KidStyleFile

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.)

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!

Ekidna Kidswear - www.ekidnakidswear.com.au - has just turned two - Happy Birthday, Ekidna Kids, you are a star child indeed!

Like any proud Mum, Joanne at Ekidna is celebrating this achievement to the full. Joanne’s in full party mode, and you will be too when you hop over to EK!

Dash on over to Ekidna Kids, take your pick of the hundreds of fine products including girls boys and babies clothing, toys, boutique party invitations, wall decals, nappy bags, and much more, and reduce your purchase price by 25%.

That’s not all, folks: spend over $100.00 and you get a FREE Uchi purse valued at $14.95. Offer valid while stocks last. Limit of 1 per customer.

Yowza! I *like* it!

Ekidna Kidswear stock over 55 quality baby and kids brands including Anamalz, Annabel Trends, Aroma Baby, Babe Mode, Baby Blankie, Baby Legs, Badger Balm, Baobab, Beautiful Soles, Bebe, Bertini, Bud, Brio, Cheeky Little Soles, Chelona, Crocodile Creek, Eternal Creation, Fairy Floss, Fiesta Crafts, Fish Lilly, For Walls, Fruity Faces, Heimess, Humphrey’s Corner, Infancy, Isoki, Itsy Bitsy, Jaffa, Karma Baby, Lark Designs, Latitude Enfant, Little Chipipi, Longueville Media, Mamas & Papas, Marquise, Messaround, Milkwrap, Minihaha, Mondays Child, My Munchkin Home, Nature’s Child, Oobi, Paper Eskimo, Peter Rabbit, Pia Eriksson, Roocci, Russ, Sigg, Skip Hop, Smart Mom, Smirk, Starchild, t4tot, Toys Pure, Uchi, Vintage Kid Designs, WallCandy Arts, Wink Designs, Woof!, so you have a veritable feast of luxe to choose from.

If you want to scoop up some of last summer’s gear up to 50% off check out the ‘Specials’ page and feel oh so glad that you did (lots of Oobi in there for you OobiWatchers)!

Check out just a handful of my hot picks below.

I’m feeling a bit nostalgia for the little bebes at the mo, so have turned my gaze towards lush products for the littlest ones and their mamas (don’t forget the mamas!!)

It took me a while to realise it, but turns out my little bebes looked best in classic pieces; heirloom knits and solid colours. The Bebe set exemplifies the classiness of this look. Start your own heirloom collection today.

I love the Infancy Spotted Romper and Bebe PJs for little men: ah, how snuggly.

Wrap your classy little man or Ms in a high quality Fish Lilly wrap. The gentleness and softness of their designs soothes Mums and babes alike. Just love ‘em!

Buy a new mama a Smart Moms Teething Bling Bangle or three, and make her feel a bit special, and also savvy: she’ll look stylish and never be short of a safe distraction for her little baby again (and how cheap are they!!?)

The Karma Baby Slings are celebrity cool, and super affordable, and the Isoki Petite-Travellers are a perfect gift for on the move, style-conscious Mums. I just bought one for Miki, who’s travelling to New Zealand soon, and she loves it

From top left, in rows:

Bebe Pink Lemonade Pointelle Leggings with Feet $43.95 25% off NOW $32.96
Bebe Pink Lemonade Pointelle Cardigan $44.95 25% off NOW $33.71
Bebe Pink Lemonade Pointelle Beanie $23.95 25% off NOW $17.96
Bebe ‘Fly with Me’ pyjamas $34.95 25% off NOW $26.96
Infancy Grey Spotted Romper (also available in pink) $38.50 25% off NOW $28.88
Fish Lilly Luxury Baby Wraps - available in 12 designs $47.95 25% off NOW $35.96
Smart Mom Teething Bling Bangle $12.95 25% off NOW $9.71
Isoki Petite Traveller $39.95 25% off NOW $29.96
Karma Baby Bella Pouch Baby Sling $89.95 25% off NOW $67.46

Ah, and now onto a subject I can’t ever get enough of: toys and decor

The My Munchkin Home decals bring an instant lift to a room, without requiring a life-long commitment. This elephant is BIG, and so uplifting, and what a steal 25% off!

I love these Crocodile Creek mini-puzzles: perfect size (and price!) for party bag inclusion, or toilet training incentives.

