KidStyleFile

Update 1 April 2008: extra 10% discount for KidStyleFile readers. Just mention KidStyleFile when you phone to make your order to receive the extra 10% off!

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Charlie’s Bucket stock the best in premium baby and kids clothing, toys, decor, and accessories for babies and kids from birth up to 10 years.

Charlie’s Bucket has the most divine bricks and mortar presence in Hobart, Tasmania, but until now, Charlie’s Bucket hasn’t had an online presence.

Today marks the Charlie’s Bucket online virtual debut, with a online/phone order sale especially for KidStyleFile readers. Yay!

You lucky lucky readers have the opportunity to snap up summer stock of Tea Collection, Moppit, Freshbaked, Milk on the Rocks, Confetti, Kookai Girls and Little Red by Mr Wolf for 50% off RRP, and Munster, Littlehorn, Paper Wings, Infancy, Kookai and Baby PT 40% off RRP, with selected pieces up to 60% off.

These are cheap cheap prices; absolute bargains! I haven’t found them on sale reduced by these amounts anywhere.

Here are some pics of the Charlie’s Bucket store to get you in the mood. Isn’t it just beautiful!

Here’s how to buy:

 

1. Select your goodies, pictured below

2. Place your orders from 10am via telephone on 03 623 12881 (email inquiries to Sandra at charliesbucket@bigpond.com)

3. Make payment over the phone with VISA or Mastercard, or direct debit; bank details will be provided on the phone, and your parcel will be shipped once payment has cleared.

Charlie’s Bucket charge $9.00 Australia for Express Post, and orders over $200.00 are posted free of charge.

Without further ado, onto the seriously cheap luxe-goods!

Click on the thumbnail images to view larger pictures of each item (opens in a new window, so make sure you have pop-ups turned on for this.)

Little Red Run for Your Life Shorts (Sizes 2,4,6,8 in navy and white available) $39.95 now $20.00

Freshbaked Red 50s Sun Dress (sizes 4,6 and 7) $39.95 now $20.00

Blu Bikki Lace Trim Shirt (sizes 1,2 and 4) $67.95 now $30.00

Freshbaked Denim Ruffle Pinafore (sizes 00,0,1,2) $36.95 now $20.00

Paperwings Roll Collar Jacket with Sparkle (size 10) $154.00 now $89.00

Littlehorn Come On Eileen Jumpsuit (sizes 5,6,7) $49.95 now $26.00

Confetti Esprit Vegetal Fraise Dress in dusty pink (size 4) $98.00 now $49.00

Freshbaked Cropped Cardigan (pink: size 7,8,10 cream : size 7,10,14) $39.95 now $20.00
Tea Collection Azmi Dress (size 3,5,6) $79.00 now $36.00

Moppit Cargo Pant (size 3,4,5,6,8) $59.95 now $35.00

Moppit Green and Navy Stripe Polo (size 6,8,10) $44.95 now $25.00

Munster Purple Barbed Boardshort (size 1 (blue) 3,4,6,7,8) $49.95 now $28.00

Moppit Check Short (size 00,0,1,2) $55.00 now $25.00

Littlehorn Pod Boardie (size 5,6,7,8) $39.95 now $23.00

Milk On the Rocks Indian Tee (size 18m, 4,5,6) $68.00 now $30.00

More products on the next page: click me! >>

Just a reminder about the crazy-good sale over the Ekidna Kidswear – www.ekidnakidswear.com.au.

In addition to sale items being reduced to between 15-50% already, Joanne at Ekidna Kidswear is gifting KidStyleFile readers another 15% store-wide!

WOW!

Now you can save, not only on Summer sale stock, but on fabulous NEW season’s stock too!

That is soooo generous – thanks, Joanne

This offer ends March 30, so scoot on over now!

Read the full post for details of pricing for the goodies below, and for discount code details.

Hope you’re having a ‘Bunderful’ Easter Sunday

Ever wonder how all the stores come across fantastic new products? The answer is “trade shows”.

Trade shows are events put together for industry members to allow them to see, touch and talk about the products, and place their orders for the coming season.

The LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE – www.lifeinstyle.com.au – Trade Show is Australia’s leading event for premium and boutique brands.

In February, I went to Sydney to see 200 of the best adults and kids brands on the market show their wares.

The quality was outstanding; I think I stopped at every stand! The ambiance of the LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE show was also something to behold. Great design, great products, great layout, great styling, great music; I’m in heaven!

