Today I want to introduce you to some fine established and up-and-coming Australian baby and kids product designers.

These talented and individuals pour their heart and soul into their work, resulting in the most wonderful artifacts that truly capture the magic of childhood.

I also want to send out a big shout out to everyone who is inspired to create and bring what you imagine to life. However young or old you are, or big or small your enterprise, your passion represents a positivity, individuality and diversity in the world that burns bright.

Vive the independent designer!

Below, view my multimedia presentation of 10 Australian designers (Chalk ‘n’ Cheese, Paper Wings, mill&mia, Red Thread Designs, Imprintables, Quinn Macool, Look at the Wall, Red Wagon, Miss Haidee, Evie LaLa).

There is music, so turn it up

Get inspired with this directory of resources that will lead you to a bevy of unique and boutique Australian baby and kids designers showcasing their talent locally and internationally.

On your doorstep

• Hope Street Markets, Sydney (www.hopestreetsmarkets.com)
• Magnolia Square, Melbourne (www.magnoliasquare.com.au)
• Mothers Market, Hobart (hobartmothersmarket.blogspot.com)
• South Bank Lifestyle Market, Brisbane (www.southbankmarket.com.au)

Online & around the world

• Made It – Australian independent designers selling online (www.madeit.com.au)
• Bubble – The Kids Trade Show (www.bubbletradeshows.com)
• Playtime Paris – The International tradeshow dedicated to children’s universe and maternity wear (www.playtimeparis.com)
• Life inSTYLE/ Kids inSTYLE tradeshow, Australia (www.lifeinstyle.com.au)

Pick up the current issue of My Child magazine, and turn to page 12, to read my Trend Watch article on independent designers. 

Today Miki brings you some fabulous Father’s Day ideas from Global Style. The only limitation is your imagination, so let it run wild!

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Want to give a gift that’s really unique this Father’s Day? Head on over to Global Style – www.globalstyle.com.au.

Global Style have made it easy with a great range of Fathers Day-specific designs – just have a look at the graphic below to get an idea of what is possible.

If you order by 3pm AEST on the 2nd of September your item will arrive in time for the big day too!

You can’t get easier than that. The hard part is choosing which of the garments (all top quality) and which groovy designs are right for the Dads in your life.

Global Style are making it even better for KidStyleFile readers with 10% off storewide! This offer is only around for a very limited time – it finishes at 3pm AEST on the 2nd of September – so make sure you get in quickly! Enter code: DADDY and expiry: 09/2008 (please make sure it’s in precisely that format for it to work).

Global Style have T-shirts, singlets, hats, bags, aprons, hoodies and more, all fully personalised. You can get absolutely *anything* you want printed on these items of apparel – if you already have a piece of clothing or a fabric accessory (hat, bag etc) which you want to personalise, take advantage of Global Style’s new option of simply ordering the personalised design of your choice as an iron-on patch – but to get you started Global Style offers a huge range of personalisable logos and designs.

Global Style customised products make ideal gifts for any occasion you might have coming up. Know of a new baby who has just arrived?

What about a Global Style onesie or infant tee with the baby’s name and DOB on it? Much of the infants wear at Global Style is American Apparel Babyrib which I am a huge fan of and endorse whole-heartedly: it is second to none for softness and quality.

Kid’s birthday coming up or starting to rack your brains over what to get the kids for Christmas?

Who could resist a tee with ‘Super <Your Child’s Name>’ on it? Or ‘New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, [insert your suburb here]‘? Kids love personalised items; it gives them a real buzz to own or wear something with their name emblazoned across it.

As promised, here are some brilliant Fathers Day ideas to get you started:

No links here for these, as they’re all totally personalisable and come on so many different garments and accessories! It’s easy to make your own, just follow the instructions at the Global Style Online Shop.

Global Style uses Express Post satchels within Australia. Delivery of one or two items is about $7.00. International orders are warmly welcomed; please see here for further information.

I just love it over at Kids Gift List – Kids Gift List – www.kidsgiftlist.com.au. I have made so many wonderful purchases there (our Trunki Towgos and KGL VW Combis are central to our existence!), and Monique’s fast and friendly service always makes me feel great.

