KidStyleFile

Looking to feel bright and breezy today? Go no further than the delightful Happy Little Hippos - www.happylittlehippos.com.au - run by super stylish Mums, Ania and Hesn.

Every time I hit their site, with its blue skies, fluffy white clouds and vivid herd of happy hippopotamuses I go all warm and fuzzy.

The beauty of Happy Little Hippos is much more than skin deep though. It is lovely and easy to use, the $5.95 postage Australia wide is knockout price, and their thoughtfully selected and high quality range of products are just divine.

Indulge in a fine range of toys, art and craft activities, books, nursery and decor products, and accessories, from Bla Bla, Alimrose, Lundby, Brio, Anamalz, Wheely Bug, Quadrilla, Baufix, Quercetti, Dobbin and Drum, Tolo, K’s Kids, Mooo, Djeco, Mama & Papas, Wanju, Binthe, Automoblox, David Fussenegger, Plan Toys, Cuski, Little Blue Fish, Envirosax, Crocodile Creek, and more.

Mums aren’t forgotten either: treat yourself to Miss Uchi purses, Willow and Finch heat packs and T2 Teas.

Happy Little Hippos are having a great winter stocktake sale: - they have reduced the price of more items just today - save up to 40%! Woo hoo!

And because the girls at Happy Little Hippos want to give you yet another reason to smile and be happy, they’re giving everyone who spends over $100.00 an Alimrose Red Striped Monkey Rattle, valued at $24.95. Offer is valid while stocks last.

This is a seriously good offer, as I’m sure you know! I often buy these monkeys for friends children as they are such friendly little fellows. Also, their stripes are just the thing to stimulate developing minds, their long lanky limbs are made for clutching, the rattle is a nice sensory feature, and they are a decent size (29cm long), which makes them the perfect gift.

Want the monkey? I hear you! Here are some picks to inspire

Clockwise from top left:

My Fancy Girls Doll’s House (accessories included) - $199.95 now $179.95
Blabla Pumpkin blanket - $89.95 now $79.95
Tolo Toys Stacking cups $17.95 These will last your child/ren years: mine play with theirs in the bath now.
Alimrose Funky Marnie Rattle - $22.95 now $19.95
Plan Toys Wooden Deluxe Road System (accessories included) - $131.95 now $99.95 Super bargain - snap it up!
Isak Counting Poster (framed) from Kindergallery - $160.00 now $149.95 A beautiful decor piece that will stand the test of time.
Baufix Build a Buggy - $29.95 now $24.95
Navy red star ottoman $49.95 So stylish, and so practical: use it to put your feet up when the little ones are in bed!
Brown white star beanbag $99.95
Alimrose Funky Freddie Squeaker - $14.95 now $12.95 I’ve said it before, and I think it bears repeating: these are *the best* handsqueakers in the world! Pure giggles, and so easy for tiny hands to use.
Little Blue Fish Balance Bike in pink - $179.95 now $149.95 Huge in Europe, these bikes foster great balance and negate the use for training wheels once your child moves to a pedal bike. I have my eagle eye on these, so you’d better get in quick!

Happy Little Hippos charge $5.95 flat rate postage, Australia-wide. Conditions apply – see website for details.

Post written by Miki
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It’s bloody hard work being a mum.

For starters there are no coffee breaks, no lunch break, no sick leave and no pay. You’re on call 24/7, you don’t get annual leave or statutory holidays (if anything they mean even more work!) and there’s a constant niggling worry in the back of your mind that you smell of baby sick. You can’t even go to the loo without a small person bashing on the door and crying because you won’t let them come in with you!

Stands to reason then that mums deserve to be spoiled every so often. And if no-one else spoils them then they should darn well take the initiative and spoil themselves!

Mummy’s Favourite - www.mummysfavourite.com.au - makes it very, very easy to spoil yourself or another mum you know. They have the most beautiful range of luxe, gorgeous products from Alimrose Designs, Mor Cosmetics, Oobi, Anamalz, T2 Teas, Esprit, Pratten, Fish Lilly, Cocoon Couture, Euro Trike, Glass House Candles, Be Genki, Gertie and Me, Noonoo, Willow and Finch, Smirk, Bubbaroo, Laikonik, Milk Wrap, and Whisk and Pin, so you’re guaranteed to find something - a lot of somethings - that you just can’t live without.

What makes it even better is that Mummy’s Favourite have their up-to-60% off mega-sale on! PLUS KidStyleFile readers get an extra 10% off!!

Use the code ‘KSF’ at checkout to claim your extra 10% off until July 5 extended until 31 July.

Hop over there to peruse the fine goods on offer and score huge bargains.

To find the items on sale, look for the titles flanked by pink stars. They’re in virtually every category so go hunting - and don’t forget to take an extra 10% off those amazing prices!

Some items are perfect presents for a brand new or prospective mum, including the milk wrap, $34.95 $31.45 - wish I’d had one of these when I was struggling to learn how to breastfeed in public without flashing everyone! - and the stunningly beautiful individually handcrafted Laikonik ‘Once a Year’ album, $69.00 $62.10. These are such a great idea, all you need is to add a new photo of the child once per year with a brief update so it’s very easy to keep up to date and makes such a lovely record of the child’s growth and development.

