KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Angela

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Calling all grown-up hipster parents: here’s a place you’ll enjoy hanging with your tiny cool-cat-in-training – Monkeytail & Wellington – www.monkeytailandwellington.com.au.

So what’s the buzz? Everything on offer at Monkeytail & Wellington has been hand picked for it’s superior aesthetic appeal, uniqueness, quality and function. Products have been sourced globally, and you’ll discover brands here that you won’t find anywhere else.

Vicki at Monkeytail & Wellington is passionate about kids music and has built up one of the best selections on the web. Choose from R&B, Motown, rock’n'roll, 80’s delights, and a bevy of kids artists with major cred (case in point: Caspar Babypants aka  Chris Ballew, former frontman of The Presidents of the United States of Amercia – you can read an interview and review on the M&W blog.)

Your cool-kid can be kitted from head to toe, and from playtime to mealtime to bedtime at Monkeytail & Wellington. Check the shipment of Kalamazoo-made (it’s a real place!) ribbon sculpture hair clips. These have to be seen to be believed. Entirely made of ribbon, they are mini works of art, and feature well-known characters including Max from Where The Wild Things Are, Olivia, Madeline, Eloise, Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s Oompa Loompas. The jumbo sized Earth Ball, new shipment of Shinzi Katoh zakka goods, the latest issue of Anorak magazine, and some fab new playsets (the igloo set rocks!) are among my top picks.

Pick of the week has to go to the Let’s Play Mail Valentine’s set, which is on sale 40% off. For other sale picks up to 70% off, scope the sale section, where you’ll currently find Zid Zid Kids, Piggy Story, Fabourg Saint Denis and Gucio Shoes, and be sure to sign up to the Monkeytail & Wellington newsletter to keep the beat with what’s going on, and get access to VIP only sales.

A. Caspar Babypants ‘Here I am’ music CD – $20.00
B. Let’s Play Mail Valentine’s Playset – $45.00 On Sale $27.00
C. Igloo Playset – $39.95
D. ‘Totally 80’s for Kids’ compilation music CD – $24.95
E. Kalamazoo-made Hair Clip Character Sculptures – $12.00-$19.00 each
F. Shinzi Katoh Zip Pouch Bag - $24.95
G. Anorak magazine, issue 12 – $9.95
H. Fabric Button Rings – $4.95 each
I. Jumbo Earth Ball, featuring NASA satellite photography – $19.95
J. Shinzi Katoh 4 Piece Lunchbox Set – $29.95

Monkeytail & Wellington’s charge from $6.95 for Express eParcel post. Orders over $150.00 ship free of charge. International orders are warmly welcomed. View the Postage Charges Info page for full details.

I don’t mean to panic anyone, but – argh! – it’s only 12 weeks until Christmas! Can you believe it? The year has just galloped away!

It’s so fabulous to be looking forward to the festive season and the warmer weather though, and if you shop online you will be prepared in good time to kick back and relax leading up to the big day.

Monkeytail & Wellington – www.monkeytailandwellington.com.au – have decided to be Santa’s little helpers this year and have devised a wonderful plan, to make Chrissy shopping ultra fun, and easy on your cash-flow.

Pre-order and/or Lay-by your Christmas gifts before 1 November 2008, and all purchases will be gift wrapped free of charge in stylish premium gift wrap featuring a “Christmassy” Monkeytail & Wellington gift tag and your personal seasons greetings message, and couriered to your door in time for Christmas.   You can even send gifts directly to other family members or friends!  They’ll take care of everything.

If you order is $150 + postage, you’ll also receive a free giant Smirk Santa Sack valued at $19.95. Jingle bells indeed!

Smirk Santa Sack’s are just adorable – with their little reindeer screen printed onto a wonderful Christmas red sack. They have very generous proportions, and will easily fit a mountain of Christmas goodies in their 62×50cm girth. Smirk design and hand screen print all of their designs here in Australia onto the 100% jersey cotton sacks.

This offer is valid from 1 October 2008 and last orders will be accepted 9 November 2008. Minimum order $150 + postage. Read the full terms and conditions here.

Before Xmas is upon us, we have the fun of Halloween on October 31.

All orders received between now and 26 October go into the draw to win a Halloween Owly Shadow Pack worth $150.00.

