KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Miki

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Chances are, if you have a baby you either own or need a travel cot.  Whether it be an intrepid camping expedition, a couple of weeks in Europe, or an overnight at Grandma’s, travel cots make life with a baby so much easier.

If you’re in the market for one, here’s a brief list of the key features to look for:

• It should be lightweight enough for you to easily carry – and if you’re going to be flying with it, the lighter it is, the more room you have for shopping at your destination!
• It should collapse down to be as compact as possible – you don’t want it to take up the entire boot of your car.
• It should be easy to assemble and dissemble – make sure that one person on their own can easily do it.
• It should come with a comfy mattress, but not a bulky one. There’s a fine line here!

Below are four travel cots that we at KidStyleFile can wholeheartedly recommend, and that tick all the above boxes.

1. The Phil&Teds Traveller: Yes, it’s lightweight (2.5kgs excluding the mattress), and yes it’s portable (all packed up, it will fit in the parcel tray of your P&T buggy or an overhead baggage locker). It goes together a bit like a tent, so if you can assemble a basic tent then you’ll find this a piece of cake. The top of the cot can be enclosed by zipping up the mesh cover, and the side mesh panel can be unzipped so that you can access the baby that way. The mattress is self-inflating and thermally insulating – although it’s thin, it’s actually very comfy. The cot is 130cms long, so you’ll get several years of use out of it.

2. KinderKot makes an excellent little travel cot.  It weighs 3kgs including the mattress and it packs down to be only 45cms x 15cms making it the most compact of the four.  It also has a self-inflating mattress, zippable mesh panels, a ‘windscreen’ and comes complete with a washable sleeping bag.  The fabric of the cot is 50% UV resistant and fire retardant, and at 136cms long the cot can fit children up to four years old.

3. Baby Björn Travel Cot Light weighs in at 5kgs and has an extraordinarily easy set up – just one movement!  The fabric is soft and cosy, the mattress is thick and cotton, and the mattress cover and cot fabric is all machine washable.  The mattress cover and all the bits that come into contact with the child are Oeko-Tex approved, so you can be sure of no nasty substances in there.  The cot is about 110cms long so it will take children up to about three years old.

4. It hasn’t landed in Australia yet, but keep an eye out for it soon.  The Samsonite Sun & Sleep Pop-Up Travel Bubble Cot is a new product on the European market and it’s proving to be extremely popular.  The smallest and lightest of all the cots featured today, it weighs less than 3kgs including the padded mattress, and at 110cms long it claims to be suitable for children aged 6-24 months.  The breathable fabric panels offer 93% UVA and UVB sun protection, and the zip-up blackout panels make daytime napping easier.

From top to bottom:

• Phil&Teds Traveller $199.95 $184.95 at Minimee
• KinderKot $159.00 at Urban Baby
• BabyBjörn Travel Cot Light $395.00 at Babies Galore
• Samonsonite Bubble Travel Cot – currently not available within Australia. Retailing in the UK for £75.00 (approx. AUD$150.00) – we’ll let you know as soon as it hits our shores.

Please check individual stores for postage and delivery information. Also be sure to check the KidStyleFile Current Offers page, and the KidStyleFile Weekly Newsletter for discount codes to make sure you get the best possible deal – if you’re not a subscriber already then you can sign up here – it’s free!

Today’s post written by Leah

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

What are the three most important things in your house during winter? At my house, to get through the cooler months, I make sure that the kidlets wardrobe is abundant with warm pyjamas and comfy, high quality underwear. I also ensure that I have plenty of games and craft activities at hand. Combined, these three ‘must haves’ ensure that a rainy weekend becomes a memory laden family fiesta, full of laughter, as we lounge around in our PJs – filling the dining room table with wild craft creations.

Where Did You Get That? – www.wheredidyougetthat.com.au – is my one stop shop, with an wealth of winter goodies just ripe for the picking.

