KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Leah

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My focus this week is preparing not just my son, but myself as Master R embarks on his very first day at preschool in the first week of February. He is excited. I am (quietly) nervous and attempting to busy myself with preparations to make sure I am he is ready.  Of course I need to pick out the perfect bag, lunch box, water bottle….and a few little knicknacks for rewards and the like to reinforce his ‘big boy’ behaviours on the day. Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au has everything I need to help the big day go off without a hitch.

First on my list is the Cubeo.  What a brilliant idea! This little product provides children with a visual reminder of what they need to do each morning, what to pack in their bag, what chores to do…well whatever you want them to remember really with 80 reusable stickers which features a range of items and extracurricular activities. It comes in 4 different colours to suit any child (I think green for us!) and is the right size for little hands.  The Cubeo is perfect for developing independent organisation skills and can be easily clipped onto a schoolbag.

A drink bottle is an essential piece of kit, and I am a big fan of the Fashion Hydration Thermos range, having originally purchased a bottle a few years back prior to their Australian arrival (and it’s still going strong!).

Both preschool and school can be tiring. Our kidlets little bodies require refuelling during the day to ensure that they can continue to concentrate, learn and have fun. Essential to every school day is a well packed lunch which isn’t crushed or too warm. Metro Mum has a range of lunch boxes to suit every budget and need.  You could choose one of the funky Thermos insulated lunch bags with soccer balls or butterflies, or for major cuteness factor, a BusyBee Friends “Quackie” Duck Lunch Bag.

Metro Mum are currently having a New Year Sale with up to 70% off selected brands, including Allerhand, Foogo Thermos, Isoki, Trunki, Paper Eskimo, Mini Monkey and more, while stocks last. KSF Readers score a bonus for shopping at Metro Mum,  of course! For the next 48 hours you can receive FREE postage on your order Australia-wide (excluding furniture items). Enter discount code ‘KSFship‘ at checkout until 28 January 2010 to redeem.

What else is new at Metro Mum? Check out the delightful new Dandelion range which is made from organic, natural and recycled materials: very cool gear! Also, you can win stuff! Swing by and throw your hat in the ring for the prizes below.

1. Win an ultra cool Trunki (on my wishlist for Easter travel). All you have to do is click here.
2. For a chance to win 1 of 2 $50 Gift Vouchers join the Metro Mum Facebook page. You can also WIN a Munchee Mug – become or be a Metro Mum fa on Facebook, and add a comment under the thread on the Metro Mum Facebook page for your chance to score this prize: HURRY – Winners will be announced at 10 PM tonight!!

1. Cubeo $19.95
2. Dandelion - Organic Cotton Ring Stacker $58.00
3. Dandelion – Organic Cotton Shape Sorter $58.00
4. Thermos Fashion Hydration Bottle Was $34.00 NOW $30.00 (Blue Flower, Purple Flower, Butterfly)
5. Allerhand Lunch Bag / Backpack (Pink) Was $39.95 NOW $33.96
6. Isoki – New Insulated Munch Bag (Zahara) Was $39.95 NOW $34.99
7. Thermos Funtainer Insulated Lunch Bag (Sports) $12.50
8. Trunki- Limited Edition Harley Ladybug Was $88.00 NOW $80.00
9. Minimonkey baby sling (Red) Was $79.00 NOW $63.20
10. BusyBee Friends “Pengpeng” Penguin Backpack Was $49.95 NOW $43.96

For all your in-vogue parenting products, Metro Mum stock from the following brands: Hess-Spielzeug, Allerhand, Annabel Trends, Babymoov, Babymel, Baby Steps 123, Baufix, Babywedge, Bilibo, Bloom Baby, Boyle, Britt, BubbaMat, Bud by Design Room, BusyBee Friends, Caden Lane, Cariboo NZ, Compendium, DadGear, DanishbyDesign, David Fussenegger, Dwink Box, Ebulobo, Ellaroo, Ellie Bellie, Elodie Details, Emotion & Kids, Fatboy The Original, Fertile Mind, FLATOUTbears, Foogo by Thermos, FunPod, Giimmo, Happy Mais, Hello Babe, Il Tutto, IntelliGender®, Isoki, Kanoe, Kiddie Food Kutter, Kids Kitchen, KidsonRoof, Kipiis, Language Littles, Learning Tower, Leander, Leisure Learning, Lilbird, Little Beetle, Little Kitchen, Little Sprowtz, LittleOneBaby, Luna Lullaby, Lupi Lu, Melobaby, Metro Mum, Mia Bossi, Milk & Tickles, MilkBar, Mini Bilibo, Minimonkey, Mishi Design, Mojo, Mokopuna, Mothers Minder, Munchee Mug, My Plate-Mate, Nest, Nuance, Nurseryworks, Ocho, Oeuf, OnTray2Go, Oti, Paper Eskimo, PeeWee & PooToo, Playsam, Prego Planner, PuggyHouse, Qtees, Scout, Seed Organic, Snugabub, Storksak, Totem, Trunki, VisualGram, Vulli, Wall Candy and Zuny.

