KidStyleFile

Post written by Raquel

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Hallelujah! Looks like the sun’s shaken off a minor case of amnesia and come back to us just in time for Chrissy! For those of you feelin’ beachy, I’ve put together a style menu of green gear – think of it as ‘summer to go’ – to help keep the kids looking and feeling cool these holidays. Have fun! – Raquel

The Green Guide is published on the second Friday of each month. Read previous ‘The Green Guide’ posts here.

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1. The only time it’s safe to play with sharks? When they’ve swimming all over a pair of board shorts fully armed with a built in Ultimate Swim Nappy – a rad reusable alternative to disposables our finned friends will surely benefit from.

2. Super cute and reversible, Toshi’s two-styles-in-one organic cotton hat shelters little faces, ’cause a glowing red nose only looks good on Rudolph!

3. Each summer should be celebrated with at least one divinely pretty outfit and Indian Feather’s fair trade, organic ruffle top and skirt is not only handmade, it’s been dyed with natural flowers – perfect for your pretty petal.

4. Kids’ll have a bucket of fun in the garden with Janod’s wooden version; a solid little pail in three summer fresh colours and a chunky rope handle for easy carrying.

5. There’s no skirting around it, when it comes to adorable swimwear for little misses, iPlay’s Skirty Tanksuit with inbuilt nappy is 100% splashtastic.

6. Retro and fun, Paper Wings gets to the heart of organic fashion with their hip Heart Pocket Shorts.

7. Bucket and spade? Check. Sand dozer truck? Check. Something funky and organic for kids to tote it in? Check out Ethic Garden’s awesome selection of organic cotton, fair trade bags and totes for tikes! Fab for out and about over summer, when the break’s over they can carry the bags onwards to kindy.

8. When the heat is on cotton underwear is a must but organic is better! Pants to Poverty’s funky fair trade daks give cool comfort to tushies, plus their snazzy sets of three come packaged in a recycled CD tube kids can keep to stow their pencils in.

9. Forget the bling, this bird pendant from Ruby Luxe is a stunningly natural way to animate outfits. Made in Australia using natural and sustainable materials, Ruby Luxe also support Trees for the Future.

10. Who doesn’t love the warm weather when all we have to do to get our little darlings out the door is slip a lovely dress over their heads? The Elk & Ina Lovely Dress is certainly that, made from organic cotton with vintage kimono silk detail, it’s an easy breezy summer’s day in a frock.

11. It ain’t summer unless you’re flip flopping around in something almost more Australian than a kangaroo – the thong. Ocean Minded’s recycled version will not only set you apart from the rest of the rubber ‘throng’, it’s a sure footed way of helping protect our wonderful coast line.

12. Sand play’s shaping up to be an eco-cool one thanks to Kafer & Son’s metal sand molds. In brilliant primary colours and playful shapes, the German company has a full range of natural beach toys for kids to get arty with.

13. It just wouldn’t be a summer round up without a pair of fisherman’s pants. Providing casually smart cover up for boys and girls, these tropical trousers and are handmade by Thai villagers using pesticide free cotton and natural flower dyes.

Please check individual sites for postage details and be sure to survey the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

Post written by Leah

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Every time I visit Cornflowerblue – www.cornflowerblue.com.au I feel a strong nostalgia for the summers of my childhood.  Across this ethically produced and environmentally friendly 100% organic range there are pieces just perfect for rolling down hills or somersaulting across paddocks in. There are items perfect for paddling in the tide at the beach and searching for yabbies in the dam (make sure that mum and dad are watching). And pieces just right for Christmas dinner or the annual trip to candles by candlelight. There is something perfect for each and every summer occasion in store.

I work full-time, so sometimes sourcing a complete outfit from shoes, to hair accessories, to the little bit extras (like bracelets) can be quite a daunting task. It can take many weeks of searching to find items that complement each other, eating into the small pockets of family time I have. I just *love* how the girls at Cornflowerblue have organised their categories. If I click into the girls summer styles, for instance, they have created 37 different looks to choose from including my favourites tropical, teatime and divine. Each look incorporates the clothing, accessories and even shoes, providing an overview of the complete look (and saving me so much time!). Boys and babies don’t miss out either, with 20 summer styles for boys and over 40 summer styles for baby’s.

