KidStyleFile

Post written by Miki

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Every time I look at Little Styles – www.littlestyles.com.au – there’s something new and exciting going on!  How proprietress Terri gets any sleep is beyond me, because in between having four kids, loading new stock, buying for future seasons and holding some killer sales she still manages to organise the packing of everyone’s orders and send them flying out the door with lightening speed. It’s pretty darn impressive!

At the moment it’s all about the new season arrivals including the *entire* collection of this season’s Oobi, plus Bebe by Minihaha, brand new Sooki, Heavenly Creatures, Flo, Munster, Books to Wear, Marquise, Big by Fiona, Rhubarb, Minti and hot new label Kiniki.  You’ll also find new toys and gifts from Alimrose, Dyles soft playbooks, and my pick for today: the beautiful new Skip Hop Zoo tableware which is just so much fun that the kids will even eat their vegies!  (Well, it’s worth a go ).

You can shop your heart’s desire at Little Styles and save, with 10% off storewide (yes, the new – including Oobi! – and hot sale stock already discounted by up to 40%!) when your order totals $65+ before postage charges are added. Enter discount code ksfmarch at checkout to redeem until Friday 25 March 2011 only.

Take 10% off the prices below using the code ksfmarch when you spend over $65. Offer expires 25 March 2011.

1. Oobi Winter 2011: Ginger Pinstripe Skirt, $44.95; Kitty Jersey Dress – Sky, $39.95; Pumpkin Romper – Stripe Whale, $39.95
2. Sooki Baby: Lollypop Garden Embroidery Anglaise Skirt, $29.95; Penguin Suit Tux Romper, $36.95
3. Alimrose Designs Amy Doll, $47.95; SkipHop Treetops Ball Trio, $29.95
4. Bebe by Minihaha: Dylan Fairisle Knit Vest, $55.95; Sara Stripe Romper W/ Frill Dress, $48.95
5. Heavenly Creatures Saskia Pink Ruffle Skirt, $79.95; Kiniki Long Johns – Green Gecko, $39.95
6. SkipHop Zoo Bowl – Owl, $6.95; SkipHop Zoo Divided Plate – Bee, $10.95

Little Styles stock over 3,000 products from over 120 premium labels, provide flat rate next day delivery – which is FREE on orders $150+ – gift wrap your order in their signature stationery, along with no fuss returns and exchanges. ‘Like’ Little Styles on Facebook to get up to the minute updates, discounts, special offers & competitions.  You can also sign up to their newsletter for the latest information: enter your email address in the signup box on the homepage .

Fashion, toy and accessory brands stocked include 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!, and 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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The land of children’s fashion design here in Australia is as vast as our glorious country. There are the small, intimate labels, just like our small townships through to internationally recognised designers living abroad that still call Australia home. The spectrum of tastes runs from the bohemian right through to the traditional. There is such a vast point of difference between each label, but what they each have in common is a strong Australian identity.

Today bring you Part 2 of our two part series on Australian labels that design and produce their collections right here in Australia. This is not an easy task: there are few incentives for them to do so; the government offers little support – taxes are high, and subsidies are low – and the benefits of off-shore production promise lower production costs and higher profit margins. It’s true that you may pay a little more for Australian made, but we’re confident that you will be happy with what you receive for it: the knowledge that you are supporting local industry and reducing your carbon footprint, that fair working conditions are in place, and that you are purchasing a high quality product that will take everything that your child dishes out to it and then still be good to go again.

We hope you love these Aussie labels as much as we do. Please show your support and buy a piece or two

Did you miss’ Australian Made: Part 1 – Celebrating Designers Who Make Their Collections In Australia’? Catch it here.

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Well Spotted!

