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25 November 2013

10 naughty but nice Christmas treats for kids (and mums & dads!)


I know it's a cliche but it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. With a month to go it is almost unavoidable. Most shops have been ramping up the Christmas displays, toy sales and general hype for weeks now. The Christmas parade has come and gone, there are not many days of school left and Santa is getting a real workout dashing from one shopping centre to the next!

So, it is time to embrace the festive season and what better way to do that than by sharing some fabulous Christmas recipes? These creations have been gathered from a variety of sources and I have not tried them all so cannot personally vouch for them, but they look absolutely magnificent. This list celebrates the decadence and fun of this time of year and is definitely not recommended for everyday cooking.
My definition of Christmas on a stick. Children will love this one.


An interesting choice for Christmas breakfast - fun and even slightly healthy.


There, I managed to include something slightly healthy but completely yummy.

Photo: Yunhee Kim

4. Chocolate raspberry pavlova
Very patriotic as pavlova is the Australian dessert and what could be better than adding chocolate and raspberries?



The kids can definitely help to make these and they can be packaged up as home-made Christmas gifts.


Photo: Dani Venn


Not too sweet but still a great Christmassy taste, and it will keep well - if there's any left!



Yum! Just explain to your little girls that they are not actually eating the Strawberry Shortcake...


Children will love to help with making these, especially when it comes to using the cookie cutter.


I love these - and they look so easy. Child's play!




This looks absolutely fantastic, so hopefully one of my friends will make one so I can try it. After my last gingerbread house effort I think I'll pass on this complex recipe, but good luck to you if you give it a go. I'd love to see a photo.



Happy cooking (and eating) with your family and friends and remember it is only once a year.


The team at nestling.

18 November 2013

Breastfeeding - current events

Photo courtesy Anton Nossik

Breastfeeding has long been a highly emotional and divisive topic. I would like to be able to say that breastfeeding in public is now commonplace and totally accepted, but unfortunately society has not yet got to that point. However, improvements in education and public perception have been made and these should be celebrated.

Breast vs bottle
The World Health Organisation takes a strong stance on the importance of breast milk for newborn babies and young children and states that, "virtually all mothers can breastfeed". This is of no comfort to those who cannot. Whilst most mothers would like to be able to make the decision to breast or bottle feed without fear of judgement, in reality this just is not the case. Those women who go straight to bottle feeding, or those who try breastfeeding and then switch to bottle, often feel extremely guilty (or are made to feel extremely guilty) for not breastfeeding their child. There are others who persevere with breastfeeding only to find themselves miserable and dreading every feed, which can lead to issues with bonding with their baby.

Returning to work
For those who are lucky enough to find breastfeeding both comfortable and easy, it is the most natural thing in the world. If they are also employed in workplaces that are supportive and flexible in relation to maternity leave, returning to work, and breastfeeding or expressing in the workplace, then they probably don't know what all the fuss is about. But I would suggest that these lucky women are in the minority.

Benefits of breastfeeding
That said, there is strong evidence of the benefits of breast milk for babies - particularly in relation to building immunity, reducing the risk of obesity and diabetes in adulthood, and, as a result of recent research, increases in intelligence. For the mother the benefits include helping to lose weight gained during pregnancy as well as reducing rates of ovarian and breast cancer in later life.

Statistics
A 2012 report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare showed that 90% of Australian babies are breastfed at birth. This figure drops significantly by the end of the recommended exclusive breastfeeding period of six months and, while statistics vary, it appears that only approximately 10-15% of mothers are still exclusively breastfeeding their babies at six months.

UK trial
In an attempt to overcome low breastfeeding rates in the UK, on November 13 a pilot scheme was announced. The pilot will take place in two low income areas of England and will offer food vouchers (with a value of approximately AU$340) to new mothers who breastfeed their babies for the first six weeks.

The study is aimed at lower income areas where it is feared breastfeeding is no longer a cultural norm, and has in fact been stigmatised by formula advertising. In the areas chosen for the study it is not uncommon for new mothers to never have seen a baby being breastfed. The researchers claim that babies born into affluent families in the UK are four times more likely to be breastfed than those born into deprived areas.

The initiative is clearly controversial with some questioning the use of financial incentives. However, if the trial is successful, it could be rolled out across the UK next year.

Breast milk bank
In Australia, an alternative for mothers who want to breastfeed but are unable to do so is the Mother's Milk Bank. This not-for-profit organisation, staffed by volunteers, collects, screens, pasteurises and distributes donated human milk to mothers who are unable to supply their own milk to their babies, or who develop problems with lactation and require support to continue to breastfeed their babies. 

Currently operating out of Northern NSW, it is the aim of the Mother's Milk Bank to facilitate the introduction of a network of banks around Australia within 10 years. 


We are all for anything that keeps mothers and babies happy and healthy.

The team at nestling.

11 November 2013

Suri Cruise's style


Suri Cruise, daughter of Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, at the tender age of seven, is already known for her style and taste when it comes to clothing. Clearly her mother has a large degree of influence and demonstrates great taste in dressing young Suri in expensive designer clothes. However, this must be an area of interest for Suri as it is rumoured she will be launching her own label next year.

Here are some of our favourite Miss Cruise outfits, together with some equally stylish nestling alternatives.


If Suri likes her pink floral dress we think she would love the style and fun of the Heart paisley swing dress from Paper Wings.
Now that she has grown up a bit, Suri might choose this sleeveless Frill armhole dress from One Red Fly. It's the same colour as hers, but a slightly older design.


One Red Fly




Navy seems to be a favourite of the glamorous Miss Cruise. We think she would love both the Broidery party dress from Megan Park Girl and the Lace skater dress from Tahlia by Minihaha.

Megan Park Girl
Tahlia by Minihaha





The gorgeous lines of the Fabrik Riviera dress in ivory look absolutely fantastic and would be sure to appeal to Suri's taste.




Of course while it is nice to get ideas from little celebrities it is also important (and lots of fun) to let your little ones develop their own style - even if that does mean wearing gumboots with strappy summer dresses!

If you're looking for inspiration for your boys look no further than the ever-stylish Beckham family. 

Have fun dressing your mini fasionistas.

The team at nestling.

4 November 2013

Hip hip hooray!!


This week we are celebrating nestling's first birthday!! We can't believe that it has been a year since we opened our virtual doors. It has been so busy that the last twelve months are a bit of a blur.

As we are in a party mood we decided to highlight some of our favourite nestling party outfits - with Christmas just around the corner we hope they will come in very handy. 

For the girls we have beautiful dresses from a range of popular and exclusive brands. There are stylish party dresses from Megan Park Girl, One Red Fly, Tahlia byMinihaha, and Willow & Finn; and fabulously fun designs from Paper Wings and Hootkid


Megan Park Girl
One Red Fly
Willow & Finn
Hootkid

There are some gorgeous choices for baby girls from Bebe by Minihaha, Little Wings and Purebaby.


Little Wings
Purebaby
Bebe by Minihaha

Boys are well catered for by Andy & Evan, Bebe by Minihaha, Fox & Finch, Purebaby and Sierra Julian. With some more casual styles available from Broken Tricycle, Hootkid, Milky, Paper Wings and Rhubarb.


Broken Tricycle
Andy & Evan
Purebaby
Hootkid

We have also recently received our latest range of Huckleberry Lane sleepwear for girls and boys, as well as our Acorn sunhats, both of which make fabulous Christmas presents.


Huckleberry Lane
Huckleberry Lane
Acorn

Come and celebrate our birthday with us! Look out for our special birthday offers later this week.

We look forward to bringing you a lot more beautiful clothes over the coming year.

The team at nestling.