Metro Mum use Fastaway Couriers and Australia Post for delivery.  Total delivery cost will be calculated at checkout.  For estimated delivery times, international orders and all the ‘how to’ information see here.

Today’s post written by Miki

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This is one of those weeks you just don’t want to miss out on.  You see, the girls at Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au – have conspired to bring together a whole raft of special deals, and they all coincide this week!

First of all, KidStyleFile readers can take 15% off store-wide. This means you can get a very nice discount on anything that takes your fancy, including hot new season fashion and a truly wonderful range of accessories for babies and mums alike. This discount is running for a week only – use the code ‘KSFM609′ at checkout, and do it before midnight 30 June, when this offer ends.

Next we turn our focus to Metro Mum’s truly astounding range of über stylish nursery furniture: for a very limited time only you can take 10% off the whole lot!

We’re talking Oeuf, Bloom, Cariboo, Kanoe and lots, lots more.  This deal is only running for a very limited time, so if you’re in the market for some seriously fabulous furniture for your nursery I’d suggest you get onto it right away!

But that’s not all!  Oh no, lovely readers, Metro Mum has even more in store for you.  How about this: every single order is eligible to receive a FREE Hello Babe sample bag, packed full of goodies valued at $40!! If you want one (and who doesn’t?) just add a Hello Babe bag to your cart before checking out.

AND if you sign up to the Metro Mum Club this week, you’ll get $5.00 in rewards points, just like that!

Golly, now that I’ve talked you through all the fantastic offers at Metro Mum, I barely have room to tell you about all the fantastic new products in store – because believe me, there’s loads! What with the new limited edition FunPod in Retro Pink and the super-stylish Bloom Nano highchair (ideal for small spaces and comes in such a great range of colours), you can kit out your kitchen… but as for the rest, you’re going to have to see the image collage below to get some clues as to what’s in and hot!

Pries quoted below in red apply until 30 June 2009 with code, while stocks last only.

1. Babymoov Bebedelice Food Processor + 2 FREE bibs, $199.95 $169.95
2. Mokopuna Value Packs, from $90.00 $76.50
3. BusyBee Friends ‘Cuckoo Chick’ Backpack, $49.95 $42.45
4. Bloom Nano High Chair, $229.00 $194.65
5. Oeuf Cot & Change Station with FREE mattress, $1,778.00 $1,600.20 (using the code ‘FUR609′, this is a special offer for KSF readers only!)
6. BusyBee Friends ‘Pengpeng’ Penguin 4 Piece Luggage Set, $180.00 $153.00
7. FunPod Limited Edition – Retro Pink, $239.00 $203.15 + FREE delivery on this item
8. Milkbar Portable Nursing Pillow, $64.95 $55.20
9. Prego Planner Pregnancy Journal, $43.00 $36.55
10. Hello Babe Sample Bag – FREE!

Metro Mum stocks these amazing brands: Mia Bossi, Oeuf, Caden Lane, Il Tutto, Trunki, Melobaby, Babymoov, FlatoutBear, Bilibo, Baufix, Prego Planner, Isoki, Britt, Lilbird, Mokopuna, Dadgear, Little Sprowtz, David Fussenegger, Little Beetle, Little Swish, Kipiis, Funpod, Lanugage Littles Paper Eskimo, Thermos, Pee Wee and Poo Poo, Snack Trap, Kiddie Food Kutter, Bilibo Mini, Nest, Kanoe, Qtees Designs, Mother Minder, Ocho, Compendium, Ellaroo, Boyle, Wall Candy, BabyTalk, Annabel Trends, Lupi Lu, Penny Scallan, Dwink, Scout, Milk and Tickles, Mishi Design, Leisure Learning, Keptin-Jr, Emotion and Kids, Kids Kitchen, Happy Mais, Mojo, Munchee Mug, Totem, Argan Oil Organic Care, OTi Organiser, Ellie Bellie, Beep Beep Slings, Hess-Spielzeug, Seed Organic, Fatboy, Kids on Roof and more.

