The Story Behind The Fairytale

Nicola Hudson from Ponytails and Fairytales | wife, mother, CEO

I always imagined I’d be a mum that cooked meals from scratch daily.

Weetbix for tea was inconceivable. 

 

I thought I’d enjoy every waking moment with my kids, and extended hours playing Barbie would be an amazing bonding experience with my little darlings. Routines would be perfect, and the kids would go to bed on time so I could enjoy a fabulous evening with my husband in peace.

When the kids headed off to school, their uniforms would be “to code” every day, and their hair will look just… perfect. 

The thing is, life is really messy.

We’re all parents, and sometimes we manage, and sometimes we don’t.

 

Sometimes people tell me that I look like I’ve “got it together”. Social media and a flash of lipstick tends to do that. 

The real reason that I (sometimes) look that way is because I have a trick that works rain or shine, Monday through Sunday.

 

My girls don’t get fancy hair do’s for school. In fact, they’re lucky to get much more than a ponytail, pigtails, bun, or plaits. They get a pony and a bow, and out the door we go!

  

So what’s the big secret to making them look cute-as-a-button perfect each day?

They never leave the house without a bow.

 

A humble bow: it’s my smoke and mirrors trick that I use every day. 

 

That bow polishes their look. At school, it completes their uniform, and gives them a sense of belonging. They look the part. At ballet, they look neat and tidy. And at sport, they look proud to be a part of the team.  

Life can be chaotic. Hair doesn’t have to be. 

 

 

Ponytails and Fairytales backstory - once upon a time

I can’t quite place ‘why’, but I’ve always thought a bow had the power to change the way your day went.

Here’s how the humble bow went from being a staple in my hair, to the product that created my dream life:

 

Before Ponytails and Fairytales “became my thing”, my husband was FIFO and I was on maternity leave with my youngest. I was in the same dilemma that so many Aussie mums face: juggling 2 little girls and a career, and a husband that only lived under our roof for 6 months of the year.

When we were prepping for my eldest starting Kindy, I excitedly ordered uniforms to the exact requirements of the school, and took pride in finding bows to match in just the right shade. Those first school pics would be proudly displayed on our walls for years to come, and shared with every Aunt, Uncle, Grandparent, and anyone else that would have one, and she was going to look just perfect in her little outfit.

 

But I couldn’t find any bows.

 

They were either
  • sold out in my very particular shade of blue
  • cheap-looking and (IMO) hideous
  • or artisan / bespoke / handmade with a wait time and price tag to match.

I knew there had to be a solution, so I didn’t give up... I decided to get some made myself. I sourced a factory to manufacture some bows that I liked, in my particular shade of blue, in styles that were classic yet contemporary, and of course: would fit under a school hat and pass the Principal’s stringent standards.

They were amazing! In fact, they were so much of a hit that I ended up ordering in more for friends, then friends of friends, then friends of friends of friends.  

 

Next thing I knew, I had an online store, a wholesale offer, and a concept for easy fundraising with school bows. It wasn’t long and my home was bulging at the seams with hair ties, clips, and headbands in all the colours of the rainbow.

I turned to my Dad for advice, who funnily enough had always suggested we would work together at some stage, and told him that “I might have started something that could really be something”.

Nowadays, Dad is my business partner, and we have a warehouse location in Perth’s south.

Nicola Hudson and Nick Noble from Ponytails and Fairytales
Nicola Hudson and Nick Noble of Ponytails and Fairytales

 

We hold upwards of $100,000 of bows (#thatsalotofbows) and fulfill thousands of retail orders and supply hundreds of schools and clubs annually.

 

The great news is: my husband now doesn’t fly away for work. He’s occasionally roped in to helping out (he went by ‘Joe the Bow Man’ for a while), and he’s frequently roped in to keeping our fort running while I work in to the wee hours to get my next project or improvements off the ground.

 

And my girls now always have the perfect bows for every uniform and every occasion.

That makes me feel like I have this mum-thing sussed!

  


At Ponytails and Fairytales, we’re your best choice for supporting local

 

  • At Ponytails and Fairytales, we believe Aussie schools and clubs should earn the max amounts possible when they're fundraising.

  • We give generously to hundreds of schools and clubs each year, and make it as easy as possible for them to make the most money to help fund their projects.

  • Our handmade products are manufactured in bulk, and we hold huge stock-holdings so we can fill your orders when you need them.
 
  • We employ local mums to pick and pack our parcels. They bring my dreams to life, and help me deliver your orders fast, and with the love and care that comes from a mum.
 
  • We proudly hold Australia's largest range of in-stock colours and styles, which means I have the bow you need for every colour, and every occasion.

