KidStyleFile

Written by Angela

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Kid cool. To cool for school. Hip. Hot. Happening. Minibots  – www.minibots.com.au – comprising, some of the most cutting edge and creative fashion, decor and toy brands for babies and kids,  is all these things and more.

Labels stocked include Bang Bang Cph, Bensimon, Bodebo, Collegien, Cried Wolf, Dagmar Daley, Harmony & Lawson, Heavenly Creatures, Kid O, La La Land, Little Bonbon, A Little Lark, Little Wings, Lucky Boy Sunday, Lychee, Mini & Maximus, Mini Munster, Mischka Aoki, Missie Munster, Munster, Mykela Rose, Native Shoes, Nellystella, New Generals, Paper Wings, Piperoid, Piqpoq Plibook, Saltwater Sandals, Soft Gallery, Spirit Hoods Kids, The Lowercase and Wovenplay.

Minibots are currently hosting a fabulous 50% off sale on all summer fashion from these remarkable brands. Prices are as marked and are only available while stock last. Run, don’t walk!

Discounted prices below are as marked and are valid while stocks last only.

a. munster super s/s tee $43.00 sale $21.50
b. munster posse 2 s/s tee $40.00 sale $20.00
c. bang bang copenhagen buzz dress $85.00 sale $42.50
d. mischka aoki snow? where’s spring $149.00 sale $74.50
e. little Wings heart onesie with skirt $52.00 sale $26.00
f. paper wings heart singlet with ties $58.00 sale $29.00 and paper wings stripe jersey skirt $79.00 sale $39.50
g. mini munster look out s/s tee $35.00 sale $17.50
h. a litle lark wolf s/s tee $35.00 sale $17.50

Minibots charge $12.00 flat rate for delivery within Australia. Orders over $150.00 are shipped free within Australia.  International orders are welcome. Click here for full terms and conditions.

 Written by Miki

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Ding ding ding! Clear the way, I’m coming through. It’s post-Christmas sales time, and I’m making a beeline for Little Pinwheel – www.littlepinwheel.com.au – where I’ve heard there are some massive discounts on a few of my favourite brands.

Hayley at Little Pinwheel has slashed prices on all Sudo, Three Little Trees, Chalk N Cheese and Ada Ada – these top brands are now marked down to 50% off *everything*.  As well as that, Cried Wolf and Rittenhouse summer stock have been marked down by 30%, and all Minti, Missie Munster, Mini and Maximus, Olive’s Friend Pop, Paper Wings and some Heavenly Creatures stock is marked down by 25% – woot!  No code is needed because the prices are marked on the website, but do be aware that these products are going to sell like hotcakes.  Don’t miss out!

Check out some of the astounding bargains on offer. The beautiful Ada Ada Arnite Skirt is half price, going from $64 down to only $32. The awesomely bright Cried Wolf Specoli Tee has gone from $40 down to $28 (I really love those colours), while unisex hip-yet-comfy Ada Ada Guano 3/4 Pants have been slashed to just $19 from $38. I challenge your heart not to melt at this Little Wings Heart Skirt Suit, now $31.20 down from $52, while the Minti ‘I Am Awesome’ sleeveless hoodie is now $41.20, from 54.95.

See the full Sale Category with savings of up to 73% (it’s enormous – I’ll send in a search party if you’re not back in 24 hours), and have fun!