To start off with, Tommy Rocket and Two Belles have expanded to include a range of “Jarmeez”. Woot Woot! This ever so soft flannelette bottoms and trend tee tops come in size 2 right up to size 14. No missing out this time tweens and at such an affordable price!

Also showcased at WDYGT? is Dutch label, Claesen’s. Established in 1994 Claesens is considered one of the best designers of children’s underwear in Europe due to their superior styling, durability and wearability.  Comprised of  100% cotton as well cotton and lycra blends the Claesen’s Evergreen collection offers stylish under garments and sleepwear that are a luxurious addition to your kidlets wardrobe, certain to be comfortable and hardwearing. Claesen’s Evergreen collection is available in sizes 2-14 at Where Did You Get That? and Toni and melony have just restocked all styles and sizes for your shopping pleasure.

Thirdly, I draw your eye to the ever expanding, French designed,  Djeco range of art, craft and games. I could happily become lost in the number of items WDYGT? has on offer, all perfect for ANY day home with the kids. Finger painting, puzzles, sand workshops, origami, stickers, chalk, paint, crayons, markers, personalised invitations, felt markers, collage, lacing beads, stamps, stained glass, knitting, mosaics, stencils are just a small sampling of the vast assortment of kits on offer. Who needs the sun outside this winter with all of these ideas?

From today until 26 April 2010, WDYGT? is celebrating  Claesen’s Evergreen Collection with a huge 25% off the range for all KSF readers.  Enter  “EVERGREEN-KSF” at checkout to redeem this super offer. For ongoing inspiration, you simply must check out the WDYGT? Clearance and Specials section with up to 40% off a heap of fashion from Tea Collection, Daily Tea, Morgan and Milo Shoes, Goorin Kids, Zid Zid Kids and more. There is also 40% off Summer fashion from Daily Tea, Tommy Rocket and Two Belles and 25% off Swimwear by Girls4Sport and Stella Cove, while stocks last.

Discounted prices quoted below are with code until 26 April 2010 only. Read above for details.

1. Claesen’s Boy’s Cobalt Rib Boxer 2 pack $36.95 25% off = $27.71
2. Claesen’s Girls Black Hip Boxers $36.95 LESS 25% =  $27.71
3. Claesen’s Girls Aqua Flower Singlet $29.95 LESS 25% = $22.46 Claesen’s Girls Aqua Flower 2 pack of Boxers $36.95 LESS 25% = $27.71
4. Jarmeez by Two Belles Owls Tee Set $29.95
5. Jarmeez by Tommy Rocket Dino Valley Tee Set $29.95
6. Jarmeez by Two Belles Hearts Tee Set $35.95
7. Djeco Invites – Boys $9.95
8. Djeco Covered in Stripes Puzzle $29.95
9. Djeco Finger Painting Tracks $47.95
10. Djeco Invites – girls $9.95
11. Djeco Finger Painting Fun $47.95
12. Djeco in a Garden Coloured Sand Workshop $33.00
13. Djeco Geometric Shapes Stamp Set $39.95

Where Did You Get That? stocks Allen & Unwin Publishers, Angel Flames, Bella Tunno, Belly Art, Candela, Chic by Sha, Claesen’s Evergreens, Coco Boheme, Coo Clocks, Crazy Forts, Daily Tea, Deglingos, Djeco, Dezign with a Z, EcoCocoon, Ellie Bellie Kids, Enchanted Faeries, Eric Carle, Folkmanis, Foogo & Funtainer By Thermos, Girls 4 Sport, Goorin Brothers, Intelliplay, Le Toy Van, Lelli Kelly, Manhattan Toy Company, Merrigold Wooden Toys, MOJO,  Morgan & Milo, Radio Flyer, Stella Cove, Tango Books, Tea Collection, Tommy Rocket, Two Belles, Wagonware, and Zid Zid Kids.

Where Did You Get That? ships Australia wide. You can choose either standard shipping for $7.95 or Express Shipping for $14.95. See the Help page for full information.

