KidStyleFile

Post written by Anna

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If you have a taste for the most excellent things in life, then I suggest you make haste to Paperartzi Boutique – www.paperartziboutique.com.au home to a sophisticated range of fashion for children , women , men and lots of gorgeous stationery too.

The site has recently had a lovely make over with some fab new search tools making it even easier to speedily shop by brand, style, price, size and colour. Paperartzi also now features a one step checkout: a quick and simple one page checkout process minimising precious time. Plus you can make the most of their new customer loyalty program and gift registry too.

Alongside these developments there have also been some exciting new labels just added to the kids fashion department. Together with already established favourites Fred Bare and Eeni Meeni Miini Moh, Paperartzi are now very proud to announce that Paper Wings, Bluebelle, Girlie Gear, Polyanna, The Lost Girls and  Mor-Stor are all part of their very fine portfolio of designer labels.

Paperartzi have a host of bargains to be found in the sale section where items have been reduced by up to 60-70% off the recommend retail price. However the most excellent news today is that Paperartzi Boutique are throwing you an excellent mid season offer  – a 25% discount! You can apply this discount to all of the gorgeous new season stock including: Big by Fiona, Eeni Meeni Miini Moh, Fred Bare, Jets for Kids, Willow & Finn and more. Go ahead and enter your special code KSF01 which is valid until midnight on Friday 2 December 2011. You might even want to slip in a little something for mummy or daddy, as this discount can be used across store! Please note this offer excludes Joolz and Bugaboo items, sale and already discounted items and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

In addition to a very happening Twitter and Facebook presence, Paperartzi also possess excellent timing with FREE postage for purchases over $150.00.  FREE gift wrapping which is ideal for this time of year…Christmas!

Discount prices quoted in red below are only appicable with code KSF01 until midnight 2 December 2011, while stocks last.

One. Mor-Stor Girls Cooper Canvas Printed Storage Tub $49.95 less 25% = $37.36
Two. Paperwings Frilled Romper with Puff Sleeve $62.00 less 25% = $46.50
Three. The Lost Girls Sweet Home Zip Dress $45.95 less 25% = $34.46
Four. Fred Bare Hippy Print Dress $86.95 less 25% = $65.21
Five. Bluebelle Slap Watch Red with Pink Heart Face $19.95 less 25% =$14.96
Six. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Short Sleeve Pocket T-Shirt $51.95 less 25% = $38.96
Seven. Tip Top Joey Flashy Navy/White $52.95 Sale = $49.95
Eight. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Loop Short $74.95 less 25% = $56.21
Nine. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Military Hat Navy $39.00 less 25% = $29.25
Ten. Fred Bare Stripe Wave Boardshort $55.95 less 25% = $41.96

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, 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 Jen
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Our boys are a little spoilt in one particular area – books. The occupational hazard of working in a bookshop is that you are faced with so many wonderful titles every day. I have to restrain myself on a regular basis and limit myself with the amount of books I take home on a weekly basis! It’s such a joy to watch the boys sitting quietly – if only for a few moments – leafing through their favourite picture books, their imaginations ignited and nourished.

At Christmas time it’s especially fun to share the stories of the season with our children. Whether it’s the story of Christmas or the adventures of Santa, the themes are there for us to share – generosity, sharing, giving, loving. We’ve picked some of our favourite authors and characters for this year’s yuletide reading round-up, so pull up a chair, grab yourselves a candy cane or two and enjoy sharing these lovely stories together.