1. Cried Wolf Specoli Tee, was $40.00 now $28.00
2. Minti Happy Face Layer Dress, was $44.95 now $26.95
3. Three Little Trees Navajo Singlet Tops, was $49.95 now $25.00
4. Rittenhouse Spotty Tee, was $55.00 now $38.50
5. Minti Jersey Short, was $49.95 now $29.95
6. Chalk N Cheese Grandpa Tee, was $44.00 now $22.00
7. Sudo Poetry Floral Skirt, was $55.00 now $27.50
8. Three Little Trees Drip Boardshort, was $54.29 now $27.50
9. Missie Munster Paint Me Bikini, was $50.00 now $30.00
10. Ada Ada Stripe Cotton Dress, was $74.95 now $20.00
11. Ada Ada Guano 3/4 Pants, were $38.00 now $19.00
12. Sudo Beachball Dress, was $65.00 now $32.50

At Little Pinwheel, you can find premium kids fashion, toys and accessories for babies, boys and girls from designers such as Polka, Minti, Nature Baby, Sudo, Three Little Trees, Paper Wings, Itch Design, Lark Design, Sevi Toys, Heavenly Creatures, Chalk n Cheese, Cocoon Couture, Nellystella, Rittenhouse Kids, Acorn, Ada Ada, Craft Schmaft, Cried Wolf, Kutie Protocol, Mini & Maximus, Missie Munster, Munster Kids, Native Shoes, Olive’s Friend Pop, Piroutte, Saltwater and Stella Cove. At Lady Pinwheel, you can find brands including Tluxe, Saltwater and Native Shoes.

Little Pinwheel charge $7.50 flat-rate Australia wide. Orders over $150.00 are shipped free, Australia-wide. International orders are welcome. Please see the Little Pinwheel Delivery page for full information on postage and delivery.

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As part of our Christmas coverage this year we are sharing with you our own personal picks for our kids. Today we’re featuring Jen’s picks. You can also read Dom’s picks, Anna’s picks and Melody’s picks. Enjoy! – Ange

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Charlie, 3¾, Jen and Jack, 4 ½

With the boys now really grasping the concept of Christmas, deciding what we should ask from Santa has become a major part of our daily conversation. Keeping things in perspective has certainly been a major challenge, but I think I’m slowly getting through to them!

What I’m most excited about though is finding gifts that enhance their current interests and nourish their active imaginations. Role play, science, the world around us; all hot topics with our eldest  ’thinker’. His brother on the other hand is much more interested in kicking balls and cars, so I think my choice of toys for him should keep him entertained. So many lovely things out there, here’s hoping this selection will give you some fresh ideas.

1. Operation Alphabet, Al Maccuish $16.42 Book Depository
This is a book that I have coveted ever since it arrived in the bookshop where I work. It’s got vintage charisma, a superb homage to spy-tastic capers and is just a genius way to get kids – especially boys – interested in books.

2. Red Bi Plane Ceiling Light $66.45 Shop for Tots
We are in desperate need of a new night light and I think this would hit the spot. I mean what boy doesn’t love planes? This design is simple, unaffected and won’t date, so the boys can love it for many years ahead.

3. Classic Earth Hugg a Planet $47.56 Cornflower Blue
There are three nationalities in our household so this is an ideal gift for the boys. We are almost a mini global village filled with love, so what better thing to do than share a great big hug?

4. Peek, Seek and Find – For Boys, Little Beginnings $20.25 Cornflower Blue
Anything that tackles the major challenge of keeping boys still for longer than 5 minutes gets my vote. I like the neat packaging and thoughtful subjects that should really interest the boys as they start to express interest in numbers and letters.

5. Wooden Teaching Clock £4.99 Jesters. Email admin@jesters.com for shipping costs.
I’m sure there are many of you who have family in Europe wondering what to get grandchildren and cousins. Well I like this clock as it combines learning with style and is well considered when attempting to understand the time.

6. Janod Confetti Harmonica $8.95 Lime Tree Kids
Hmmm I might regret this, but I always wanted a harmonica as a girl and am probably buying this for me rather than the boys. It’s better than a recorder though don’t you think?

7. Kaleidoscope $7.95 Shop for Tots
The boys love kaleidoscopes, especially the ones they discovered at daycare. So maybe it’s time we had one of our own at home. This would be a perfect stocking filler

8. Captain Tee by Cried Wolf $40 and Check Slimline Shorts by Sosooki $49 About a Boy
Add a pair of Chuck Taylors and how cute would a little fella look in this outfit?

