Congratulations to Kate Vernon-Cumming and family for their winning entry to our Micro Scooter Dad & Me photo contest. You have won a $460 Micro Scooter pack which includes a  Monster scooter for Dad and a Mini Micro Scooter for Gracie too!

It was such a difficult decision as we received hundreds of beautiful entries. We thought that establishing a panel would  make the decision easier. Despite us all having near enough to a  shared value on the finalists,  we all agree it may have made it more difficult that we had to ALL agree on just one!  Each photo moved different panel members differently due to their own experiences of parenthood. We all agree though that this beautiful shot really tells a story of a special relationship and bond between Dad & daughter.

Thanks again everyone for your entries - we hope you’ve enjoyed viewing them as much as we have!

Winter is a great time to sit down with a cuppa and flick through the odd magazine or two (in between caring for/entertaining/serving one’s children of course!). We’ve been featured in many of our usual magazines this month including the current issue of a bebe fave -  Shop 4 Kids (out now!), My Child Magazine, Cosmopolitan Pregnancy, Practical Parenting and Channel Ten’s The Circle TV program.

This month’s Shop 4 Kids shot some of bebe’s more unique and exclusive items  such as (clockwise from top left) the Oeuf Sparrow Single Bed, Eames Hang-It-All (great job Shop 4 Kids wanting the real thing and no imitations/replicas!), the Preserve BPA Free Junior Toothbrushes, and the Nurseryworks Sleepytime Rocking Chair.

Cosmopolitan Pregnancy also love our Nurseryworks Sleepytime Rocker (shown left) and also shot  our new Silver Cross Activity Playmat for their nursery feature.

My Child Magazine’s Spring Issue has just hit news stands (phew! does that mean the weather is going to change soon ?!!). This issue featured our Danish  midwife’s wooden stethoscope, which  serves as great peace of mind as it enables you to hear the fetal hearbeat during pregnancy. The Miswife’s stethocope makes for a wonderful heirloom gift for the expecting mother.

Our very own Carey was interviewed by Practical Parenting for an article on Attachement Parenting in this issue. Written by Pinky Mckay the article explores this parenting style and how elements of Attachement Parenting can be incorporated into every day life (read: “its not just for hippies”).  You can read the full article here.

We were so excited when we saw The Circle Host Gorgi announce her pregnancy live on The Circle that we had to surprise her with a little something to congratulate her. Upon seeing her news announced,  we sent a Mamas & Papas Elephant Rocker, which within minutes was given to Gorgi live on air.  We’re so happy for Gorgi and look forward to watching her move through this beautiful time in her life. Congrats Gorgi!

We know how hard it is to make the big decision on which stroller to buy, so we have set up a test drive program for our two best selling strollers - the Stokke Xplory and the Bugaboo Cameleon.

Our new program allows you to take one of these great strollers away from our Melbourne store for half a day to give it a full and proper test drive. Take it to the park, pop it in your car boot, or take it through the supermarket aisle! We suggest you put it through the paces of your lifestyle to see how it works for you.

Click here for full details of how to book in your test drive.

We are happy to announce introduction of the bebe V.I.P. membership - for life !

This membership is automatically provided to you once you spend over $250 or $2,000 in a single transaction. By spending over $250 you instantly receive 5% discount off that total purchase and by spending over $2000 in a single purchase you will receive 10% off that total purchase, as well as free freight for orders over $150. *

From this first discount status onwards every subsequent purchase will automatically receive a 5% discount.** Feedback has let us clearly know that the frustration of forgetting or misplacing your membership number or card so we have developed a system free of these hassles. Your bebe V.I.P. Membership is confirmed as soon as you login to your bebeonline account. You are not required to provide any further membership identification details.

When you are shopping in our South Yarra store simply advise the friendly staff at the counter that you are a bebe V.I.P. member they will ask for your name and address and quickly confirm your details and provide you your 5% discount immediately - it is as easy as that.

If you do not yet have a bebeonline login you can make a $250/$2000 plus purchase in store and our team can manually establish you as well as your VIP status and you can get stated this way as well - we have you covered.

So plan your next online or in store purchase to at least go over the magic $250 or $2,000 amounts to commence your lifetime bebe V.I.P. membership and then sit back and enjoy the on going 5% discount that only comes with being a bebe V.I.P. Member - for  life!

* unless the purchased items is regarded as "bulky" ie. Furniture or Prams or has to be transported to a remote location in which case our team will be in touch to discuss the freighting options.

** unless the product is already on sale, there is a storewide sales event or any other special coupon/discount code.

New products call for new window displays! We couldn’t resist a girly theme this week as we’ve just taken delivery of the sweetest handmade dolls from Alimrose Designs. And the Kideko Love Bed Linen has been a long standing favourite.

Green has become a popular neutral colour for both boys and girls this year. It feels like we’ve been waiting forever for the DwellStudio Owl range to be available in Australia, but we can tell you it’s worth the wait!

We’ve received so much new stock over the past couple of weeks, that bebe Merchandiser Michelle has been freshening our windows even more frequently than usual. (Read: blink and you may just miss them). It’s all about orange and blue in our first window (above) which showcases the new Boon Flair High Chair and one of our favourites, the   Shortstop table and chair set.