Today’s post written by Angela

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

With Earth Week happening this week on 22 April there is no better time to lend a thought to ways you and your family can help the environment. Recycling is an essential part of ensuring the sustainability of our planet, but even better than this come reusing (passing down through the years and generations) and upcycling (repurposing an existing artefact into something new an exciting): both of these actions are low impact on the environment as they slow the demand for new products, and therefore reduce material and energy consumption.

The best way to ensure that what you buy now goes on to give pleasure down the line is to purchase quality pieces, which are robust and possess and enduring appeal.  Even better if these pieces are produced in an eco-friendly manner in the first place.

Many designers are now joining the eco revolution, and caring for the environment no longer has to mean sacrificing aesthetic appeal. Stunning new online store State of Green – www.stateofgreen.com.au – helmed by owner Jenny Tranter, brings together a fine selection of environmentally friendly toys, nursery goods, feeding accessories, baby care products and more, that will have you drooling.

Designed items from 3GreenMoms, Anton’s Lane, Apple Green Duck, BAMBU, Belkiz, Bird Textiles, B_E_E, Calafant, Coco Boheme, Dandi,  EarthLust, Eco Cocoon, Ferm Living, HaPe, ITTI BITTI, Kids On Roof, Life Factory, Me and Amber, Miller Goodman, Nature Baby Care, Our Childrens Gorilla (coming soon), Petit Collage, Pippijoe, Pocket Carnival, Save Our Skin, Schaaf, Uimi, Vince and Zaishu are on offer, and waiting to bring extreme beauty and function into your home while treading lightly on the earth. See below for my hot picks.

Sign up to the State of Green newsletter (bottom right hand side of the State of Green homepage) and receive 10% off your first order. Become a fan on Facebook to participate in competitions and promotions.

Prices quoted below are with the code received when you sign up to the State of Green newsletter and are applicable on your first order only.

1. Calafant Large Treehouse $29.95 LESS 10% = $26.95
2. Zaishu Baw Baw Stool/Table $360.00 LESS 10% = $324.00
3. Petit Collage Bamboo Owl Mobile $120.00 LESS 10% = $108.00
4. Kidsonroof Totem Nature $58.95 $50.10  LESS 10% =$45.09
5. Miller Goodman Rubberwood Shapemaker $69.95 LESS 10% = $62.95
6. Pocket Carnival Pencil Case $21.95 LESS 10% = $19.75
7. 3GreenMoms Lunchskins $14.95 each LESS 10% = $13.34
8. Schaaf Klappermobil Car $25.95 LESS 10% = $23.35
9. Anton’s Lane Organic Cot Sheet Set $169.00 LESS 10% $152.10 = and Anton’s Lane Wall Art – Set of 3 (unframed) $49.50 LESS 10% = $44.55
10. Belkiz Feedaway Highchair $39.95 LESS 10% = $35.95

State of Green postage charges are based on weight and are displayed at checkout. Orders $250+ are shipped free, Australia wide. International orders are most welcome. Click here for full postage and delivery information.

Today’s post written by Miki

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Mother’s Day is fast approaching.  My children are still too young to organise anything themselves, and my husband – how do I put this nicely? – well he needs a bit of ‘nudging’ in the presents department.  If I want to wake up on the day with a present I can genuinely enthuse and rave about, then I had better leave a list of things I really want lying around somewhere obvious.

