21 HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

Shopping for the perfect holiday gifts? LMNOP has done your homework for you. pg 5

Welcome

to the rst issue of LMNOP. Its been a mad rush to get this out to you before Christmas! But hopefully youll still nd it relevant and useful in time for the holidays. I am constantly frustrated by the lack of choice in the toy department, at the bookstore etc. And am always seeking out new nds for my sons toy cabinet or book shelf. Everyone pretty much stocks the same old, same old. But when you nd the perfect piece and your child LOVES IT, youre glad for all the research that you did and all the trouble that you went through to get it. Not to mention sometimes the cost! Weve got some great Christmas gift ideas to share with you on page 5. I hope youll be inspired to shop further than your local toy store in order to nd some unique presents. After searching for many years, I nally found an Advent Calendar I liked last week. A wooden calendar box which houses 24 cabinets. When opened, each reveals a small shelf perfect for hiding small treats in. My son Riley started nding these Christmas fairy offerings a couple of days ago. His delight each morning is a sight to behold and we now have a new MacPherson holiday tradition. Its so fun to make Christmas magical for your kids and it can be easy too! We hope you enjoy LMNOP. Please send it along to your friends and dont forget to subscribe to our next issue by visiting www.lmnop.com.au Our next issue will be full of a lot more content and feature stories so you can laugh, make, nurture, organise and play! Wishing you and your families a safe and happy holiday. Jenny Lacey Editor

The best online nds this Christmas. pg 8

o
CHRISTMAS COUNTDOWN
This charming Danish Advent Calendar will help you count the sleeps till Christmas. pg 15 The best way to see LA with the kids! pg 6

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LAUGH

MAKE NURTURE ORGANISE PLAY

2008 LMNOP ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR PART WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION IS PROHIBITED.

Riley & Claudia in Chicago Photographed by Ian MacPherson

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ODDS AND ENDS

HOLIDAY POST
The mailmans here! Lots of writing fun and imaginative play from the popular toy company HABA. A must for any 5-year-old stationery enthusiast. Kinder Post, $54.95, HABA, peanutgallery.com.au

Kids in the house

The Sydney Opera House have a great new season planned for 2008! These increasingly popular performances for children and their families can be difcult to get tickets for. So make sure you hear about them rst by subscribing to Inhouse, Sydney Opera House e-news at Sydneyoperahouse.com and register for their launch announcement!

ALL ABOARD
This unique candy train makes a great birthday cake for boys OR girls. Each carriage is adorned with candies own in from the USA. FROST will make you one for your next party. Order well in advance though! This popular bakery books out fast. $120. For enquiries call 0418 651 201.

AIR MAIL TOYS

Good-old-fashioned make believe and a childs innate need to interact with simple, natural toys and crafts is what Magic Cabin believe in. The words batteries not included dont appear in this catalogue simply because their toys are kid-powered. Magic Cabin carefully select products that are beautiful and enchanting, sturdy and safe. Best of all their toys are fun and affordable! Shipping to Australia available. www.magiccabin.com

GOOD ENOUGH TO READ!

Once you shop for holiday cards at MOMAs online store, youll never buy them anywhere else again! Every year contemporary artists and designers are invited to let their imaginations run wild! The Museum of Modern Art produces the best ones needless to say the designs are second to none. AND are a gift in themselves when posted with a holiday greeting. You can pick up bargains when you purchase boxed sets in January on sale. Gingerbread House, 8 cards & sticker sheets for US$18.95, Mary Beth Cryan for MOMA, momastore.org

CHECK OUT:

Large Cable Car Kit, page 75 Item #829099, US$24.98

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Photographed by IAN MACPHERSON

Christmas Croc
HOMEMADE STOCKINGS What household doesnt have Crocs these days? Grab a pair and ll them with small gifts and candies reserved for traditional stockings. Placed at the end of the bed, theyll be a wonderful surprise for your little one on Christmas morning. Crocs shoes, $39.99, Rebel Sport. Maileg toy soldier nger puppet, $8.95, Quintessence, 02 9967 8099. Christmas wooden stamp, $1.20, Everything Home, Wynard Station. All other items, stylists own.