Reviews from our fab customers:

 Customer reviews - Ponytails and Fairytales - fast delivery, high quality

Customer reviews - ponytails and fairytales - uniform looks great, well organised

Customer review - affordable, high quality

Shhh! Don't tell the kids... 

As a mum, I’m not usually allowed to play favourites… but I do have a fave bow. These are our Bowtie Hair Ties, and I made sure to take one of every colour home, so I have a quick and easy match to every outfit in my girls’ wardrobes.

 

They are my “go-to” bow because they work well with every single outfit

Every. Single. Time.

Ponytails and Fairytales bowtie clips and hairties are our favourite as they're versatile

 

Our bowties can be worn as is, or the clips can be added to our Adjustable Elastic Headbands or Mix & Match Headbands. They can even be worn as smart-looking bowties for shirts! I seriously love these bows... I could rave on and on about their versatility and simplicity all day long!

They’re available individually, or if you’re a little bit like me and you’d like to cover all your bases, I’ve created a big box full with every colour in our range. If you’re more of a clip fan, they also come with clips instead of ties.

 

I’m sure you’re love them too!

- Nicola

 

 

Ponytails and Fairytales - hair accessories

School Ponytails - uniform hair accessories
Sports Day Shop - colour coordinated team products
Fundraise with bows - schools and sports clubs 

 

Shipping FAQs

Delivery Time Impacts: Australia Post

  • We highly recommend choosing a tracked service for all parcels (i.e. not large letter). We have more insights and ability to ensure your parcel is delivered. Letters are the first service to be slowed down if there is a reason for delays in the network.
  • Weather events (floods, fires, etc), train derailments, and coronavirus issues are common causes of freight delays. From time-to-time, Australia Post will indicate delivery delays across a number of their services, including the Express Post network. This can include OUTGOING and INCOMING mail. We will continue to get your parcels on their way urgently, however once we lodge them with Australia Post, we're at the mercy of the system! We continue to believe that the Australia Post network provides the most reliable service nationally and internationally, and ask for your patience in your delivery. Please see the Australia Post website for their most recent domestic interruptions.
  • If you have an event or other time requirement for your purchase, please take these delays in to consideration, and consult the Australia Post website to advise you on your delivery, as we cannot take responsibility if an item does not arrive to you in time due to postal delays. We recommend using a tracked shipping method (i.e. not large letter) as it's more reliable.
  • Please check your tracking, which is emailed to you if you choose Parcel Post or Express Post, and can be found inside "order details" on your shipping confirmation.
  • Express Post continues to be the fastest option for delivery. If you have ANY time constraints, choose this method.
  • We strongly advise against the "Large Letter, untracked" option. Yes, it's the cheapest, however it's also the first to be "slowed down" in favour of moving tracked parcels quicker should there be an issue.
  • ALL custom orders and pre-orders are likely to be effected by any freight delay. Turnaround time for custom orders or out of stocks is 4-8 weeks, plus your delivery time. These freight-related delays apply to ALL quoted delivery times, on this page and site-wide, and are out of our control. We do endeavour to keep to the estimated times when feasible.

When will I get my order?

Add to Cart

This message indicates that we are most likely in-stock, and your product will be shipped on the next business day. Get your order in before 9am AWST, and there's a good chance it will be shipped same day!

Pre-Order

This message indicates that we are low in stock, or out of stock. We may have a delivery in transit, or may need to manufacture more of these for you.

We always quote 4-8 weeks for any item that is out of stock (but they're generally shipped to you in about 3 weeks; we just like being safe with dates!). 

Personalised products have set order cut-off dates. Please see the individual product page for details.

T-shirts can take up to 7 business days to arrive.

Chinese New Year factory closures may hamper our incoming deliveries. This occurs between January - March annually. See below for more details on ETAs.

Orders shipped by Australia Post

TRACKED PARCELS

  • For tracked parcels, we email the tracking link to you in your Shipping Confirmation email. If you can't see it, click "View Your Order" on your Shipping Confirmation email; this will click through to the tracking details. If you're still having troubles, reply to your confirmation email, and we'll get back to you ASAP.
  • For tracking, please use the provided AusPost tracking link, or the AusPost website.
  • We highly recommend downloading the AusPost app. You can manage your parcels in transit (even change delivery addresses!).
  • All dates are estimates and actual delivery dates may vary (please contact Australia Post for an estimated delivery time from the 6171 postcode).  

XS Large Letter - size limited, untracked: 

  • Please note that this is an untracked "large letter" service and must fit within the strict Australia Post size guidelines.
  • We cannot trace this order once it is in the mail.

