KidStyleFile

Written by Edwina
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Families around the country have been busy celebrating books and reading this week. Book Week is the longest running children’s festival in Australia and is organised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia. It is a chance for schools, childcare centres and libraries to celebrate books, stories and Australian authors and illustrators. It is also a chance for children to choose some of their favourite stories and story book characters to dress up for annual book week parades, a favourite activity at many schools.

The joy of reading is nothing new to most of us, and instilling a love of books in our children is an important job for parents and carers. We know that reading aloud to young children is one of the keys to learning and that providing them exposure to literature and language is a wonderful gift.

Sometimes finding the time and space to include reading into every day can be difficult, but regularly sharing a book with a child can create lovely lasting memories. There are many websites that offer tips for reading with children and there are lots of  lists of recommended childrens stories including this list from author Mem Fox. Of course KidStyleFile loves books and reading too, and our  archive of monthly book posts is a great source of ideas for new ideas.

The Children’s Book Council of Australia also kindly offers us a yearly list of recommended titles from their annual Children’s Book of the Year Awards. This year’s group of winners are wonderfully diverse, and a great place to start if you are looking for some new reading material for your children or their friends. We have included all the winners below, but there is a list of runners-up and the category short lists available on their website.

Happy Reading!

Book of the Year 2011 – Award Winners

Mirror by Jeannie Baker $19.22
Hamlet by Nicki Greenburg (Check here for availability)
Maudie & Bear by Jan Ormerod $12.91
The Midnight Zoo by Sonya Hartnett $15.01
The Red Wind by Isobelle Carmody $19.16
The Return of the Word Spy by Ursula Dubosarsky $18.09

Post written by Anna

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I have held my breath waiting for the unveiling of the new look website our friends at Paperartzi Boutique – www.paperartziboutique.com.au have been developing. Well, I am over the moon to report that the wait is over: the new site is LIVE baby, and it’s a beauty.

Retaining all of their sophisticated styling for children and womens’ fashion and gorgeous stationery, there are also loads of new developments on the site including a section in store for the men in your life. Yay, just in time for Father’s Day!  Paperartzi now have each of these categories functioning in their own special section of the store.

This stylish boutique has gone to a whole new level with their customer service, and have some hot new features that you are going to love using. Create an account to enjoy their new customer loyalty program where you can earn points for every purchase online or simply by referring friends & family.  There is also a new gift registry service. If you have a special occasion coming up you can  set up a gift registry and email links to guests. Plus there is a one step checkout: a quick and simple one page checkout process minimising precious time.

When is comes to finding what you are looking for, Paperartzi can get you there in a flash. You can seamlessly shop by brand, style, price, size & colour on the left hand side navigation bar. Plus there is also their refined search; a great new feature on the right hand navigation bar where you can further filter your finds. Paperartzi are also upping the stakes and coming to you live each day with updates and offers via Twitter and the popular Paperartzi Facebook page.

In celebration of the launch of their new site, Paperartzi are going all out with an amazing sale with some items reduced by up to 70% off the original price! Prices are already marked down and no code is needed, but please note this sale ends 5 September 2011, and is valid only while stocks last.

1. Fred Bare Batik Utility Short $60.95 on sale $40.00
2. Fred Bare Leather High Top Boot – Red $96.95
3. Fred Bare Bear Face Rashie $59.95
4. Fred Bare Heart Tee $40.95 on sale $20.00
5. Fred Bare Penguin Long Sleeve Tee $48.95 on sale $30.00
6. Bugaboo Parasol $89.95 on sale $85.95
7. Bugaboo Cameleon $1,399.95
8. Kosi Kosi Chaos Tee – Light Grey $69.95
9. Cristina Re Enchanted Butterflies Paper $12.95 on sale $6.95
10. Fluxus Sheer Hoodie $119.95 on sale $60.00

Paperartzi Kids stock items for babies through to teens from brands: Big by Fiona, Bugaboo, Cheeky Little Soles, Chilli Kids, Chook Leaf, Claesens, Cocoon Clothing, Eeni Meeni Miini Moh, Fiona By Fiona Scanlan, Fred Bare, Gaia Organic Cotton, Marquise, Metalicus, Mini Metalicus, Miss Metalicus, One Red Fly, Ouch, Rube & Harri, Sooki Baby, The Lost Girls, The Lost Girls, Tip Toey Joey, Tommy Rocket, Two Belles, Walnut and Willow & Finn.