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Midnight snack

Photographed by IAN MACPHERSON

MILK AND COOKIES Dont leave Santa boring biscuits this year! These adorable hand-made gingerbread cookies are sure to bring a smile to his face. Santa and Stocking Ted gingerbread cookie, $7.20, Vickis Bickies, 03 9528 6888. Vintage glass and plate, stylists own.

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PLAY

TAPE ANYONE? Another great addition to your craft cupboard. These designer rolls of tape make 3M sticky look drab. Lots of colourful designs to choose from. Smiggle, small 95c, large $2.50 Smiggle 03 9827 5552 ITS A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL 5 different children of the world themed stencils, designed in France by Regis Lejonic, each measuring 20 x 20 cm. Djeco, US$7.59 moolka.com

Photographed by IAN MACPHERSON

SPINOSAURUS & STEGOSAURUS PALS

Looking for something dierent this Christmas? LMNOP has done your holiday homework for you.

These beautifully crafted, maple wood dinos are hand-painted using non-toxic water based paints. No sharp edges. And theyre resistant to baby saliva too! Holztiger also make farm animals, and creatures of the sea! If you love wooden toys start collecting now! Holztiger, from US$11.99 moolka.com

BACKPACK CRAYONS She certainly is the girl of the moment! Dora crayons will make great stocking llers for budding artists and Dora fans. DIY CHRISTMAS CARDS These Christmas stencil cards will make festive drawing easy for any age. Over 20 simple shapes to help create your own cards, and garlands. Usborne, $15 Readings, 03 9525 3852 Playworks, $2.99 Woolworths Supermarkets MAKING BRUSHING FUN Wooden tooth brushing timer. Perfect for the kid who has everything! Zahnputz Uhr, $19.95 Home & Abroad, 03 9821 5144

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Text by JENNY LACEY

PUZZLING BLOCKS Building blocks with a built-in puzzle! HABA, US$11.39 moolka.com ANIMALS IN MOTION Whats all the commotion? This stunning book uses the art of Scanimation to introduce kids to motion. A horse in full gallop and a turtle swimming up the page! Theres a dog running and cheeky monkeys swinging from trees. Impossible not to ip these pages again, and again... By Rufus Butler Seder, $19.99 Dymocks bookstore HOT AIR This oating ball game is guaranteed to delight everyone over the holidays. Wholl be able to blow on the wooden pipe the longest? Schylling, $8.95 peanutgallery.com.au

ALL THAT GLITTERS Add a little sparkle to your Christmas craft! The kids will love these easy-to-shake jars. Sprinkle a little or sprinkle A LOT! Glitter shown in Blue Topaz, Aquamarine Crystal and Garnet. Martha Stewart, US$4.99 marthastewartcrafts.com

FUN LEARNING Kumon workbooks help children develop ne motor skills and pencil control through colouring, folding, pasting, and cutting paper. Filled with lots of wonderful illustrations and activities, these workbooks have titles like Lets Cut Paper, and Lets Fold. Grab them now, because once the word is out, even Amazon will be sold out! Kumon, US$5.95 US$6.95 amazon.com

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PLAY

LA story

These days LA has become a place to pass through in transit, on your way to somewhere else. But as we discovered, Los Angeles is a great town to have a family getaway, and Hollywood never looked this good.

Photographed by IAN MACPHERSON

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With so much to see and do, youll have to extend your transit stop to accomodate a whirlwind tour of Los Angeles. This family-friendly city does in fact cater for little superstars and their parents. Heres some places where you can all have fun.
I was a little nervous when it came to planning a three-day lay over in LA for myself, my husband and our toddler son. Three very different agendas how was this ever going to work? But after doing a little research, I soon realised that there was a way we could all get to enjoy this glitzy town. With some careful planning and much negotiation, this is where we went ...
Paper Source Christmas at The Grove Paper Source 9460 Brighton WayBeverly Hills, CA 90210 310 288 9700, www.paper-source.com Paper Source is the premiere seller of ne, handmade papers from around the world. Stock up on stationery, rubber stamps, kits and projects, calendars and gifts, and lots, lots more. Youll need a whole day to yourself, if youre going to visit this store. Oh, and another suitcase! Paper Source now ships to Australia though in case you dont get the time to visit.

