KidStyleFile

Post written by Leah

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When Bjork puts her name to a cartoon, creating a song especially for their debut onto the silver screen, Moomins and The Comet Chase (released in August 2010 and yet to make its way to Australia), you know you have found a very special, quirky, set of characters that are bound to be original and appealing.

Introducing the Moomins. Created by Finlander Tove Jansson in 1945,  the Moomin family live in Moominvalley, a fictional forest in Finland, and partake in numerous adventures together. The first Moomins book – Småtrollen och den stora översvämningen or The Moomins and the Great Flood – was published in 1945 and Jansson is said to have based the characters on her family and friends. The Moomins quickly gathered a large following throughout Europe and are such a phenomenon they even have their very own theme park, Moomin World!

You can purchase Moomim picture and story books at Book Depository (where prices are below rrp and postage is FREE worldwide!) and pick up Moomin memorabilia locally at Lark.

Post written by Leah

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As a teacher, I am always shocked by the number of items that end up in the Lost Property collection at each and every school that I’ve worked in. Lunch-boxes, hats, school blazers, rulers, drink bottles and even the occasional weird object (including a  jar of horse teeth) make their appearance throughout the year. Many are never claimed. It always astounds me that many parents just replace the item without a good search.

To me, a proactive approach is the key…..LABEL your items. Obviously a name on a lunchbox, a drink bottle or your $30+ jumper will ensure the likelihood of return if it is absentmindedly left somewhere.

Reduce the risk of lost items by beginning the new year with a brand new Back to School Bonus Pack from Stuck on You – www.stuckonyou.biz . For a limited time only this pack is available for $39.95, with a value of $70.85 – that’s over $30.00 – or 43% – in savings! You’ll receive a personalised stainless steel, BPA free, drink bottle, a personalised lunchbox and 25 Designer Collection Name Labels all dispatched within 4 days of your order. Perfecto! You even have the choice of OVER 20+ different designs including  the new Spring Garden and Robots collection. Click here to get started, but hurry, only while stocks last and for a limited time.

Visit the Stuck On You website or call 1800 645 849 to place your order.

Stuck On You despatch all orders within four working days and postage start as at a low $2.00 – $5.30 via standard Australia Post delivery. If you need your order faster the charges are $7.50 for Express Post, or $15.00 for courier delivery.

Post written by Miki

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With the start of term 1 just around the corner, you’re probably shopping up a storm for everything the bambinos need for heading back to school.  Of course, if it’s your child’s first term at school that just makes it all the more exciting!

Item #1 on every parent’s back-to-school shopping list: a good backpack.  There are a number of features to look for, including hard-wearing fabric, good quality zippers, strong stitching and an appropriate size for your child.  Just as important, though, is finding a design that both you and the young person in question can agree on.  This is vitally important – after all, *you* need to like it because it’s your money that’s paying for it, but *they* need to love it because they’ll be carrying it for a year… and because kids are very good at ‘losing’ bags they don’t like.  Not that I ever did that when I was a kid… Ahem.

Below are some KidStyleFile favourites to get you started.  Call the kids over to the computer to give their all-important opinions and start shopping!

Images, clockwise from top left:

Stephen Joseph Kids Backpacks, $39.95; available from Haggus & Stookles
So Young Mother Insulated Lunch Bag, $34.95; available from Happy Little Hippos
Allerhand Kids Backpacks, $77.00 $69.00; available from MetroMum
Stuck On You Personalised Backpacks, $49.95; available from Stuck On You online store
Mooo Personalised Backpacks – Medium, $49.95; available from Mooo online store
SkipHop Zoo Pack, $34.95; available from Little Styles
Bobble Art Large Canvas Backpack, $37.95 $32.26; available from Mini Chatterbox

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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There are so many reasons why I heart online shopping, and they’re all in evidence at Billy Lids – www.billylids.com.au.  I can relax on the couch with a cuppa while browsing through a great range of quality, stylish and practical products, safe in the knowledge that I won’t have to struggle through the shops with tantruming three- and one-year-olds.

I can ummm and aaahhh at leisure over which adorable top or hat to buy them without stressing that the wee beasties are going to wreck the entire store, and I don’t even have to pay for petrol or parking!  Plus at the end of the day, if what I order isn’t exactly right it’s totally hassle-free to return it and get something else instead.  Perfecto!

Shopping at Billy Lids becomes ever more attractive when you look through their sale category which contains 160+ products marked down by up to 50% from brands including Baobab, And The Little Dog Laughed, Papoose, Marquise, and Urchin. But wait! There’s more! KidStyleFile readers can take an *extra* 10% discount store-wide! Enter summer at checkout to receive an additional 10% off all your sale bargains, plus any full priced treasures that take your fancy, until 29 January 2011. Sign up to the Billy Lids newsletter to be the first to receive new info on the latest styles, new stock and great specials: click on the newsletter icon at the top right of the homepage.

Discounted prices quoted below are valid with code summer until 29 January 2011.