Kids Gift List have some superb new stock in store, some great clothing at a bargain price in the sale section, and there’s also a super competition to enter.

Go into the draw to win 1 of 6 sets of Little Chipipi Wall Sticker sets (choose from fab new designs ‘Ships Ahoy’, or ‘Red Robin’), just by telling your friends about KGL. Competition ends 31 October. Enter here.

If you don’t want to wait to find out if you’ve won, you can buy the stickers from KGL right now for $79.95 $67.95 with KSF/Shop4Kids discount code.

Back in stock at Kids Gift List, are the sweet and very practical Tee P Tooth Pillows (as featured in Shop4Kids magazine). Pick up one of these, and help the tooth fairy find what she’s looking for.

Also, just landed are the delightful and timeless Raggidy Rag Dolls (also seen in Shop) in funky new new-age designs.

New to Kids Gift List are Owly Shadow Puppets. I am so in love with these beautiful, imaginative (and very affordable) toys. I bought an Owl for myself, and have stashed away 4 other designs for my kids’ birthdays next week. We are already playing with my Owl (I have no patience , and I cannot wait to have a big shadow play next Friday night!

Heavenly Creatures Summer range and Sudo arriving any day. In the meantime, pick up some super bargains on Sudo’s summer 2008 stock, and get in early to grab a new season’s Heavenly Creatures Heidi Dress.

Want a 15% store-wide discount at Kids Gift List? Pick up a copy of Shop4Kids mag, to access the code to give you just that. Not near a newsagent? I wouldn’t want you to miss out: email me, and I’ll send it to you.

Here of my picks of the day, happy shopping

Clockwise from top left. Prices quoted are after the 15% KSF/Shop4Kids discount has been applied:

Raggidy Rag Doll (available in a range of designs) $79.95 $67.95
Tee P Tooth Pillows (available in a range of colours) $14.95 $12.70
KGL VW Peace Out Combi (also available in yellow) $9.95 $8.45
Owly Shadow Puppets (available in 8 designs) $14.95 $12.70
Heavenly Creatures Heidi Dress $64.95 $55.20
Sudo Custom Slim Jean Vintage $84.95 SALE ITEM $51.95 (Shop4Kids disc not applicable)
Trunki Towgo $69.95 each $59.45

Kids Gift List stock fine products from Alex Designs, Baufix, Cinti does Vintage, Cheeky Little Soles, Dobbin and Drum Toys, Edenstar, Heavenly Creatures, KGL Gifts, Knox and Floyd, Lark Designs, Isa Toys, Like A Bike, Little Blue Fish, Little Chipipi, The Little Experience, Little Kitchen, Little Red Pear, Maiike, Merrigold, Oobi, Owly Shadow Puppets, Raggidy Rag Dolls, Rockabye Baby, Rosie Flo, Rubys & Robots, Sooki Baby, Sparrowkids, Sudo, Taltrade, Tee P, Tiny Revolutionary, Tiny Tribe, Tonic Baby, Trunki, and Zacharia Bier.

Kids Gift List also offers a FREE gift list service. This means that you can let everyone know which cool gifts you and your child would like, and need never fear the ‘gift’ of inappropriate toys, or bad fashion again!!

Simply login to create your list, pick out what your child would like or needs from the beautiful selection available, print and judiciously distribute for universal benefit.

Without further ado, head on over to Kids Gift List to get a taste of the KGL experience for yourself !

Kids Gift List charge an unbeatable $6.00 flat for delivery, Australia wide (excluding over sized items).

*These offers apply to Australian residents only, and cannot be used on sale items, or in conjunction with any other code.

Today Miki brings you a joyous celebration from the inimitable Itty Bitty Yuppy. Happy Housewarming Kim, from all of us

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Kim at Itty Bitty Yuppy – www.ittybittyyuppy.com.au – has just made the move to sunny Queensland – beautiful one day and perfect the next, as they say – and she is celebrating the sunshine in style with a fab Housewarming Sale.