Trade shows are, as the name suggests, “Trade” only; they aren’t open to the general public. So, as an Easter special feature I’ve put together a little something for KidStyleFile readers; a small sample of the quality on show at LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE, to give you a window into the world of the designers and products that will be coming soon to a store near you.

I have included products from both the ‘LIFE’ and ‘KIDS’ sections. Many products in the ‘LIFE’ category, while not being specifically designed for kids, crossed over into kids territory. That’s what good design is all about. It complements who you are, and how you live, regardless of your age.

Note that I have included the web addresses of the distributors in the presentation, as many of the product aren’t available through retail sites yet. The distributor sites do/will provide information on stockists in due course. See the VIP programme for the presentation for details on the products.

This is a multi-media presentation – I recommend full screen viewing, and there is music – so pump it up and enjoy!

Welcome to the KidStyleFile LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE Trade Show presentation programme, companion to the KidStyleFile LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE presentation.

This programme provides a little information on the products featured in the presentation.

Welcome to the LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE Trade Show at the Royal Hall of Industries, Sydney, February 2008

The venue ambiance – stunning – a stimulating, yet calm, place to be. Excellence in design perfectly executed.

Danish by Design – www.danishbydesign.com.au. Iconic Danish design in the Leander Bed, and Handy Sitt Chair.

Love by Geneine Honey – www.lovehate.com.au. These brooches are so exquisite, and bring the joy of childhood into adult jewellery.

Nordic-retro themed canvas prints from Tiny Bird – www.tinybird.com.au

Sweet printed tees from Studio Antic – www.studioantic.com.au

Iconic Stokke Tripp-Trapp Chairs at the Exquira stand – www.exquira.com.au

The world’s most stylish toy cars – Playsam at Forest for the Trees – www.forestftt.com.au

Nordic style for kids: Elephant range, made in Sweden, from Nordic Designs – www.nordicdesignshome.com.au

Fish Lilly produce cotton wraps for little babes that are unmatched in their softness and sweet design. Love ‘em! Visit www.fishlilly.com.au

Chill out at the LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE lounge, styled by InsideOut magazine

The beautiful Karen and Amber with their wonderful prints at the Me and Amber stand – www.meandamber.com

Babymoov insultated bottle and nappy bags: the funkiest baby bags ever, complete with their own travellers blankie! How thoughtful! Available through Rose and Lilly – www.roseandlilly.com.au from May 2008.

Teeny little ballet flats for little girls (and big ones for their mamas!) at Parisian Ballets – www.parisianballets.com.au

Teeny Me fold out sofas. Kid-focused, to adult standards of aesthetics and quality. Visit www.teenyme.com.au

I just love these timber veneer postcards from Pigeonhole – www.pigeonhole.com.au. Owls are HOT this season. Keep an eye out!

You won’t believe it, but this is a doll’s house! How gorgeous is that?! When can I move in….. Lundby dollhouses brought to you by Axis Trading – www.axis-trading.com

Pip from Woo’s, with the most amazing red clogs, and Simon, from Hamb, doing his best model pose and holding his super-cool tees (available for adults and kids). Visit www.woos.com.au, and www.hamb.com.au

Itch Design are adding to their fine repertoire with melamine plates, and bed-linen. Coming to market soon. Visit www.itchdesign.com.au

The Lana soft toy range at Kideeco – www.kideeco.com.au – has to be seen to be believed. These toys have so much personality and soul.

Look at these extraordinary felted-wool creations at Shweshwe - www.shweshwe.com.au. Oh, how my girls (and me!) would love these in our home.

Sparrow Kids do-it-yourself bag kits from Suzi International – www.suziinternational.com.au. How I love thee!

My kids wear Cuddle Fish swimmers. Highly recommended! Visit www.cuddlefish.com.au

Rock couture from Aussie designers Rock Your Baby – www.rockyourbaby.com.au

These cafe cups from Kek! – www.kek.com.au – look like ceramic, but they’re actually melamine. Perfect for children with style, and no worries for the adults!

Two of my favourite products: the fabulous Trunki Towgo, and the clever Kipiis Bib Clips at the Latitude Longtitude stand – www.latitudelongtitude.com.au

Stunningly coloured printed cards from Studio Antic - www.studioantic.com.au

I heart (minimink) – www.minimink.com.au – to the max, and only just restrained myself from cosying down with one of these blankets at the show. The luxe-ness of these is unparalleled.

