KidStyleFile

Post written by Edwina

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This month delivers another bunch of talented indie baby and kids designer/makers! Unique, cute and made with lots of love, these treasures are sure to bring a smile to someone as a gift or as a new toy or outfit for your little one. Check individual sellers for speedy Christmas delivery, or stash in the pressie cupboard for upcoming birthdays or events.

If you’re an independent designer-maker just starting up then you may be eligible to make a submission to be featured in our monthly ‘I Made This’ column. Click here to view eligibility criteria and submission requirements.

You can view previous I Made This features here.

1.  The Crafty Nomad: Retro ‘I’m Super’ Baby Bodysuit / Onesie $28 + postage

“I fell in love with this Retro Superhero fabric and thought it would look ace on a little baby boy! All of my designs are available to be personalised.” Designer/Maker: Jo Westfoot

Interested in: Individual orders.

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2.  Little Dumpling: Gorgeous Gracie Dress $30 + postage

“This is a beautiful and sweet little summer dress. I only make one dress from any fabric so you won’t see another like it! This dress will look fresh and cool on those hot summer days and looks good with a tshirt for cooler days.” Designer/Maker: Kate Brown

Interested in: Individual orders.

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3. Ticklemedo: At the Zoo Print – $23 (including postage)

“I provide stylish, original artwork for babies and childrens’ bedrooms. I offer flexibility to customers and can tailor an existing print to suit their needs or create a unique print from scratch. My prints are designed to complement and enhance existing decor.” Designer/Maker: Nicola Tsatsaris

Interested in: Individual or wholesale orders

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4. Pollykinz Designs: Nap Mat – ‘Posy of Poppies’ – $45 + postage

“The Pollykinz Designs Nap Mat is a cosy, comfy spot for the weary toodler to snooze on. Our Nap Mats are ideal for little ones attending daycare or for the toddler who no longer sleeps in a pram and is too small for a bed, yet likes to fall asleep whilst you’re dining with friends. Made from a 100% cotton outer, with a double layer polyester fill, the Nap Mats fold up so the clean inside never touches the outside.” Designer/Maker: Georgi Redfern

Interested in: Individual orders

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5. ZoZo Designs: Patchwork Teddy Bear – $47 + postage

“We set up our online store at Made It after the great feedback we got when we gave these teddybears as a baby present to friends and family. Our aim is to make each one, one of it’s kind and instead of buying just any stuffed toy for someone, give one that is unique, has got character and is made with love!”

Designer/Makers: Dominique Bennett & Jantina de Haan

Interested in: Individual or wholesale orders

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Post written by Miki

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When it comes to kids and Christmas, Little Styles – www.littlestyles.com.au – is your one stop shop.  They have no less than 120 different labels and 3,000+ products under their tree waiting for you to snap up, plus proprietress Terri has helpfully created festive season categories such as Christmas gifts Under $25 (there’s over 500 items in there!), a Christmas section with adorable accessories and bits and bobs, and even a Christmassy Outfits section with everything you could need to make your kids look special on the big day. I’m thinking that my picks below are pretty spesh for the big day, but choose your own style: there’s something for everyone.

Little Styles is also the place to go for presents.  There’s so much choice here, and with toy brands like Sparkle T, Tiger Tribe, Vulli, Sevi and Kathe Kruse, you know you’ll find exactly the right thing to go in that stocking or under that tree.  I’m loving the Boon Frog Pod Bath Storage for my kids – it’s a modern classic after all!  Plus I can personally recommend the Jasnor Eric Carle Stacking Boxes Set: we have it at our house and it’s lovely and sturdy, plus I can never get enough of Carle’s illustrations.

Harness your reindeer and prepare to load up your sleigh, because KidStyleFile readers can take *15% off* store-wide, including sale stock already marked down by up to 40%, at Little Styles for five days only! Enter the code ksfsanta but do it before midnight on 18 December 2010 when the offer ends. Little Styles also offer FREE giftwrapping (just ask in comments), next day delivery as standard, FREE delivery on orders over $150 and no fuss returns and exchanges. Don’t forget to sign up for the Little Styles newsletter while you’re there (see the box on the left hand side of the homepage), it’s packed full of gorgeous new products and specials each time.

All discounted prices quoted below are valid, while stocks last only, using code ksfsanta until midnight, 18 December 2010.