9. Mr Frog Eco Wall $59 The Lowercase
I definitely have a ‘learning’ theme going on here and just love the artwork on this wall hanging. Nature, style, decor and learning all wrapped up. Perfect?

10. Wall Candy Animal Chalkboard $99.95 Metro Mum
These animals would be so much fun to customise over and over again. I think they’d be great in the kids room, they’d be a welcome addition to their existing zoo!

11. Mini Automoblox Truck $25.95 Where Did You Get That?
I’d probably have to get two of these. The boys are so close in age that sometimes I have to treat them as twins when it comes to shopping for toys. These look rather supercool and I think they’d go nice and fast on the wooden floors…

12. Little MD role play medical bag $37.95 Shop for Tots
Our eldest was caught deep in doctor mode recently at a friends house, fixing knees and taking temperatures. Maybe it’s time I nurtured that interest, I may have a future brain surgeon on on my hands?

Please check individual stores for shipping costs. Also make sure you read the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Written by Miki

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It’s an exciting time at Little Pinwheel – www.littlepinwheel.com.au – as new stock rolls in the doors. I have to say, I adore checking out Hayley’s new season ranges at Little Pinwheel, she has such a brilliant eye for picking the absolute best of childrenswear from Australia and abroad. Summer 2011 is no exception, and as I type this I know she’s unpacking brand new Three Little Trees, Minti, Chalk N Cheese, Munster and Missie Munster, Mini & Maximus and more.  I will also make a prediction: this new stock is not going to sit on her shelves for long as style-savvy mums will snap it up as fast in double-quick time!

I’m so excited about this year’s summer collections from all the brands I just mentioned.  There are some incredible stand-out pieces such as the Missie Munster Daydreamer Tee and the Munster Liquid Dye Denim Short, but just as wonderful are the wardrobe staples.  My kids could spend all summer in the Spinning Record Tee and Skinny Denim Short, both by Minti; and the Chalk N Cheese Nina Jersey Dress is as comfy as any little girl could wish for.  I also love the comfy-yet-hip loungewear by Mini & Maximus which is lightweight enough to be summery but can easily be layered up for cooler days.

Don’t forget to stock up on summery footwear either. For me, the shoe that absolutely epitomises summer is the classic Saltwater Sandal, available in a range of colours for kids at Little Pinwheel, but also for mamas over at Lady Pinwheel. KidStyleFile’s Leah is a vocal fan of Saltwater, and she’s pretty much got me convinced that I need a pair – I’m tossing up between red and shiny purple, what do you reckon?

Hayley at Little Pinwheel is anything but shy when it comes to marking down sale items. Check out her sale section where pretty much everything is discounted by *more than 50%* and by up to 85% off!  You’ll find incredible bargains (and I do mean incredible, you’ll have to see for yourself) from top brands, including the Chalk N Cheese Molly Dress pictured below which was $84.00 and is now just $20… and that’s just the beginning of the savings you can find. No code is needed and prices are only valid while stocks last, so get in there quickly.

1. Minti Spinning Record Tee, $39.95; Minti Skinny Denim Short, $59.95
2. Munster No Hands Tee, $39.00; Munster Liquid Dye Denim Short, $69.00
3. Missie Munster Daydreamer Tee, $40.00
4. Minti Shade Hood, $59.95; Saltwater Sandals – Shiny Fuschia, $69.00
5. Mini & Maximus Woof Tee, $38.00;  Mini & Maximus Juggling Stars Sweat, $54.00
6. Mini & Maximus Le Chat Pant, $54.00; Native Shoes – Jefferson, $49.95
7. Chalk N Cheese Nina Jersey Dress, $64.00 
8. Missie Munster Ruffled Romper, $60.00
Sale: Minti Burglar Long Sleeve Tee, $44.95 $20.00;  Chalk N Cheese Molly Dress – Black & Grey, $84.00 $20.00; Cried Wolf Baby ‘One More’ Tee, $29.95 $10.00

