KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Miki

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With winter right around the corner, it’s definitely time to make sure that your kids’ wardrobes are ready to go with stylish and practical warm clothes.

If you still need to stock up on some gear for the little ones, you can’t do better than going straight to kounia-bella – www.kounia-bella.com.au – to see their HUGE range of stock!  I would love to say that there’s something for everyone here, but closer to the truth would be that there’s a *whole pile* of somethings for everyone!

You see, the winter stock at kounia-bella includes Eeni Meeni Miini Moh (love their snuggly quilted sleeping bags, pictured below), Minihaha, Woof!, Bebe and Bebe Jr., LelliKelly, Baby Chick shoes, and Tea Princess, among others.  (New season’s Ouch will be instore very soon too – keep your eyes peeled!)

A new brand at kounia-b is Mon Ange who make gorgeous basics. Their long-sleeve merino tees are the perfect winter layer for boys and girls, and their classic PJs (see below) are adorable!  Mon Ange products are made in Australia too, which is an added incentive to buy them.

Now speaking of incentives, how’s this for a doozy: KSF readers can take a whopping 30% off store-wide at Kounia-Bella until 3 June 2009.  This includes the sale stock which is already reduced by up to 50%, so you can score yourself some truly remarkable bargains here at a fraction of the cost! Pick yourself off the floor now and enter ‘KSF3030′ at checkout to redeem

1. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Quilted Sleeping Cocoon – Pink and French Navy, $109.00ea
2. Bebe by Minihaha Darby Grey Marle Lined Jacket, $60.00
3. LelliKelly Pink Strass Leather Toddler Boot, $130.00
4. Bebe by Minihaha Dana Denim Print Pinafore, $53.00
5. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Jean – Grass Stain Denim, $94.00
6. Bebe by Minihaha Luxe Striped Angora Blend Pink Romper, $60.00
7. Mon Ange Classic PJs – Pink and Blue Zoo, $45.00
8. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Combination T-Shirt, $51.00
9. Baby Chick Black Runners, $85.00

Kounia-Bella stock the following fine baby and kids brands: A-Z Designer Letters, Babylicious, Bear Box Kids, Bebe by Minihaha, Bebe Junior by Minihaha, Collette Dinnigan Enfant, Crocodile Creek, Ducky Beau Mini, Eeni Meeni Miini Moh, Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Pure, Emile et Rose, Gelati Art, Havaianas, Kaloo, Little Chipipi, Mama’s and Papa’s, Mini Rhubarb, Noonoo, Ouch, Robeez, Shabby Shaq and Tea Princess.

Kounia-Bella charge from $9.00 standard postage, and $12.00 Express Post. Orders over $150.00 are shipped free* (*conditions apply). See the Kounia-Bella shipping info page for full details. Kounia-Bella also run a fabulous VIP Loyalty Club. For every dollar you spend on non-sale items, you get a 10% credit off your next purchase. Read the full details here. Leave a note in the comments/notes area at checkout if any of your purchases are gifts and take advantage of Kounia-Bella’s free (and stunning!) wrap service.

Today’s post written by Angela

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I was a bit of a tomboy as a kid, and generally didn’t care much for glitz and glamour. There was one major exception, though: I was completely enthralled by ballerinas, or should I say, their skirts. There was nothing so magical and mesmerising to me than a ballerina’s fabulous, wonderous tutus.

In the 70′s tutus were prohibitively expensive, and therefore reserved for those serious about their art. Happily, nowaways there entry points into the wonderland of tutus that look the part without breaking the bank.

With a fairy party imminent, and our baby fairy dresses now outgrown it was time to shop. My tutu criteria?

• Must be high quality so it will look good, and last well (for at least 2-3 years)
• Be easy for the girls to get on and off themselves
• Be suitable for dressups and outings
• Must be appropriately frothy and utterly fabulous
• Mustn’t require me to sell a kidney!

After an extensive browse around, I decided upon the Ellie Bellie Kids tutus brought to Australia from the USA by Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au.