All you have to do to go into the draw is make a purchase of $50.00+ and elect to receive the Monkeytail & Wellington newsletter. The winner will be drawn on October 27, and your prize will be Express posted to you so you’ll receive in time for spooky, shadowy, Halloween fun.

There are heaps of fabulous finds over at M&W, many of them custom made  — the utterly magical fairy doors, sock monkeys bursting with personality, and personalised superhero capes — so order now to ensure your goodies are ready in time for Christmas; I believe the back log log is getting pretty full on over there!

Picks of the day below.

Clockwise from top in rows:

Towering Castle Playset and Accessories $210.00
Fairy Door $45.00
Verve Records Jazz for Kids $30.00
Owly Shadow Puppet – Owl $15.00
Chase n Sky Tie Top $49.95
I Luv you TuTu Much Candy Cane Tutu $55.00
Zoomerang Magic Hat Party Invitations $7.95
Chase n Sky Multi-button Pant $49.95
Little Hero Capes $39.00
Little Hero Co-ordinating Masks $8.95

Last, but not least, you can now buy Apple Martin’s shoes at Monkeytail & Wellington.

Well, not her *actual* shoes, but the same kind as she’s wearing here in this photo with her famous Dad, Coldplay front-man Chris Martin

Gucio are handmade in Poland, and are the height of cool, as well as offering superior and gentle foot support to your little walker. Good pick, Gwyneth!

Choose from a range of cool colours, suitable for both boys and girls at M&W.

Gucio Toddler Shoes $74.95

 Subscribe to the Monkeytail & Wellington newsletter to become a VIP’s and be eligible for 10% off all orders OR free shipping on orders over $150.00 during non-promotional periods, plus free gift wrapping and other special offers and pre-order incentives.

Head on over to Vicki’s M&W blog to keep abreast of the latest cool additions at Monkeytail & Wellington, and to view the coolest YouTube find: the Harry Potter puppet show. It sends me into fits of giggles every time!

Monkeytail & Wellington’s postage charges start at $6.00. International post is also available. View the Postage Charges Info page for full details.

I just adore Monkeytail & Wellington – www.monkeytailandwellington.com.au. Owner Vicki has created a wondrous boutique of uniquely creative and exuberant products from passionate local and overseas independent designers, boutique brands and artisan crafted products that inspire me every time, and she’s always adding more new and fabulous things.

If I had to explain the feeling Monkeytail & Wellington gives me, it reminds me of reading my favourite childhood story over again and loving it every time – “more! more! again! again!”. It also tickles my fancy to see what the M&W mascots, the dino and monkey, are up to on each page – it’s just a delight and a joy.

Monkeytail & Wellington stock the following brands: Wonderworld Toys, Anamalz, Le Toy Van, Dejco, Little Beetle, Imprintables, Mara Mi & Zoomerang Invitations, Walter Foster craft & dress up kits, various books and CD’s, mostly hard to find or imports, Luka Surface Graphics, Lucy and Michael play tents, and the cream of Indie brands and crafters: Sarah Jane Studios, Fall Down Tree art & stationery, Owly Shadow Puppets, Kait Emerson Design clothes, Mountain Aven Baby clothes, bibs & blankets, Cutecumber hair accessories, SW Designs activity mats & bags, Margrietje Jewellery, I Luv U Tutu Much tutu skirts, Monkeytail & Wellington Sock Monkey’s, Little Jenny Wren Waldorf dolls, 2 Big Kids Let’s play mail sets, and Hamb t-shirts.

Little Hero capes, Lillybean Playfood, The Piggy Story bags, art folios and tableware, and Monkey Do (beautiful made-in-Melbourne quality and designs. I met the designers recently, and I tell you what, their clothes really channel the loveliness of the people who make them) have also now arrived.

To help you celebrate childhood (your child’s and your own second childhood!), Vicki at Monkeytail & Wellington is offering KidStyleFile reader 15%* off store-wide until August 31.

Use the code ‘KSF02′ in at checkout to score your exclusive discount.

Woohoo! <sound of running feet and front door slamming>

That’s the sound of me heading over the M&W pronto: I’m off to buy some Little Hero capes and accessories, Cutecumber goldfish hairclips (we just acquired some real goldfish, and we love them!), Verve jazz CD (major cred for their musical education), and another Owly Shadow Puppet or two for me to play with for my children’s upcoming birthdays.