Delivery to Parcel Lockers or PO Boxes may incur extra fees if the shipping supplier charges them. Letters cannot be shipped to Parcel Lockers (check your Parcel Locker T&Cs). If undeliverable, your letter will be returned to us in ~4-6 weeks.

Tracked Parcel Post:

  • Can take 5-10 business days. Refer to Australia Post for estimations from the 6171 postcode

Tracked Express Post:

  • Can take 1-3 business days. Refer to Australia Post for estimations from the 6171 postcode.
  • Orders shipped by Express Courier (e.g. StarTrack National Premium ATL, TNT)

AEROSOL PRODUCTS: 

  • Please note that these products (e.g. coloured hair spray) can not be sent via Australia Post's services.
  • Orders of aerosols will have the option for Road Only courier services, Australia-wide. We will be in contact if there are any adjustments required in regards to your shipping charges.
  • Hair spray products may not have the "Free Delivery to School" offer available, due to the high shipping costs associated with these products.

StarTrack orders usually take 1-5 business days from order fulfillment. 

  • All StarTrack National Premium ATL orders come with Authority To Leave - please be sure you have written your delivery address correctly. Refer to StarTrack for estimations from the 6171 postcode.

FREE Pick-up from our WA DC

  • Just choose "Pick-up" as your delivery option
  • Unless otherwise advised, collection is Monday - Friday 9am - 1pm
  • Please note that we do not keep any cash or valuables on the premises
  • You will find us on the corner of Toynbee Way and Paxton Way, at Unit 4, 21 Paxton Way, Port Kennedy (we're inside the Silicone Beads Australia building).

Deliver to school

This is really important:

All "deliver to school" orders are held back in our Distribution Centre for the shipping date set by your fundraising school or club.

This could be the next day, or it could be weeks or months away. Please contact your school or club's parent committee to confirm the next delivery date. It's usually once per school term.

If you would rather get your order now, you can certainly choose Parcel Post or Express Post, and we'll get it on the way!

Orders arrive individually packed and labelled. Select your school from the drop down menu, and take note of the delivery time frame. This option is only available to those with students enrolled at the school / club.

If you choose "Deliver to School" as your shipping method, but we can't see your school details, we'll get in touch by email. If your school isn't registered to fundraise, there will be shipping costs associated with your order, so we'll forward you an invoice. 

If your school's not registered, and you'd like to present some info to them, we can send you an Info Kit.

Custom orders

Custom items are likely to need manufactured, and this takes 4-8 weeks. All orders containing custom items will be posted once all items on the order are available, unless you select otherwise.

If we have some products from your order in-stock now, we'll contact you via email with an option for split delivery if you've not made the selection already.

  • If you choose this option, we would send your in-stock items now, and your custom items when they arrive.
  • There are extra shipping costs associated with this option, so we'll send an invoice incase this is the option you'd prefer.
  • Just reply to the email, or pay the invoice, to have your order split in to 2 parcels. 

Please note that during the Chinese New Year period (this changes every year, but occurs from late January - March), custom orders will take up to 12 weeks to arrive. 

International orders

Thanks for checking out our Aussie bow store!

  • Customs in your country may charge taxes when your parcel arrives
  • We do not automatically include your country's taxes when you purchase. Please keep this in mind when evaluating the cost of your goods
  • We use international couriers and Australia Post to ship internationally.
  • All products, shipping, and pricing is quoted in $AUD

Wholesale orders

Shipping fees go by weight/cubic size of your parcel. As a general guide:

  • Small satchels to 5kg = $10.60 shipping by Australia Post Parcel Post service
  • Medium satchels to 5kg = $14.50 shipping by Australia Post Parcel Post service
  • Large satchels to 5kg = $18.25 shipping by Australia Post Parcel Post service
  • Extra large satchels (e.g. 300 curly ties) to 5kg = $21.95 shipping by Australia Post Parcel Post service
  • Orders with aerosols = $41+ shipping by StarTrack Road Express service, depending on the size of your order. Note that there are dangerous goods handling charges included in this price.  

Optional Express Post upgrades available (email for a quote).

Retail/online discounts and offers are not available to wholesale customers/purchases (as they are already discounted).

Office/Distribution Centre closures

  • New Year’s Day
  • Australia Day
  • Labour Day
  • Good Friday
  • Easter Monday
  • Anzac Day
  • WA Day
  • Queens Birthday
  • Christmas Day
  • Boxing Day
  • 2 weeks circa Christmas and New Year: limited hours. Shipping delays may occur, and Click and Collect times will vary/may be unavailable. Please check our Facebook page for the most up to date information
  • New Year's Eve

If you have any further questions about your order, email us at Hello@SchoolPonytails.com.au or click the Message Us button at the bottom of this page.