These tutus met all my requirements, plus they had the added bonus of being reversible. At $79.99 each (for size 3-6 years: size 0-2 years is $69.99) they didn’t require me to hock the house, and with my trusty KSF Shop 4 Kids MetroMum 10% discount code in hand they came in at $71.99 each – bonus! (Find the code, applicable until 4 August 2009, in the KSF Weekly Newsletter).

On arrival I was very impressed by the quality of the tutus: the tulle, of which there is 16 layers – 8 of each colourway: turn the skirt inside out to reveal a whole new skirt effect! – is soft and delicate, while holding its shape well; a sign of a quality tulle.

The fixed-size elasticised waistband is nice and wide (about 2 inches) and is cotton for comfort. The stunning conconctions are topped off with a high quality wide satin ribbon with contrasting colours on each side. The edges are heat sealed to prevent fraying.

And what do the kids (picture below) think? These comments say it all: “I love it so much I never want to take it off!” and “Look, Mum, I’m a REAL fairy!” SOLD x 2!

Metro Mum charge $7.95 postage to most areas (less if you’re in the Sydney Metro area) – check the Delivery page for full details. Orders over $200.00 are posted free of charge within Australia.

Today’s post written by Miki

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Been to Urban Child – www.urbanchild.com.au – lately?  No?!  What are you waiting for – get over there now!  Melissa has been busy stocking up on all sorts of new season goodies and there are truckloads of gorgeous things to check out.

First of all are Melissa’s new brands, which include the divine Bluebird & Honey (their applique pinafores are so adorable that I’m going through my list of every little girl I know to see if I could buy one), and some hot new baby bag styles from Il Tutto – yay! I’ve yet to meet the mum who isn’t secretly – or not so secretly! – coveting at least one Il Tutto bag.

Also new to Urban Child are a few natural and organic brands.  Everyone who has had a newborn knows how delicate their skin is, and so it seems only logical to keep harsh chemicals away from them.  Nature’s Child is wonderful for super-gentle, organic skincare for babies (and breastpads for mums), while Nutured By Nature‘s organic baby clothes are perfect for the layer next to your precious babe’s skin.  And where will you sleep your organic bub?  Where else but in a Seed Organic Cradle or Pod!

There’s even a special KidStyleFile offer going on at Urban Child but only for the next 24 hours: spend over $100 and receive a very tidy 15% off*!! Enter the code ‘KSF’ at checkout to redeem, but do it fast because this offer ends at 9am on Wednesday 20th May. *Not valid on gift vouchers. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.

For those of you lucky enough to live in Melbourne, you can go and see Urban Child’s stock in person at Magnolia Square – Tiny & Small this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (21-23 May). Head along and say hi!

1. Il Tutto Stella Nappy Bag – Red, $429.00
2. Walnut Mary Janes – Black, $29.95
3. Albetta Organic Monkey Babygrow, $45.95
4. Nurtured By Nature Kind Organic Striped Romper, $24.95
5. Seed Organic – The Pod, $349.00
6. Bluebird & Honey Owl Print Tee, $24.95
7. Nature’s Child Certified Organic Cotton Face Wipes, $24.95
8. Bluebird & Honey Cord Pinafore Dress – Pale Blue, $79.95
9. Nature’s Child Organic Bottom Balm, $19.95
10. Walnut Desert Boots – Navy, $59.95
11. Bluebird & Honey Pinafore Dress – Denim, $79.95

Urban Child stocks a gorgeous range of brands including Aravore Babies, Oobi Baby & Kids, Neige, DwellStudio, Aden & Anais, Kidsonroof, Albetta, Little Chipipi, Walnut, Baby Bonkie,  eeBoo, Cocoon Couture, Peanut Shell, Alex Toys, Mooo, Baby Legs, Red Plum Linen, Red Wagon, Belli Skincare, Baobab, Caden Lane, Robbie Adrian, Crocodile Creek, Brio, WOW Toys, Mamas & Papas, Mill & Mia, Kaloo, Ellaroo, Urban Child, Infancy, Felt Creations, Silikids, Made By Angie, Look At The Wall, WOOF!, Schylling, Pebbles, Micro Bikes and Scooters, and il Tutto luxury baby bags.

Urban Child ship Australia-wide from $6.95.  Please see here for further details.

