Melbourne Mamma - Fashion | Food | Family | Fun | Shopping

Your local guide to the best fashion, food, family fun and shopping in Melbourne

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Getting to know……Kathy from Hummingbird 60

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This week we’re getting to know Kathy from Hummingbird 60 in Northcote.

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a Mum to 5 year old, Ava and am juggling both a career with a Financial Institution and Hummingbird 60, a partnership with my gorgeous sister Penelope.

 

I love to travel and have travelled the world except for Africa, that is definitely on my Vision Board.


 

2. Describe your store in one sentence?
We at Hummingbird 60 like to call ourselves a Gallery for Women, we want to make you feel as though you have stepped into a painting and are happy to spend every minute in it!

 

3. What do you sell?

We mainly sell ladies clothing then we have a splash of giftware, accessories, jewellery and a small range of children’s wear.

 

4. What do you love most about what you do?

Our Philosophy here, thanks to Mother Teresa is ” Let no one come to you without leaving better and happier “. It’s seeing this that makes us Love what we do!

 

5. What are 3 of your favourite labels for little ones?
Munster/Missie, BIG By Fiona and of course Rock Your Baby for that special little person in your life.

 

6. What are 3 of your favourite labels for women?

Our own label Hummingbird 60 (of course), Indigo and Sass & Bide


7. What’s one item you can’t live without?

Leggings!!

 

8. What’s one item your kids can’t live without?

Being a girl shoes, shoes & more shoes!

 

9. Favourite place to shop for yourself?

If not pinching from Hummingbird, would have to say Melbourne’s GPO.

 

10. If you weren’t running the store what other job would you like to do?

Marketing for a luxury hotel chain.

 

11. Favourite place to take the kids in Melbourne or Victoria?

In Summer would have to the beach & the zoo and in Winter Scienceworks!?

 

 

You can visit Hummingbird 60 at 244 High Street, Northcote or visit them online at www.hummingbird60.com.au

Blue Day at Uni Hill Factory Outlet

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I had a couple of spare hours earlier this week, so what did I do?

I went shopping of course!

I’d been dying to get down to the newly refurbished Uni Hill Factory Outlet in Bundoora, so jumped at the chance for a couple of child free shopping hours courtesy of Grandma.

I barely made it through the door when I spotted Simone Pérèle . I just love this store, as I can always find bras in my size and it’s so nice to get a proper fitting (I haven’t had one since I stopped breastfeeding last year). I couldn’t resist this blue bra for only $50 (RRP $89.95) and am planning to go back and get more in different colours.

My next stop (only a couple of doors down) was Milu. I haven’t bought shoes for myself in a little while, so I was like a kid in a candy store. There were several pairs I loved but couldn’t resist this pair of blue suede shoes (cue music) for only $79.00 (RRP $139).

From there I headed to Converse, where I picked up a gorgeous pair of Chuck Taylor All Star Hi’s for my little man (blue of course). The were marked down from $50 to $30.

I then popped into Jetty Surf and picked up a new bag (because a girl can never have too many AND I really loved the colour). The bag was also on sale for $30 (RRP $59.95). It’s a great bag for throwing a few things in when I’m out with the kids and is big enough for a nappy wallet and other essentials.

I also picked up a gorgeous maxi dress (yes, I am a maxi addict) from Sorbet for only $20! Yes, that’s right, $20 (RRP $79.95). Now I just need to wait for it to warm up again so I can wear it.

All in all, I had a fabulous (kid free) morning, with lots of bargains and nearly all of them for me. It was only when I got home that I realised that nearly everything I bought was blue.

I can’t wait to go back again.

{GIVEAWAY} I’ve got $20 vouchers for the Simone Pérèle store at Uni Hill for two readers to win! All you need to do is visit the Uni Hill Factory Outlet website and tell me 3 stores you’d love to go shopping in. Leave your answer below. Entries close 10pm (AEST) on 16/5/12. Winners drawn randomly and announced on this page on 17/5/12. Good luck!