At Little Pinwheel, you can find premium kids fashion, toys and accessories for babies, boys and girls from designer luminaries including Polka, Minti, Nature Baby, Sudo, Three Little Trees, Paper Wings, Itch Design, Lark Design, Sevi Toys, Heavenly Creatures, Chalk n Cheese, Cocoon Couture, Nellystella, Rittenhouse Kids, Acorn, Ada Ada, Craft Schmaft, Cried Wolf, Kutie Protocol, Mini & Maximus, Missie Munster, Munster Kids, Native Shoes, Olive’s Friend Pop, Piroutte, Saltwater and Stella Cove. At Lady Pinwheel, you can find brands including Tluxe, Saltwater and Native Shoes.

Post written by Anna

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Charlie’s Bucket – www.charliesbucket.com.au is an amazing online boutique where you will find bucket loads of treasure for little people!  As a long term fan, this hip boutique won me over because their pages are easy to navigate and filled with a lush collection of items for babies and children. There are funky homewares and gifts, beautiful decor to suit bedrooms and play areas, toys, shoes and accessories and one of the most stunning arrays of fashion you could imagine!

You will quickly see that proprietor Sandra has impeccable taste in clothing for children. The designer labels are fresh, fun and funky and included in the Charlie’s Bucket portfolio only if they meet her high standards for design and style. You will find Acorn, Ada Ada, Baby Bloch, Bajo, Beatrix New York, Beep Beep Slings, Bobo Choses, Cat Rabbit, Chalk n Cheese, Coco and Ginger, Converse, Cried Wolf, Design For Use, DINGaRINGS, Emu, ErgoPouch, Fabrik, Fabrikators, French Bazaar, Freshbaked, Gaia Organic Cotton, Heavenly Creatures, Heico, Humble Bumble, Itch Design, Jetti Spaghetti, Jole Home, Kideko, Little Lamb, Little Leona, Little Oinkers, Little Scruffs, Little Wings, Littlehorn, Maiike, Milk Baby, Milkdot, Mine by Kayla, Mini and Maximus, Mini Munster, Minti, Miny Mo, Missie Munster, Munster, Nature Baby, Olive’s Friend Pop, Ouch, Outliving, Paper Wings, Peggy, Polka, Rittenhouse, Rock Your Baby, Saltwater Sandals, See Kai Run, Shinzi Katoh, Sirch, Sudo, The Red Thread, Third Drawer Down, Tiny Mammoth, Ubabub, Vulli, Walnut and Yellow Owl Workshop.

Because Charlie’s Bucket has a bricks and mortar store in downtown Hobart, they are well stocked with winter goodies to keep little people warm and enjoying themselves throughout the cooler months. If you have little feet to shop for, Emu booties are soft, warm and oh so cute making them the perfect winter baby gift. Or how about some winter woollies by designer brand Acorn? Check out the two hats pictured below the Too Woo Hat and Forest Folk Hat in Powder Blue - they are off the charts cute!

Charlie’s Bucket currently has a fantastic sale on and I thoroughly recommend you shop the sale, it’s massive! There are brilliant clothes to choose from with past season summer and winter stock as well as current 2011 winter stock all reduced by up to 50%!! We have EXTRA good news if you’re reading today though because KidStyleFile readers can go ahead and take an additional 10% off storewide *including* all of the wonderful sale stock. Simply enter discount code ‘woohoo‘ while stocks last and until midnight 14 July 2011.

Keep up to date with the latest and greatest Charlie’s Bucket has to offer by signing up to their mailing list and like their Facebook Page for up to the minute information on new products, sales and competitions.

Discounted prices quoted below are only applicable with code woohoo while stocks last and until midnight 14 July 2011.