Today’s post written by Angela

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Earlier this year at the KidsInSTYLE tradeshow I met up with the team from Queensland-based Toetum – www.toetum.com. Chiu Lee (pronounced chew lee) and her team impressed me greatly with their passion and vibrancy: they were a stand out exhibit for me.

Toetum’s debut collection for infants and toddlers is colourful, exuberant and unique thanks to a collaboration of talented individuals (I am besotted by Nadine’s Chagall-esque illustration, and the imaginative colour of Jodi’s graphic art).

I hope you enjoy ‘meeting’ Chiu today, and learning a bit about Toetum. Toetum are on my watchlist of fine Australian designers: expect big things!

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Tell us a bit about your background

I began my own fashion agency business when I was 22 and have run that for the last 15 years. Prior to that I studied fashion in the US. I’m now a mother of two, and incorporate my love of business and yoga with spending time with my kids, Lucy, 4 and Max, 6 months.

Tell us a bit about Toetum

I’m head designer for Toetum, and also in the Toetum family are Kate, Jodi and Nadine.

Kate is a recent graduate of the Queensland University of Technology’s Fashion Design degree (and she also has a degree in economics: handy!). Kate’s previous experience is in womenswear so she’s really enjoying the different challenges that working with childrenswear brings.

Jodi, our clever graphic designer who, despite not having children herself, has a natural affinity for designing and illustrating for children (she’s even illustrated a children’s book!)

Nadine (Sawyer) is an artist with a background in floristry and interior design. Nadine’s work appears on some of our garments and is the result of our first collaborative project.

How did you all meet?

Some would say it was the universe lending a hand in bringing us all together – it was such a natural evolution!

The collaboration with Nadine came about after I saw and loved one of her paintings on the wall at a friends house.

Kate started as a work experience student during her last year of study, and now works with us full-time.

Jodi was initially employed to develop the branding for the label. That collaboration worked so well that we asked her to help develop part of the artwork for the range.

What is your business ethos?

At the core of Toetum is the idea of working together, like a clan or tribe. Our name comes from ‘Totem’ which stands for family or clan so that really is the essence of Toetum.

I think the main reason we work so well together is that we share the same ideals and values and are passionate about a lot of the same things – accepting, sharing and embracing different cultures, creativity and the arts.

We all believe in the concept of Toetum as a vehicle to present these ideals to the general public who we hope will then share them with their family and friends.

What are you loving for your kids right now?

I can’t live without my Bebedelice (1, below) – with Max starting solids recently, I can steam and puree until my heart’s content! Our Raff and Lulu Playmat (3, below: no longer available in blue spots, pink spots available as pictured here) goes everywhere with us – love it! My Bubbaroo Joey Pouch (2, below) has been perfect for Max as the nights are cooling down. Rachael Gleeson’s homeopathic remedies for kids (5, below), are fantastic! Mini Metalicus for Lulu (4, below) – she will only wear clothes that stretch, so we live in Metalicus and lots of layers. I am also madly in love with these cute as a button Chinese dragon baby slippers (6, below; purchased by Chiu in China – buy similar here).

What’s coming up for Toetum?

We believe in helping our own community and at the moment it’s all about jobs so we’re in the process of organising for a portion of our range to be made locally. By purchasing inputs and employing patternmakers and machinists locally we hope to do our bit to help those affected by the current employment situation.

We accept that to produce locally and pay award wages, retail prices will have to be higher than product made overseas so we really hope the public appreciates this and show their support for the Australian industry by viewing their purchases as a contribution to building jobs in their community.

In terms of product, we’re about to launch our “Toetum Friends” and “World Kids” ranges which we’re really excited about!

You can buy Toetum direct from the Toetum website. Alternatively shop Toetum at I Want Fabulous – www.iwantfabulous.com.au: they have an extensive range of Toetum designs, and are also offering $10.00 off your order for a limited time only. You can view the complete list of Toetum stockists here. Please check individual stores for shipping and delivery information.

Today’s post written by Miki

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As an Aussie living overseas I find that the longer I am away from home, the more patriotically Australian I become.  I proudly wear my green and gold kangaroo print socks on the 26th of January each year, and my mum is under strict instructions to keep the vegemite coming in the post!

