introducing the women behind the brand Three Little Trees

I think if you know about the women behind Three Little Trees and why they do what they do you will see why I had to have this brand showcased on my website. It is nice to also see a face behind a brand as it allows you to get the whole experience when you buy their label.

Kate and Jacqui, the women behind the brand

1. How was Three Little Trees born, was this something you dreamed of doing together?

Three Little Trees was born nearly 2 years ago when we decided to take our love of making children look cute to the next level! Jacqui had been drawing some designs and I have always sewn my own kids clothes so we started out wanting to make clothes and sell at markets, that never happened but before we knew it we and a manufacturer and were in the process of getting 5000 pieces of clothing made! It all just snow balled from there really!

2. How did you come up with the name "Three Little Trees, " is there a meaning behind it?

We actually threw a lot of names around, but we both knew for some reason that we wanted something to do with trees. We both love the outdoors and care a lot for the environment. Trees symbolise a lot too; they symbolise growth and regeneration, life, somewhere that children can play, laugh and love to be. The name Three Little Trees just felt right.

3. What are your backgrounds?

Not long before we stared Jacqui was a Flight Attendant Manager and I was studying Natural Therapies and working for my dad's roofing company. We are both mum's to two children each, Jac has Lily, nearly 5 and Kai who is 3 and I have Xaviah, nearly 5 and Maya, nearly 2.

4. Do either of you have a creative background, as you do some fabulous designs, I am just wondering where your hidden talents come from, or are you just naturally gifted when it comes to children's clothing?

Not technically.....ha ha! We are both arty people and always have been. Kate was sewing her baby girl, May, gorgeous little outfits and I had started sketching my own designs for a boys range when we realised we would make quite a good team. It really works well, because Kate is really good at the technical side of the computer and graphic design, so she is the "Mac girl" and I am know as the "Words girl" because I enjoy creative writing and the marketing side of things. We are both quite relaxed with it all and try to be quite fair with each other and try to keep it flexible around our family life. Without each other, we really would not succeed, I guess.

5. Were you and Jac friends before you started Three Little Trees?

Yes, we met when our eldest children, now five were three months old at Mother's Group on the Gold Coast, they were born three days apart. It wasn't until just over 18 months ago that we discussed the idea of starting a label over lunch and it just snow balled very quickly!!

6. Where does all your inspiration for these amazing styles come from that you create each season?

Our inspiration comes mainly from our children, watching them play and grow and trying to create something that not only looks great, but is comfortable. We love being different and think it is very important to be unique! Every season is inspired by different elements on top of this, for example this season, Winter, was inspired by the vibrant colour and style of the orient.

7. What can we expect for Summer, is there a theme carrying through the range?

Summer 09 we are still using prints by ISAK, the collection is called the "birds and bees" and that says it all I think :) There is an underlying meaning to our theme which is of course the creation of our beautiful children. Its all very cute and whimsical! We are so happy with the way it turned out and are super excited to get it into shops! I can't believe how fast the months fly by, we barely get a chance to breath between seasons!!

A sneak peak of Summer coming to Little Pinwheel in September!

dragonfly dress and butterfly dress

butterfly dress

Make sure you also subscribe this month and shop with Little Pinwheel as you may just win one of two of their gorgeous 100% cotton doona covers or cot sets for your little people.

my husband & my photographer!

I thought it was time to do a feature on my husband now he has photographed this beautiful house that has little people related interiors for me to show off.

My husband, Simon Whitbread, has always had a love affair for architecture and all things design. To be an architect was his dream job as a kid, but as most of us we all seem to go in different directions, and once he got behind a lens his dream changed to photographing the architecture and interiors he loves. In such a short period of time he has had photographs published in Houses Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald and in the September issue of Habitus Magazine.

I am very lucky to also have Simon photograph all my front pages for my website and any styled shots I am after. I however have to do the deep etching and photograph all the flat lays. I guess it is fair!

The house I have featured is in Curl Curl, on Sydney's Northern Beaches and was built by Evolve. Michelle, the owner, has fantastic taste when it comes to interiors and I am loving Alex's, nursery. The images speak for themselves!

Winter Sale!

It is that time of year again where we are all hunting around for a bargain and until the end of June there is an exclusive offer to subscribers of Little Pinwheel's newsletter to save 25% off winter stock. If you are not a member and wish to receive this discount then sign up and I will forward you the coupon code. You will also receive Little Pinwheel's newsletters each month, which are filled with competitions, product information and loads of interesting stuff that is related to little people. 

KidStyleFile

KidStyleFile is Australia's leading online resource for everything to do with babies and children. It has every leading baby and children boutiques on there with clothes for your little people, decor, nursery items, toys and anything else as long as it is for little people. You can find out about great offers, sales that are happening and just general information about great places to buy products for your little ones. There is even a weekly newsletter that you can sign up to that tells you all the great deals that are happening and this way you do not miss out on grabbing some great gear for your little people. Make sure you check out Little Pinwheel on there!

Now onto the best thing about KidStyleFile.... they are holding their second KidStyleFile Annual Reader Survey.  Now this is not like any other survey, this survey allows you to express your views on online shopping, tell what your favourite stores are, labels, toys, magazines and more. But the real bonus or the icing on the cake is that you go in the draw to win from a huge prize pool valued at over $12,000.00. Woo hoo! The sponsors include Moppit, Toetum, Baobab, Oobi Baby and Kids, and Polka (love Polka), high end baby-goods brands Babymoov, and ERGObaby Carrier, award-winning decor pieces from Cocoon Couture, state of the art toys from Intelliplay, and magazine subscriptions from established parenting magazine My Child (fabulous mag, we are in there), and new baby and kids style publication Little One Baby. Wow, not bad for just filling out some simple answers and it is fun too! But wait there is more.....

KidStyleFile is donating 50 cents for every completed copy of the KidStyleFile Annual Reader Survey to national children's charity Make-A-Wish Australia. Now that is fantastic!

The survey only takes 5 minutes and to top it off when you refer a friend, make it several, you get the corresponding number of extra chances to win!! 

So hop onto the website, do the survey and have a look around, there is so much to see on KidStyleFile!

Itch Design Competition

Itch has arrived and to show how much we love Itch and how much Itch loves to be loved I have joined together with the one and only designer and owner of Itch, Jodie, to bring one lucky customer a fabulous prize. Up until the end of June you have the chance to win an outfit for either your little girl or little boy and to enter all you need to do is shop and you may just win some fabulous and creative threads from Itch.

Jodie believes that what your children wear enhances their personality and makes a statement about the little individuals they are trying to be.  Her designs are distinctive and will create a complete fashion statement for your little people. Check out some of her range on Little Pinwheel and mix it, match it and layer it this winter!