Boy outfit: SOSOOKI Shorts with Braces, $44.95 less 15% = $38.20; Baobab Tee, $39.95 less 15% = $33.95; Walnut Cruise Shoe, $29.95 less 15% = $25.45
Girl outfit: Oobi Celeste Dress, $29.95 less 15% = $25.45; Walnut Sandals, $29.95 less 15% = $25.45; Flirty Bird Hair Clip, $11.95 less 15% = $10.15

1. Wooden Play Toaster, $12.95 less 15% = $11.00; Sparkle T Fairy Blocks, $18.95 less 15% = $16.10; Sparkle T Ice Cream Stand Puzzle, $58.95 less 15% = $50.10
2. Sparkle T Guitar – Blue, $32.95 less 15% = $28.00; Penny Scallan Soft Knit Cuddlie – Tiger, $19.95 less 15% = $16.95
3. Tiger Tribe Card Making Kit, $24.95 less 15% = $21.20; Giimmo Nightlight – Sparky The Schnauzer, $44.95 less 15% = $38.20; Spiegelburg Pull Along Deer – Lillifee, $42.95 less 15% = $36.50
4. Vulli Sophie The Giraffe Bath Toy, $21.95 less 15% = $18.65

Little Styles stocks fashion, toys and accessories from the following impressive list of brands: Aden & Anais, Adiri, Albetta, Alex, alex & charli, Alimrose Designs, Annabel Trends, Baby Gund, Baby Bloch, Babykids, Babylegs, Babylicious, Baobab, Bbox, Bebe, Bebe Au Lait, Belly Art, Big by Fiona Scanlan, Blabla, BLINK Designs, Bluebird & Honey, Bobbleart, Bonds, Busybee Friends, Cheeky Little Soles, Cheeky Monkey, Cloud B, Cocoon Couture, Dashbaby, Deglingos, Elodie Details, Fish Lilly, Flipsy Flopsy Doll Co., Flirty Bird, Flo, ForWalls, French Bull, Fresh Bakes, Gala Organic Cotton, Gertie and Me, Giddy Giddy, Gimmo, Global Style custom, Haba, Hess-Spielzebug, Indy & the Ninja, Infancy, Infantino, Isoki, Itch Design, Jack & Lily, Jasnor, Kathe Kruse, Lakeland Design, Lark and Friends, L’il Fraser Collection, Little Chippi, Little Styles, Love Police, Mamas and Papas, Marquis, Melissa & Doug toys, Miatom, Milk Baby, Minimonkey, Minti, Moppit, Muddy Cloud, Noo Design, Oobi, Paper Eskimo, Pinkberry Kisses, Pink Thodore, Plum, Precious L’il Things, Purebaby, Rockabye baby!, Rush, Russ, Sevi, Sigikid, Skeanie, Skip Hop, Sooki Baby, Super Zeros, SwaddleDesigns, Three Little Trees, Tiny Mammoth, Tiny Revolutionary, Tiny Tribe, Vintage Kid, Walnut, Well Spotted, Woof!, WOW toys.

Little Styles deliver Australia-wide for the flat fee of $7.50. Orders over $150 are delivered FREE of charge. See ordering and delivery for more information, including international shipping rates.

Post written by Leah

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My little Miss N never stops talking from the moment she wakes up, until the moment she drifts off to sleep. She is extremely inquisitive and is forever asking questions, listing her favourite people (this one is become quite a lengthy list) or just walking around touching things and naming them. At the moment, her favourite topic of conversation is a toss up between Santa Claus and the gifts he is apparently leaving her – “a bunny” (hmm…hope she means the toy version), ” a dress” (easy peasy), and “cooking” (yes, we watched a little Masterchef in our house this year).

With such a little chatterbox in my house, it’s surely fate that today I visit Mini Chatterbox – www.minichatterbox.com.au – who will have no trouble filling Miss N’s Christmas wishlist this year. The abundance of stylish threads, accessories, playthings and kids items across the store will also ensure that I have an opportunity to pick up a few last minute gifts for the extended family while I am at it too.

As avid Masterchef fans, I’m ashamed to admit that we missed the live stage show in Sydney this week. However, thanks to Mini Chatterbox, we can recreate many of the menu items with a selection of Junior Masterchef kits. My Master R is a star when it comes to dressing a pizza base, so I think a Pizza Chef kit should find itself wrapped and under our tree this year – you need to embrace their talents, right?  Perhaps I should also snap up the Junior Masterchef Apron set as well so he can dress the part. With 10% 0ff all Junior Masterchef items (prices as marked) it’s hard to say no!