In case your situation is anything like mine, I’ve compiled a list that you might like to leave on the kitchen bench or the drivers seat of your husband’s car. Or go one better and just buy something yourself!  I don’t think anyone would disagree that you deserve it

1. Eternal Creation Peacock Bag, $39.95 at Eternal Creation – For obvious reasons we tend to focus on Eternal Creation’s childrenswear here at KSF, but they also do truly stunning womenswear and accessories.  This bag is beeyootiful!
2. bod Certified Organic Stretchmark Oil, $29.50 at ShopHouse – New and expecting mums shouldn’t have to feel less than gorgeous, so treat yourself to this certified organic bit of luxury.
3. ERGObaby Carrier – Galaxy Grey, $179.00 at Babes In Arms – Babywearing is the fizz more than ever, and ERGObaby is the ultimate in portability. Both my kids (aged 7 months and 2.5 years respectively) love being carried in our ERGObaby, and I don’t know what I would have done without it!
4. Session with Little Posers Photography, $180.00 – For lucky Brisbane-based readers, book a maternity, newborn or baby photo session and receive photos that you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
5. Milk Band Nursing Bracelet, $8.95 at Bubba Funk – Because who can remember which side they last fed on when they were up all night? This takes the guessing out of it, and thereby helps to keep up your milk supply.
6. il Tutto Bella Mini Bag – Cream, $149.00 $109.00 at Bubba Funk – il Tutto baby bags are the most fabulous pieces of luxuriousness and the kind of treat that will make you feel good every time you use it, for years to come.
7. BAMBU Mini Me ‘Outside In’ Bowl Set, $99.95 at State Of Green – Eco friendly and über chic, these bowls will brighten up anyone’s table!
8. Demdaco Willow Tree Figurine – Angel Of Mine, $44.95 at Metro Mum – Perfectly evocative of those early days with your precious new bundle, these figurines make me feel all warm and fuzzy every time I see them.
9. Breastfeeding Cover – Damask, $44.95 at My Brood – Not everyone feels comfortable breastfeeding in public, so make it easy on yourself with this attractive cover.
10. Ella Dress – Green Birds, US$90.00 by Aunty Ollie – From the brand new Aunty Ollie Ladies range comes this oh-so-sweet and incredibly easy to wear dress. I’ll take three!
11. On That Note Journal – Lotus Red, $19.95 $18.95 at Paperartzi Boutique – Stay organised and write down all those little flashes of inspiration in this lovely notebook.
12. Lovestamp Layers Of Love Necklace, $99.00 at Baby’s Got Style – Wear your heart on your… well, heart with the Lovestamp necklace. Up to three names can be inscribed on the sterling silver disks, which can have a hammered finish, or plain.
13. Kidwrangling by Kaz Cooke, $39.95 $35.95 at Sweet Creations – This is my childrearing bible.  I love Kaz’s practical, sympathetic but hilarious advice. She’s wonderfully non-judgemental, and just offers a range of solutions to fit anyone’s parenting philosophies, whether you’re looking up teething or toilet training, starting solids or starting kinder.

Please check individual stores for postage and delivery information. Also be sure to check the KidStyleFile Current Offers page, and the KidStyleFile Weekly Newsletter for discount codes to make sure you get the best possible deal – if you’re not a subscriber already then you can sign up here – it’s free!

Today’s post written by Anna

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Have you declared a month of the year your favourite? You may be opting to give that title to April after I let you in on the special offers on this month at  Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au.  As well as the the super savings you can locate in the sale section, Metro Mum has not one, but TWO fantastic offers happening in April and a great competition to boot!

• Offer #1: Buy any nappy bag from Metro Mum before the end of April and receive a FREE Gift Voucher. Orders over $100 receive a $20 Gift Voucher, orders over $200 receive a $50 Gift Voucher (not valid in conjunction with any other discount on nappy bags).
• Offer #2: Exclusive to KidStyleFile Readers, for 7 days you can enter code ‘STYLE‘ at checkout and receive $10 off all orders $50+ (offer not valid on sale items or value packs). Offer ends 26 April 2010.
• And that’s not all! Metro Mum also have a competition on this month where you can win the ultimate Mother’s Day Gift with over $1300 worth of prizes! Prize goodies include a Pixifoto Portait Package valued at $873 and a delectable Paba Allira Nappy Bag  valued at $494.  Hurry…click-click and enter here.