1. Richard Scarry’s Best Christmas Ever!  Richard Scarry $16.49
2. Olive, the Other Reindeer, Vivien Walsh & J. Otto Siebald $16.49
3.The Night Before Christmas, Robert Sabuda $29.97
4. Angelina’s Christmas, Katherine Holabird & Helen Craig $7.21
5. Fancy Nancy Splendiforous Christmas, Jane O’ Connor, Robin Preiss-Glasser $9.88
6. The Usborne Book of Drawing and Colouring for Christmas, $16.49
7. The Jolly Christmas Postman Janet & Allen Ahlberg $18.55
8. Olivia Helps with Christmas Ian Falconer, $11.53
9. The Boys Christmas Book, Tracey Turner, $8.25
10. The Girls Christmas Book, Tracey Turner $7.76
11. That’s Not My Santa, Fiona Watt $9.88
12. Slinky Malinki’s Christmas Crackers, Lynley Dodd $9.88
13. Spot’s First Ever Christmas, Eric Hill $8.23

Book Depository ship all orders FREE, worldwide.

Written by Domenica

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Normally I am pretty well organised for Christmas by now, but this year a growing list of children to buy for (*yelp*) has put me off schedule and in a bit of a tizzy. Luckily, I can whittle down this list fast (and avoid over-crowded shopping centres) by visiting a fabulous online source of quality toys for all ages, Little Possums Toys – www.littlepossumstoys.com.au.

Little Possums Toys stock toys that will both stimulate a child’s imagination and stand out from the crowd. They pride themselves on having a unique selection of quality toys and craft sets designed to meet the needs of a child’s growing intellect and passion for learning. Some of the unique brands on offer include AnnieB, Automoblox, Brio, Djeco, Felt Tales, Folkmanis, Fun in the Sack, Le Toy Van, Lilly & Lolly, Little Chipipi, Mamas & Papas, Manhattan Toy Co., Missi Missi, Papo, Plan Toys, Princess Ratbag, Schleich, Sevi, Tiger Tribe, Tolo, Travis Designs, Vtech and WOW Toys UK.

With new stock arriving daily I am certainly spoiled for choice, but I must say that a few quality pieces have quickly caught my eye. My list of little possums to buy for includes a little boy who would go gaga for the Sevi 35 Piece Vehicle Construction Kit. Made by renowned Italian toy maker, Sevi, the set consists of 35 pieces and instructions for three models, a motor bike, digger and airplane – got to love a toy that is versatile enough to change and therefore keep boys entertained for a long time! The Djeco Topanino is great for inspiring creative play with the 6 brightly coloured blocks and 6 gorgeous animals that can be configured in various combinations, plus it is suitable for both boys and girls so makes a great joint present if you are on a tight budget. For girls I like the Djeco Birthday Party Teatime (pictured at #8 below); and for babies you cannot go past the Mamas & Papas Light & Sound Playmat Gym (pictured at #1 below) designed to encourage their sensory and motor development. Plus, with a total saving of $79.80 it is an exceptional buy at the moment!

Little Possums Toys have a range of toys to suit all budgets, and now KidStyleFile readers can also enjoy a 20% *storewide* discount. You can use this discount across sale items too – Mamas & Papas stock has been reduced by 25%, add your  additional 20% discount to reduce the prices of these items to a total saving of 45%!  All you have to do to access these savings is enter code KSF20 at checkout, by midnight 1 December 2011.

Sale prices below are valid with code KSF20 until 1 December 2011, while stocks last.

One. Plan Toys Fire Engine was $169.95 then $149.95 LESS 20% = $119.20
Two. Mamas & Papas Light & Sound Playmat Gym was $199 then $149.95 LESS 20% = $119.20
Three. Sevi Jumping Jack Frog was $35.95 LESS 20% = $23.16
Four. Sevi Wooden Pull Along Cowboy was $59.95 then $49.95 LESS 20% = $39.96
Five. Djeco Spring in Acid Colours Felt Brushes was $30.95 LESS 20% = $24.76
Six. Haba Marrakesh Hanging Room Tent was $395.00 LESS 20% = $316.00
Seven. Automoblox Mini Cars ‘3 pack’ was $49.95 LESS 20% = $39.96
Eight. Djeco Birthday Party Teatime was $69.95 LESS 20% = $55.96
Nine. Le Toy Van Pippin Farm was $132 LESS 20% = $105.60
Ten. Djeco Dresses of the World Gouache Set was $36.95 LESS 20% = $29.56
Eleven. Djeco Ze Kitchen was $138.00 then $128.00 LESS 20% = $102.40

Little Possums Toys delivery charges are automatically calculated at checkout according to the Australian Post recommendation for product volume, weight and destination. Orders are delivered by either registered Australia Post or Fastway Courier. Click here for further details.