Thought and creativity was poured into every inch of the LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE show. This swallow-shaped halogen light fitting exemplifies the excellence.

The KidStyleFile LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE presentation has now concluded. Hope you enjoyed the show

Visit the KidStyleFile LIFEinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE presentation to see this programme in all its multimedia glory.

To me children’s books represent one of the most enriching experiences I can give my children. There is nothing so glorious than settling down, little ones under my wings, to a good story.

I buy children’s books for myself as much as for my kids. I find them utterly irresistible!

Some books satisfy me just as well as them, with their thoughtfully crafted story-lines and extraordinary illustrations, and I’m always on the lookout for those very special books.

Books also go on; a ‘toy’ that lasts from birth until they can actually read them for themselves, and maybe even until they are passed on to their own children.

What treasures are books!

It is true that books can be expensive, but Amanda at My Munchkin Home, Home of Giant Wall Decals for Kids – www.mymunchkinhome.com.au – recently told me about Book Depository – www.bookdepository.co.uk.

Book Depository has an incredible range, blows away all others on price, and ships FREE to Australia. Can you believe that??!! I am absolutely buzzed!

Prices for books are in GBP, and there is no currency convertor (use the XE Currency Converter – www.xe.com – to convert the price to AUD$), but that’s a small price to pay for the crazy cheap prices, and the free shipping (shipping costs can often make purchase prohibitive as books are heavy and therefore expensive to ship.)

Here are a couple of our favourite books to get you started.

Oscar and the Frog – Geoff Waring

Oscar and the Frog is just one in the series of ‘Oscar’ books. The stories are driven by science; Oscar and the Frog is a book about growing and other Oscar titles look at Sound, Movement and Light and Dark. This is science at its very best, with concepts explained in the spirit of a child’s natural curiosity about the world around them.

Oscar the Cat is led through the concepts by the wise Frog, who explains all the different ways that creatures come into being and grow. The text is stunningly supported by bold appealing illustrations that are impeccably and warmly realised.

The Oscar series are books that I sit down with excitement to read, marveling at the beauty and power of nature right along with my kids.

Another exquisite title is

‘When You Were Small’ by Sara O’Leary (illustrated by Julie Morstad)

When You Were Small presents a dialogue between the young Henry and his father.

Every night at bed-time Henry wonders what it was like when he was small. His father tells a magical story of a miniature Henry, sleeping in slippers, with a tea bag for a pillow, amongst other delightful exploits.

Julie Morstad’s illustrations are so fine, I would proudly hang them pride of place on my walls for adult appreciation.

When You Were Small is one to love and cherish forever.

That’s all for today, folks, but I’ll see you again tomorrow, with a special treat for Easter Sunday

Wishing you all a peaceful, fun and happy Easter break

I hope that you enjoy lots of chocolate and bunnies (two of my most favourite things brought together into one celebration: I’m in heaven!), and lots of snuggles with your families.

In line with the homey-family theme, I thought a little home-grown craft would be just the thing.

First up, I wanted to share with you these 3 clever little bunnies that my friend Lenna over at Stitching Cow Blog – stitchingcow.blogspot.com – made me; what a sweetie!

In case you’re feeling crafty over the break, you can buy the e-Pattern for just $6! There are also many more beautiful and affordable patterns; check out the sock monkeys and elephants: great for crafting with your kids.

I’m not a stitcher myself, but I really appreciate the art. I also have stashes of fabric squirreled about the house. I can never resist a beautiful design. (The fabrics these bunnies are made of came from Kimono House – www.kimonohouse.com.au – in Melbourne).

If you’re a fabric fanatic too you’ll love Lenna’s new blog Find-a-Fabric – findafabric.wordpress.com – (when do you find the time, Lenna??!)

Also wanted to bring your attention to a wonderful Australian designer-makers site, Made It – www.madeit.com.au.

Made It is essentially an Australian version of Etsy – www.etsy.com. On both sites you can buy unique products, borne of passion, directly from the designer/maker. You can choose from products for kids and adults, including stationery, craft items, clothing, home-wares, paintings prints, other art, and all manner of general treasures.

I love to browse around Made It and lap up all the talent we have right here in Australia. People all over the country are putting their creativity and love into action, and that has to make the world a better place.

Here are a few of my current personal picks.

Feel the love, and head over to Made It to discover your own personal faves.