Paperartzi Women: American Vintage, Anna Campbell, Bec & Bridge, Desigual, Dylan & George, European Culture,  Fluxus, Gypsy 05, Hudson, Jets, Juicy Bear, Katzi, Kosi Kosi, Lilya, Maurie & Ev, Metalicus, Rodeo Show, Sass & Bide, Siwy, Style Stalker, Viktoria & Woods and Wildfox.

Paperartzi Men: Fluxus and Kosi Kosi.

Paperartzi Stationery: Cristina Re and Cristina Re Flocked.

Paperartzi Boutique charges a flat rate fee of $10.00 postage, Australia-wide. Orders over $150 are shipped free. International orders are welcome. Click here for full postage and delivery information.

Written by Angela

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Well this gives a new meaning to ‘Sydney to Hobart’!  Mathilda’s Market – www.mathildasmarket.com.au – cruises from one famous harbour city to another this weekend, stopping in at Moore Park, Sydney, this Saturday 27 August, (click here for the full list of stallholders) and Hobart, Tasmania this Sunday, 28 August (view the full list of Hobart stallholders here) via Canberra (click here for the full list of stallholders).

On offer at each venue will be the best of the best designer-makers and even some online stores stepping out in real life to bring you irresistable delights. There will also be food and entertainment at the venues to keep you going as you shop til you drop!

Be sure to drop by the KidStyleFile stand at each event and try your hand at instant winning some great prizes from our fabulous prize sponsors A Little Bit of Cheek, BOWtique, Club Baby, Just Toy’n Around, Kindred Gifts, Stork Baby, Where Did You Get That?, and Whimsy Child.

Dates and deets for your diary? Here they are:

Moore Park:

• Saturday, 27 August 2011
• The Entertainment Quarter,Bryon Kennedy Hall, 122 Lang Rd, Moore Park
• From 9am to 1pm. Paid parking near venue.

Hobart:

• Sunday, 28 August 2011
• Hobart Function and Conference Centre, 1 Elizabeth Street Pier, Hobart
• From 9am to 1pm. Ample paid parking near venue.

Canberra:

• Sunday, 28 August 2011
• Hyatt Hotel Canberra (Held in the majestic Ballroom at rear of hotel). Easy pram access at rear of hotel. , Commonwealth Ave, Canberra
• 9am to 1pm. Plenty of free parking surrounding the Park Hyatt Hotel.

Mathilda’s Market holds events all around Australia. Check the full calendar of dates and locations to see when Mathilda’s is coming your way, and find out more about the Mathilda’s Market ethos here.

Post written by Anna

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In April this year, the world was wonderfully swept up in all the magic of the Royal Wedding. I know I sat glued to my television set, waiting to catch a glimpse of the bride and the all important wedding dress! You and your little one can relive the magic of the fairytale ‘wedding of the century’ with the much awaited Arklu Princess Catherine Wedding Doll available now in Australia, exclusively at Monkey Caboose – www.monkeycaboose.com.au.

Monkey Caboose has both the individual Princess Catherine Wedding Doll and a box set containing the Princess Catherine Doll and Prince William Doll as a couple. These limited edition dolls are delightfully and quintessentially British, celebrating fashion and design as well as upholding a true British custom: a donation from sales of the toys will go to charity.