Back to Miss N’s wishlist.  I have so many choices at Mini Chatterbox to fill her dress request. Do I choose the ever whimsical Mini Treasures Maddison Swing Dress in stone, or the Cocoon Pink Stripe Swing Dress? Perhaps the Baobab Mint Stag Print Ruffle Dress? Oh geez, with so many choices I am going to find it hard settling on one!  Luckily, the bunny selections are not as difficult – we’re snapping up the Bebe Mario Rabbit (shhh… don’t tell!).

Jamey at Mini Chatterbox knows just how difficult it can be to stick within budget at Christmas time, so to help you stretch your dollar that much needed bit further, she is slashing 30% off all full priced items across Mini Chatterbox for the next 5 days. Enter discount code KSF30 at checkout before midnight 18 December 2010 to redeem. Be sure to skip over to the sale section for bargains up to 70% off while you’re there, too. If your cart tips over the $150.00 mark you will also qualify for FREE postage so shop and save!

Discounted prices quoted below are valid with code KSF30 while stocks last until midnight 18 December 2010 only.

1. Purebaby red check shirt $34.95 LESS 30%= $24.47
2. Purebaby Boys Denim Shorts $34.95 LESS 30%= $24.47
3. Purebaby Girls red woven shorts $34.95 LESS 30% =$24.47
4. Cocoon Couture Ottomon $49.95 LESS 10%  $44.95
5. Sooki Baby  One Day In Paris Swing Top $26.95 LESS 30%=  $18.87
6. Old Soles Red Petal Ballet Flat $49.95 LESS 30%= $34.97
7. Cried Wolf Meow Boardies $54.95 LESS 30%= $38.47
8. Sooki baby One Day In Paris Skort $29.95 LESS 30%= $20.97
9. Boon Drying Rack $42.95 LESS 30%= $30.06
10. Bobbleart Canvas Backpack $37.95 LESS 30%= $26.57
11. Junior Master Chef Pizza Kit $34.95 LESS 10%= $31.95
12. Bebe Tiered Ruffle Lulu Dress $59.95 LESS 30%= $41.97
13. Alex & Charlie Red Tutu $49.95 LESS 30% = $34.97

In store at Mini Chatterbox you will find a gorgeous range of gear catering from newborn right up to age 7 from brands: Aden & Anais, Alimrose Design, b. box, Bebe, Bebe Jnr, Carters, Chalk n Cheese, Cocoon, Cocoon Couture, Ellani Petite, Fixoni, Gymboree UK, Jarmeez, Junior Master Chef, Mill & Mia, MiniChatterbox, Moppit, Old Soles, Olli & Pop, Polarn O. Pyret, Purebaby, Rising Star, Sooki Baby, Tommy Rocket, Woof, Two Belles and Walnut.

At Mini Chatterbox orders placed before 12pm are generally dispatched within 24 hours. Delivery is via Express Post and starts at $7.95 Australia wide. See Delivery for full rates and information.

As part of our Christmas coverage this year we are sharing with you our own personal picks for our kids. Today it’s my turn to reval what you’ll find under our family tree this year. I hope you have enjoyed seeing what the KidStyleFile team will be popping under the tree for their little ones this year and that you have found some good ideas for your own little ones. – Ange

Read all Christmas 2010 coverage to date here. You can view last year’s picks here.

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Ange and her 6 year old twin girls

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Our tree – the one my nan bought for me for my very first Christmas and a true 70′s artefact  – is up and has been decorated with vigour, stockings and lights adorn our mantel and our front porch is filled with a flurry of home-made white pom pom flowers (thank you Martha Stewart!) and a smattering of bought red and white polka dot lanterns for good measure. It may not be a styling masterpiece but it’s fun, it’s festive and it’s *us*.

Christmas celebrations are happening at our house this year and we cross our fingers that we’ll get good weather so all the grown ups can put their feet up and watch the kids bomb around the garden while we graze on casual fare mixed with traditional treats from noon ’til night-time.

Thanks to online shopping I have completed our Christmas shopping already – the cleaning is another story, though! – and the process was nothing less than truly enjoyable and relaxing. Here’s what my girls will find for them under the tree this year.

1. Lundby Stockholm Doll’s House $189.95 at Lundby Australia. I got the idea for this gift when I was writing a piece on these amazing doll’s houses recently and little eyes, as big as saucers, peeked over my shoulder and saw it and were enthralled by the detail. This is a gift to share along with a couple of accessory packs to get the party started.