Anyone who can pull off a Star Wars themed tee and be totally stylish rather than just geeky is a winner in my book. In the words of the designer behind Well Spotted, the label was created “out of parental joy, expectation & well, frustration!”. Tony Clayton (whose resume includes stints at both Mambo and Macrs), the man behind Well Spotted,  always held the  belief that if all our big companies take the manufacturing of garments overseas, no one will be able to make even a t-shirt here in Australia. He swore that if ever ventured into creating his own range, he would keep it in Australia. Starting off making slogan tees for adults, Well Spotted somehow morphed into a range for kids (I think son Finbar may have been a bit of the inspiration here), and true to his word, Tony ensured that the entire label was an Australian product. The  t-shirts are designed by Tony in his studio in Summer Hill, made in Bankstown and then printed by Tony in Leichhardt.  You can find Well Spotted tees at Cornflowerblue and Little Styles or check here for a stockist.

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Cried Wolf

What do you get when you put a newborn baby in the arms of a buyer from General Pants? A whole new funky Australian designed label that’s part surfer style, part skater style and a whole lot of seriously hip. Cried Wolf has some of the funkiest tees and boardies, and all of their t-shirts are designed and printed right here in Australia! How cool is that (now to convince them to make their boardies here too!). Right now you can find super bargains on the past summer range at About A Boy or here for their stockist list.

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One Sunday

“Dreamy days at the beach, long lazy afternoons with friends… one Sunday is a collection full of colour, where elegance rhymes with comfort, carefully chosen cuts and fabrics.” One Sunday is a gorgeous boutique label for tweens 8- 14 that are after something a little refined, age appropriate and totally stylish. Using New Zealand milled jerseys and cottons, the range is then designed, cut and sewn right in here in Australia. Click here for stockists.

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Tkxi Surf

With most of the Australian population living on the coast, it is only reasonable to suspect that a great many of us spend a lot of the summer days at the beach. For those more inland, there are lots of rivers, lakes and dams (or local swimming pools) to keep us cool in the heat as well. Of course, this calls for swimwear that will endure a whole lot of wear, offer SPF 50+ protection and look totally stylish. Designed by Karen Panaretto, formally of Aussie swimwear icon Seafolly, Tkxi Surf is an Australian design and made swimwear label that ticks all three boxes. You can find Tkxi Surf at a number on online boutiques, click here for stockists.

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Electric Boy

Members of the Justice League in the Wiggles Big Red Car; A Batman Shadow Puppet; Darth Vadar joins the Green Side (found riding on a bike)….these are just some of the super cool prints to find their way onto the tees and jumpers of Electric Boy’s Winter 2011 range. With a label who describes their inspiration behind their name in these words: “I really really love The Mighty Boosh, especially Princey Vincey!! But I couldn’t be Electro Boy, so thus born Electric Boy!!” you know you’ve found something very special for your little man. Electric Boy is designed in Australia with all items printed right here in Australia. You can find the label at Cradle Rock, Ten Little Indians and Threads of Red or try their stockist list for a store near you.

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Brusselsprouts

Having studied Art History at uni, then working as both a ceramic artist and hairdresser amongst other jobs, Victoria Crisp became inspired to create the label Brusselsprouts when she was pregnant with her second son. With her husband  on the road driving road trains for the mines, Victoria sews at home (and now runs her new B&M shop) in Kalgoorlie, West Australia whilst also balancing her duties as mummy to two gorgeous little boys. The Brusselsprouts range is all about the fabric, so you will find stunning garments that are rather simplistic in style, but absolutely stunning to the eye thanks to the careful selection of materials. Brusselsprouts garments can be purchased at their online store.

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Tiddles & Chich

Tiddles & Chich is an Australian designed and made label that release two ranges each year. Creating a range that is somewhat French classic and stylish, yet maintains a modern day aesthetic, Tiddles and Chich has been seen on a bevy of celebrity children including Suri Cruise (not just once either!). Created by Freyr Lennon and Luise Geddes, and later joined by Freyr’s sister Alexis who has returned from the UK after working for The Royal Family and The Conrans, this label produces a spectrum of goodies from play to party for babies to seven year olds. For stockists click here.