Monkey Caboose is a beautiful boutique, they have all the essential products for baby and toddler that, as they say, “have become gorgeous again!”  There are some fantastic designer labels on offer including: Aden+Anais, Alphasketti, Arklu, Babyluxe, Babymoov, Bearbox kids, Brainy Baby, Calafant, Dandelion, David Fussenegger, Djeco, Emotion & Kids, Evie the Elephant, Cozyplush, KeepCup, KidsOnRoof, Le Toy Van, LunchPunch, Make Me Iconic, Mamas & Papas, Mizzle, Mumi & Bubi, Pashom, SugarBooger, Tiger Tree, Twinkle, Wall Decors, Haba, Kate Finn and Masterchef.

Plus, *all* of these brands I’m about to mention feature discounted products in the Clearance Sale on now at Monkey Caboose: Agoo, Alimrose Designs, Babyjo, Coco Boheme, Jimeale, Keptin Jnr, Lark, Lixi Designs, Manhattan Toy, Milkdot, Oobi, Purebaby, Red Wagon, Rileah Designs, Under The Nile, Zoobie Pets and Zooni.

Your nursery can become a truly unique place with help from Monkey Caboose.  All of their products are handpicked from quality brands that come from all over the world. There are the  dolls from Britain, Sugarbooger Divided Plates direct from the USA , as well as the Melbourne Tram and Sydney Ferry just to point out a few of the amazing items to choose from. They also offer signature wrapping of every order, plus FREE shipping Australia wide for orders over $150.

Monkey Caboose are offering KidStyleFile readers a 15% off discount which can be used across the store. Apply it to the Arklu dolls, as well as all of the fantastic sale items – where some products are already reduced by up to 57% off! To redeem, simply enter discount code KSF15 at checkout, while stocks last and until 30 September 2011. *Please note this offer is not valid for the purchase of gift vouchers.

Discounted prices below are only applicable with code KSF15 while stocks last, until 30 September 2011.

one. Make Me Iconic Wooden Melbourne Tram $90.00 less 15% = $76.50
two. Twinkle Deer Flat Charm Bracelet $65.00 less 15% = $55.25
three. SugarBooger Divided Suction Plate – Numbers $19.95 less 15% = $16.95
four. Arklu Princess Catherine & Prince William Wedding Boxset $159.95 less 15% = $135.95
five. Arklu Princess Catherine Wedding Doll $79.95 less 15% = $67.95
six. Zooni ‘Hipster’ Hat $34.95 now $14.95 less 15% = $12.70
seven. KeepCup Piccolo (Babycino) – Pink $10.95 less 15% = $9.30
eight.Calafant Fire Engine $12.50 less 15% = $10.62
nine.David Fussenegger Charcoal Motorway Cot Blanket $89.95 less 15% = $76.45
ten. Alimrose Brown Bear Rattle $26.95 now $14.95 less 15% = $12.70
eleven. Make Me Iconic Wooden Sydney Ferry for Pre Order $95.00 less 15% = $80.75

Monkey Caboose ship Australia wide via Australia post, with charges starting at $9.95 and FREE shipping Australia wide on orders $150+. For full delivery information, including international orders, please see the Delivery page.

Written by Leah

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The other night my little girl and I pulled out all my childhood photo albums, and went through them together. Miss N, just three, was very impressed by a number of the dresses I had worn as a little girl, and asked if I could find her one of my childhood dresses. Unfortunately, with lots of moves as a kidlet, my mum never kept any of the dresses so I decided to go on the hunt for an Australian designer who had maintained the styling and fabric selections of my childhood. I uncovered a new little gem to share with you today.

Baby Takes a Trip – babytakesatrip.com.au – is the brain child of the super stylish Hayley Nantes who loves vintage fabrics and the styles of the 50s and 60s. She has used her own ‘grown up’ wardrobe (which I imagine is something like the costume wardrobe of “Mad Men’), and inspiration from daughter Aria, to create a whole new label that combines all of this into little mini pieces. This is old world charm at its best – style, class and thoroughly age appropriate.