If you’re looking for a classy gift to give, you can’t go past Mamas and Papas, one of the UKs leading nursery brands. Also for littlies, these Chelona timber books are eco-friendly and great for stimulating hand-eye co-ordination. For older kids, Zoobie Pets are just perfect. They’re actually 3 toys in 1: a cuddly toy, pillow and blankie. Gotta love the triple-duty here, not to mention the infinite cuteness.

This Toys Pure Shalimar Puzzle promises endless playtime fun, with it’s fab colours and endless configuration possibilities (I gifted this to Miki’s son, Alex, and Mik says it’s every bit as cool as it looks!)

Another timber treasure is the Heimess wooden car, available in red and orange colour-ways. Give it as a gift with the Lark Knitted Ice-cream rattle (perfectly shaped for little hands, and appropriate for munching from birth up) and the Crocodile Creek PVC-free ball (also available in orange dog design), and you’ll be forever loved and thanked for it.

From top left, in rows:

My Munchkin Home ‘My Elephant’ Giant Wall Decal $99.95 25% off NOW $74.96
Crocodile Creek Double-sided Dinosaur Mini-puzzle $4.95 25% off NOW $3.71
Mamas and Papas Colour Bunch Arlo Toy $21.95 25% off NOW $16.46
Chelona Play Book - Frog $19.95 25% off NOW $14.96
Zoobie Pets $59.95 25% off NOW $44.96
Toys Pure Shalimar Puzzle $39.95 25% off NOW $29.96
Crocodile Creek PVC-free 18cm ball $18.95 25% off NOW $14.21
Heimess Car (also available in orange) $15.95 25% off NOW $11.96
Lark Ice-cream Kintted Rattle $14.95 25% off NOW $11.21

Ekidna Kidswear charge $6.95 for standard postage, and $9.95 for Express Post, Australia wide. International orders are welcome. Visit the Delivery information page for full shipping and delivery details.

It is always a joy to browse around Mummy’s Favourite - www.mummysfavourite.com.au, *the* store for luxe baby and kids products, home-wares, and gifts.

With brands including 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.

The Mummy’s Favourite site is just like visiting your favourite off-line boutique: it’s easy to use, fresh, and filled with totally fabulous products. It’s just a gorgeous, invigorating experience!

Jen at Mummy’s Favourite is preparing to receive lots of lovely new stock, and she’s throwing the doors wide and treating KidStyleFile readers big-time.

Get a load of *this*: items marked with a star are reduced by up to 60%.

Woo! That’s pretty great, huh? SOLD!

But, wait: Jen has just amped the mood even higher:

KidStyleFile readers get an EXTRA 10% off store-wide, including off the already reduced prices.

Yep, that’s up to ***70%*** off selected products, until 5 July/while stocks last.

The magic discount code to enter at checkout is ‘KSF’.

My brain says _DO_IT!!!! And who am I to argue? I’m off to check that the code works (can’t get enough of the Anamalz in this house )

Here are some hot picks to get you in the mood, too. I’m being a tease, and not listing prices today; I think you deserve the thrill off browsing each category on the site to see what treats lie in store.

I’ll give you a hint though: the Oobi Timorous Beasties are just $13.50 (after all discounts are applied), and Anamalz are cheap as chips at just $5.40 (after all discounts are applied). Get the picture? You’re gonna have a field day over there!!

Enjoy, have a wonderful day, and happy shopping

Mummy’s Favourite charge $10.00 postage Australia wide. Orders over $150.00 are shipped FREE! International deliveries are charged based on weight and destination. Please contact Jen at Mummy’s Favourite if you wish to send your gift overseas.

A quickie, but a goody, for Friday

Fairy Kisses - www.fairykisses.com.au - are having a stunningly good 20% off store-wide snap sale to make way for the masses of new stock arriving. No code is needed; the 20% discount is calculated automatically at checkout.

This offer ends at midnight tonight, so be quick!!