1. Acorn Too Woo Hat $38.50 less 10% = $34.65
2. Emu Baby Bootie – Chestnut $39.95 less 10% =$35.95
3. Ada Ada Hooded Cape $95.00 $57.00 less 10% = $51.30
4. Heavenly Creatures Priscilla Tulle Tutu $86.00 $51.50 less 10% = $46.35
5. Acorn Forest Folk Hat – Powder Blue $39.95 less 10% =$35.95
6. Bobo Choses Shirt Clouds $55.00 $33.00 less 10% = $29.70
7. Littlehorn Festival Dress $60.00 $42.00 less 10% = $37.80
8. Emu Baby Bootie – Chocolate $39.95 less 10% =$35.95
9. Minti Blazer $89.95 $62.95 less 10% = $56.65
10. Cried Wolf Machine Hoodie $69.95 $35.00 less 10% = $31.50
11. Sudo Dante Rocker Jean $79.00 $47.40 less 10% = $42.66
12. Converse Black All Star Hi Tops $60.00 less 10% = $54.00

Charlie’s Bucket deliver Australia wide using Express Post for the low fee of $7.50. All Australian orders over $150 are shipped FREE. International orders are shipped via Australia Post Air Mail for $20.00. For shipping terms and conditions please see here.

Post written by Leah

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The land of children’s fashion design here in Australia is as vast as our glorious country. There are the small, intimate labels, just like our small townships through to internationally recognised designers living abroad that still call Australia home. The spectrum of tastes runs from the bohemian right through to the traditional. There is such a vast point of difference between each label, but what they each have in common is a strong Australian identity.

Today bring you Part 2 of our two part series on Australian labels that design and produce their collections right here in Australia. This is not an easy task: there are few incentives for them to do so; the government offers little support – taxes are high, and subsidies are low – and the benefits of off-shore production promise lower production costs and higher profit margins. It’s true that you may pay a little more for Australian made, but we’re confident that you will be happy with what you receive for it: the knowledge that you are supporting local industry and reducing your carbon footprint, that fair working conditions are in place, and that you are purchasing a high quality product that will take everything that your child dishes out to it and then still be good to go again.

We hope you love these Aussie labels as much as we do. Please show your support and buy a piece or two

Did you miss’ Australian Made: Part 1 – Celebrating Designers Who Make Their Collections In Australia’? Catch it here.

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Well Spotted!

Anyone who can pull off a Star Wars themed tee and be totally stylish rather than just geeky is a winner in my book. In the words of the designer behind Well Spotted, the label was created “out of parental joy, expectation & well, frustration!”. Tony Clayton (whose resume includes stints at both Mambo and Macrs), the man behind Well Spotted,  always held the  belief that if all our big companies take the manufacturing of garments overseas, no one will be able to make even a t-shirt here in Australia. He swore that if ever ventured into creating his own range, he would keep it in Australia. Starting off making slogan tees for adults, Well Spotted somehow morphed into a range for kids (I think son Finbar may have been a bit of the inspiration here), and true to his word, Tony ensured that the entire label was an Australian product. The  t-shirts are designed by Tony in his studio in Summer Hill, made in Bankstown and then printed by Tony in Leichhardt.  You can find Well Spotted tees at Cornflowerblue and Little Styles or check here for a stockist.

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Cried Wolf

What do you get when you put a newborn baby in the arms of a buyer from General Pants? A whole new funky Australian designed label that’s part surfer style, part skater style and a whole lot of seriously hip. Cried Wolf has some of the funkiest tees and boardies, and all of their t-shirts are designed and printed right here in Australia! How cool is that (now to convince them to make their boardies here too!). Right now you can find super bargains on the past summer range at About A Boy or here for their stockist list.

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One Sunday

“Dreamy days at the beach, long lazy afternoons with friends… one Sunday is a collection full of colour, where elegance rhymes with comfort, carefully chosen cuts and fabrics.” One Sunday is a gorgeous boutique label for tweens 8- 14 that are after something a little refined, age appropriate and totally stylish. Using New Zealand milled jerseys and cottons, the range is then designed, cut and sewn right in here in Australia. Click here for stockists.