Summer fashion is  a cinch at Cornflowerblue:  take an extra 10% off all summer fashion for babies, boys and girls already reduced by up to 20% PLUS receive FREE Express Post shipping, Australia-wide, until 20 December, 2010 with code KSF_SHIP. Score further benefits when you spend $150.00+ (before postage charges): $25.00 off your next order, and join ClubCFB VIP to receive 10% off (on top of any other discount too!) all further orders once you spend $250.00 in a year. The final order cutoff date for Christmas is 18 December 2010 so make your (very stylish) move now!

Cornflowerblue stocks a range of beautiful, ethical and organic brands for box genders including Purebaby, Gaia Organic Cotton, Little Armourie, La Queue du Chat, Go Gently Baby, Paper Wings, Three Little Trees, Fabrik, Nanny Pickle, Eternal Creation, Well Spotted, Apple and Bee, Bornsage, Eco Peko, Tiny Revolutionary, Cheeky Chickies, Green Eyed Monster, Old Soles, Minime of Sydney and Foundation of Love.

Cornflowerblue offer same day Express Post shipping for $8.00 Australia-wide, when orders are placed before 1pm. They will also happily ship internationally.  For full delivery information please see here.

Today’s post written by Anna

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After two very boyish boys, the addition of a girl to our family has bought home just how many differences there can be between little boys and little girls. If men are from mars and women are from venus, then our boys are from jupiter and our little girl is from saturn! A store that embraces and  in fact rejoices in all these differences is the brand new specialist girl’s boutique Four Little Ladies – www.fourlittleladies.com.au.

Named for owner Lili Miller’s four daughters, Four Little Ladies is a gorgeous new space offering designer fashion and accessories for girls aged 4 to 14. So whether you are just looking for for a gift for a little lady, or to add a divinely feminine touch to your little one’s wardrobe, Four Little Ladies is a brand new destination ready for you to discover that special something you’re after.

Four Little Ladies have really done their research on all the things little girls want and as such they stock from the following list of fine designers: Aunty Ollie, Freshbaked, Sosooki, Mon*star Kids, Bauhaus, One Red Fly, Megan Park Girl, Noisebox Threads, Sun Emporium, Eternal Creation, Kandy Crew, Little Miss Firefly, Millymook, Young Gypsy 05, Holster, Chook Leaf, Souls, Abbey J, Rileah Design, Seedling, Bobble Art, Specklefarm and Lantern Studios.

Four Little Ladies are so excited about their launch they are celebrating by starting their ‘Boxing Day Sale’ early. Exclusive to KidStyleFile readers, Four Little Ladies is offering a fantastic discount of 40% off all summer clothing until midnight 16 January 2011. Enter code KSFX40 at checkout to redeem. Orders over $150 are shipped FREE of charge, and with heaps of fantastic bargains  starting from as low as $9.00 I’m sure you’ll be taking advantage of that fact! Be sure to sign up to the Four Little Ladies VIP Members Club to receive special offers, new season fashion news, sneak peeks and sale previews before everyone else.

Discounted prices quoted below are only applicable with exclusive discount code KSFX40 while stocks last until 16 January 2011.

1. Mon*Star Kids Poppy Dress – Yellow $49.00 less 40% discount = $29.40
2. Sosooki Pinni – Etsy $59.95 less 40% discount = $35.97
3. Bauhaus Peace Tee $29.95 less 40% discount = $17.97
4. Bauhaus Patwork Denim Skirt $49.95 less 40% discount = $29.97
5. Megan Park Girl – Ruffle Tie Dress $130.00 less 40% discount = $78.00
6. Mon*Star Kids Girl Tee – Red $32.00 less 40% discount = $19.70
7. Aunty Ollie Dress Up Day Dress – White $49.95 less 40% discount = $29.97
8. Little Miss Firefly Bonita Dress – Ovals Cherry $49.00 less 40% discount = $29.40
9. Sun Emporium One Piece with Frill Skirt $48.00 less 40% discount = $28.80

Four Little Ladies ship Australia-wide via Australia Post for the flat fee of $7.50 and orders over $150 are shipped for FREE. For full delivery information, including international orders please see here.

Post written by Angela

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To help me find the perfect picks this Christmas I asked some of our favourite online stores what their hot picks for kids this Christmas are. I am delighted to share part 6, the final instalment, with you today. Enjoy!

Read all Christmas 2010 coverage to date here. View our 2009 coverage here.