Metro Mum is renown for sourcing the new and the exceptional, the brightest and the best of all things for baby, and again this month, they have an incredible and exciting array of new products.

Boon has relaunched its product range in Australia and Metro Mum is home to the entire range. My personal  favourties are the the Boon Grass Counter top and the Boon Bug Pod showing off all their gorgeousness in pictures below.

Arriving in Australia for the very first time this May is the Dr Weil BPA Free Feeding Range.  These beautiful products are they are free of toxic chemicals, containing no BPA or phthalates, designed to reduce colic, gas and spit-up, and undergo stringent quality control measures. With thanks again to Metro Mum, where you can find the entire range available.

Paba leather nappy bags ‘Allira’ and ‘Kallari’ now available at Metro Mum. If you are winner in Metro Mum’s competition this month you will become a proud (no doubt about it!) owner of a Allira Bag in Black.

You will also find the Babysense Respiratory and Sound Monitor package which offers amazing technology to monitor the breathing of you wee little babe, plus the a drop dead gorgeous and thoughtful cot that can have your little one sleeping in style from birth right up to a 6 years – behold the wonder of the new Bloom Luxo range.

With a very special day for mums, just around the corner, it couldn’t be Mother’s Day without Metro Mum’s Mother’s Day Gift Ideas. Check them out for some sensatonal gifts to spoil mum this year.

Please read above for available discount offers on the items listed below.

1. Boon Bug Pod $59.95
2. Babysense Respiratory and Sound Monitor package $289.00
3. WeilBaby – Drinking Cup (9oz Tritan Blue/Green) $22.95
4. WeilBaby – Newborn Starter Tritan Gift Set $109.95
5. Compendium – “You Are Loved” Magnetic Book-Style Photo Frame $13.50
6. Bloom – Luxo Sleep Cot (Cappuccino/White) $1549.00
7. Boon Grass Counter top $39.95
   
8. Annabel Trends – Apron M.U.M. “Multiskilled Underpaid Miracleworker $24.50
9. Paba – Allira (Moonbeam) $494.94
10. Fatboy – The Original Beanbag (Various Colours) $565.00

For all your in-vogue parenting products, Metro Mum stock from the following brands: Hess-Spielzeug, Allerhand, Annabel Trends, Babymoov, Babymel, Baby Steps 123, Baufix, Babywedge, Bilibo, Bloom Baby, Boyle, Britt, BubbaMat, Bud by Design Room, BusyBee Friends, Caden Lane, Cariboo NZ, Compendium, DadGear, DanishbyDesign, David Fussenegger, Dwink Box, Ebulobo, Ellaroo, Ellie Bellie, Elodie Details, Emotion & Kids, Fatboy The Original, Fertile Mind, FLATOUTbears, Foogo by Thermos, FunPod, Giimmo, Happy Mais, Hello Babe, Il Tutto, IntelliGender®, Isoki, Kanoe, Kiddie Food Kutter, Kids Kitchen, KidsonRoof, Kipiis, Language Littles, Learning Tower, Leander, Leisure Learning, Lilbird, Little Beetle, Little Kitchen, Little Sprowtz, LittleOneBaby, Luna Lullaby, Lupi Lu, Melobaby, Metro Mum, Mia Bossi, Milk & Tickles, MilkBar, Mini Bilibo, Minimonkey, Mishi Design, Mojo, Mokopuna, Mothers Minder, Munchee Mug, My Plate-Mate, Nest, Nuance, Nurseryworks, Ocho, Oeuf, OnTray2Go, Oti, Paper Eskimo, PeeWee & PooToo, Playsam, Prego Planner, PuggyHouse, Qtees, Scout, Seed Organic, Snugabub, Storksak, Totem, Trunki, VisualGram, Vulli, Wall Candy and Zuny.

Metro Mum use Fastaway Couriers and Australia Post for delivery.  Total delivery cost will be calculated at checkout.  For estimated delivery times, international orders and all the ‘how to’ information see here.