There are 35 items at 35% off, 41 items at 50% off, and 15 items at 75% off. Woo hoo!! Choose from Abe Jones, Wonderboy, mill&mia, Moppit, the adorable Parisan Ballets shoes, Willow & Finn, Rock & Rattle, Tiny Tribe and much, much more.

To find all these fabulously and extravagantly discounted items, head directly to the IBY Sale section and spend a while blissfully browsing.

I love the completely cute Tiny Tribe rompers, like this drool-worthy girl’s one at 35% off. The Wonderboy Spidee Tee is hip and a great trans-season buy, especially at 35% off.

Another great pick is the Abe Jones infant tank at 50% off – adorable! ADORABLE, I say! And what about Rock & Rattle at 75% off?!

This sale will end on 31 August, go get a motor on it!

You can also score 15% off new season stock at Itty Bitty Yuppy when using the KidStyleFile Shop 4 Kids discount code*. Have you checked out the just-arrived brands at IBY including such as Polka (Ange just loves this new label), Chase n’ Sky, Tipitipi (have you seen their stunning rompers?), and the hottest baby and toddler swimwear from Cuddlefish.

Speaking of Cuddlefish, I have to say that I think it’s some of the best ‘little’ swimwear I’ve come across (Ange has been using Cuddlefish swimmers on her kids for the last 3 years, and is wrapt. She regularly gets asked if they come in adult sizes people love the look so much!) . The fabric is all 50+UV and the colours and designs are fantastic – fun, bright and age-appropriate. The buoyancy swimsuits have been carefully designed to the Standards Australia AS 1900 guidelines for water safety and I think it’s a nifty design for teaching the youngsters to be comfortable in the water as you can remove the flotation sections one by one.

Without further ado, some of my picks for new arrivals. The picks below are new season’s full-priced pieces, using the Shop4Kids 15% off magazine code. For sale stock visit the IBY Sale section (no further discounts apply to sale stock).

Abe Jones pink dots infant tank dress, $49.95 $42.45
Wonderboy Pool Shark shirt, $54.95 $46.70
Polka Scandia tennis dress, $74.95 $63.70
Tipitipi Rhinoceros onesie, $34.95 $29.70
SES Petites Mains Sommerset Shirtwaist Dress, $69.95 $59.45
Cuddlefish UV short, $24.95 $21.20
Munster Punkature tee, $34.95 $29.70
Wonderboy Santorini shirt, $54.95 $46.70
Cuddlefish buoyancy suit, $69.95 $59.45
Chase n’ Sky blue pleat dress, $74.95 $63.70

Itty Bitty Yuppy stock the following brands: Cuddlefish, Chic Papoose, Fleurville Kids, and My Little Seat, the cream of overseas brands, including Baby Bonkie, Claesens, Il Tutto, Little Twig, Sooki Baby, Tiny Tribe, Abe Jones, Baby Bean Vintage, Dirty Laundry, Eight3One, Polka, Finger In The Nose, KLT Works, Knuckleheads, Pink Chicken, Rock & Rattle, Tin Tank, Wonderboy, Chase n’ Sky and Zoobie Pets, and the best Australian designer labels including Edenstar, Eggheads, Enfant Terrible, Fresh Baked, Infancy, mill&mia, Moppit, Tipitipi, Munster, Parisian Ballets, Willow and Finn and Zephire Generation.

Itty Bitty Yuppy ship via Express Post for a flat free of $7.50 Australia Wide. Orders over $150.00 are shipped FREE. International orders are warmly welcomed. See the Shipping Info page for full details.

*15% Shop 4 Kids discount applies to full-priced stock only. Does not apply to sale stock. Grab a copy of the mag, available now at all good newsagents, to get the code. If you can’t get your hot little hands on a copy, email Angela and she’ll tell you what it is.

Update 8:30pm 2 September: Cheryl at Pastel Pink has extended this fab offer until midnight September 7. More time to shop – hurray!

