For the coolest kids in town

Chatting with talented designers and suppliers is one of my favourite parts of the business.

One of these talents is the lovely lady behind Billy Mac Clothing.

Billy Mac Clothing allows you to choose prints that suit your little individual -  no mini-adult look, but not too cutesy either.

I was lucky enough to have a Billy Mac print designed exclusively  for Budburst Kids!

I wanted a design that expressed what we all feel for our kids, with a Cosmos theme, that suited both girls and boys.

Here are our "(love you) to the moon and back" tees - hope you think they are as awesome as we do! 

Check out our gorgeous Billy Mac range of tees here

Heading back to school

For most of us, the end of the holidays means getting everything ready for the smooth transition back to school.

This can include fixing uniforms, polishing shoes, adding name tags, collecting books, and in particular for me, making and freezing lunches.

I (really) dislike trying to create lunches in the midst of the chaos that goes along with getting kids off to school on time.

So, for the most part I freeze lunches and snacks so I can simply pick out a selection and pop it in the lunch boxes in the morning along with some fruit - easy!

Here are some of the lunches and snacks I choose to make in larger quantities and freeze ahead of time.

Lunches

Wraps (various fillings wrapped in a tortilla and 'melted' together with the toastie maker)

Savoury muffins - recipe here

Vegemite & cheese scrolls (a la Baker's Delight)

Pizza scrolls

Individual quiches

Snacks

Muffins

Cookies

Apple cake

Banana bread

Muesli bars - recipe here

Check out our environmentally friendly Lunchskins lunch & snack bags here

Wishing you all a smooth and peaceful transition back to school :)

Savoury Muffins

These savoury muffins are a great lunchbox addition or picnic food.

Economical, easy to make and they freeze well - what more could you ask?!

You can substitute any of the vegetables with others you prefer - I have used sweet potato, corn kernels and finely chopped spinach as alternatives. 

Ingredients

1 large potato, grated

1/2 cup grated zucchini

3/4 cup chopped bacon

1/2 cup grated cheese

2 eggs, lightly whisked

1 1/2 cups milk

2 med carrots, grated

1 large onion, grated

2 1/2 cups self raising flour

Method

Combine vegetables in a large bowl. Add grated cheese and bacon, combine.

Add eggs and mix through. Add half of the milk and flour and mix until just combined, then add the remaining milk and flour, mixing until just combined (be careful not to over-mix as it can make the muffins tough).

Add to greased muffin trays and bake at 200C for approximately 25 minutes or until golden brown.

Makes approximately 24 (depending on how large you like them)

You can enjoy them hot from the oven with butter, but they are equally delicious as a cold snack or lunch!

Evening peace

I love that time of night when the house goes quiet, the kids are asleep and you can hear yourself think.

Sometimes I feel like I live for the evenings, for that time when I can hear hubby’s words or the TV.. but I miss my kids when they’re asleep it is true.

The only thing worth stealing is a kiss from a sleeping child. 

~Joe Houldsworth

The Egg Hunt

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

 

Rocky Road

I'm a bit protective of "My" Rocky Road recipe, I admit it, but sharing is what blogging is all about after all :)

I usually double up this quantity.

Ingredients

250g good milk chocolate (I usually use Cadbury)

200g marshmallows, cut in halves

1/4 cup dessicated coconut

1/2 cup macadamias, chopped

1/2 cup glace cherries

Method

Line a slice tin or loaf pan with baking paper allowing enough overlap to use it to cover and press down the rocky road.

In a glass bowl, break up the chocolate into pieces, melt in microwave oven on high for approximately 1 minute, stir. If not fully melted microwave for another 30 seconds or until fully melted.

Combine the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl, pour in the chocolate. Mix well.

Pour mixture into prepared tray, press down gently.

Refrigerate until firm. Cut into squares.

Enjoy!

Let 's go to Rio

I took the kids to see Rio yesterday. I packed them up a little lolly "box" and filled their drink bottles and off we went. 

The cinemas were so busy we didn't have time for the popcorn line, but it was really lovely to see so many out and about enjoying a movie afternoon.

We loved Rio - how could you not?
Fun and light-hearted but not without its message.
Beautiful, bright colours, funny -something for everyone- and of course a love story (well actually two). 

But nothing is better than seeing the beaming faces of my two little treasures in the light of the movie ..awww :)

My little guy has a bit of trouble whispering: "I like this movie!", "She's preeeeety!" but on the whole, so well behaved (wish I could bottle this)

If you haven't already, go see Rio, you can't go wrong.

Bobble Art

I do so love the vibrant prints and superb quality of the Bobble Art range.

Cupcakes and love hearts, pirate ships and aliens - there is a gorgeous print to suit every little loveys' taste!

And with 10% off all Bobble Art at Budburst Kids, who could resist?

Swim/library Bags $17.96

Large Canvas Backpacks now $34.16

Lunch Bags $22.46

Melamine 3 Piece Dinner Sets only $26.96

Buy Bobble Art here

Milky

Sweet prints, affordable style. This is Milky.


Adorable, soft cotton, snug fit PJs - $28.95

Lovely long sleeve tees, only $17.95

Boy's jeans or cargo pants $32.95

See our full range here

Bubbles

The utter joy of bubbles..