Today’s post written by Angela

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

When my kids were tots I found it extremely difficult to find a baby gate that possessed robust security, superior functionality and aesthetically appealing design, not to mention the ability to span the significant distance required in our open plan kitchen/living room. If you have a babe in your midst today, however, you have no such challenges. Renown UK brand Lindam have risen to the challenge of style conscious parents with their fab new Numi baby gates that deliver on the promise of style and substance.

Available in both dark timber and stainless steel, the Lindam Numi baby gates span from 66cm-101cm using Lindam’s patented Indexed Sizing System (ISS), which provides fast and accurate size adjustment. Lindam says that the Numi gate is “easy to install, the safety barrier simply slides onto, and locks into, a low profile wall mounting, so that it can be removed in seconds when not required.” Sounds good, huh?

You can find the Lindam Numi baby gates in Australia at Urban Baby – www.urbanbaby.com.au – for $199.95 + postage.

PS While you’re over at Urban Baby be sure to browse their excellent Clearance Sale. It’s a doozy!

Urban Baby stock the following baby and kids designers: Aden & Anais, Active People, Alimrose Designs, Alimrose Designs, Allerhand, Angelcare, Annabel Karmel, Annabel Trends, Automoblox, Avent, Babies Only, BabyBjorn, Baby Cubes, Baby Einstein, BabyMoov, Baby Origami,BabySmart, Babyushka, Babu, Badger Balm, Beba Bean, Being Dad DVD Series, Bical Shoes, Billie Baby Soap, Bloom, Boikido, Boon, Brio, Britt Design, Bubbaroo, Built NY, Chelona Wooden Puzzles, Coco & Eli, Cold Coffee, Crocodile Creek, Crocs Shoes, Cushy Couch, Cuski, D-Lux, David Fussenegger, derriere la porte, Djeco, Dunstan Baby Language, Dwink, Emotion & Kids, Eric Carle, Eternal Baby, Fertile Mind, Fiesta Crafts, Fiona Kate – The Box Seat, FLATOUT Bear, Fred, French Bull Kids, Gaia Organic Cotton, GeoMag, giimmö Childrens Lights, Gina Ford, Go-Home, Graham & Brown, Green to Grow, Grobag Sleeping Bags, The HandySitt Company, Heimess, Hipp, Hotslings, Huggalugs, Ikaboo Childrens Lights, Infantino, Inglesina Mhome Collection, Isoki, et4Kids, Jooki Nappy Bags & Accessories, Karamana Kid, Karlsson, Kiddopotamus, KinderKot, Klippan Bruno, Kreative Kritters Window Peelies, Kuki Kids, Lalito, Lambykins, Leander, le-BIG, Lima Bean, Living Textiles, Lodger, Magnetic Poetry, Mamas & Papas, Manhattan Toy, Melobaby, Me Too Collection by Magis, Minimink, Mudpuppy, Mustela Baby, Nesting Moses Baskets, Nest High Chair, Nice 4 Neez, New Native Baby Slings, Noo Designs, Nurture Designs, Oeuf Furniture, Organised Mum, Pebbles Pouches, Philips, PromoOne, Quicksmart, Ramalama, Ribambelle Bijoux Enfants, Rorkus, Shop Girl, SkipHop, Smart Mom, Teething Bling, Starchild Leather Pre-Walker Shoes, Star & Rose, STUFFit, Sunny, Swobbles, Teeny Me, Thermos, Tiger Tribe, Travel Buddies, Trebimbi, Trunki Kids Luggage, UrbanBaby, Vessel, Vice Versa Baby, Wallcandy, Wee Gallery, Wheely Bug, WMF Cutlery and Dinnerware Sets, ZipBin, and ZUNY.

Urban Baby Ship on weight Australia-wide, and international orders are most welcome. See the Urban Baby postage and handling page for full shipping cost and delivery information.