Head on over to discover the magical world of Monkeytail & Wellington for yourself. Picks of the day below to inspire you

Clockwise from top left. Prices in red are after 15% KSF discount, and are applicable until 31 August only, so get your skates on!

Red Zinnia Lounge Set Set (one off: size 2 only) $49.95 less 15% = $42.45
The Piggy Story Doggy Diary Handy Notecard Set with case $34.95 less 15% = $29.70
Monkey Do Flower Sunday Dress (available in sizes 4 & 6) $65.00 less 15% = $55.25
Monkey Do Holiday T-shirt in Avocado (available in sizes 4 & 6) $38.00 less 15% = $32.30
Little Campers Blue Planet Lounge Set (one off: size 2 only) $49.95 less 15% = $42.45
The Piggy Story Ramblin’ Kid Cow suitcase & accessories $59.95 less 15% = $50.95
Verve records Jazz for Kids $30.00 less 15% = $25.50
Owly Shadow Puppets – Dinosaur $15.00 less 15% = $12.75
Cutecumber Goldfish Swimming Practice Hairclips $7.00 less 15% = $5.95
Little Hero Capes - choose from 8 fab designs. Matching power cuffs and masks sold separately  $39.95 less 15% = $33.95

*Offer ends 31 August 2008, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, or custom orders. VIP discounts not applicable during the promotional period.

Subscribe to the Monkeytail & Wellington newsletter to become a VIP’s and be eligible for 10% off all orders OR free shipping on orders over $150.00 during non-promotional periods, plus free gift wrapping and other special offers and pre-order incentives. Read Vicki’s blog to keep abreast of the latest cool additions at Monkeytail & Wellington.

Monkeytail & Wellington’s postage charges start at $6.00. International post is also available. View the Postage Charges Info page for full details.

It’s time to introduce the new and very wonderful Monkeytail & Wellington – www.monkeytailandwellington.com.au – onto the scene, and boy-oh-boy are your eyes in for a feast!

Monkeytail & Wellington specialise in independent designers, boutique brands and artisan crafted products, some of which have never been available in Australia before.

Vicki at Monkeytail & Wellington certainly has an eye for the unique and exquisite: brands stocked include Wonderworld Toys, Anamalz, Le Toy Van, Dejco, Little Beetle, Imprintables, Mara Mi & Zoomerang Invitations, Walter Foster craft & dress up kits, various books and CD’s, mostly hard to find or imports, Luka Surface Graphics, Lucy and Michael play tents, and the cream of Indie brands and crafters: Sarah Jane Studios, Fall Down Tree art & stationery, Owly Shadow Puppets, Kait Emerson Design clothes, Mountain Aven Baby clothes, bibs & blankets, Cutecumber hair accessories, SW Designs activity mats & bags, Margrietje Jewellery, I Luv U Tutu Much tutu skirts, Monkeytail & Wellington Sock Monkey’s, Little Jenny Wren Waldorf dolls, 2 Big Kids Let’s play mail sets, and Hamb t-shirts.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for Little Hero capes, Lillybean Playfood, The Piggy Story bags, art folios and tableware, Wool Creations hobby horses, and Monkey Do coming soon.

As a big happy hello to KidStyleFile readers, Vicki at Monkeytail & Wellington is offering us all 20%* off plus free gift wrapping off store-wide. If you spend over $100.00 you receive a free gift too!

Pop the code ‘KSF01′ in at checkout to score your exclusive discount.

There’s so much over at Moneytail & Wellington that I’m going to split my picks into two lots: first up clothes and accessories, and second toys and decor.

Monkeytail & Welllington are featuring a lovely little selection of boutique clothing pieces.

I fell in love with the Hamb Tees at the last LifeinSTYLE/KIDSinSTYLE tradeshow in Sydney earlier this year. Made in Melbourne, the quality is superb, and the prints are quirkily cool.

Only recently Miki waxed lyrical on the joys of Amy Butler fabric, and here’s a stunning example of it put to good use: the Simply Kait Jacket in Lotus Sand. To make it even more irresistible, this jacket is fully reversible. It’s a one-off, and available in size 5.