And for the mum to toddler/s, what she really needs (besides a few extra hours in the day) is a bit of an indulgence. What about some T2 teas from $7.50 $6.75 - a refreshing and invigorating range of black, herbal and fruit teas which come in very funky signature orange boxes and tins. Or there’s the delicious Glasshouse range with beautiful candles to scent your room, body lotions and potions and divine body bars. What a way to unwind once the kids are in bed!

Speaking of the kids, they aren’t forgotten either. With lines such as the Wheely Bugs, Anamalz, Alimrose toys, Oobi Timorous Beasties, there’s a great range of toys for the munchkins too!

Have a look below at some of my favourites from the amazing range:

Clockwise from top left: Don’t forget to take an extra 10% off these prices too!

Alimrose lanky cuddle bear, $36.00 $25.00
Primo Super Mum mug, $9.95 $5.00
Alimrose Frilly Milly adult-size apron, $39.95 $25.00
Donna Hay Modern Classics book 2 $39.95 $20.00 BEST COOKBOOK! I have it and love it.
Avanti - Luxor stainless steel cup and saucer, $25.00 $10.00
Wheely Bug, from $105.00
Oobi Timorous Beasties ‘Percy the Parrot’, $29.95 $15.00 Brilliant price!
Anamalz, $9.95 $6.00
Laikonik ‘Once A Year’ book, $69.00
Hot water bottle & covers, from $9.95
Cocoon Couture squirrel bookends, $89.95

Mummy’s Favourite charge just $8.50 postage Australia-wide!

Oh-ho-ho! You are going to *love* this one! This week, Miki showcases a fantastic range of toys for babies and kids from birth to 6 years up. Whether you’re looking for a gift, or for a rainy day activity, your problems are solved with this great selection. Enjoy!

Next week’s Weekend Special Feature: Decor and Accessories

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Starting off with the aptly named The Hip Infant www.thehipinfant.com.au, there was so much choice that I decided I had to focus just on baby toys if I was to do any of it justice. Don’t for a second think that this is all The Hip Infant have though!

All babies love rattles as soon as they learn to grasp and focus, and I can wholeheartedly recommend the Hip Stuff Mini Maracas in Green, $6.50, which are a big favourite in our household. So hardy too; ours should have broken long ago with the kind of treatment they get, but there isn’t even a chip in the paint!

There are also the exquisite Alimrose Handsqueeker Japanese Doll, $15.95 - so sweet!

Personally, I’m coveting the Heimess Pram String ‘Teddybears’, $39.95 - I love the teddy bears! - and what little surfer wouldn’t love to drift off gazing at the Tiger Tribe Mobile ‘Surf’, $29.95?

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Kids Gift List - www.kidsgiftlist.com.au - stock a great range of toys for all ages. I focussed on wooden toys for pre-schoolers this time but believe me, it was hard to tear myself away from everything else they have!

Now firstly I thought the KGL Russian Doll Set in Dark Blue, $12.90 for set of five was just gorgeous. There are a number of different colour and design options, and KGL advertises them as the perfect present for a little girl which I absolutely agree with. Very affordable too!

I giggled at the Bowl Me Over Penguin Set, $19.95; what a great ‘rainy day’ indoors activity!

But my jaw dropped when I found the Exciting Zoo, $124.95. Have a close look I’m sure you’ll see why. What an amazing toy set!

Finally, Angela will never forgive me if I don’t mention her favourite, the KGL Combi in Peace Red, $9.95 (available in a multitude of colours). She claims that her daughters play with the Combi, but I think she secretly keeps it for herself…

You can take 15% off these prices using the discount code in this month’s My Child magazine - for more info click here.

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If, like many parents, you wish your school-aged kids would spend less time playing video games and more time doing something creative, then head straight over to ShopHouse - www.shophouse.com.au.

Now, I must mention the Little Kitchen sets first. ShopHouse are offering 20% off the entire range, and I can’t think of a better range of products to get kids interested in cooking. After all, the love of cooking can be instilled at a young age and if you play your cards right, you could have the kids cooking gourmet dinners before too long! (Well, I can dream…) Little Kitchen Boy’s Apron and Utensil Set, $49.95 $29.97.

For the budding artistes there are the ‘Build-It’ and ‘Create-It’ kits: boys and girls alike will love the range of designs here, and imagine how proud they’ll be to take their creations along to Show & Tell!

Don’t forget the extra 15% discount you can apply with the My Child discount code!

Create-It Picture Frame Kit, $16.95; Build-It Rocket Kit, $16.95; Create-It Prima Ballerina Kit, $16.95;

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Finally, Send-A-Toy - www.sendatoy.com.au- famous for their great deals on Wheely Bugs.

As a specialist online toy store they have an immense range, and I found it nigh on impossible to narrow it down enough to find products to feature in here.

