I was walking past my own store the other day and snapped off a couple of shots of the windows for my file - I have come to the realisation that I either need a new camera, or more to the point, a new friend with a kick arse camera and the ability to photograph my windows properly!!
Any takers??

The day has finally arrived - I have just got home after an exhausting day getting everything ready for tomorrow's opening (actually today's!) at the new Kensington store.  I can't believe that we actually did it.  For some reason the first shop didn't seem so hard, maybe because it was 7 years ago and like childbirth the memories have dimmed.

We have just ripped all the paper off the windows to reveal all!  How fun.

If you're in the area pop in and visit otherwise I'll fill you in tomorrow on our first big day.

After a full day of painting and sanding I'm ready for a bath and bed.

My Dad asked me today how the shop build was going and I realised that anyone who isn't on Facebook probably doesn't know how it's progressing, therefore I thought I'd post some photos here for anyone who's interested.

This is how it looked a couple of weeks ago

This is how it looked on Friday.

Thanks to the very gifted and talented Surfer Boy we almost have a completed shop.  Over the weekend the counter and the centre tables went in too so there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.

This week I'll be making a new list of all the bits and pieces we still need to do before the big opening day... luckily we have our staff sorted now which is a huge load off my mind.  Our delightful new staff Lou and Jono will join Eliza in the empire that is CHALK!

I'll keep you updated so stay tuned.

I've been looking for new gift cards for CHALK and I stumbled across these beauties with the aide of Google.  Not what I was looking for but I couldn't resist sharing them with you.

                                                              vingagegreetingcards.com

I've just stumbled across this photo from CHALK 's old blog and it has almost inspired me to start producing some more.  I absolutely love putting the quilt tops together but I start to lose interest when it comes time to sew them all up.  I must admit that seeing these old designs and matching pillows gets me a little excited and I think I can feel some 'crafting' coming on! 

LITTLE EATS is a recently launched website that provides a quick and easy guide at a glance to a cafe’s kid-friendliness and the services they provide. Their focus is mainly on Melbourne cafes that specialise in weekend breakfasts, brunches and lunches.
Each review consists of a simple checklist that includes whether or not a venue provides highchairs, change tables, easy pram access, a separate kids menu, or whether the normal menu has suitable options for little ones, the kid-friendliness of the staff, whether there is a play area for kids or activities and toys provided, as well as prices and the overall atmosphere of the place.
On top of that they also share their personal experiences with you and their opinion on the overall “vibe” of the venue and how welcoming and suitable they are to the little ones in our lives.
Pop by and have a look - it's definitely worth it. Little Eats.

We've been working on a new website for CHALK and finally I have worked out how to add my blog posts to it - http://www.chalkconcepts.com.au/chalk_concepts_for_kids/

Now I have to decide if I should ditch the original blog or try to import it into the new one! All so hard and after using Blogger I'm finding Typepad much harder to use. What do you think?

Don't forget to pop over and visit my other blog. The CHALK blog not only keeps you up to date with all our new stock and the goings on in store, but there are also some wonderful examples of kids interiors - both the good and the dodgy!

Please leave me a comment so I know you have dropped in.

Jen

I just posted about these guys over at the CHALK blog but I wanted to show you here too 'cause I'm soooooooo excited that they have finally arrived.

I have 2 very exciting pieces of news - I have given birth - to a new blog, and CHALK is leaving home!

I made the decision today to give CHALK (the shop) its own blog. This came about in part to Paul Walkers' bare chest!! (see eye candy)
After posting the original photo I decided it needed to be cropped as there was a little too much exposed groin for a blog associated with my place of business. Maybe not very professional I thought. It seemed such a shame but I started thinking about cutting a lot out of my blog to keep it more CHALK related. Then I had a brainwave! Start a new one! That way I get to crap on even more in this blog, and get to post as much eye candy as I like without getting in trouble.

So... CHALK has now left home and has its own pad over at www.chalkconcepts.blogspot.com
Over there I will post the usual hot products, sale info, new stock in store etc and any other CHALK related titbits. Please visit (and leave a comment) as I'm guessing it will be lonely over there for a while.
Ciao, Jen

Look what arrived in the store today!

These gorgeous slip-on canvas runners come in 5 colours and we stock sizes 24 to 30. They go with absolutely everything and cut out the 'Muuum, can you do up my shoes' factor.

Also perfect for anyone who is a little bit over the Croc thing.

At $26.00 you don't need to toss up between colours either - buy them all!!! (go on - then Surfer boy and I can go on a holiday)

FINALLY!!!

Today - thanks to my very talented and creative friend Kris, I produced my very first graphic tee for CHALK!! Woo Hoo!

This has been in the pipeline for the 5 years of CHALKs existence but for one reason or another has taken this long to actually reach the store. Nothing like watching a professional make it look easy to inspire you.

In the past I have done appliqued tees, button tees etc but the screen printing has always ended up in the 'too hard basket'.

UNTIL TODAY.

I present CHALKs very first printed tee, done by my own fair hand (and watched over by Kris) -

The Firebird.......

She will go into the shop tomorrow so hopefully she will be well received.

What do you think?

Thought we might stock these -

What do you think?

Here is my wonderful work place.

I am so lucky to love what I do and where I work. This is no doubt helped by the fact that Mick does all the hard work and I get to do the fun things like this blog and buying stuff and making things pretty! What's not to love.

My great gift pick for this week is.....GEL GEMS
They are made of a clear rubbery substance and will stick to most smooth surfaces, including stainless steel fridges!! They look absolutely amazing when on a window as the light through the gel is gorgeous. We have ballerinas, boats, dogs, butterflies etc and they range from $10 to $19.

I spent most of the day yesterday trying to fit all our new stock into the shop in some semblance of order. Customers were very understanding and stepped politely over piles of tees and baskets of squeakers as I tried a bit of re-jigging.

It is always such a fun time of year when all the new seasons stock starts arriving - as I ordered it all about 8 months ago I get a real kick out of opening boxes and seeing everything again.

It also gives me hope that summer is indeed on its way... in our shop at least.

I took home some bathers for the Gidget to try on as I couldn't resist. It's the first year we've done anything more than a spattering of girls bathers and they look so summery all hanging in a row. They are only $28.00 each so I think I'll have to get a couple of pairs.

On Saturday Johanna from One Red Robin dropped off some fabulous, handmade, one of a kind softies. (I have borrowed these shots from her site as I forgot to take my camera to work.) The huggable bunnies and rabbits are just waiting for little hands to love them and take them home.

This is the gorgeous Chibi doll I fell in love with and now resides at my house.

This is the last order Johanna is doing for a while so they really are very special.

Chibi doll $39 and huggable cat and bunny $37

The wonderful BABYLEGS haven't been mentioned before in this blog so I thought I'd share them with you. They are an American product that was developed by a Mum to keep her babies legs warm during nappy-free time. Since then she had discovered that kids of all ages love wearing them. They make fabulous leg warmers for chilly spring mornings and are so quick to peel off when the sun warms up. I have even been known to wear them on my arms in cooler weather!

And of course they are just perfect for the budding ballerina!

They come in one size so the taller you are the lower on the leg they sit. We have dozens of styles and colours and at $17.00 they are one of my top present picks.