You're Fast Asleep & Your Smoke Alarm Goes Off..What Would You Do?

Its one of those things you think will never happen to you. Really what's the chance of your house burning down and if it did what would be the first thing you took whilst trying to save your life? Family photos? Passport? Mobile Phone? Chances are if you were in that situation the only thing that would really matter is getting everyone out of the house in time.

My heart went out this week to Bowral local, Lisa Rochiax and her family when I heard about their story. The fire was going through the house so quickly that they only had time to get all four kids out of bed and grab a mobile phone. The house has been totally destroyed with not much retrieved except for a few odds and ends.

And now here comes the mammoth task in rebuilding their lives and replacing everything from the simple items to larger home appliances not to mention the house itself. Lisa's story was actually introduced by a friend of hers, Katie Alpen who's just as passionate as me in helping others in a time of need.

Along with Allies Attic I also have another hat in which I am also a signatory BraOlogist. Today infact I'm going along to a Allies Attic designers house to hold a Lingerie party.. where no doubt I'll spend a few hours styling, measuring and fitting Katie's friends for new bra's.. It's Katie that rang me to tell me about Lisa.. and hence our idea to hold today's party as a fund raising venture for Lisa to help her replace a few essential items.. Ahhh how i love two minds getting together for the greater good!

I'd also like to rally together and help Lisa and her family to replace some much needed items as quickly as possible. All help would be appreciated and every bit counts!

Here's how you can help:-

- Purchase any item from Intimo Lingerie for yourself directly through today's Fundraiser and 10% of sales will be used to purchase much needed items for Lisa (this will include everyday bra's, undies etc). The Intimo Collection can be viewed at www.intimo.com.au

The lingerie includes everything from everyday bra's to active sports bra's, intimate items and maturity options. To purchase please email myself at allie.duval@intimo.com.au with your contact details, item size, code and color; You can also ring me direct on 0414 601 057. Purchases for the fundraiser will close 5pm Thursday 12th August, 2010.

- In case you're not looking to purchase you may also like to donate directly to the fundraiser for Lisa to purchase something.. It doesn't need to be a huge amount, $5, $10 or $20 would be greatly appreciated; Please contact me directly to find out how you can donate.

- Book a Intimo Lingerie Party via myself before the end of the fundraiser next Thursday. This will entitle Lisa to more credits to purchase items with;

- Post a link to this page on your Facebook/ Blog and tell your friends who you think might be interested in helping too, and/or spreading the word!

- If you are an Allies Attic Designer you may also wish to donate clothing/ accessories for Lisa's children. Their are four children including Kiara 9, Noah 4, Emmerson 4, Luca 1; please email me at allie@alliesattic.com.au for a forwarding address;

Lisa's story could happen to anyone of us and maybe that's why I'm so passionate about helping her! Mostly its nice to help one of us when it does happen. Now I'm asking for your help to make it a little easier for Lisa. Can't wait to see how much we help Lisa's family!!!

Happy Mum Happy Baby

We've all heard happy mum equals happy baby but in the first critical years following the biggest change of our lives is this possible?

Jenny Dugard, mother to 22-month-old Marley and currently pregnant with baby number two believes that exercise, well being and great nutrition are a vital part of daily life and that what we teach our young will stay with them forever.

Jenny is the founder and director of Body Beyond Baby; an Eastern Suburbs business specializing in pre and postnatal health and fitness. You can work out and there’s experienced nannies to look after babies and young ones while mums exercise.

In 2009 Jenny produced a postnatal DVD called “Rebuild from the Inside Out”. She delivers regular presentations to mums, writes for the Blackmores Wellbeing Blog and stands on the expert panel of newbornbaby.com.au

To attend one of Jenny’s group exercise sessions, purchase a copy of her DVD, book into a workshop or invite her to talk at your seminar or mothers group you can visit the Body Beyond Baby website www.bodybeyondbaby.com.au, email Jenny on jenny@bodybeyondbaby.com.au You can also phone her direct on 0402 728047.

In Love With HandMade......

I'm often asked what it is that inspired me to launch Allies.. so many things come to mind including I get to work with such talented people as I go about my day sourcing all the wonderful Sydney designers to create a handmade haven...

Just look at these amazing sketches by Wonderlandia who create a whole new enchanting world within its own! I'm always amazed by creativity and love how the characters are brought alive!

Before the mortgage and Izac I didn't really think twice about how much things cost... sad but true. These days there's a budget that keeps me in line and suddenly everything's accounted for.. so much so that when it comes to household shopping a common question in our household is "do we really need it?".. can't argue with that logic, annoying but true! So whilst most things look beautiful there needs to be more to it to inspire us to part with our money..

Sure there's the everyday items that homebrand is just fine and I'm not ashamed to say it! But then there's special items that by looking at them I can just tell how much hard work, creativity and passion goes into making them..... and that's just the way I like it.. I love to be surrounded by beautiful things that don't cost the earth.. My home is my haven and think it should define our personalities, give us warmth and help capture our memories..

We're Packing Our Bags & Visiting Handmade In Canberra...

Now normally one would no actively advertise a fellow competitor but here at Allie's Attic we believe in collaborative power and we're packing our bags and heading to Canberra to visit Handmade Market this weekend. For those of you who haven't heard of Handmade Market, they bring together talented artists, designers, stylists, craftspeople and gourmets all under one destination. All in all - its a lovely day out and I'm sure to find something special there.

Now I'm a little nervous and alot excited about this weekends adventure out... My mother has offered to look after Little Izac and whilst she couldn't be happier I'm sad he won't be with us. Of course I'd like my parents to spend the extended time with him and am sure he'll be fine, I think its more me who won't cope..

The excited part of me says it will be fine and give me time to focus on all things lovely at Handmade.. ohhh and of course get to have a sleep in (oohhh how I miss this).. I've also organised for my husband to have a massage on Sat morning whilst I'm at Handmade and have booked in to hire bikes and ride around the lake on Sunday morning.. very adventure bound of me considering I haven't been on a bike since I was a wee little girl.. LOL.. stay tuned for the post about this one saying I rode into a tree!

Handmade here we come.. and in the meantime checkout Handmade's site

http://www.handmademarket.com.au/

Allies Attic Goes Live

Finally after months of preparation we have launched the Allies Attic website. I'm just in awe of how amazing it looks!

I can laugh about it now but it was 1% inspiration and the rest perspiration.. many thanks to the wonderful Amanda Coffey from Wonderlandia who's amazing skill created this website design.. You simply have to check out her work - talk about multi-tasking this girl is phenomenal.. she's a Marketing Manager by day for some very lucky Insurance folk and also manages to run her own graphic design company whilst whizzing up children's artwork on the side.. ohhh and did I mention she's also a young mum to Baby Jet.. funny story this but Jet and my little Izac are only 4 days apart.. (Jet's older).. I can so see them both in twenty years chasing all the pretty girls..

check out Amanda's Blog page at

http://tales-from-wonderlandia.blogspot.com/

I also spoke to the local papers today out towards Hunters Hill and organised some editorial coverage in the local news.. its all looking very positive with lots of community support.

Allie

http://www.alliesattic.com.au/