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Little Miss J

Using luxe fabrics, laces and trims, Little Miss J is a label designed by Jo Lambert whose subtle colour palette and french overtones are perfect for special events, birthdays and for little girls who wish to stand out from the crowd. Proudly made in Australia, the range is perfect for little girls 1-10 years. You will find Little MIss J at Hopscotch Children’s Boutique and The Little Kidz Closet, or you can click here for stockists.

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Elodie & Elvis

Are you looking for an exquisite, high end label for your little one that is often found on the catwalk and has a real European flavour.  Specialising in exquisite coats and clothing for both boys and girls, Doris Reymond created the label in 2001 and has seen the label blossom to become an Australian boutique favourite. Both designed and made it Melbourne, Australia, any one of the items from the range will bring an element of sophistication to your childs wardrobe. For stockists, please contact Elodie and Elvis directly.

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Sophie’s Lane

Based in Brisbane, Sophie’s Lane is the latest label that combines Liberty of London prints with exquisitely designed and tailored dresses for girls 0-3 months to 5 years. Gorgeous yokes, fabric buttons and fully lined with quality cotton, each dress is a piece of art handmade by designer Sam Aloquin with real European styling with a modern twist. Dresses are available for order from their webpage.

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Read Australian Made: Part 1 – Celebrating Designers Who Make Their Collections In Australia

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

Post written by Anna

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There are a number of names that I have a particularly soft spot for: the special names I had on my  baby name list and there are also the names belonging to children I have met and just adore. Two such names are Holly and Eddie, and they just so happen to be the appointed names of one very fine baby and children’s online store Holly & Eddie – hollyandeddie.com.au.

In addition to being beautifully named, Holly & Eddie stock some of the most beautiful baby and kids designer labels you could ever behold: Sookibaby, Gaia Organics, Baobab, Snugglebum, Monstar kids, Three Little Trees, Bluebird & Honey, Bonds, Huckleberry Lane, Minymo, Leap, Mini Envy, Milky, Fixoni, Alimrose, Gertie & Me, Villa Hunter, Bobbleart, Little Blue Lamb, ForWalls decals, Vintage Chenille, Pepperpot, Maisie, and more…

Not only do I love their name and their selection of labels but I *adore* that Holly & Eddie have a special sale on right now: take up to 50% off 200+ items. No code is needed; prices are as marked and available only while stocks last until 22 April 2011. There are a stunning array of items to choose from – check out my personal favourites below. Love!

Holly & Eddie ship Australia wide using Australia post with charges starting at just $5.00 postage, or $10.00 for registered post. Holly & Eddie ship internationally on request. For full information on orders and delivery please see here.

Post written by Angela

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How would you like to get your hands on a little bit of 50% off? I know just the place to get it, and I’m sharing!

Shop Until – www.shopuntil.com.au – currently has 50% off a fine selection of Built NY bibs, lunch bags, bottle holders and change mats, while stocks last only. I really do love the Built Munchler lunch bags: they’re made from polypropylene, are lead and food safe, provide insulation for food and drink for a few hours and unzip to a placemat, plus they’re cute!! Move quick before they’re gone – at 50% off these babies won’t last long!

Shop Until charge $6.95 flat-rate postage Australia-wide. Orders over $100.00 are shipped FREE. View full postage and delivery information here.

Post written by Angela

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A well chosen toy will bring joy not only for the day of attainment, but for many days – and even years and generations – to come. Entropy – www.entropy.com.au – online toy store has collected the best of the best todays for kids from infancy to the teen years with a huge selection of quality brands (see below for the eyepoppingly big list). There are also literally hundreds (500+!) of small gift ideas under $15: a major saviour when it comes to buying great small gifts that don’t break the budget or for indulging birthday or pocket money on.

As well as their hundreds of affordable, quality toys don’t miss Entropy’s sale section, with up to 40% off a super selection of toys, and take advantage of their FREE gift wrapping service and FREE delivery, Australia-wide, when you spend $100+.