Written by Leah

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Right about now, all around Australia, households are busy planning their Christmas festivities, New Years Eve parties and summer BBQs. As the cloudy grey skies make way for blue skies and seering hot summer days, the call for summer outfits (pretty dresses and stylish shorts) becomes more apparent. Growth spurts and stains mean that early purchased garments may just about now need updating, or you may just feel like something new to add to your kidlet’s wardrobe.

Today is the day to start your ‘summer wardrobe’ update: Cornflowerblue – www.cornflowerblue.com.au have restocked their shelves with many of your favourite labels including Mini Rodini, Shampoodle, Gaia, Purebaby and Mini + Maximus ensuring you will snag a unique flavour for your kidlet’s wardrobe.

Mini Maximus use earth-friendly fabrics in all of their garments, so not only are they super cool (check out the Skeleton Tee  to see what I mean), but they’re soft on the environment too. In fact, one of the bonuses you have shopping at Cornflowerblue is that they only source items that are environmentally friendly. Purebaby is Australia’s leading organic baby and children’s clothing label and has become a favourite of Miranda Kerr (I don’t think I’ve ever seen Flynn in anything BUT this label). You’ll find the range on the shelves today for babies, boys and girls. I musn’t forget Mini Rodini who I fell in love with last season when I made my very first purchase. I love that the prints are orignal, bright and a little quirky. This label is one that screams ‘individual’ whilst maintaining style and flair, don’t you think?

If you are looking for some Christmas gifts for under your tree don’t forget that Cornflowerblue now stock a great range of cool toys at fabulous price points. I think the Upper and Lower Case ABC Blocks are gorgeous, so colourful and educational too! Both boys and girls will love the Anamalz series of Australian designed, handmade toys made from sustainable timber. They are a perfect collectable toy and make a great stocking filler.

Christmas has come early to Cornflowerblue with all new stock reduced by 25%. Of course, KidStyleFile readers have been gifted an extra something and can take a further 5% off already reduced prices. To take advantage of this offer, simply enter KSF_XMAS at checkout. But hurry, this deal expires on December 16, 2011. 

Sale prices below are valid with code KSF_XMAS until 16 December 2011, while stocks last.

1. Anamalz Barnhouse $149.95 Sale $112.46 LESS 5%= $106.84
2. Stegosauras Anamalz $14.95 Sale $11.41 LESS 5% = $10.84
3. Eco DoughTube $44.00 Sale $33.00 LESS 5%= $31.35
4. Baby Doll $21.00 Sale $15.75 LESS 5%= $14.96
5. Anamalz Treehouse $149.95 Sale $112.46 LESS 5%= $106.84
6. Mini Rodini Horse SS Tee $41.50  Sale $31.13 LESS 5%= $29.58
7. Gaia Organic Cotton Blue Charcoal All in one $39.95 Sale $29.96 LESS 5%= $28.46
8. Shampoodle Heaven Dress $40.95 Sale $30.71 LESS 5%= $29.17
9. Gaia Organic Cotton Rose Shirred Dress $34.95 Sale $26.21 LESS 5%= $24.90
10. Mini & Maximus Skeleton Tee $38.00 Sale $28.50 LESS 5%= $27.08
11. Purebaby Check Shirt $39.95 Sale $29.96 LESS 5%= $28.46
12. Purebaby Kids Girls Yoke Dress $79.95 Sale $59.96 LESS 5%= $56.96