Metro Mum charge $7.95 postage to most areas (less if you’re in the Sydney Metro area) – check the Delivery page for full details. Orders over $200.00 are posted free of charge within Australia.

Today’s post written by Angela

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Some people just have the knack when it comes to getting things done with style. Terri Binch of is one such person: Terri has four children ranging from 11 months up to 17 years, so she knows a thing or two about raising kids, and she’s just launched the most splendiforous online baby and kids boutique, Little Styles – www.littlestyles.com.au.

Catering for newborn babies through boys and girls up to 4 years, you can take your pick from fashion, accessories, toys, decor, gifts, and books, from over *70* local and OS brands, via the stunningly beautiful online shopfront. Makes me feel, cool calm and collected just to look at it!

KidStyleFile readers get the jump with 10% off all purchases over $65.00 (not including postage) until 31 May 2009. Enter ‘KSF-May’ at checkout to redeem. Another piece of sugar for you now: until 30 April you’ll also get FREE postage on all orders – WA-HOO! Another freebie you want? Well try the FREE Little Styles signature gift wrapping on for size, complete with custom printed ribbon and gift tag; very swish-o!

To warm you up here is a taste of the fine choices available to you at Little Styles: Aden & Anais, Adiri, Alex, Alimrose Designs, Annabel Trends, Baby Gund, Babylegs, Babylicious, Baobab, Bebe, Bebe Au Lait, Big by Fiona Scanlan, Blabla, Bluebird & Honey, Bobbleart, Books To Wear, Built, Busybee Friends, Cheeky Little Soles, Cheeky Monkey, Cloud B, Cocoon Couture, Deglingos, Elodie Details, Fish Lilly, Flirty Bird, ForWalls, French Bull, Fresh Baked, Gaia Organic Cotton, Gertie and Me, Giimmo, Global Style custom , Haba, Hess-Spielzeug, Infancy, Infantino, Isoki, Itch Design, Jack & Lily, Jasnor, Kathe Kruse, Lakeland Design, Lark and Friends, L’il Fraser Collection, Little Chipipi, Little Styles, Love Police, Mamas and Papas, Marquise, Melissa & Doug toys, Miatom, Minimonkey, Minti, Moppit, Muddy Cloud, Noo Design, Pink Theodore, Plum, Purebaby, Rush, Russ, Sevi, Sigikid, Skeanie, Skip Hop, Sooki Baby, SwaddleDesigns®, Three Little Trees, Tiny Mammoth, Tiny Revolutionary, Tiny Tribe, Vintage Kid, Walnut, Well Spotted, Woof!, and WOW Toys.

Seriously, Terri is not mucking around – she has A1 taste! I have to make a particular mention of two US brands Terri is stocking that are exclusive to Little Styles, Swaddle Designs – very funky bibs, sleeping bags, and accessories for style-conscious bubs – and Muddy Cloud, the cutest little polar-schnugglies (read more here). Also, fans of Jack & Lily shoes, your search has ended: Little Styles is the place to be!

This is only the start from this already great store: sign up to the Little Styles newsletter (put your email addy into the little envelope on the LS homepage) to stay in the loop.

Take 10% off orders over $65.00 with code ‘KSF-May’ until 31 May 2009. Automatic free postage also applies on all purchases until midnight 30 April 2009.

1. Busybee Penguin Lunch Bag $24.95
2. Muddy Cloud Buddies $24.95 each
3. Bluebird and Honey Stripey Elephant Romper $39.95
4. Pink Theodore Mini Bubble Clips – Juliette $8.95 set
5. Sooki Baby Betsey in France Snapsuit $26.95
6. Sooki Baby Betsey in France Frill Leggings $24.95
7. Freshbaked Crew Neck Print Tee – Navy $29.95
8. Freshbaked Boys Infant-Toddler Jean $49.95
9. My First ABC Board Book by Eric Carle $9.95
10. Pure Baby Red Chick Stitch Blanket $89.95
11. Skip HOP Swipe Baby Wipes Case $19.95
12. Wooden Quacking Ducks Pull-along Toy $16.95
13. Elodie Details Pram Bag – Rockabilly Dot $179.95
14. Kathe Kruse Sqeaky Fairy – Grassland $17.95
15. Swaddle Designs zzZipMe Sack – Blue Mod Circles $49.95

Little Styles charge a flat rate of $7.50 for Express Post Australia-wide on all orders. Orders over $150.00 are delivered Express, FREE of charge, Australia-wide. All orders placed before 1pm on business days will be posted that same day (exludes orders containing custom-made products) . International orders are warmly welcomed. Please see the Little Styles Orders and Delivery FAQ for full details on delivery and shipping.