Entropy stock fine toys fom the following elite brands: 4M, AB Games, Active People, Alex, Alma’s Designs, Amos, Anamalz, Aristoplay, Artiwood, Australian Menagerie, Automoblox, Bananagrams, Baufix, Be Educated, Bead Bazaar, Bead Shop, Beeboo, Beleduc, Bioviva, Blue Orange, Blue Ribbon, Boikido, Bolz, Brio, Cause Toys, Chelona, Cito, Classic Toys, Clementoni, Cogno, Corolle, Crafty Kids, Creative Education, Creatives, Crocodile Creek, CSIRO, Debresk, Die Spiegelburg, Discraft, Djeco, Dobbin and Drum Toys, Dresdner Puppenmanufaktur, Drewart, Drumond Park, Dumpling Dynasty, Eddu Toy, Educational Experience, Edushape, Eeboo, Eleganter, Entropy, Eyetribe, Fagus, Fairy Girls, Fascinations, Felt Creations, Fibracolor, Fiesta Crafts, Find It Games, Fish River Crafts, Folkmanis, Fruity Face, Fun Factory, Fundex, Galt, Games for all reasons, Gamewright, Gelli Baff, Gigamic, Giotto, Goki, Goldfish Gifts, Great Gizmos, Green Board Game Co, Green Toys, Grimms Spielholzdesign, Guidecraft, Gyro Car, Haba, Hama, Hands on Toys, Hansen, HaPe, Hasbro, Heimess, Hurrican, Imagability, Independence Studio, Infinitoy, Insect Lore, Intelliquest, International Playthings, Interstar, IQ ideas, Jack Rabbit Creations, Janod, John Crane, Johnco Productions, Juggleart, Kathe Kruse, Kiddy Toys, Kikkerland, Klutz, Knox and Floyd, Kobba, Kod Kod International Games, Kushies Zolo, Lagoon Books, Le Toy Van, Learning Curve, Leisure Learning, Lisa Leleu, Live Play Create, Lundby, Magnetic Moves, Magnetic Poetry, Manhattan Toy Company, Maxitronix, McNeill Designs, Meccano, Mehano, Melissa and Doug, Merrigold Collections, Micador, Microscooters, Miller Goodman, Mindtwister, Mishi Design, Mookie, Moulin Roty, National Geographic, Navir, Neat-Oh!, Nic, Ohio Art Company, One to Ten Toy, Oobi, Orchard Toys, Outset Media, Papo, Penelope Peapod, Piatnik, Pintoy, Plan Toys, Playroom, Playsam, Project Runway, Putumayo, Pywacket, Quercetti, Raggidy Rag, Rio Grande Games, Rolobox, Rosie Flo, Rumba Games, Santoys, Sarah’s Silks, Schleich, Schylling, Science and Nature, Sekkoia, Sevi, Shure, Sigg, Sigikid, Sirch, Smart Games, Smile Education, Sparkle T, Sparrow Kids, Spy Alley, Squatter, Sticky Mosaics, Story-time, Swatch, The Birthday Company, The Little Experience, The Toy Workshop, Theatrix, Thinkfun, Tiny Love, Toot Scoot, Toys Pure, Travis Designs, Trullala, UGames, Uncle Milton, Ventura, Vida Games, Viking, Vilac, Voila, Webkinz, Wheely Bug, Windspeed Kites, Wishbone, Wonderworld, World Alive, Yamax, Yoho, and Zoobookoo.

Entropy charge a flat fee of $9.95 for delivery, Australia-wide. Orders $100+ are shippeed FREE. Click here for full postage and delivery information.

Post written by Raquel

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Odd looking bumble bees, furniture puzzles and five legged monsters – this month the ordinary takes on new dimensions of playfulness and function. Enjoy!

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

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1. There may be beetles and bumble bees in Danish label New Generals’ organic clothes for 2 to 8 year olds but you’ve never seen any quite like these! Rendered in bold slaps of darkest black and snow white, the surrealist insects take a trip into the fantastic, infecting tanks, tees and trunks with a wonderfully fresh dose of awesome!