Cornflowerblue stocks a range of beautiful, ethical and organic brands for box genders including Agoo, Apple & Bee, BabyJo, Baobab, Beatrix, Blueberry Kids, Boo Hoo, Broken Tricycle, Chalk n Cheese, Cheeky Chickies, Coco & Ginger, Cornflowerblue.com. Dwell Studio, Eco Peko, Ellani Petite, Ellani Petite for Little Armourie, Eternal Creation, Fabrik, Foundation of Love, Gaia Organic Cotton, Go Gently Baby, Graze Organic, Green Eyes Monster, Jackson’s Monsters, Jewels by Cornflowerblue, Kutie Protocol, La Queue du Chat, Lil Ludy, Little Armourie, Little Chillies, Little Wings, Maud n Lil, MilkBaby, Mini Rodini, Minime Sydney, Monte and Tex, Nanny Pickle, Nature Baby, O’Bon, Old Soles, Organic Boy and friends, One Sunday, Paper Wings, Purebaby, Purebaby Kids, Ramalama, Ruby Luxe, Sckoon Organics, Speesees, Three Little Trees, Tiny Revolutionary, Urban Elk,Well Spotted, Zooey

Cornflowerblue offer next day delivery for $7.75 for orders under 1kg (most orders) or $9.50 for orders over 1kg. Orders must be placed before 1pm EST for delivery next business day. They will also happily ship internationally.  For full delivery information please click here.

Written by Leah

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I have been a huge fan of the Alex & Ant – www.alexandant.com.au label ever since it debuted on KidStyleFile in early 2010 (see our first post here) so when Angela offered me the opportunity to interview Caterina Samaha, the designer behind the label, I almost jumped out of my skin as I boomed “Yes, yes, yes” down the phone in response.

You see, I also follow the Alex & Ant blog and I am in constant awe of Caterina’s innate fashion flair. As a fan of Coco Chanel herself, I can see how Caterina has been influenced by this style icon throughout her life and right through to her design work. Of course, with such inspiration, the label couldn’t be anything other than breathtaking, could it?

I enjoyed delving into the creative process behind Alex & Ant and I’m sure you will too. Read the interview below and feel inspired… what a woman. What a label!

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Tell us a little about your background:

I grew up in Bologna, in northern Italy with the most wonderful family in the world. Australia has been my home for the past 20. I married the love of my life, Michael almost 10 years ago and we have 2 children, Anthony who is 8 and is my IT consultant, and Alexandra who is 7 and has an amazing eye for colour and detail and always adds one design to our collection. We are united, happy and in love … and it feels great!

I have 4 beautiful sisters – Maria Pia, Francesca, Alessandra and my baby sister Laura and 2 handsome and very special brothers, Alberto & Davide. I am surrounded by divine friends and blessed with a very understanding and cool mother-in-law. If I start to tell you about my beautiful mum, we will be here all day!

Fashion has always been part of my life. I love dressing up; new shoes always make me feel better. I love being a mum, a wife & a friend. They are the most important things to me and they are all expressed in the ALEX&ANT’s collections. I wanted to create beautiful clothing for all of the picnics, play-dates, parties, special days and just every day!

What is your favourite childhood moment?

My childhood is filled with moments of love, laughter and fun. Ohhhh… I can’t pick one, there are so many: watching my mum receiving 11 roses from my dad and giggling ( he used to say she was the 12th rose), our Famous 7 Club we started, playing ladies with my sisters from my mother’s amazing warbrode, our summer holidays in Rimini … should I go on? I love this question, its brought back so many happy memories.

How did Alex&Ant come about? Why Alex&Ant?

Our story begins in a beach side suburb in WA, where 2 divine children Anthony & Alexandra ( hence ALEX&ANT) fill our home with happiness, laughter & love. I wanted to celebrate everything wonderful I felt after the birth of our children and from all the love & passion the new and exciting label ALEX&ANT was born.

With its own identity & spirit ALEX&ANT is a celebration of style, love, quality & passion. It’s so easy to create beautiful things when you are surrounded by happiness & love and that is where all my inspiration comes from.