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Today Miki brings you some terrific finds from the marvelous Pastel Pink. They’re not just for girls either, despite the name, so dive on in for joy

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Shopping at Pastel Pink – www.pastelpink.com.au – any day of the week is always a good thing (seriously; have you seen their wrapping yet??! Lush!), but right now is extra specially special. Let me count the ways:

1. There are discounts of up to 60% off across a big range of products in-store right now. I’m talking about Gaia Organic Cotton, Mitsy accessories, Kikki.K stationery, David Fussenegger, Bebe, Baobab, Elk and many, many more!

2. Cheryl at Pastel Pink is offering KidStyleFile readers an additional 25% off storewide*!! This offer is good for the next seven days only until midnight September 7 only, so get in quickly! Enter KSF-7SALE at checkout to claim this fantastic discount.

3. Orders of over $150 get FREE SHIPPING!

4. If you’re after Huggalugs, Cheryl is giving you the choice of whether to use the 25% discount or to take advantage of the Huggalugs special offer: buy two, get the third pair FREE!

5. And if you make a purchase and fill out a brief survey, Cheryl will send you a FREE copy of the latest My Child magazine! Follow the link to the survey on Pastel Pink’s homepage, it’s easy.

All of that is guaranteed to have you champing at the bit. Here are some of my fave finds to inspire you further.

I love the Alimrose bibs and squeakers – they’re absolutely perfect as gifts for a new baby or for a baby shower with their sweet designs and lovely fabrics.

There are some brilliant discounts across the range of Gaia Organic Cotton. Mums of boys, check out the Gaia print range – cute, and at these prices, incredible value!!

The Hess-Spielzeug money boxes are a prime choice to snap up now at cheap-as-chips prices and put away for Christmas. Adorable, beautifully made and a neat idea for encouraging kids to save their coins for something special.

Little Chipipi have added to their range of wall stickers with some fantastic new designs! They also come in brand new Little Chipipi gift boxes. See the range here.

Have a look at the already-heavily-discounted range of Mitsy handbags and the Elk necklaces. Something to suit everyone’s taste here, especially at these prices!

New at Pastel Pink are the Aden + Anais wraps and lightweight blankets (I can recommend the wraps, at 120×120 they’re big enough to wrap even the wriggliest baby!), the ever-popular Cocoon Couture and Kiddysac – and don’t forget that you can take 25% off all of this for the next seven days!

Gaia Gprint hoodie, $29.95 $17.97 $13.47
Gaia Gprint pant, $29.95 $17.97 $13.47
Elk brushed silver pendant, $51.95 $41.97 $31.47
Little Chipipi Red Robin wall stickers, $84.95 $63.71
Hess-Spielzeug money boxes, $22.95 $17.21
Alimrose bunny handsqueaker (red), $15.95 $11.96
Aden + Anais neutral muslin wraps, $54.95 $41.21
Flat Out Bears, $49.50 $37.12
Gingerlilly Nancy Pyjamas, $79.95 $59.96 Perfect for breastfeeding mums, practical AND pretty.
Mitsy White Handbag, $99.95 $39.98 $29.98 This is extraordinary value!!
David Fussenegger damask blanket (black & white only), $189.50 $151.60 $113.70 I love these!

Pastel Pink stock a great range of products from Aden + Anais, Alimrose Designs, Alluring Linens, Bebe by Minihaha, Cocoon Couture, Coffee, David Fussenegger, Elk Accessories, Spiegelburg, Emotion & Kids, FlatOUT Bears, Gaia Organic Cotton, Gertie and Me, Hess-Spielzeug, Huggalugs, Keptin-Jr., kikki.K, Kiddysac, Little Chipipi, McMillan, Mitsy Accessories, Nesti Dante, Oobi Baby (OobiWatchers rejoice!), Skeanies, and Wee Gallery.

Please see here for Pastel Pink’s shipping details, and don’t forget that all orders over $150 ship for free!

*25% off storewide offer is not to be used in conjunction with any other offers, and expires on the 2nd 7th of September at midnight.

There’s a fresh and fabulous decor solution in the neighbourhood.