1. and the little dog laughed Blue Mushroom Tee, WAS $26.00 SALE PRICE $23.00 EXTRA 10% DISC = $20.70
2. Papoose – Boys Stripe Tee Navy. WAS $15.95 SALE PRICE $12.75 EXTRA 10% DISC = $11.47
3. and the little dog laughed – ‘Stella’ Dress. WAS $36.00 SALE PRICE $30.00 EXTRA 10% DISC = $27.00
4. Papoose Shark Shorts. WAS $27.95 SALE PRICE $22.30 EXTRA 10% DISC = $20.07
5. Papoose – Malibu Tee, WAS $16.95 SALE PRICE $13.50 EXTRA 10% DISC = $12.15
6. Papoose – Polka Dot Dress. WAS $30.00 SALE PRICE $24.oo EXTRA 10% DISC = $21.60
7. Marquise – Beach Days Swing Top Red/White. WAS $26.95 SALE PRICE $21.50 EXTRA 10% DISC = $19.35
8. Baobab – Bell Sleeve Tee. WAS $39.95 SALE PRICE $31.95 EXTRA 10% DISC = $28.75
9. Baobab – Fuscia & Red Babygrow. WAS $39.95 SALE PRICE $31.95 EXTRA 10% DISC= $28.75
10. Marquise – Frill Strap Romper Pink. WAS $29.95 SALE PRICE $22.40 EXTRA 10% DISC= $20.16
11. and the little dog laughed – Tu Tu Beautiful Romper Dotty. WAS $32.00 SALE PRICE $27.00 EXTRA 10% DISC = $24.30

Billy Lids stocks a fine selection from the following brands: Allerhand, And the little dog laughed, Annabel Karmel, Apple Park, b.box, Baby Sticky Bowl, Babyushka, Baobab, Busybee Friends, Cheeki, Click Clack Cars, Cloudb, Fridge-To-Go, Giimmo, Hilly Chrisp, Honey Sticks, Huckleberry Lane, Loco Felix, Loco Lili, Marquise, Minihaha, Mum2Mum, Papoose, Playtex, Qubies, Tagalong, The Modern Baby Co, Tomat, Totseat, Urchin, Visual Gram, Voila, Vulla, WEILbaby, Woolly Wugs and Zuny.

Billy Lids ship within Australia with postage starting at $6.50. Worldwide shipping is also available. Please click here for full details.

Post written by Edwina

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All babies are unique and original so treat them with unique, one-off clothing and accessories to match. The latest crop of talented designer-makers offer up a lovely selection of ‘made with love’ pieces for your little love.

If you’re an independent baby and kids 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. Phat Flats: Small Bear Canvas $95 + postage

“My artwork is inspired by memories of old toys from my childhood, some of the curtains my nanna had in her caravan, children’s books from the 70’s, fabric designs from the 50’s. Iconic mid century furniture, retro robots, collecting things and simple patterns inspired by Scandinavian artists. Tyre swans and spring flowers!” Designer/Maker: Cathy McAuliffe

Interested in: Individual & wholesale orders.

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2.  Tiny Dreamers: Tweet, Tweet Change Mat Cover $25 + postage

“Each cover has a beautifully soft coral fleece centre panel with designer cotton side panels to keep bubs comfortable, hide those ugly plastic mats and brighten up your Tiny Dreamers décor. These covers are designed for a contoured change mat and measure approximately 75cm x 50cm or 80cm x 50cm.” Designer/Maker: Nikki Marsh

Interested in: Individual orders.

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3. Crafty Bambini: Fabric Notice Board – Contact Designer for details

“I’m a stay-at-home Mum to three beautiful girls and, love being able to ‘unleash’ my creative side by making fabric wall art, photo/notice boards, hair clip storage boards plus, fabric-decorated baby bibs and t-shirts for children.” Designer/Maker: Diletta Russell

Interested in: Individual orders.

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4. Sunday’s Child: Reversible Pinafore Top – $48 + postage

“The Reversible Crossover Pinafore Top is an extremely versatile piece of clothing and can be worn on it’s own over a pair of shorts or a skirt in summer, with or without a short sleeve tee underneath. In winter, team it with a long sleeve tee & leggings or jeans for a different look.” Designer/Maker: Sonia Skegg

Interested in: Individual orders

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5. ZoZo Designs:  Trendy Wrap for Babies– $49.95 + postage

“ This beautiful handmade wrap is soft on the inside yet funky on the outside! It has got some labels to keep your little one entertained while the foot pockets are great when you want to put your bub in the capsule, pram or car seat without taking him/her out of their warm wrap.” 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 that first day of school rolls around in a couple of weeks, your kids are going to be wanting to be toting the hippest bags in the class. And you’re going to be wanting them to be carrying the most comfortable, practical and easy to use bags in the class. A place where you can both get what you want is Mooo – www.mooo.com.au.

Mooo’s range of personalised bags has grown, and now includes comfortable backpacks in three different sizes as well as swim bags, lunch bags, library bags, two sizes of messenger bags, duffle bags and even pencil cases!  Every bag is fully personalisable with a huge array of colours and designs to choose from, so your little individual can fully express his or her personality.  I can personally vouch for the quality as my kids each got a Mooo library bag for Christmas and they’re fantastic!  They’ve been *such* a hit, and not just with the kids – I get other mums asking me about them whenever we’re at the library.

As an aside, Mooo make all sorts of other wonderful personalised products too, from name labels, wall stickers, wooden puzzles, invitations and cards, clothing, stationery, canvas art and height charts.  One of their recent standout products is the personalised book in which your child becomes the hero.  Once again I can make a personal recommendation: my sons get a real buzz out of seeing their name on every page!

Spend over $50 on bags at Mooo and receive FREE standard shipping Australia-wide. Nice one! Enter freeshipbags928 at checkout until 23 January 2011 to have the shipping price taken off your total. This offer cannot be used with any other Mooo promotion.

Mooo postal charges start at a super low $2.90 Australia-wide. Orders over $200.00 are shipped free, Australia-wide. Read the Mooo Ordering/Delivery page for full details.