What inspires you?

An amazing sunset, drinking tea from a fine china tea cup, hearing my children call out “mamma”, walking past a beautiful garden, laughing so much I can’t finish the sentence, a kiss good night from the love of my life, an unexpected hug, talking to my mum, Anthony’s dark brown eyes that look like black olives, dancing to Adele with Alexandra … I am inspired by love & happiness and these are things that make me smile.

What is your proudest Alex&Ant moment?

It’s a pretty special feeling when you walk down the street and see babies, children or a gorgeous tweeny wearing ALEX&ANT. No matter how many times you see it, it always feels amazing, and I can’t help but feel proud!

Being featured in Vogue was also pretty exciting, I have been reading and buying Vogue for more than 20 years!!! Do I sound old???

Tell us about the SS2011 range

Designing the latest Summer Collection was done with a smile. Dressed in warm clothes, with the fire burning, I got lost in the thoughts of the beautiful scents of summer – the sun, flowers, the ocean, the sound of laughter, love and joy.

I wanted to introduce playful colours to our collection while still keeping to our gentle palette of colours. Beautiful flowers are another inspiring force, gentle shades of lavender, soaring sky blue, soft khaki and a spectrum of pinks weave playfully and naturally into our signature palette of gentle hues.

Living by beach, inspired us to design a practical, beautiful and natural beach story complete with soft voile kaftans, luxurious beach hoodies and jackets to covet.

For our boys, wonderful wonderful boys – the gentlest fabrics to lie on their skin, practical designs to never stop them from playing freely & to rock this summer!

An ALEX&ANT Summer is as fresh as the breeze and as playful as flying a kite.  

We’ve sourced the most gentle of fabrics and we have woven them into playful designs that look beautiful and feel great!

What twists have you included in the 2012 winter range? Any hot trend tips?

Tulle, sparkles and frills. Our hot tip is layering, mixing and not matching!

What are your Top 3 favourite things for babies/kids right now?

The Trinity Smock dress, named after the daughter of our wonderful Marketing/PR guru Belinda Woolford. The hand embroided towel hoodie, each one was created by our team of very skilled hand sewers by hand. The colours and detail are amazing, and best of all they are practical & fashionable! The crochet flower singlets – I can’t get enough of beautiful things!

Alex & Ant can be sourced from a range of stockists including All About Baby, Baby’s Got Style, Stylish Bubs and Three Little Owls. See here for the full list of stockists.

Written by Angela

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Calling Adelaidians! Calling Melburnians! This weekend is going to be *big* for you as the very lovely Mathilda’s Market – www.mathildasmarket.com.au – rolls into town on Saturday 26 November and Sunday 27 November, respectively, with very special Christmas market events to help you fill your Christmas list in a flash!

Stunning and well stocked with gorgeous produce for babies and children, from fashion, to shoes, to art, to dress-ups and much more, from the retro to the ultra modern, Mathilda’s is a veritable carnival of delights. You will also find delicious food and drinks at the venues to keep you refreshed, with plenty of entertainment and activities for the kids to keep them smiling while you shop ’til you drop.

There are FREE goodie bags for the first 500 peeps through the door at each venue, and you can drop by the KidStyleFile stand at each event and try your hand at instantly 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.

Can’t wait, huh? Punch these details into your diary so you can be off the starting blocks nice and early.

Adelaide

• Saturday, 26 November 2011
• 9am to 1pm
•  The Burnside Ballroom, Cnr Greenhill & Portrush Rds, Tusmore
• View full list of stallholders here

Melbourne

• Sunday, 27 November 2011
• 9am to 1pm
• Caulfield Racecourse, Station Street, Caulfield
• Plenty of free all day parking along Station St, or in the Maple Car Park on Station Street (Gate 2). Free parking all day! Enter through main gate, or via the car park at Gate 2
• This venue is air conditioned and has easy access for prams
• View full list of stallholders here

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.