Following on from the success of their exclusive Basics, Birthday Tees, and Skeakies ranges, The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au – have developed their own line of delightful Wall Graphics. These summery butterflies, hot air balloons, and soon to land alphabet graphics, are made of high quality non-toxic low tack adhesive vinyl, and may be safely used to jazz up bedrooms or living spaces around your home.

Quickly and easily create your dream nursery or bedroom: just peel and stick. And when you move (or want to move on), just peel them off, and voila! the wall is as it was before, clean and ready to decorate all over again.

Each set of Wall Graphics includes two sheets of stickers, and comes packaged in a very giftable mailing tube, making them the perfect choice for a present.

Mel at The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au – is offering fab KidStyleFile readers a very special deal on The Hip Infant Wall Graphics: Enter ‘KSF-graphic’ in the coupon code section at checkout, and receive a huge $10.00 off!! Offer end 31 August 2008, so don’t dilly dally!

The Hip Infant Wall Graphics: Up, Up and Away! $59.95 $49.95 with $10 discount until 31 August.
The Hip Infant Wall Graphics: Butterflies and Ladybugs $59.95 $49.95 with $10 discount until 31 August.

And here’s what they look like on the sheets: you get two sheets in each pack – nice!

Also, take delight in these super sweet, The Hip Infant Alphabet Wall Graphics ($79.95 $69.95 with $10 discount until 31 August). Purchase these today, for hot-off-the-press delivery on August 28.

Also, while you’re over at The Hip Infant, be sure to take a visit to the Sale section. There are some genuine bargains in there from Mill & Mia, Smirk, Pure Baby, Infancy, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Moppit, Ouch and more.

I just bought some Ouch Uggs for my kids for just $14.95, and there are a few pieces on offer now down to just $5.00.

I also love this Alimrose Bunting as a nice complemetary element to the Wall Graphics. You get 5 metres of thes 4 flags pictured for just $49.95 $29.95, and there are 3 designs to choose from.

If you’re in no need of Wall Graphics, but still want to score a discount at The Hip Infant, you can pick up a copy of Shop 4 Kids magazine at your newsagent to secure the code for a 10% discount (not applicable with any other offer, i.e. you can’t use it with the Wall Graphics discount). If you can’t make it out, you can email me, and I’ll whisper it to you

The Hip Infant stocks an impressive range of designers including AKA Pipik, Albetta, Alex Toys, Alimrose Designs, Anna & Sally, Annabel Trends, Anne Claire Petit, Baby Einstein, Baby Legs, Babylicious, Benny Boy, Bical, BlaBla, Blink Designs, BUD, Built NY, Bump Buddy, Cheeky Monkey, Christmas Ideas, Coco & Eli, Cuddlefish, David Fussenegger, DiddleDumpling, Dirty Laundry, Elodie Details, Eyetribe, Fiesta Crafts, Flensted Mobiles, Fleurville, For Walls, For Windows, French Bull, Gertie and Me, Go_Home JNR, Green To Grow, Haba, Heimess, Hip Stuff, ID Tee, Inch Blue, Infancy, Jazzy Toes, JellyCats, JewelQueen, Kathe Kruse, Keptin Jr, Kid Squidgy, Kiddopotamus, Kipiis, Lima Bean, Limo Basics, Little Chipipi, Little Einsteins, Little Joey, Little Twig, Liz Knits, Milestone Press, Mill & Mia, Mini Glow, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Moppit, Mum To Mum, My Child, Oeuf NYC, OUCH, Peanut Shell, Present Time, Pure Baby, Rockabye Baby, Rondeau Industries, Rush, Sigikid, Simple Gorgeous Storage, Skip HOP, Smirk Kids, Snugglebum, Snugzeez, Teeny Me, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Toys Pure, Trunki, Vessel, Wall Candy Arts, WalRUs, and Wee Gallery.

The Hip Infant charge $7.50 postage flat Australia wide for Express Post/courier delivery. Orders are dispatched within 24 hours of receipt. The Hip Infant also ships internationally. Please visit the Delivery Info page for full information on shipping.