A meeting with some VIPs from Stokke’s European Head Office got us particularly excited about all things Stokke. So much so that we ensured there was a rotating Tripp Trapp High Chair in our window to greet them when they arrived. They were fabulous guests (ok, we like compliments) and we’re very excited to be preparing for some exciting Stokke launches a little later in the year.

We’re big fans of  frequent and fresh merchandising displays, and just love featuring our favourite products in the windows for those city trammers to see on their commute to work. Today was a dark and cold day in Melbourne, so what better day than to add some colour to our windows!

This week’s Window #1 (above) has a bit of an American theme - with fave brands Oeuf, DwellStudio and Skip Hop.

Window #2 displays some of the new Silver Cross toy range. Who would have thought a stroller company would release a toy range, eh? We’re loving the colours in the playmat - very unique and quite under-stated as far as playmats go.

Window #3 see’s the Eames RAR Rocker, Eames Hang it All and contemporary Luxo Cot from Bloom dressed in my favourite blanket of all time - the  Merino Angus Blanket (yum!).

We find photographing our window’s quite tricky and many of our photos don’t even make it to the blog or facebook as the glare is SO strong that you see more of the passing trams and photographer than you do of the actual product display! We’ve tried so many things such as photographing at different times of the day, different camera angles, internal lighting etc. Today, the photos were left until the very end of the day after the shop had closed and light’s were out. Well, wouldnt you know it- the time of day we least expected to get some clear shots proves to be THE time of day to shoot. No dodgy window reflections of trams, yellow taxis or sneaker wearing office workers (yes, we see you) - just fun, colourful products. Go team.

CUT-OFF DATES FOR PRE-CHRISTMAS DELIVERY

Web and phone orders received by the following times/dates are estimated to arrive on or before 24th December 2009. This is allowing for Australia Post/Startrack Express estimated delivery timelines. Please dont hesitate to call us with any questions regarding delivery times and opening hours: (03) 9821 4405

VIC/NSW/SA/ACT : December 21st @ 2pm

TAS/QLD: December 18th @ midday

WA/NT : December 17th @ midday

CHRISTMAS & NY STORE HOURS - SOUTH YARRA STORE & TELEPHONE ORDERS/CUSTOMER SUPPORT

Monday 14th December - Wednesday 23rd December, open weekdays 9.30am-6pm, Saturday 9.30am -5pm, and Sunday open 11am - 5pm

Thursday 24th December - open 9.30am - 4pm

Christmas Day, Boxing Day & December 27th- Closed

Monday 28th December - Wednesday 30th December - open 9.30am-5pm

Thursday 31st December & Friday 1st January (New Years Day)- closed

Saturday 2nd January - re-open and commence regular trading hours of Mon-Sat 9.30am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm

We’re now open Sundays 11am-4pm, which means we’re open seven days! We thought we’d share some of our favourite places and ideas that are within just a few steps of bebe

Start your day with a latte from picnic, just a few doors down from us. Our Kelly just so happened to be there waiting for his Soy Latte when the photographer took this photo. Nothin’ like a true local, eh?

You can’t miss Noah’s Aeroplane (next door!). Deck your little one out in an outfit from Noah’s and he/she will be quite the Christmas Fashionista.

With Egg Maternity, Premaman and Pea in the Pod all within a few metres of each other (and us),  you’re bound to find yourself a cute frock for Christmas and New Years. If you’re not pregnant… ummm.. we’re sorry we suggested it. You may like to skip on over to Chapel.. 

Chicks Love Chapel with good reason. It is loaded with a bunch of great boutiques, and maintains a vibrant and unique shopping strip experience. We won’t list all the store’s, but we can just about guarantee you’ll find something yummy there.

Speaking of yummy, if you havent experienced French Fantasies yet, you may wish to save your appetite (see how far that morning coffee will take you!). French Fantasies bake their pastries on the premises, and are to die for. Why not pick up a roast vegie baguette for your picnic lunch…

The Botanic Gardens is the perfect place to sit and take a load off on a sunny afternoon.  Its perfect for picnics and the Children’s garden is just a delight for littlies.

Enjoy!

1. Touch and feel this week’s new in-store arrivals the new Nathi change table, Nurseryworks linen,  Pure Baby essentials, Mini Monkey slings and Alimrose toys

2. We’ve got a plasma TV and box full of Brio Toys for the kiddies (or hubby?) to stay occupied whilst you cruise the store…

3. We’re fully equiped with Baby Change and feeding chair should the need arise

4. We’re in the pregnancy/kids shopping hub - with Egg Maternity, Premaman, Pea in a Pod, Noahs Aeroplane all within metres if bebe.

5. We’re just metres from Melbourne’s best French Patiserrie - French Fantasies, with the tastiest baguettes  (trust us, you wont be disappointed!!).

Bebe’s store in  is open Monday - Saturday, 9.30am-5.00pm and is located at 36-38 Toorak Road, South Yarra. Phone (03) 9821 4405