2. Aye, you’d fancy if Jack Sparrow ever came across these slip-ons he’d be having yer walk the plank fer ‘em! Upcycled from old denim, these Distressed Denim Skull Loafers feature comfy wool-blend felt lining and neat cross bone applique, turning an eighties fashion faux pas into rebel-cool slip-ons for 0-9mths old.

3. Iris the Gourmet Monster is one of five fabulous new knitting kits from Danger Crafts that includes gorgeous eco friendly merino yarns, safety eyes, felt teeth and of course, a knitting pattern. And if the only thing that scares you about this monster is trying to knit her up, relax, this crafty Etsy seller promises to hold your hand via email if you ever get stuck in a stitch!

4. I’ve seen the future of kids’ drinking ‘likes’ and it’s a hip looking lil’ version of the Bobble bottle. Dubbed Bobble Baby, the new downsized 385mL version is targeting tikes, aiming to sway them from sugar pops to the fresh delights of water. Just like its parents, the BPA free Bobble Baby is made from recycled PET and comes equipped with groovy multi-coloured water filters to make water tastier, something that’ll definitely whet kids’ thirst for a healthy tipple.

5. They’re adorable and fill of beans but unlike junior, these custom made lookalikes from Etsy toy maker Honey Pie Tree stand at a mere 5” tall (yes,you really can have the kids in the palm of your hand!). Handcrafted from wool felt filled with unbleached cotton fibre and rice or beans, the sweet mini-mes make a neat gift for girls and boys, and if you feel their little likenesses need company, Honey Pie Tree has a whole yard full of pals ready to join them.

6. Piecing together a awesome chill-slash-play zone for kids is child’s play with Puzzle Poufs. The eco-fab seating comes in generous, super soft chunks that slot together in different formations; terrific for single seating, lying back, just hangin’ or – if like my kids – they confuse furniture for gym equipment, jumping around on! Fashioned from Ecofabric (recycled wool, recycled polyacryl and other fabrics) the pieces can be bought individually in one of eight colour choices.

7. Extra legs and missing teeth all add up to a charismatic cast of monster softies in Jennifer Strunge’s Etsy shop of crafted creepies, Cotton Monster. The Baltimore artist and upcycler doesn’t use patterns, instead relying on sheer vision and a deft hand to turn discarded sheets, blankets and linens into lovable huggables. Pentapods, Little Buggers (!) and Jellies are all as unique as the mish-mash of salvaged materials they rise from, showing – in this case – the whole really is far funkier than the sum of its parts.

8. You’ve made it back from the beach with all the kids, their swimmers, towels and hec, even their sandals, but did you make it back with all the play gear? Given our vast waters and the equally vast amount of time our kids spend at play there, its wonderful to see another biodegradable beach set wash up at stores. Zoe B Organic’s version is made from corn sugar bioplastics in dazzling oceanic shades: lose it at the beach or leave it at the playground and it’ll be dust in 2 to 3 years – tops.

9. Lost in the supermarket aisle, wondering what on earth you’re doing there? Yep, now and zen one needs a meditative pause, a little spiritual pick-up in the mess of the day; if it multi-functions as a baby blanket and looks darn good too, all the better! The ‘All the flowers of all the tomorrows are planted in the seeds of today’ Zen Blanket from Tookee Kids nurtures the soul and body in lovely organic cotton and hemp goodness.

10. An activity that combines writing with good manners? Now that’s gotta be music to parents’ ears and fortunately, thanks to its kid cool design, children will totally dig it too! Printed on FSC paper with soy inks, the World of Thanks thankyou card kit includes cards, envelopes and stickers for them to create their very own bespoke thank you notes.

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

Please check individual sites for pricing and postage details and be sure to survey the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal. Need to convert currency? Use the Xe.com currency conversion tool.