Fairy Kisses stock Oobi, Rufflebutts, Anamalz, Gaia, baobab, Anamalz, Babe Mode (Monstar Mode), BabyLegs, Billie Goat Soap, BumpBuddy Kid’s Cold Packs, Gaia Natural Baby Organic skincare, Enchanted Infant, Dittany Baby, Gund, GiGi, Huggalugs, Humphrey’s Corner, Kate Finn, Kate Quinn Organics, Koby, Korimco, Little Blue Dog (UK; made from organic cotton), Little Blue Fish, Maya Design (Tickled Pink), Nenuphar of London, Piccalilly (UK; a leader in organic and fair trade clothing), Red Wagon, Squids by Eyetribe, Starchild (UK) and more.

So many fine designer clothing brands and other products to choose from and such super savings to score. Happiness!

Be sure to check out Fairy Kisses’ What’s On Sale? page to maximise your savings, and don’t forget, every purchase you make clocks up points with Fairy Kisses’ fantastic loyalty program.

Fairy Kisses charges $6.80 Express Australia wide (or $8.90 for registered Australia wide). Orders over $120.00 are posted free of charge within Australia.

International orders are welcomed. UK customers can use the currency converter to shop in GPB.

Have you seen today’s The Age newspaper? Elizabeth from La Toriana is in it talking about what it’s like to be an online Mompreneur! (Read the article here). Check out the fab photo; now you know what she looks like too!!

Elizabeth has achieved so much with La Toriana in her first 6 months in business, not least a loyal following of wonderful customers, who appreciate her excellent taste in products and outstanding customer service.

Elizabeth is offering all customers a fantastic 15% off store-wide, PLUS a little pressie just for you, for the month of March. Congratulations are due all round, Elizabeth

Meanwhile, here’s the lowdown on the cool products pictured with Elizabeth in The Age today (Business section, page 9.)

Don’t forget to enter ‘KSFoffer’ at checkout to get 15% off these prices! (Read the earlier post on this offer for more hot picks).

annieB Play Palace (also available in pink, blue, lime and purple) $299.00

Huggalugs Organic T ‘Lil Pirate $32.95, and matching Huggalugs arm/leg Huggers in ‘Lil Pirate $16.95

Play School Stacking boxes $22.95

Oobi Space Hopper $28.95

Anamalz Elephant $9.95

L’il Ned boys Max bracelet $12.95

Fairy Floss Creations hair accessories from $8.95

Gertie and Me Lu-Lu Bunny $28.95

Dobbin and Drum Toys Mellow Sounding Drum $29.95

Nana Huchy bear $54.95

Cheeky Little Soles shoes $31.95

There is about to be a population boom in my neck of the woods. Seven of my friends are pregnant and due in the next six months!!

Are you like me, on a budget, but still want to get your friends something special? Look no further than Fairy Kisses - www.fairykisses.com.au.

They stock a large range of Oobi Baby clothing (size newborn to 3 years) and toys, and are currently offering a free Oobi Bella the Martian hoodie when you purchase a tee (long or shortsleeved: $24) and a pair of footies or pants ($21).

Also, check out the Bump Buddy cold packs a personal favourite must-have-item of mine. These Buddies are a truly brilliant innovation in the world of ice packs; kid sized, freezer friends (as opposed to crazy big bags of peas, which you have to bin after) that can be whipped out to cheer and heal the inevitable bumps and knocks of childhood.

Whenever my kids get hurt they call for ‘the Starfish, the STARfish!!’ and it’s presence always lessens the pain, physically and emotionally.

Also check out the Anamalz. Eco-friendly, affordable and great for kids to collect. FK are currently only stocking a few (kangaroo, hippo and lion), but they are the few that most other stockists don’t have their hands on yet!

To sweeten the experience, Fairy Kisses are currently having an up-to-45% off sale, and offer cheap shipping and a fantastic loyalty program (I snapped up some bargains yesterday, and here they are today in the mail, including my little loyalty member gift. Who doesn’t love GWP (Gift With Purchase??!!); I’m thrilled!

Here are the details of the loyalty program:

TERMS AND REWARDS:
* Upon placement of your first order you will receive a numbered club card.
* Points add up for every visit, and equate to 1 point per dollar, excluding postage and handling.
* Upon reaching 75, 150 and 250 points you will receive a prize.
* At 300 points you will receive a prize and your least expensive item from the order reaching 300+ points will be free.
* On your next order after the order reaching 300 points you will become a gold card member, and qualify for a 5% discount off all subsequent orders.
* In addition, there will from time to time be additional offers and competitions for all Loyalty Club members.