Eat Out
Sprinkles Cupcakes 9635 Little Santa Monica Blvd phone: 310 274 8765 www.sprinklescupcakes.com This world-famous bakery makes the best vanilla cupcake on earth. Dont forget to take home a couple of Sprinkles Cupcake mixes for the poor folks back home! Be prepared for queues. Although we do recommend waiting. Twenty Five Degrees 9635 Little Santa Monica Blvd phone: 323 785 7244 www.25degreesrestaurant.com A 50s truck stop dinner meets French boudoir! Located on the Hollywood Boulevard entranceto the famed Roosevelt Hotel, 25 Maison 140

Text by JENNY LACEY

Sprinkles

Cupcakes to go

Shopping
The Grove 189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles 888 315 8883, www.thegrovela.com This outdoor shopping mall is a terric place to entertain the kids while you shop. Ride the trolley, watch a concert in the park and have an ice cream. All the must-see stores BabyGap, Pottery Barn Kids, Kiehls. And if your visiting during the holiday season, dont miss The Groves famous fountain dancing to special holiday tunes. See snow urry across First Street, nightly at 7pm and 8pm. 25 degrees

Degrees (the name refers to the temperature difference between a medium rare and well done burger) is LAs hottest burger joint. Try the house special, Number one. Tart at Farmers Daughter Hotel 115 South Fairfax Avenue phone: 323 937 3930 www.farmersdaughterhotel.com Before you head to The Grove, located directly across the street is Tart, a country cool, ranch-style restaurant where you can fuel up on apjacks and French toast stuffed with mascarpone and fruit compote.

Sleeping arrangements at Maison 140

Playground
Roxbury Park 471 South Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills When your toddler has a meltdown on Rodeo Drive, its time to head to the best playground in Beverly Hills for some time out! No need to stop by the hotel for sunscreen. Theres plenty of prepared nannies on hand at Roxbury Park.

Stay
Maison 140 140 South Lasky Drive, Beverly Hills phone: 310 281 4000 www.maison140beverlyhills.com

Roxbury Park

Tart

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online
www.babysgotstyle.com.au
Former magazine stylist Daniela Minns, started her gorgeous online store back in 2004 and has made it into one of the coolest places to shop online today! If youre looking for something a bit unique, fun and fabulous to dress your bambino in and you WANT IT NOW! This is the place for you. Youll also nd toys, books, accessories music and DVDs. Orders placed within Australia before 1PM EST are delivered the next business day. Hows that for service?

www.dailycandy.com/kids/everywhere
DailyCandy Kids, is a free daily e-mail newsletter and website. A busy, hip mothers guide to whats hot, new, and undiscovered from kids fashion and style to toddler gadgets and toys. As useful as it is entertaining, its like getting an e-mail from your clever, unpredictable, and totally in-the-know best (mum) friend. Sign up for your free subscription, and youll always be the rst to get the latest.

www.moolka.com
Moolka sell only well-designed, wellmade brands and have an amazing selection that you wont nd here at home. Youll nd something for every child at every stage of childhood and their prices are pretty reasonable. View their complete collection online then send your customised gift registry and wish lists to the grandparents. Or, shop for gifts from Moolkas list of favourites. Shipping available to Australia. Happy Shopping!

www.fatbraintoys.com
There are two types of toys in this world. Those that make a child think, and those that dont. And at Fat Brain Toys their philosophy is simple Smarter Toys = Smarter Kids. On their website youll nd thousands of unique toys, games, and gifts that will challenge your childs imagination. Theyll send you a catalogue titled Toy Times, and can advise you over the phone or email of the best choices for your child. Fat Brain Toys does ship to Australia! We LOVE this online store!

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halloween in atchison street!