That said, I did think the PINTOY Wooden Toys ‘My Little House’ ($164.00) was a stand-out. Feminine but funky and with a clever open-sided layout that allows more than one child at a time to play with it, it comes complete with furniture and two dolls; excellent value.

The Djeco Creanimaux Farm Stacking Blocks ($49.90) are also a great concept - create six ‘normal’ animals or mix-and-match to invent your own critters! Cool!

Crocodile Creek do beautifully made, resilient toys, of which a prime example are the Crocodile Creek Colorama Balls ($16.90 each). Once you’ve had one you’ll realise that no playground or back yard is complete without it.

And last but certainly not least, may I present to you the totally fab, retro-rockin’ Radio Flyer Retro Dual Dual Deck Tricycle ($159.90) just perfect for encouraging toddler independence!

Please check individual sites for shipping details.

kid style file kidsstylefile kidstyle file kid stylefile kids style file stylefile

Okey Dokey, for today’s offering I present you with the best prices on the most iconic of Australian-designed toys, the Wheely Bug. (If you have never seen one before and are entranced by their great beauty, they are also cleverly designed: check out their impressive technical credentials at the Wheely Bug website - http://www.wheelybug.com).

We have had the small Lady Beetle and Bee in our house for 2.5 years, and they still look brand new despite rough treatment. Super-good stuff!

NB: Choose the best deal for you by assessing each postage charge option against your geographic location.

GR8 Toys - www.gr8toys.com.au

Large Bugs for $110.00 and small bugs for $92.00

Designs available (both sizes):

Bee
Lady Beetle
Cow
Mouse

Postage is $8.00 for Victoria, $15.oo for the rest of Australia. Check GR8 Toys Terms and Conditions for further details.

HoneyBee Toys - www.honeybeetoys.com.au

Large Bugs for $110.00 and small bugs for $95.00

Designs available (both sizes):

Mouse
Bee
Lady Beetle

Honeybee Toys use the following delivery methods, Australia Post Parcel Post, TNT Courier and Fastway Courier. For purchases up to $150.00, postage is $9.50 to Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and SA. For delivery to Brisbane and metro suburbs postage is $15.00, and for delivery to WA, NT and far north Queensland, delivery is $22.00 For purchases over $150.00 delivery is free.

Send A Toy - www.sendatoy.com.au

Large Bugs for $110.00 and small bugs for $95.00

Designs available (both sizes):

Mouse
Bee
Lady Beetle
Cow

Send A Toy have the following postage charges: Adelaide $5.90, Adelaide Hills $7.90, rest of Australia $9.90, maxiumum. Read Send A Toy’s Delivery Guide for more information.

KidStuff - www.kidstuff.com.au

Large bugs for $99.00 and small bugs for $86.96

Designs available (both sizes):

Mouse

Kidstuff charge $15.00 flat fee postage Australia wide. Orders over $200.00 posted free. Read the About Us section at Kidstuff for more details.

It is amazing how a web site can be so evocative. The Infant Boutique - www.theinfantboutique.com.au - makes me feel so unhurried, so gloriously treated, so lucky to be there, just reflecting in their blissfully understated coolness.

The Infant Boutique is a good place to visit at any time, with their exquisite range of goods from around 100 of the best designers including Babu, Bholu, Blabla, Oeuf NYC, Lambykins, Pooki & Co., Little Twig, Cocoon Culture, Giddy Giddy (one of the most comprehensive stockists of the GG clips in Australia) INKE, Kipiis, Mairo, Mamas & Papas, mill & mia, Noo Noo Design, The Source Products, Wall Candy, Wheely Bug, Wanju, Peanut Shell, Mumi & Bubi, Manhattan Toy Company, Ramalama Baby Carriers, Djeco, Cuddlefish and Dwell Baby, to name just a few.

You should get over there without delay at the moment though, because they are hosting a sale, and it is nothing sort of spectacular.

Here’s a sample of the delights in store for you:

Skip Hop Duo Baby Bag reduced by a whopping 40% only $75.00 (RRP $125+)

Libellule Dragonflight Light (in orange or blue) just $60.00 (RRP $120+, save 50%)

French Bull Cat Design Meal Set 50% off now $19.98 (RRP $39.95+)

Wooden Letters - uppercase in white and red, reduced from $9.90 to $4.95 (save 50%) LIMITED STOCK

Oobi Solar System Quilt Cover & Pillowcase set $64.95 (RRP $34.98+ save50%)

I have mentioned my Pooki & Co. fetish before, so you’ll know how excited I am about these sale items! Baby Pookis in Pablo and Lola varieties are going out at a mere $9.95 ($19.50 save 50%!) How can you resist that??! They are so cuuuuuute, but in an off-beat, intelligent kind of way, y’know? You *do* know!!

If you prefer a bigger cuddle-buddy then adopt a Pooki Plush a measly $17.48 (RRP $34.95, save 50%). You can’t even pay a parking ticket for that; so forget shopping in the city, and welcome this friend-for-life into your home instead!

The Infant Boutique charge Australia post weight rates, which are calculated at checkout. Read their FAQ for more information.