Violets

When I was very little, my nana bought me a tiny bottle of violet perfume back from her holiday in France. It has LONG since dried up, but the scent remains and I still have the bottle. For years I have looked for something similar. Whenever a new perfume is released with "violet" in its list of ingredients, I'm first in line. Have never found anything to match what I had in intensity, until this: http://www.lauramercier.com/products/body_and_bath/fragrance/eau_de_toilette/violette/

Can't get enough!

Glomesh bags

I have a fair collection of glomesh....it's not for nana's in my book, although many of my pieces came from my nanas, still in their boxes with tags attached because "they were too good to use". I've never subscribed to that theory and enjoy the things I like whenever I have the opportunity. So the glomesh gets trotted out when ever I get trotted out for an evening. Anyway, found this glomesh bag necklace - a special release for Oroton's 70th birthday.

http://www.oroton.com/p-1038-necklace-lucky-mesh-bag.aspx

Divine fabric & wallpaper

I think it is lucky that I am in no way crafty....if I was I'd be spending up big on these beautiful fabrics from this Swedish designer. I do know how to wallpaper though......
http://www.sandbergtapeter.com/default_eng.asp

Elk accessories

Truly gorgeous pieces at Elk Accessories - love their silver bits and their brooches are divine (especially their elk...some of you may have seen my red polar bear brooch...I'm a bit partial to an animal on the lapel!) All this stuff is very reasonably priced. Haven't tested their online shopping yet, but will before Christmas!

http://www.elkaccessories.com.au/index.asp?section=home

Baby Cinos

Too cute - a kids board book about Baby Cinos....(and at $9.95, it's a steal!)

http://www.hipinfant.com.au/proddetail.php?prod=ILMBC

The website is very reliable and usually gets stuff out very quickly.

Journals

I have ordered 6 copies of: http://www.fishpond.com.au/product_info/11882841 It's basically a "journal" for mothers - not something that is onerous and has to be filled in every day, but a one-off record of some important memories, prompted with questions on each page. Have bought it for sister-in-laws, my mum and mother in-law and also for my grandmas. Unfortunately I have not been able to find a father's equivalent. You can buy it at Fishpond.com, but I ordered it through my local bookstore at $29.95.

I'm always a bit reluctant to recommend books because they are a personal thing, however one of the funniest ones I've read this year is: http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Humour/General/product_info/3958745/?cf=3&rid=1131809483&i=2&keywords=they+call+me+naughty+lola This book was so funny that I was asked to stop reading it at night because my laughing was keeping husband awake!

Yo Gabba Gabba

Am I the only person addicted to the kids show "Yo Gabba Gabba"? My brother loves it to, so I have ordered him this funny t-shirt: http://www.cafepress.com/gutbustertees.267561504

It hasn't actually arrived yet, so stay tuned!

Perfect for busy mums

This is a bit boring but VERY VERY useful - I picked up a "Melbourne's Child" family organiser because I was losing track of what was happening when. This thing is a huge whiteboard magnet and is fantastic: http://www.webchild.com.au/index.php/Subscriptions/Organisers/View-all-products.html

Fairy door

This is too hard to explain, just check it out: http://www.monkeytailandwellington.com.au/Black_Fairy_Door_p/mw1520002.htm
We got one to install when the first tooth is lost......

Music for kids

Always like to find some music for the kids that I can also manage to listen to more than once. Check out this - http://www.anamalz.com/music/ Have to admit Beau Young, the singer isn't too hard on the ears....or the eyes.

The other CDs we have discovered are at: http://www.monkeytailandwellington.com.au/searchresults.asp?cat=89 Two in particular are "Here Come the ABCs" (by They Might Be Giants) and "Snacktime" (Bare Naked Ladies). Both are great, but in particular, I can't get "C is for Conifers" out of my head.....

My real weakness

Now, although this isn't online, I've had much shopping success at "Pepe's Paperie" at the new Doncaster Shopping Town - it is a divine shop, although admittedly I have a bit of a stationery addiction and nothing makes me happier than a new, blank notebook. Anyway, they have beautiful address books and journals, my favourites are from - http://www.paperandbookarts.com.au/ (for beautifully bound journals, address books, travel diaries etc) and http://notemaker.com.au/collections/moleskine-notebook-store-at-notemaker-australia-new-zealand?gclid=COLxgKmro5UCFRYFewodTw9Hkg for my very favourite Moleskine Cahiers (little slimlined notebooks designed to fit perfectly in your back pocket, come in packs of three....this is where my addiction really kicks in and I have many of these scattered everywhere). Have bought a couple of packs for my brother this year, who is a songwriter - you never know where or when inspiration will strike (The link for these notebooks is actually an on-line shop, which also has a lovely range of journals etc, esp the Cavallini & Co notebooks).

Get organised

I would like to think I had the energy to change handbags to match my outfit, but it always seems to hard to switch everything over. Enter the handbag organiser - perfect for the handbag addict in your life (we all know one)
http://www.bagorganiser.com.au/

Not a playstation....

For everyone that wants a Playstation, check out this - http://www.wireandtwine.com/store/products/playstation.html/
It's the only Playstation that will be entering our house for awhile yet!

For my crafty friends I visited an old favourite, lark.com.au and picked up very cute "sew your own" kits - http://www.larkmade.com.au/lines/Designers/sewyourown.html and some retro "clothkits" - http://www.larkmade.com.au/lines/Designers/clothkits.html

In fact, I love everything at this site and delivery is very quick. In the past I have bought their very cute donut baby rattles and also their "WWII" aprons (perfect for Christmas Day).

This may seem odd, but I'm planning to order a unique fruit tree for the keen gardeners on my Christmas list from: http://www.fruitsaladtrees.com/ The trees are amazing - different fruit on different branches! You have to order well in advance though and you might not get exactly the varieties you request, depending on what takes when they graft the tree.

Vintage treats

The prints on this site are gorgeous - http://www.dannisdevinedesigns.com/page/page/1938429.htm
I've bought some of their placemats which can be used as mousemats. If you are keen on retro prints, check out http://www.ladybirdprints.com/ But be warned, it's a long trip down memory lane and you could be there for hours looking through all the old Ladybird books.

Caffeine T-shirt

Most of the things at "Think Geek" are a bit.....geeky, but one male coffee addict in the family (also a scientist) is getting the caffeine molecule t-shirt. Site is also home of the "all edges brownie tin".
http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts/sciencemath/2891/

Beautiful designs

I have two favourite sites that feature designer bits and pieces. The first one I found is http://www.top3.com.au/ - it's a reliable fallback - lots of groovy things for the person who you think has everything.

Then there's http://www.dedeceplus.com/plus/ I've gone for the world time travel clocks and, although they are a little twee, the Russian Doll photo frame sets.

Chalkboard stickers

This site has lots of lovely things, but I have picked up some lovely reusable "chalkboard" stickers for friends that are into making their own jams etc. (Delivery is very quick)
http://www.frenchbazaar.com.au/epages/whitelabel4.storefront/?ObjectPath=/Shops/frenchbazaar/Categories/Chalkboard

Why?

Believe it or not, I'm not a huge fan of shopping (especially Christmas shopping) - the crowds, the parking, the lugging things around - hate it. However, online shopping is another story! I began circulating useful links to my mother's group friends, when urgency entered their Christmas shopping program. It grew from there....so now I'm posting them as I find them. Enjoy all that's out there and hope it helps lower the blood pressure, especially during the festive season!