		“There is always something a little special about a new pair of pyjamas for the holiday season. Australian made and designed I have just fallen in love with Huckleberry Lane Pj’s. So cute, so comfy!” - Penny at BillyLids.com.au Huckleberry Lane Pyjamas, from $39.95
“The Lulu Reversible Can-Can Skirt is layers of ruffles for extreme va-va-voom! With grosgrain ribbon tiering, an elasticated back for fit and comfort. To reverse, just flip the skirt inside-out, cut off the tags and voila!” – Angela at CheekiBrands.com.au OOBI The Lulu Reversible Can-Can Skirt Pop Dots or Retro swirl, $54.95 $29.95
		“Little girls will feel like real ‘eeni’ fairies on Christmas day in the popular eeni meeni miini moh Pirouette dress, available in the new season’s colours of Pure White, Peony Marle and Gris. ” - Elizabeth O’Connor-Cowley at EeniMeeni.com.au eeni meeni miini moh Pirouette dress, size 6 mths – 5 years $95.00-$99.00
“Colour, learn and play with Stuck on You Personalised Learning Books. Your child’s name is featured throughout, encouraging them to develop their literacy and numeracy skills.” - Victoria at StuckOnYou.com.au Stuck on You Personalised Learning Books, from $19.95
		“Our Bubble Dress is just perfect for summertime festivities and comes complete with three gorgeous detachable rosettes.” - Melina at StellinaCuteCouture.com.au Stellina Cute Couture Bubble Dress, $125.00 Mint shown- also available in frost white, vanilla, fairy floss and lilac blossom

Please check individual sites for postage details and be sure to survey the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

Post written by Miki

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With summer in full swing I’m experiencing the phenomenon peculiar to preschool and toddler boys, and no doubt girls too, called ‘wardrobe-itis’.  This is what happens when the kids go to kindy, creche or friend’s houses, have a fantastic time playing, need to change clothes and then come home without most of the gear they went with leaving their wardrobes looking painfully bare.  I’m getting much better at labelling everything they own and doing inventories of their belongings before we head home, but in the meantime I now have quite a few gaps in their summer wardrobes to fill.

As Australia’s largest online baby and kids boutique and a repeat Hitwise Top 10 Website winner Baby’s Got Style – www.babysgotstyle.com.au can fill any gap in your child’s wardrobe (or indeed the whole wardrobe!) with ease. Baby’s Got Style is a long-time stockist of Australian children’s wear label Oobi Baby & Kids who recently took out the number one spot in the Favourite Designer category for the third year running in KidStyleFile’s Annual Reader Survey and to celebrate Baby’s Got Style are currently running an incredible promotion for one week only:

Buy an Oobi Kaftan ($29.95) or an Oobi Giselle Tank ($14.95) and choose another – in any colour or size – for *FREE*!  All you have to do is add both your choices to your shopping cart, and one of them will be automatically discounted by 100% at checkout. No code is needed, and the promotion ends at midnight on Sunday 19 December 2010.

The kaftans come in two designs for girls and three for boys – yes, the boys actually get more choice for once!  – plus they’re sized from 00 right up to size 6. The Giselle tanks are the perfect wardrobe basic: great for summer heat and good through winter as an under layer. This is an amazing deal and these gorgeous summer tops are going to fly off the shelves fast, so stock up now!!

Oobi Kaftans, $29.95 ea; Oobi Giselle Strappy Tank, $14.95 ea – Buy One, Get One Free offer expires midnight 19 December 2010.

