September Designer Review.. Tippie Toes

Ever thought about a complete career change? And if you have, what would you do to make it happen? Whilst many of us just dream about it too scared to actually dive in the deep end, Leonie Vazay, Shire Based Designer & Founder of Tippie Toes dived in and hasn't looked back.

Nothing could be further from her career organising sporting events to starting a children's and women's wear label... so how did she do it? A business course, lots of hours and self belief knowing her customers enjoy her new twists on old world style.

Tippie Toes is a creative take on handmade vintage clothing and accessories showing just a little something that's a little bit different. Now its all a little hush hush but I have it first hand from the production room at Tippie Toes that Leonie is bringing back a fantastic collection of elegant lines for this Spring letting the fabrics, cut and shape do the talking.

Tippie Toes will also be offering some great savings on market day but make sure you get in early not to miss out !!! See you at Allies in September!

Allies Attic Partner Profile.. Shire Nannies

I love being a mummy but sometimes even I miss abit of "us time" with hubby and myself.. A sat night where we can dress up, go out for a nice meal minus the french fries being thrown across the room and maybe even sit and listen to some live music? Only problem is now with Master Izac almost 2 years I'd rather have him in bed by 8pm then bother with a screaming challenge in a restaurant..

Becoming parents is a lifestyle choice which I wouldn't have any other way but I do also think its nice to have some alone time hence why I started investigating credible baby sitters / nannies to do nights in whilst we had a few hours to ourselves.. Doesn't happen often but even once every few months is a blessing!

Call me old fashioned but I prefer to use a regular sitter, perhaps it just feels like a trusted family member who can get used to how your household runs and your child can also form a bond. I just love this idea. So when I started thinking about using a nanny agency I also thought about how such a service might help our Allies Attic customers...

Our Spring Market has some exciting changes on board, more variety, more designers and a great festival vibe. You can bring the family and husbands & partners can enjoy a watching Sunday football upstairs or listen to some live music whilst you browse our lovely stalls. Exclusive partner, Shire Nannies will also be running our Activity Kraft Korner for the kids.. yes that's right a professional nanny agency on board to help entertain the kids with lots of fun activities.

Its also a perfect opportunity to meet Shire Nannies Founder, Erin Hewett (pictured above) first hand. A nanny agency based in the Sutherland & St George area, Erin started Shire Nannies after noticing a gap in services for families looking for alternatives to care. Her clients are often parents who prefer consistency in care options and like the one on one interaction allowing for better development whilst enjoying no pickup's or drop offs. Erin is also a Mother of two and Early Childcare teacher who has worked in the industry for over 14 years. The benefits of utilizing a nanny include less disruption to the children's environment as well as not to mention not having to take a day off work if your child is sick.

You'll be able to meet Founder Erin and her amazing team at Allies this month!

September Designer Review..Vanessa Megan Skincare

Women across the world use make up and skincare on a daily basis to look and feel their best, but what does this really do to our skin?

Sydney Skincare specialist, Vanessa Grey launched her own skincare label, Vanessa Megan a natural skincare label all made by hand. Passionate about creating a product with rejuvenating and healing properties without the harmful chemicals,Vanessa has also been featured as a skincare leader in Good Health Magazine and been asked to lecture on the effects of chemicals on the skin.

"You should never put anything on your body that you wouldn't eat" is Vanessa's mantra and in turn what inspired her to create beautiful products to nourish our face and body. The name Vanessa Megan comes from Vanessa which means Butterfly in Greek and Megan which means strong is a perfect name to describe a natural & organic product. Vanessa believes our skin is constantly in a metamorphosis state, rejuvenating cells and building new tissue. In turn it also gives your skin the best possible chance to turn your metaphorical caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly.

Vanessa Megan Special Purchase any two Vanessa Megan products and receive a complimentery ESSENTIAL Blend Perfume Oil or Organic Lip Balm exclusive to Allies Attic customers on Sat 18th September, 2010.

September Designer Review..Blucy

Blucy is Brooke Lucy, talented Shire Designer and ex animator for Disney.. yes that's right the worldwide Disney Productions. There's so much talent coming out of the Shire & Allies Attic lately, firstly there's Natasha Dwyer of Arthur Ave (who just quietly designed the Miss Australia National Costume for Jesinta Campbell in the Miss Universe pageant) and now Brooke Lucy who did I mention is always very busy at Allies Attic with her embellished tee's and colorful artwork to hang on your children's wall.

Multi-talented Brooke has three divisions to her creative little company, one her clothing range for little munchkins, the other her selection of artwork and thirdly her animations! And if that fails to delight you we know you'll love how very genuine the curator, Brooke is towards her quality of work. Brooke creates pieces that are also beautiful without breaking the bank.

You can expect to see Brooke's new Spring collection at Allies on the 18th with lots of fresh colors, vintage style dresses, skirt and top combo's and of course my very own favorite little boys tops you will think are just gorgeous!

September Designer Review.. Ladies In Style

Style icon, Coco Channel once said "fashion fades but only style remains the same". Following in these footsteps of classic lines and elegant tones is local Millinery designer, Elizabeth Deane of Ladies In Style who create hats, fascinators and unique millinery for stylish Sydney women.

Ladies In Style will be launching their Spring Collection at Allies with embellishments of silk, diamonties and other jewels. Colors are varied, with the use of lace and chiffon to create unique and beautiful hats and fascinators that are timeless pieces.

Perfectly timed to pick something up for Spring Carnival Racing, you'll find not just a hat but a divine creation at Allies this Spring!

September Designer Review... La Petite Chambre

A child's bedroom can be so many things, a place to sleep, play and create memories... But how do you decide on the best theme to suit your child, their personality and use the space you have?

Sally Screnci of La Petite Chambre helps Sydney mums create unique and beautiful nurseries that are fun, contemporary and definitely steer away from the mainstream ideals of what a nursery should look like! When Sally's first child arrived, her nesting instinct took over whilst she looked for bright colorful ways to decorate her nursery. Not finding anything that inspired her, Sally decided to create her own range of baby & kids room decor, La Petite Chambre.

Not only is Sally's range bright with positive imagery, it also inspires imagination, creativity and raises awareness of colors encouraging interaction! You can find Sally and her range at Allies Attic Sat 18 September at our Cronulla Markets.

September Designer Review: launching Lady Soldier!

By now you might have heard the hype, Allies is expanding! I really love the idea that whilst we mums are shopping for gorgeous baby and kids things we might also be able to find some fabulous keepsakes for ourselves in our travels.

With only weeks away until our Spring Launch & our new look, I thought it might be time to unveil some of the unique designers we've found to showcase in our attic.

Sydney Jewelery Designer, Lady Soldier transforms simple combinations of beads, chains and ornaments into a statement jewelery piece. The creator of this newly launched label is Tao, a Northshore girl who after completing her Masters in Interactive and Digital Media, has decided to try her hand at all things handmade! Its contemporary meets vintage charm. And just where does this designer draw her inspiration from? Its Tao's mum, who inspired her daughter from a young age, being handy with the needle and thread herself, handmaking Tao's clothes when throughout her childhood. A few years on, Tao now turns her creative genes towards the beautiful creation of her keepsake jewelery.

Like what you see? Save the date for our September 18th Spring Market! As we provide talented designers such as Tao with a lanching pad to showcase their designs!