 

Enjoying the sun..for now

I love the little ritual my son and I have on the days he's not at kindy. After my exercise class we always have morning tea together on our balcony.. yes it probably counteracts the exercise a little, but hey life's too short!

Realising we don't have much time left before the weather turns too cold, we make the most of the sun for now.

Enjoy the sun (and your little ones) while you can.

Roast Vegetable Fritata

This is one of those meals that I can squeeze in several veggies but will still be eaten by the kids (albeit with a bit of tomato sauce on top).

I usually make this the night after a roast. On roast night I will cook up extra vegetables so I have them ready to go in my fritata the night after. I think the secret to the extra flavour in this fritata over other veggie ones is that the vegetables have that extra yummy taste that goes with roasting.

Ingredients 

3 1/2 cups roughly chopped roasted vegetable (I have used potatoes, sweet potato, pumpkin, capsicum, carrot, corn, beans, peas - but the aim is to use whatever vegetables you know your kids will eat:)
3/4 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
8 eggs
1/2 cup thickened cream
salt & pepper

Method

Prepare baking tin (loaf pan approx 14 x 21cm) by greasing and lining with Gladbake or similar
Combine vegetables, basil and Parmesan cheese and add to loaf pan.
Whisk together the eggs, cream, salt & pepper and pour over the vegetable mixture.
Put loaf pan in larger baking tin and add enough boiling water to come halfway up the side of the loaf pan.
Bake at 180C for approximately 1 1/4 hours or until golden brown.
Allow to stand in pan for 10 minutes before slicing to serve.


Serve as a side dish or as a main with a green salad.

Enjoy!

Mizzle Giveaway

When I find great new things for my store I often think "Oooh I wish I had that when the kids were babies/toddlers."

The Mizzle bibs are one of these.

With its square shape, larger size and super absorbent toweling back, it sops up the messes without soaking through to their clothes. They have a snap clip at the back for easy on/off, and the colours are soft and beautiful.

The attention to detail (as with all the Mizzle products) is stunning, and at only $12.95 they are so affordable!

But don't just take my word for it, check out this feature on the Mizzle products and our store by the lovely Simone at Hip Little One.  
Plus we have a fab giveaway. A gorgeous newborn set could be yours, including one of the Mizzle bibs, their divine Newborn Nightie and an adorable Mizzle Mouse Comforter - all in your colour choice from our range!

Hop on over and visit Hip Little One!
Check out the delightful Mizzle products at Budburst Kids 

Playon Stackable Crayons

Bring out the artist in your littlie with these fab Stackable Crayons from Playon.

In vibrant colours that write beautifully, these gorgeous little gems are virtually unbreakable!

Great for kids who are struggling with holding a regular shaped crayon or pencil - the unique, easy to hold shape gives them the confidence to grab hold and go!

In our house they are used to write, draw and stack but also make great finger puppets and workmen's witches hats (apparently:)

The Playon stackable crayons are non toxic and are beautifully packaged, (in environmentally friendly packaging of course) in a set of 12.

At only $12.95 they make a lovely and inexpensive gift that will last and last.


They get a lot of use in our house..

Find them here at Budburst Kids

Reach for the sun

What better way to start the week than with an inspirational quote about children and what they can teach us.

"It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children will do with their lives, they are watching to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself."

Joyce Maynard

Quotable Kids

I wish I had one of these journals when my kids started talking. 

I’m a girl who likes a designated place to record things otherwise I just don’t do it. 

When passing on some of my kid’s quotes, my Mum always responds with, “Are you writing these things down? You’ll forget them!” And she’s right, you do forget. 

My son told me once “Mum you have a big bottom..and I like it!” While I don’t think I have such an over-sized rear, I do realise that to a 3 year old it really must look quite enormous.

Whether your child has told you that you have a big bottom, you have cobwebs up your nose (my niece), or pull out the back of your shorts and say: “Done a poo Mum?” (my daughter at 2), you will always have that designated spot to record these memorable quotes with the “Quotable Kids” journal.

 Find them here

Beautiful Baobab

Just in!

Fresh and unique, simple but stylish, quirky but wearable - some of the many words used to describe Baobab

This Denim Shirt Dress in black washed chambray is super stylish! Team with tights and Mary Janes or boots..sweet!

Let her stand out from the crowd in this gorgeous organic cotton knit dress in circle print.

The little man will be funky and comfy in these organic cotton duds.

Teal Clock Tee and Blue Zip Pants 

See our opening range here

How do you start a blog?

Welcome to the Budburst Kids Blog!  

I’ve always wondered how one starts a blog. I find that most blogs read like they’ve been going on a long time, with their loyal followers and pages & pages of fabulous posts. 

We all must start somewhere however, and this is my 'where'

Here is where you can keep up with all that is new and exciting with Budburst Kids and the little family behind the scenes.

Here you can expect to see:

• New arrivals to the Budburst Kids online store  
• A look at how we benefit from some of the gorgeous children’s products on the market (yes, including some that we don’t sell in store:)
• Recipes and hints or tips that help me with everyday life
• The inspiration behind Budburst Kids and the way we look at life
• Photos and quotes that catch the eye and provide inspiration

We hope you will enjoy our store and accompanying blog. Check back often and tell your friends we're here!

Cheers,
Lou