Baby’s Got Style stock from a huge range of brands including: Aden and Anais, Albetta, Alex and Charli, Alimrose Designs, Annabel Trends, Baby’s Got Style, BabyLegs, Babylicious, Baobab, Bebe, Bebe au Lait, Belli Skincare, BIG by Fiona Scanlan, Blabla, BLINK Designs, Bobbleart, Bonds, Built NY, Cheeky Little Soles, Cheeky Monkey, Children of the Revolution, Cloud B, Coco & Ginger, Cold Coffee, Collette Dinnigan Enfant, Cried Wolf, Dobbin and Drum, Dripstik, Dwell Studio, Eeboo, Feeding Solutions, FLATOUT, Flipsy Flopsy Dolls, Flirty Bird, French Bull, Fresh Baked, Giddy Giddy, Global Style, Global Style Custom Made, Goorin Hats, Green to Grow, Haba, Itch Designs, Ivy Designs, Jasnor, Jooki, Kicky Pants, L’ll Fraser, Lark and Friends, Little Horn, LocoLili!, Lovestamp, Mamas & Papas, Marquise, Miatom, Mill & Mia, mine by Kayla, Minimonkey, Minti, Mooo, Munster, Nearly Nude, Noo Designs, Nowa Li, Oobi Baby, Ouch, Papoose, Peace Street, Peggy, Pink Theodore, Pixie Rose, Plumb, Polka, Precious L’il Things, Pure Baby, Rock Your Baby, Rockabye Baby, Seafolly, Small Paul, Snugglebum, Sooki Baby, Sozo, Sparkle T, Story-time, SuperTubes, Tea Pony, The Wall Sticker Company, Three Little Trees, Tiger Joe, Tiny Revolutionary, Tiny Tribe, Tip Toey Joey, Tolo Toys, Tommee Tippee, Toshi, Urchin, Vice Versa, Walnut, Weleda, and Well Spotted.

Baby’s Got Style postage charges are $6.95 for small parcels and $9.50 for large, overnight delivery Australia-wide. (Orders must be placed before 1pm AEST for delivery next business day). For International orders and all other specific details please see the Ordering and Delivery tabs at Baby’s Got Style.

Today’s post written by Anna

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As my early childhood photos attest, I was one of those children (bless them!) that just *had* to dress themselves. Due to the era, and my parents fashion sense, or lack thereof, I was a very funny looking child a lot of the time, although not for lack of trying: it’s just there are only so many things you can do with mission brown courdroy, tie dye and ‘one size too small’ home-knitted jumpers.

My little princess is maybe proof that the fashionista streak is genetic: she has been loudly declaring ‘I do it myself’ when it comes to dressing in the morning…and every other of the many wardrobe changes throughout the day. Although we have the odd day where the riot of colour and lace is mismatched with a pair of gumboots, an odd pairing of shoes (like this morning: 1 black mary jane and 1 pink saltwater sandal!) more times than not  I stand back with pride at her outfit collaborations. This is largely due to the fact that she has no icky gear to choose from.  In fact she has an adorable wardrobe. Many of her most favourite and most often selected clothes come from the stylish Australian label Baobab – www.baobab.com.au.

Maybes it’s because she feels so comfy, or because she gets so many compliments that make her feel special and ‘so pretty’.  All I know is that whatever she chooses from her Babobab items I can relax knowing she is looking as stylish as any little girl should. My two boys don’t miss out, either, with a wardrobe full of 100% organic cotton shorts and tees to keep them looking good and feeling happy

In fashionable time for Christmas, Baobab has a summer range that is to die for. A beautiful new shipment of the popular Grey Marle Bunny Tee and the super cute Blue & Stripe Harem Pants has just landed for babies and for bigger kids (right up to 10 years old) there is new stock available of the ultra chic Shirred Swallow Dress as well as the very funky and comfy Stripe Shorts for boys.

There are two fab offers from Baobab for you to choose from right now: sign up to the Baobab newsletter  – see the box on the left hand side of the homepage – and you’ll be emailed a 10% discount code to take off all the range, including sale stock already marked down by up to 40%, OR choose FREE postage Australia-wide (no minimum order) with code DECFREE until midnight 22 December 2010.

Prices quoted in red below are only applicable with code KSFXMAS until 22 December 2010.

1. Fuscia Mesh Dress $54.95 less 10% = $49.45
2. Mint Stag Ruffle Dress $52.95 less 10% = $47.65
3. Grey Bunny Raglan Tee $35.95 less 10% = $32.35
4. Blue Harem Pant $35.20 less 10% = $31.68
5. Blue Parachute Tee $39.95 less 10% = $35.95
6. Navy Stripe Boardie Short $36.95 less 10% = $33.25
7. Navy Stripe Harem Pant $35.20 less 10% = $31.68
8. Navy Stripe Bodysuit $36.95 less 10% = $33.25
9. Mint Stag Babygro $39.95 less 10% = $35.95
10. Shirred Swallow Dress $54.95 less 10% = $49.45

Baobab ship Australia-wide with cost dependent on weight; the average shipping cost per order is $7.50. See Delivery Information for all the specific details.