KidStyleFile

This weekend, Miki delves into some of the finest decor and accessory products available for babies, kids and mamas. Today, plan your child’s birthday party, shop for winter footwear, find the perfect present, or indulge in some retail therapy just for you!!

Pop in tomorrow for Part two of this Special Weekend Feature.

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Giggle ‘n’ Groove
I have a problem with Giggle ‘n’ Groove www.gigglengroove.com: there’s just too much that I want! And it’s all so perfect for presents too, but how on earth do you give it away?

I’ve yet to meet the little girl who wouldn’t go gaga over the GNG Princess Charm bracelet. It’s so feminine and sweet, and yet not too much, just in the right quantities. Mums don’t miss out either – there’s a fab selection of earrings and other ‘mum’ jewels, and don’t miss the hair section (what I’m really coveting is the ponytail clip pictured below).

And if your boy has yet to discover the manly joys of wearing bling, fear not! G’n’G have name bracelets for boys that are funky and, yes, masculine too. The G ‘n’ G jewels are handcrafted and beautiful quality – see Angela’s post on how much she loves her Giggle ‘n’ Groove purchases.

Great gift ideas, so even (or especially!) if it’s a gift for yourself, go nuts with my blessing And don’t forget to use the special code in this month’s My Child magazine to receive a free pair of Classic Bows with your order!

Clockwise from top left:
Boys name bracelet, starting from $50
Millefiori earrings, $9
Cats Eye ponytail clip, $12
Princess charm bracelet, $65

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Betts Kids
I’m a long-time devotee of Betts Kids www.bettskids.com.au. Almost all my shoes came from then-Betts & Betts when I was little, and now my family is into the second generation to wear Betts kids shoes. Betts Kids have their lovely shiny new website up and running now, so it’s easier than ever to get great quality shoes for little feet.

While my little munchkin is still in pre-walkers, I do love to nosy around the ‘big kids’ section, and there’s plenty to nosy at here, believe me. Actually, don’t believe me – go and look for yourself! There’s a huge range of all sorts of kids shoes; school shoes of course, but also casual and dressy and sporty… not to mention the rather fabulous gumboots pictured below and some very cute slippers too. You’ll never have to wrestle your toddler or child through a shoe fitting in a store ever again!

Betts Kids have FREE SHIPPING AND RETURNS on orders of $69.95 or more until 8 June, and don’t forget to enter their competition to win one of five Little Chipipi wall sticker sets! See here for more details.

Clockwise from top left:
Attitude by Patrick, $49.99
Alyssa I by Osh Kosh, $59.99
L. Token by Pepper, from $20
Sweet Heart by Bb Kids, $24.99
Total.S by dakota, $74.95 $37.49
Jolly Roger by Bb Kids, $24.99.

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Imprintables
If you’re looking for cool stationery then go no further than Imprintables www.imprintables.com.au. For invitations themed for pyjama parties to pool parties, from garden parties to baby showers, there really is something for everyone here, not to mention plenty of stylish generic invitations. My son’s first birthday is coming up and I’m torn between ‘roaring birthday party’ and the vintage-inspired ‘pinwheel’. And have a look at the adorable ‘icecream’ invitation for a little girl’s party!

I also think that the playdate invitations are such a great idea. Playdates are a wonderful way for kids to cement both new friendships and old, not to mention allowing the mums to get to know each other too! There are three different designs and each pack of five includes the invitations, envelopes and seals.

Roaring birthday party invitation and Icecream invitation, $4 per set + $20 set-up fee (set includes invitation, printed envelope and thank you tag)
Paper plane play date invitations and Bobbin stick play date invitations; $15 for a set of five, includes invitations, envelopes and seals.

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Mummy’s Favourite
Here’s a site which we have recently discovered at KidStyleFile: the incredibly beautiful Mummy’s Favourite www.mummysfavourite.com.au. I’m going to break with KSF tradition in this segment and show you accessories for gorgeous Mummies rather than kids, because why should the kids get all the good stuff? (Just so you know, though, Mummy’s Favourite do have loads for the littlies, including toys and decor from two of my favourite brands, Oobi and Alimrose – check ‘em out.)