Want to indulge you little girl’s inner fairy/ballerina/princess? Let loose with the fabulously decadent I Luv U Tutu Much tutu skirts, and pin a brooch from the Margrietje Jewellery line to complete the whimsical look.

For boys the lounge sets cannot be beaten: your little man will look cool and be comfy without hurting your hip pocket.

Finally, if you’re looking for a gift card with added value, head straight for the Sarah Jane Studios mini-cards with pin back button badge attached.

In rows from top left:

Hamb Sock Puppet Tee $39.00 less 20% = $31.20
Sarah Jane Studios ‘I love you this much’ Mini-card $5.00 less 20% = $4.00
Margrietje Jewellery Green Puppy Brooch $35.00 less 20% = $28.00
I Luv U Tutu Much tutu skirts $55.00 less 20% = $44.00
Simply Kait Jacket in Lotus Sand $55.00 less 20% = $44.00
Boys Lounge Sets Prices range from $49.95 - $99.95 less 20%

Now, on to one of my very favourite topics: toys and decor.

The best toys offer open-ended play opportunities to stimulate imagination and creativity, and provide the opportunity to exercise real-life skills. Monkeytail & Wellington have sourced some of the finest pieces available.

Le Toy Van from the UK produce simply the most original wooden painted toys. You can select from Fairyland, dolls house, mini-world, traditional toys, farms, pirate adventure, fantasy, castles and medieval villages. My favourite has to be the Honeybake Set. Let your child/ren bake away happily, and then serve you up high tea: who could ask for more?

More role-playing delight can be found with the 2 Big Kids Let’s Play Mail felted sets, exclusively stocked in Australia by Monkeytail & Wellington.

Other stand out pieces include the Owly Shadow Puppets from Chicago based Andrea Everman who uses her skills as an architectural model maker to produce these laser-cut delights. My kids are fascinated by shadows, and these puppets are at the top of my shopping list.

If you’re looking for a friendly pal for your little one then you can’t go past Monkeytail & Wellingtons very own line of sock monkeys (Vicki and her Mum make them!). Pair it with the chuckle-inducing story-book ‘Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood: A Star is Bathed’ - the story of sock monkey’s journey to receive a special award with one hitch: he has to have a bath first! – and you have the perfect combination.

If you are a fan of Anamalz wooden toys (me me!) then you’ll love this fab offer from Monkeytail & Wellington: 7 Anamalz with Bonus CD, Storage Bag & Collector Cards – bar-gain!!

Monkeytail & Wellington are also offering a new decor solution to the Australian market in the form of Luka Surface Graphics. Select from a great choice of designs to suit from bebes to older kids (and if you’re a retailer reading this, Monkeytail & Wellington are the Australian wholesalers, so contact Vicki if you’re interested in stocking this quality product).

Finally, at the end of the day when your child is pooped out from playing they can retire to the most divine of play tents, complete with paned windows, and parent-friendly aesthetics from Lucy & Michael Play Tents, Houston USA.

Le Toy Van Honeybake Set $96.00 less 20% = $76.80
2 Big Kids Let’s Play Mail 27 piece felted set $55.00 less 20% = $44.00
Owly Shadow Puppets – Owl $15.00 less 20% = $12.00
Owly Shadow Puppets – Toothfairy and Yeti Shadow Puppets with Landscape stand $45.00 less 20% = $36.00
Monkeytail & Wellington Sock Monkey au Naturel $49.95 less 20% = $39.96
Sock Monkey Goes to Hollywood story book $24.95 less 20% = $19.96
7 Anamalz with Bonus CD, Storage Bag & Collector Cards – bar-gain!! $59.70 less 20% = $47.76
Luka Surface Graphics Party Animals Wall Decals $69.95 less 20% = $55.96
Lucy & Michael ‘Mack’ Play Tent $350.00 less 20% = $280.00

Don’t forget to subscribe to the Monkeytail & Wellington newsletter to become a VIP’s and be eligible for 10% off all orders OR free shipping on orders over $150.00, plus free gift wrapping and other special offers and pre-order incentives. Read Vicki’s blog to keep abreast of the latest cool additions at Monkeytail & Wellington.

Monkeytail & Wellington’s postage charges start at $6.00. International post is also available. View the Postage Charges Info page for full details.

*Offer ends 31 July 2008, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer (normal VIP offer resumes after this time.)