My Mother’s Day Wishlist

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With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I’ve put together my wishlist of what I’m hoping for on Sunday. My kids are only little, so let’s hope hubby sees it.

 

1. Audrey Pendant by Koolaman Designs

2. Chloe by Chloe from Perfumery

3. Cashmere Wrap by Christian Hirth

4. Moccasin Slippers from Peter Alexander

5. 3d Blossom Heart from Mondocherry

6. Rose Bouquet Wide PJ Pant by Peter Alexander

7. Spanish Style Earrings from Contessa Dreams

8. Porcelain Flower Lamp from Red Bird

9. Signature Tea Cup by Cristina Re

 

Getting to know……..Natasha from Book Bonding

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This week we’re getting to know Natasha from Book Bonding in Niddrie.

 

 

 

1. Tell us a little about yourself?
Before Book Bonding, I was a secondary teacher (English, History and Politics) which I loved immensely for 11 years but the afterhours corrections made life difficult to ‘switch off’. I met Mark, my husband, when I was 30 so married late but glad I did because it gave me time to kiss and discard a few ‘frogs’! He really encouraged me to follow my passion of opening a bookstore. We’ve no children of our own, though Mark has a 18yo son James who I get on well with. We recently got 2 King Charles Cavalier pups  named Jasper and Chobe and are absolutely adorable. My passions apart from reading are finding treasure trove places to eat or markets to visit, theatre (writing, directing and acting), collecting teapots and travelling (having been to over 25 countries so far on African, Asian and European continents).

 

2. Describe your store in one sentence?
Inviting and child friendly, Book Bonding has an interesting array of adult and kids’ books plus knowledgeable, passionate and helpful staff to help you find the right book!

 

3. What do you sell?

Children’s books – from young bubs through to teens, adult fiction, plus a good range of adult non-fiction such as biographies, cookbooks, family, etc plus other non book related gift ideas. We also hold five adult bookclubs, host author events, and sell to local schools.

 

4. What do you love most about what you do?

Interacting with passionate readers and novice readers, listening to what they’ve enjoyed or sharing what I have just read, helping someone find the ‘right’ book, creating our monthly newsletter, reading proof (prior release) copies of new books that you know everyone is going to love, or just gossiping about book related things!

 

5. What are 3 of your favourite authors or books for kids?
Oliver Jeffers – his illustrations are divine and he always has an interesting take on a story.

Lauren Child – from her younger reader Charlie and Lola series to her older reader Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort books – she has a wonderful humour and way of storytelling.

Classics such as Enid Blyton’s Enchanted Wood series or Roald Dahl’s funny stories – they never lose appeal and the stories are always well loved

 

6. What’s one item you can’t live without?

My passport and a good book – that way I can travel anywhere!

 

7. Favourite place to shop for yourself?

I love Venus Day Spa, Ascot Vale if I want indulgent beauty treatment, anywhere that sells Devonshire tea, T2 (I collect teapots) or otherwise farmer’s markets are so fun and full of surprises

 

8. If you weren’t running the store what other job would you like to do?

Working overseas teaching English or in an orphanage, or proof reading novels for a publisher – getting paid to read!

 

You can visit Book Bonding at 409 Keilor Rd, Niddrie or visit them online at www.bookbonding.com.au

More Winners!

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I’ve redrawn some of the lucky shopper prizes that were unclaimed from Melbourne Mamma’s Market on Sunday, 18 March 2012. If you see your name below, please email me at melbournemamma@bigpond.com, to claim your prize.

 

Congratulations to Ebony Rea, Sandra Willis, Natasha Crimmins, Darlene Samin, Laine Duggan, Joanne Pezzimenti, Janelle Mitchell, Penny Gaitanis, Bev Armour, Julie Pratt, Melinda Attard, Fiona O’Day, Dayjelle Schachi, Michelle Grace & Gail Hewitt.

 

Any prizes not claimed by Friday, 18 May 2012 will be redrawn.