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Tkxi Surf

With most of the Australian population living on the coast, it is only reasonable to suspect that a great many of us spend a lot of the summer days at the beach. For those more inland, there are lots of rivers, lakes and dams (or local swimming pools) to keep us cool in the heat as well. Of course, this calls for swimwear that will endure a whole lot of wear, offer SPF 50+ protection and look totally stylish. Designed by Karen Panaretto, formally of Aussie swimwear icon Seafolly, Tkxi Surf is an Australian design and made swimwear label that ticks all three boxes. You can find Tkxi Surf at a number on online boutiques, click here for stockists.

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Electric Boy

Members of the Justice League in the Wiggles Big Red Car; A Batman Shadow Puppet; Darth Vadar joins the Green Side (found riding on a bike)….these are just some of the super cool prints to find their way onto the tees and jumpers of Electric Boy’s Winter 2011 range. With a label who describes their inspiration behind their name in these words: “I really really love The Mighty Boosh, especially Princey Vincey!! But I couldn’t be Electro Boy, so thus born Electric Boy!!” you know you’ve found something very special for your little man. Electric Boy is designed in Australia with all items printed right here in Australia. You can find the label at Cradle Rock, Ten Little Indians and Threads of Red or try their stockist list for a store near you.

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Brusselsprouts

Having studied Art History at uni, then working as both a ceramic artist and hairdresser amongst other jobs, Victoria Crisp became inspired to create the label Brusselsprouts when she was pregnant with her second son. With her husband  on the road driving road trains for the mines, Victoria sews at home (and now runs her new B&M shop) in Kalgoorlie, West Australia whilst also balancing her duties as mummy to two gorgeous little boys. The Brusselsprouts range is all about the fabric, so you will find stunning garments that are rather simplistic in style, but absolutely stunning to the eye thanks to the careful selection of materials. Brusselsprouts garments can be purchased at their online store.

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Tiddles & Chich

Tiddles & Chich is an Australian designed and made label that release two ranges each year. Creating a range that is somewhat French classic and stylish, yet maintains a modern day aesthetic, Tiddles and Chich has been seen on a bevy of celebrity children including Suri Cruise (not just once either!). Created by Freyr Lennon and Luise Geddes, and later joined by Freyr’s sister Alexis who has returned from the UK after working for The Royal Family and The Conrans, this label produces a spectrum of goodies from play to party for babies to seven year olds. For stockists click here.

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Little Miss J

Using luxe fabrics, laces and trims, Little Miss J is a label designed by Jo Lambert whose subtle colour palette and french overtones are perfect for special events, birthdays and for little girls who wish to stand out from the crowd. Proudly made in Australia, the range is perfect for little girls 1-10 years. You will find Little MIss J at Hopscotch Children’s Boutique and The Little Kidz Closet, or you can click here for stockists.

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Elodie & Elvis

Are you looking for an exquisite, high end label for your little one that is often found on the catwalk and has a real European flavour.  Specialising in exquisite coats and clothing for both boys and girls, Doris Reymond created the label in 2001 and has seen the label blossom to become an Australian boutique favourite. Both designed and made it Melbourne, Australia, any one of the items from the range will bring an element of sophistication to your childs wardrobe. For stockists, please contact Elodie and Elvis directly.

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Sophie’s Lane

Based in Brisbane, Sophie’s Lane is the latest label that combines Liberty of London prints with exquisitely designed and tailored dresses for girls 0-3 months to 5 years. Gorgeous yokes, fabric buttons and fully lined with quality cotton, each dress is a piece of art handmade by designer Sam Aloquin with real European styling with a modern twist. Dresses are available for order from their webpage.

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Read Australian Made: Part 1 – Celebrating Designers Who Make Their Collections In Australia

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Please check individual sites for postage details and browse the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.