So if you have the post-Mothers Day blues and need a little pick-me-up, browse through the huge range here. Whether you want beauty products to pamper yourself with or an accessory for taking out and about or putting on your desk at work, you won’t be disappointed.

Clockwise from top left:
Willow and Finch heat pack, $24.95
Apogee address book, $64.00
Primo yummy mummy coffee mug, $9.95
MOR cosmetics peony lip silk, $21.95
Pratten eel skin wallet shown in ‘powder’, $55.00, available in eight colours.

Please check individual sites for shipping details.

My kids need new shoes.

The rate at which this event occurs is quite phenomenal. Their tiny baby-paws have transformed, seemingly overnight, into surfboard-length big-girl feet.

I’ve got to say that I’d rather go to the park with my kids than go shopping. They have only ever been present at one shoe shopping event, in which we came away with gumboots 2 sizes too big ‘cos they loved them so much

Needless to say, whenever I need anything for my kids (or anything at all!) I turn to the interweb.

The most recent news to hand on the shoe front is that Betts Kids – www.bettskids.com.au, as of only a few weeks ago, are now selling shoes for kids from infancy to teens online.

Betts Kids have everything from pre-walkers to casual shoes to dress shoes, sports shoes, slippers and gumboots. Brands available include Skechers, Keds, Osh Kosh, Airflex, Dakota, Patrick, and their own Betts Kids label.

They’re all presented to perfection on their beautifully designed and easy to use site. The site is a joy to behold: it is very clear on what colours and sizes are available, and there are multiple views of shoes so you can really see what you’re buying.

To celebrate their launch, Betts Kids are giving you FREE postage when you purchase shoes to the value of $69.95 or more until 8 June.

To give you extra confidence to buy, Betts Kids are also offering free returns or exchange until 8 June too. If you are concerned about ordering the wrong size you can buy both sizes and return the incorrect size (for free!), and have your credit card refunded for the returned pair – nice move, Betts Kids! Read the low-down on these offers here.

In addition to this great offer, Betts Kids also have a great competition running until May 30: Tell them the stickiest situation you’ve found yourself in, and go into the draw to win 1 of 5 Little Chipipi Wall Sticker sets.

These wall stickers are great quality, and are easily removable and repositionable. What’s more they are Australian designed, owned and made. (Read about Sam, designer of Little Chipipi here). No purchase is necessary to enter, and you’ve got to be in it to win it, so give it a whirl!

Ok, here are my hot picks to kick things off for you. Enjoy!

Note that I’ve just covered casual shoes here, because that’s my pace, but there are heaps and heaps of dress, sports, etc. going on, so if that’s what you need you’re well covered. Also there are quite a few mark-downs on the site, so have a browse, and happy shopping!

Dig these girls shoes!

Clockwise from top left:

Skechers Dilly Dally Junior Shoe in White $59.99 – Goes great with Euro-fashion like Oilily: lap it up!
Betts Kids Emma Infant Shoe in Fuschia $49.99 (also available in dark brown on special for $34.99) – How cute are these? Doesn’t break the bank, either!
Betts Kids Anita Pre-Walker in Fushia $39.99 (also available in Pink and Champagne) – Neat ruched heel for stay-on appeal for little bebes.
Keds Lacey S Senior Shoe in Berry $49.99 - *Love* the Keds Skimmers for their cool prints and easy slip-on value!

And, Mums of little men rejoice: groovy footwear for boys!

Clockwise from top left:

Betts Kids Marauder Junior Shoe in Khaki $59.99 SALE $30.00 (also available in Brown) – Cute as!
Betts Kids Atom Pre-Walker in Khaki $39.99 (also available in Grey and Navy) – These are Miki’s favourites
Betts Kids Dynamite Infant Shoe in Black Combo $59.99 SALE $41.99 (also available in Brown Combo) Cool bowling-shoe styling. Great attention to detail here.
Patrick Halfpipe Senior Shoe in Black $49.99 - Fab shoe for bigger boys. Will wear oh-so-well, too!

Head on over to Betts Kids for joy now!

Betts Kids charge $10.00 for postage Australia-wide. FREE postage for purchases over $69.95 is available until May 18, 2008. Check the Shopping Info page for full details.