while running with a book and yelling CHEESE MEOW. how cool are little people that those moves don't have them committed and instead swell our hearts and make us want to scoop them up and savour them.

Sucking out the marrow of life.

i bought this garlic at the farmers market. organic. dirty. $5 a head. ouch. it was that awkward moment of realising it was a bit rich for me but being in too deep to a conversation with the farmer who grows them. once upon a time it was shoes that i would pay far too much for and feel the twang as i handed over my credit card. now it is garlic as i pinch through a change purse for some coins. my times change.

The op shop gods have smiled down on me this week.

They smiled down on piper too and we have little people to share her love of digging and running.

The white one is queen size. $5. The other double $3.

as a teacher of little people i often forget to bring some of the ideas to my home. this recipe makes fabulous play dough. milk tops and jar lids for cookie cutters, a block as a roller, some play pans, we had a full on dough party. it has the added benefit of being a salty snack.

tree is up. daggy decorations are hanging. yes, friends that is indeed a sparkly can of bud.

tis the seasons folks. whoop. it. up.

♡ ashley

p.s. any idea why picasa refuses to make my photos big?