2. Baobab Mesh Dresses $54.95 at Baobab. Christmas isn’t Christmas without a New Year’s Eve dress and these Baobab organic cotton and tulle mesh confections are the perfect pieces for ballet inspired elegance while undertaking tree climbing adventures.

3. Plastic Swan Pen $18.00 from Made590. You may think 18 bucks for a pen is a bit rich, but these pens aren’t your ordinary biro! The pen pulls out of the neck of these palm sized beauties and when it’s not in use it just looks *cool*. The perfect pressie for little girls who love to write, draw and do sums on a whim!

4. Rotating Seesaw $49.95 at Deals Direct. My sister and I had one of these when we were kids and it was soooo much fun we wore a track in the grass where we span round and around and around on it. This will be a brilliant addition to our outdoor arsenal.

5. Hopscotch Kids non-toxic nail polish $15.00 each from Tribe Store. My girls have been wanting me to paint their nails for ages, but I’ve put it off on the basis that regular nail polish is full of nasty poisons which then require even nastier remover to get off. Hopscotch Kids have invented a water-based non-toxic variety which allows kids to have colouring fun and then remove it without the chemical side-effects. You might even see *me* with painted nails this summer

6. Ruby Luxe necklaces $29.95 each from Gifts4Kidz.  I love necklaces and I just *love* these playful necklaces for kids. Will look fab with the Baobab dresses.

7. Sparrowkids Red Sparrow DIY Bag $29.95 each at Lark. I have had these stashed for ages just waiting for the girls to get to the right age to make them. I had a similar kit when I was small, so this is another blast from the past.

8. O’Bon L’Artiste Professional Pencil Set $15.50 see the Obon website for stockists. Like most girls of this age, my two love to write, draw, and scribble. We have an extensive range of coloured pencils, but this set of environmentally friendly ‘grey leads’ will be their first set of real artist’s graphites.

9. Sukie Stationery Box $14.27 and Sukie Sticky Notes $9.98 from Book Depository.co.uk. The perfect acccompaniment to the Swan Pen and Obon pencils, my kids will have lots of fun using these stationery items to send letters and notes to all and sundry. Although Book Depository sells books they also have a super selection of stationery and kids craft sets, all of which are radically below RRP, and with free post worldwide you can’t do better.

10. Richard Scarry Books from Book Depository.co.uk. We heart books and Richard Scarry is the man of the moment. Richly filled with quirky, lovable characters and bright and exciting text, these Christmas books are sure to capture the imagination and be loved all year round.

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.

Today’s post written by Anna

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As the Northern Hemisphere make preparations for a white Christmas, here down under our days are stretching longer and the temperature is rising. With just a wee little hop over Christmas, we will be in full-blown summer holiday mode with lots of adventure awaiting all our little ones in the big outside world.

Perfectly designed and suited for active play and fun in the sun is the range by Agoo – www.agoo.com.au.  Agoo pieces are made for active play because they are made from stain resistant and fast drying fibres which are highly breathable and wick-away moisture so little people can enjoy lots of adventure without overheating.

Just in time for summer (and Christmas shopping) until Christmas Eve  KidStyleFile readers are being offered a whopping 40% off online orders.  You will need to enter code KSF40 at checkout to redeem this great offer. Please note this offer excludes already discounted by 50% ‘Agoo and Friends 12 weeks of Christmas Promotion Offers‘ and must end midnight 24 December 2010.

Snap up one of these fabulous Stainless Steel Waterbottle & Legging Sets which include as 350ml BPA free stainless steel drink bottle, 3 lids to grow with child (teat, sippy, sports) and matching legging. Available in 4 designs and with your KSF discount they are reduced to a low $17.99. A practical and stylish stocking filler!

Another top pick is the completely adorable range of Tushie Huggers. Sized from 0-36 months, these funky items are available in 10 designs: 6 for girls, and I love that there are another 4 designs for boys to choose from. Buy the tops or the gorgeous bottoms (aka Tushie Huggers) seperately, or in matching sets for a great little outfit.

The range of Agoo underwear and sleepwear is also another fantastic choice for summer. Available for both boys and girls, in a great range of sizes ( from 2-9) they are super matched for our warm and balmy summer nights. Bring them on!