I am raising my kids to be proud little Aussies, and luckily for me I can dress them in the best of boutique Australian kidswear simply by shopping online at La Toriana – www.latoriana.com.au.

Elizabeth at La T makes a point of hunting down and stocking truly unique and beautiful Australian brands, and my goodness she’s good at it!  She has just received gorgeous new stock from Eternal Creation, Tea Princess, Three Little Trees, Lambykins and Alimrose, to name but a few of her amazing brands.

Another of her many fabulous Aussie brands is Vanchi, well known for their nappy bags, oversized wraps and bibs, and other baby accessories.  I can personally recommend Vanchi: my main nappy bag is a Vanchi Carry All which still looks brand new after nearly two years of heavy abuse. I also can’t get enough of the Vanchi oversized bibs which are brilliant for teething tots; my son just about lived in them while his teeth were coming through.

Check out Elizabeth’s fantastic May special offer on Vanchi:

Now that’s a brilliant offer just on its own, but there’s so much more going on at La Toriana at the moment, so listen up!

Firstly, by signing up to the La Toriana newsletter this month you will score yourself $10 off your next purchase of $60 or more, AND 15% off your next purchase after that!  Elizabeth is sending out the newsletter each week this month, so sign up today and you won’t miss out.

Next, read the La Toriana blog and be in to win one of three pairs of slippers.  The draw is on 30 May 2009, and all you need to do to qualify is be signed up to the newsletter and comment on any La T blog post. Easy peasy, and you can even choose which colour slippers you’d like.

Lastly, keep a watch out for the La Toriana Challenge which starts very, very soon – you could score items at up to 60% off, or even some for FREE!  Ladies, start your engines…

1. Eternal Creation Charcoal Winter Dress, $69.95
2. Alimrose Navy Blue Pirate Set, $31.00
3. TikiBoo Kids Baby Beanie – New Baby, $22.95
4. Tea Princess ‘Snow Princess’ Cardigan, $59.95
5. Lambykins ‘Sandy Beach’ Designer Merino Pram/Bassinet Blanket, $99.00
6. Three Little Trees Sushi Duffle Coat, $69.95
7. Lambykins Organic Three Piece Set, $52.95

La Toriana stock a big range of products from annieB, Britt, Tippie Toes, Cheeky Little Soles, Dobbin and Drum, Eternal Creation, Finnigan Finn, Hey Baby, Huggalugs, Deshabille, Vanchi, Kee Ka, Lambykins, Oobi, Toys Pure, BumpBuddy, Lazybones, Gertie and Me, Britt, Thurlby Farm, Kids Kitchen, Grommets, Mini Whisk, Annabel Trends, Vintage Kids, Babylicious, Penny Scallan, Tabitha Emma, Tickled Pink, Djeco, Anamlaz, Three Little Trees, Nana Huchy, Jasnor, Footprints, Tummy Bear, Tea Princess, Alimrose Designs, Fairy Floss Creations, Cuski, and Gaia, Nanny Pickle, Oopsidaisi, G&T Kids, Eco Peko, TikiBoo Kids, Wild Things of Noosa, and prem baby brands Tummy Bear and Early Birds.

La Toriana charge $7.95 postage Australia-wide.  Orders over $150.00 receive FREE shipping and a FREE gift.

Today’s post written by Miki

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I love cute, cuddly teddy bears as much as the next person, but every so often it’s nice to find a soft toy that makes me giggle as well as want to hug it.

An entertaining example of these attributes is Fluffels, a toy brand designed and handmade by Mariska Vos-Bolman in The Netherlands.  Mariska started designing and making Fluffels when she got her first sewing machine and has never looked back.

Her characters are adorably wacky, from dopey-looking Bubbo (the green dude below) to the confused Devil who wants to be like Cupid.  There’s also the hilariously creepy Zombie Bear, whose intestines are fully removeable from his stomach!  Now that’s a feature worth having in a plush toy, don’t you think?  I reckon Zombie Bear is the only soft toy I’ve ever seen who would entrance even the roughest seven year old boy…

You can order your Fluffels directly from Mariska’s website, or for an Australian stockist see Charlotte’s Web who have a good selection.

Please see the individual websites for shipping information and charges.