Join all the kids in Atchison Street this Halloween for trick or treat Come as a pirate, witch or critter with mum, dad or the babysitter Number 107 is the place to meet at 6 oclock on Atchison Street If youre staying home, you can still join in Put the balloon on your gate and well come in Expect us all after six for ghoulish treats or spooky tricks So stock up on lollies for Halloween Its guaranteed to be a scream

Text by JENNY LACEY Photographed by IAN MACPHERSON

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HALLOWEEN FUN Riley leads the charge to the next house with his jacko-lantern treat bag.

CANDY BUFFET Delight your guests with a buffet of candies. Bat bags lled with monster eggs and jacko-lantern Lindt balls.

Like it or not, Halloween has been sneaking its way into our neighbourhoods, quietly, but with pace over the last few years. Commonly referred to as an American holiday, its origins are actually European. The Celts of northern Europe used to participate in night time parades to drive away evil spirits. More than two thousand years later, children still love the opportunity to dress up and parade through their neighbourhood streets. Only today, they collect treats along the way.
We decided to host a Halloween event in our street this year. Each neighbour received an invitation in the post, and were asked to hang an orange and black balloon if they wanted to join in the fun. That way the kids knew which houses they could approach for treats.
A FRIENDLY TREAT FOR YOUR TEETH Cover mini chup-a-chups with a small piece of cloth to make ghosts and poke into an apple.

We received a huge response and were so surprised at the effort and enthusiasum that was displayed on the night. Front gates were decorated with spooky spiders and friendly witches greeted children at the door with colourful treats. It was a wonderful street party and everyone had a scream!

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EEEEEK! TREATS! Home-made candy lled treat bags stamped with Halloween sayings. Decorated with confetti spiders and webs.

SPOOKY SPIDER BOXES These sinful sweets in clear boxes make great halloween favors. Tape party cob webs to corners and place a large confetti spider in the corner to protect his dark chocolate eggs!

WICKED WITCHES OF THE NORTH These two friends ew in on their broom to collect their treats.

BLACK MAGIC CATS Everyone likes a black cat. Especially on Halloween night.

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CREEPY NEIGHBOURS! Everyone posed for a photograph before collecting a treat.

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BEWITCHING VISITOR This lovely toothy witch stopped by late.

TINY TRICK OR TREATERS! These tiny treaters are ready to go! Make simple outts from things you can nd around the house like these little ones did.

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BABY GHOST Miles and his dad joined in the fun too. Miles costume is a baby bath towel.

GHOULISH GUYS A little Halloween magic and a lot of imagination can create fantastic costumes.

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NOISY CHOCOLATE Jack-o-lantern whistles popped into cellophane bags, along with a few M&Ms make great treats.

LEFTOVERS

HOW MANY SLEEPS LEFT? Danish company Maileg, have released a beautiful wooden Advent Calendar box this year. Charming illustrations decorate each cabinet. Each of them big enough to hold tiny treats. Maileg, $185.00, Quintessence, 02 9967 8099 PICTURE PERFECT Attach holiday photo stickers to your packages this year. Kodak Gallery Stickers US$2.99 for 12, kodakgallery.com

Squeaky clean
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
We teach our children to say thank you when we hand them a vegemite sandwich, but we often forget to remind them to say thank you when they receive gifts especially ones that arrive in the post. Sending a thank you note is easy enough to do, and is a great way to show others that we appreciate their generosity towards our children.
HOHOHO card, $6.95, for a pack of six, PaperBoy Stationery, 0418 651 201. German made, childrens wooden nail brushes. Choose from delightful illustrations like an octopus, and a polar bear. Small, but easy for tiny hands to hold. $12.50 each Home & Abroad, 03 9821 5144

No ordinary colouring book

EVERYBODYS ACTIVITY BOOK by Pascale Estellon, $39.95 Greville St Bookstore, 03 9510 3531

Translated from the French Mon premier livre dactivitis, Pascale Estellons unique use of illustration and photography make this book a modern masterpiece. Its lled with more than 120 pages of activities for kids of all ages. Activities include: how to decorate letters, turn words into pictures, make people out of vegetables, and learn clever colouring tricks to create patterns and textures. This imaginative book comes with 6 sheets of stickers, and 10 printed pages for cutting and pasting. Youll have to resist doing these activities yourself!
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