Two pieces have drawn me in and have been added to my summer wishlist: Summer Lovin’ Playsuit, for its stunning print, gorgeous ruffle yoke and elasticised hems – perfectly light and playful for days at  the park; and the  Spoon Full of Sugar Dress, whose vibrant olive colour and thoroughly glamorous styling make it perfect for a party or special occasion.

Baby Takes a Trip is a range for girls 00-5 with prices beginning at $34.95. Items can be purchased directly online or through one of the listed stockists.

Post written by Melody

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If you have been asked “Where did you get that?” more than just a few times, chances are you’re a fan of the gorgeous online boutique of the same name Where Did You Get That? – www.wheredidyougetthat.com.au. With the introduction of this new season’s fashion it’s easy to see why this online boutique has so many fans. With the arrival of the new season  Tommy Rocket (I am loving the Neil and Buzz Tee) and Two Belles (my must have is the Mad Hatter Tee) - trying to stick to just a few favourite items is hard work!

What about the new seasonal underwear by Claesen’s? Seriously cute! I can so imagine my little man thinking he is just like daddy in a pair of the Sports Page Print Boxers or the equally ‘manly’ Bike Print Boxers. For clothing to match the stylish undies, my pick would have to be the bright yellow Daily Tea El Capitan Graphic Tee paired back with a summer essential, the Daily Tea Cargo Shorts.

For the little Miss, Daily Tea brings us some gorgeous floaty dresses in various styles at great price points, including the Dragonfly Wrap Neck Dress, Campanilla’s Banded Dress, Flora Geo Ruffle Twirling Dress and the Citron Flora Play Dress. But my favourite dress for this summer is the Tea Collection – Jardin Arzul  Maxi Dress, the perfect trans-seasonal wardrobe staple when layered with a tee and  jacket.

Where Did You Get That? is offering free shipping on all orders containing 3 or more fashion items from the new summer range. Just select ***SUMMER 2011 FASHION FREE POST OFFER*** in the checkout before August 31, 2011. Don’t forget to also check the clearance section; with up to 60% off there are some gorgeous items not to be missed.

1. Claesen’s Boys Sports Page Print Boxer 2 Pack, $37.95
2. Claesen’s Boys Bike Print Boxer 2 Pack  - $37.95
3. Claesen’s Girls Star Bandana Cross Over Singlet - $34.95
4. Claesen’s Girls Star Bandana Boxers 2 pack - $36.95
5. Claesen’s Girls Red & White Dots Singlet - $31.95
6. Claesen’s Girls Red & White Dots Briefs 2 pack, $32.95
7. Tommy Rocket Neil and Buzz Tee - $37.95
8. Claesen’s Boys Grey Combi Van Tee - $42.95
9. Claesen’s Boys Cobolt-Black Check Bermuda Short - $84.95
10. Two Belles Mad Hatter Tee - 39.95
11. Claesen’s Boys Dark Grey White Stripe Tee - $42.95
12. Claesen’s Boys Grey Long Short - $69.95
13. Tea Collection Jardin Azul Maxi Dress - $44.95

Where Did You Get That? stocks Allen & Unwin Publishers, Bella Tunno, Belly Art, Budkins, Candela, Cat Nap, Chic by Sha, Claesen’s Evergreens, Coco Boheme, Coo Clocks, Crazy Forts, Daily Tea, Deglingos, Djeco, Dezign with a Z, EcoCocoon, Enchanted Faeries, Eric Carle, Folkmanis, Foogo & Funtainer By Thermos, Fraggle Rock, Fruut Sacks & Fruut Trees, Girls 4 Sport, Goodbyn, 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, Zid Zid Kids, The String Doll Gang, Freak-O-Bags and Blabbos Buddies.

Where Did You Get That? ships Australia wide. You can have e-parcel tracked flat rate shipping Australia wide for $8.95 or Express Shipping for $14.95. Click here for full information, including info on shipping to New Zealand.