Please note prices quoted in red below are only applicable with special KSF code KSF40 until midnight 24 December 2010.

1. Tushie Huggers Pack – Cowboy Crawler $65.00 less 40% = $39.00
2. Tackle Tee Azure/Oak was $34.99 less 40% = $20.99
3. Bamboo Boys Euro Tanks – Denim $14.99 less 40% = $8.99 and 2pk Bamboo Boys Boxers – Denim $24.99 less 40% = $14.99
4. Bamboo Girls Tanks – Pink $14.99 less 40% = $8.99 and 2pk Bamboo Girls Panties – Pink $24.99 less 40% = $14.99
5. Fanfair Tank – Black $34.99 less 40% = $20.99 worn with Rainbow Hearts Leggings $14.99 less 40% = $8.99 and Butterfly Burst Leggings $14.99 less 40% = $8.99
6. Mary Jane Top $34.99 less 40% = $20.99 worn with Glamour Squart $54.99 less 40% = $32.99 and Butterfly dance leggings $14.99 less 40% = $8.99
7. Princess Squart in Rose $44.99 less 40% = $26.99 worn with Mary Jane Tee $32.99 less 40% = $19.79 and Butterfly garden Leggings was $14.99 less 40% = $8.99
8. Tushie Huggers Pack – Big Bow Ruffle $65.00 less 40% = $39.00

Agoo Active-wear charge $10.00 flat rate postage, Australia-wide. International orders are welcome. Click here for full shipping and delivery details.

Post written by Angela

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Pssst? Wanna buy a good toy this Christmas? Come over here; I’ve got something to tell you. New toy emporium Toy Detective – www.toydetective.com.au – not only stock an extensive range from Creative Education, Djeco, Folkmanis, Le Toy Van, magmagenius, Manhattan Toy, Tango and Wheely Bug, but they also offer an impressive toy tracking service: if you can’t find a product then Toy Detective will try and source it for you – just ask!

As well as helping you find quality toys for your family, Toy Detective also offers you options that help support vital community charities. Purchase from their Charity Packs section and you’ll receive your toys and the charity you nomimate from the four choices offered by Toy Detective will get 100% of the proceeds of your purchase  (i.e. you spend $100 on toys you get $100 worth of toys and the charity gets $100 worth of cold hard cashola which they can then direct to the area where it is most needed). As if the gift of giving isn’t enough to make you feel good enough, there’s plenty more in this game for *you*.

Shop with Toy Detective this Christmas and receive a free gift to the value of $20 – no minimum spend! PLUS all orders up to $100 will receive a $10 voucher to be used on future orders (spend over $100 and receive a $20 voucher; over $200, a $30 voucher – the sky is the limit!). Use code KSFDEC2010 at checkout to redeem these offers until midnight 22 December 2010. Spend $150+ and you’ll also receive free delivery, Australia-wide. Don’t forget to take advantage of Toy Detective’s FREE gift wrap – very handy indeed. Subscribe to the Toy Detective newsletter to be kept up to date with all the latest news and to hear first about special offers.

Terms of free gift and free gift voucher offer: Free gifts given are to the value of $20 RRP. The gifts are generally unisex and potluck, but great quality and selected from the Toy Detective range of stocked brands. If you purchase all girl or all boy items then you’ll receive a free gift of that gender. All orders up to and including $100 will receive a $10 Toy Detective gift voucher to be used on future orders. The more you spend the higher the voucher amount you will receive. i.e. spend over $101-$200 and receive a $20 voucher; $201-$300, a $30 voucher, and so on. The gift voucher will be included with your order and, once activated, has to be used within 12 months. Voucher are not transferrable and cannot be replaced if lost.

1. Wheely Bug – small $99.00; large $120.00
2. Automoblox Green Sports Utility $60.00
3. Manhattan Toy Skwish $29.00
4. mamagenius Lock Activity Box $69.00
5. Le Toy Van Garden Playset $98.00
6. Folkmanis Pack Rat puppet $32.00
7. Djeco Birthday Party Teatime $64.00
8. Djeco Maggy Shape Sorter $49.00
9. Djeco Collages for Little Ones $32.00
10. Creative Education Adventure Cape $14.00
11. Djeco 3 Pigs Silhouette Puzzle $29.00
12. Manhattan Toy Baby Stella Doll $52.00

Toy Detective charge $8.95 for delivery flat rate, Australia-wide, and orders over $150.00 are shipped free of charge. Click here for full information.