KidStyleFile

Ooh, these socks are so sweet, and perfect for teeny little feet. Who needs shoes; you won’t want to hide these darling socks! They retail for $20+ for a box of 6. Get them 35% off at www.frockyou.com.au. Enter discount code ’summer’ at checkout. Postage is a very reasonable $5 for Express Post. Grab a couple of boxes like I just did!!

How do you feel now that Christmas is over? Do you need to build an extension on the house to accommodate all your new acquisitions?

One gift my kids received that I feel only good things about is their Trunki Towgo suitcases. They are fully functional adult case quality approved carry on luggage with the added delight of wheels, horns, and straps to pull along your child, let your child use as a ride on toy, or sling over your shoulder in case of abandonment by said child.

In their at-home times the Trunki serves as a great ride on toy, can store other things inside it, and because of its carry on baggage size fit neatly into standard cupboard shelving. Someone was really thinking when they made this product - hallelujah!!

I found the best deal on Trunki Towgo at Kidsgiftlist.com.au. I also picked up these cool VW combis there (amongst other things, including Edenstar clothes, which are on sale, by the way). The combis have pull-back action (pull it back, release, and watch her go!) and the power of this is quite impressive. Also, the passenger door and boot open too. Qualities I really appreciate in a vehicle

KidsGiftList don’t currently have a sale on now, but rest assured I’ll be letting you know when they do, because they are a little ripper of a store…

There is about to be a population boom in my neck of the woods. Seven of my friends are pregnant and due in the next six months!!

Are you like me, on a budget, but still want to get your friends something special? Look no further than Fairy Kisses - www.fairykisses.com.au.

They stock a large range of Oobi Baby clothing (size newborn to 3 years) and toys, and are currently offering a free Oobi Bella the Martian hoodie when you purchase a tee (long or shortsleeved: $24) and a pair of footies or pants ($21).

Also, check out the Bump Buddy cold packs a personal favourite must-have-item of mine. These Buddies are a truly brilliant innovation in the world of ice packs; kid sized, freezer friends (as opposed to crazy big bags of peas, which you have to bin after) that can be whipped out to cheer and heal the inevitable bumps and knocks of childhood.

Whenever my kids get hurt they call for ‘the Starfish, the STARfish!!’ and it’s presence always lessens the pain, physically and emotionally.

Also check out the Anamalz. Eco-friendly, affordable and great for kids to collect. FK are currently only stocking a few (kangaroo, hippo and lion), but they are the few that most other stockists don’t have their hands on yet!

To sweeten the experience, Fairy Kisses are currently having an up-to-45% off sale, and offer cheap shipping and a fantastic loyalty program (I snapped up some bargains yesterday, and here they are today in the mail, including my little loyalty member gift. Who doesn’t love GWP (Gift With Purchase??!!); I’m thrilled!

Here are the details of the loyalty program:

TERMS AND REWARDS:
* Upon placement of your first order you will receive a numbered club card.
* Points add up for every visit, and equate to 1 point per dollar, excluding postage and handling.
* Upon reaching 75, 150 and 250 points you will receive a prize.
* At 300 points you will receive a prize and your least expensive item from the order reaching 300+ points will be free.
* On your next order after the order reaching 300 points you will become a gold card member, and qualify for a 5% discount off all subsequent orders.
* In addition, there will from time to time be additional offers and competitions for all Loyalty Club members.

‘Harold and the Purple Crayon’ by Crockett Johnson is an extraordinary book about a boy named Harold and his adventures with his trusty purple crayon. The story is drawn from Harold’s imagination (figuratively and literally) and inspires a wonderful sense of anticipation for adult and child readers/listeners alike. An original and unique book first published in 1957.

Buy Harold and the Purple Crayon at fishpond.com.au and save 27% off the recommended retail price. Spend $50 or more and get free shipping Australia wide. Or why not write a review for Fishpond? Each book that you are the first to review earns you a 20c Fishpond credit.

mill&mia - www.millandmia.com - is designed by former W Hotel designer Melissa Chen and lovingly made in Australia. Melissa knows everyone in the production chain of her business and is a doyenne of integrity and calm.

There is a lightness of spirit in Melissa’s designs that results in them being super cool while never taking themselves too seriously. Also, the tees are the best I have found; a fabulous longer-length body fitting style that never loses its shape, doesn’t fade, and that you can get 18 months wear out of!!

To watch my children wearing mill&mia is to know they are comfortable and imbued with the creative spirit of the designer, that these clothes let them be free and give them confidence to move with energy and to be quiet with calm.

Checkout the skincare range and bed linen too. My children sleep to perfection in mill&mia bedding, maybe yours will too?

From newborn to size 6 (soon to be size 12, I believe) for boys and girls, you honestly can’t go past mill&mia. Just love ‘em!

****SALE ALERT!!!!*****

mill&mia are currently having a superb summer sale. Buy 1 item and get 30% off, 2 items 40% off, 3 items 50%. Last winters stock is also going out at $20 a piece, last summers stock $10 a piece!!

You can’t currently buy online, but you can view the range at www.millandmia.com and phone in your order to 03 9510 5275. Email: info@millandmia.com for more information.

If you’re in Melbourne you can visit the bricks and mortar mill&mia store at 582 Malvern Rd Prahran VIC.

A long time ago, BC (Before Children), I read an interesting philosophy on how a person might develop their aesthetic: that what you are exposed to starting from infancy, has a profound and defining impact on your developing and final aesthetic taste . The example given was, that everything on the family table, from the tablecloth, to the cutlery and food influences the sensory impressions of how you see the world. This process repeats across all contexts and experiences and eventually determines what you see as the norm, and what you like.

Certain objects, shapes, patterns colours and sounds stimulate us, and conversely, bring us calm throughout our lives from infancy to old age. Think of the smells that remind you of your childhood, or music that reminds you of a particular time, place of person.

I guess in the things I love, and in many of the objects I document in this blog, I am rediscovering and redefining my aesthetic appreciation. For me, these material objects are not about acquisition or status, but about art and beauty; seeing, feeling, hearing, touching and tasting again the magic of childhood.

What a joy to have children in my life to bring all this back to me so clearly again.

Hello and welcome to KidStyleFile, your Australian-based one stop location for insider knowledge on what’s beautiful, functional, and fun in the wonderful world of kids.

The purpose of this blog is to provide somewhat of a scrapbook for me, to record the things I see and to share with others the super bargains and great people and stores I have encountered through extensive research and practical experience.

My mission is to bring you the lowdown on what’s hot and where you can get it and a great deal to boot. Each product has been picked because it’s fun, stylish, and practical, and each store has been picked because they offer great deals and great customer service.

I should also let you know that I am on a tight budget and that I shop widely and without prejudice, judging products on their merits, not their label - there is beauty everywhere; you just have to know where to find it.

So stay awhile, visit often and get ready to save a bundle!

Angela