Show and Tell: Putting my money where my mouth is
Posted: July 13th, 2008Post written by Miki
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One of the occupational hazards of KidStyleFile is that I find myself in temptation’s way all too often: so much cool stuff at such great discounts - how could I not buy at least some of it?
My poor old credit card has taken a hammering over the last few months, but you know what? I don’t regret a single one of my purchases so far.
Because I think that’s a pretty solid endorsement of what I’ve bought, I thought I’d showcase some of my favourites today. (I’ve taken my own photos for this, so I apologise for the slightly dodgy photos; hopefully you’ll get the idea at least 
)
Threads
I love little boys’ clothes. My son Alex (aged nearly one) has a fairly extensive wardrobe, but we do have a few favourites.
I know I rave on about these at every chance I get, but the American Apparel baby rib karate pants are revered in this household. Comfy, stretchy and still really cool looking, he wears them… well, most days actually, now that I think about it!
I always get ours from Frock You - www.frockyou.com.au - because Kat stocks such a great range of sizes and colours and has such kick-ass sales. There’s also the My Child magazine discount code*(see bottom of page) which gives you 20% off storewide!
I’ve bought a few tops from Frock You too - currently Alex is wearing Smirk tees (I love the Smirk designs, it’s my absolute favourite kids tee brand) and Ej Sikke Lej too.
The other favourite top du jour is his Oobi ‘Bella the Martian’ hoodie, which I bought from Fairy Kisses - www.fairykisses.com.au.
Fairy Kisses have a brilliant price on this one at the moment, check it out! The other great thing about this hoodie is that Angela gave Alex the matching Oobi Timorous Beastie: too cute!
Kindy Kamper
The Kindy Kamper - from www.kindykamper.com.au - was another present from Angela (yes, she spoils us rotten). Even though it’s marketed at pre-schoolers it’s actually really great for babies too because it fits into portacots so nicely!
We do a lot of travelling to see our respective families and having the Kindy Kamper has made bedding for Alex a breeze. I just grab the KK and the portacot and that’s it - nothing else needed! The little loops on the bottom of the KK padded base fit over the portacot matress perfectly (they’re adjustable for different sizes of matress too) and the padding in the KK base makes the portacot matress softer too. I can tuck Alex in just like normal, so he’s happy and comfy.
Once we’re home again it’s just as easy. The KK gets flung in the washing machine, then it dries just as well either on the line or in the dryer, and then it’s ready to go all over again.
It’s also Alex’s cot bedding at daycare - no more lost sheets or having to sew name tags on to about eight different items, as the KK covers it all. Couldn’t be easier.
Here’s a photo of the KK set up in my portacot (which is a Phil & Teds T2), and with Alex in it. Please excuse the rather, erm, ‘vibrant’ playroom floor in the background!
Bags
My ISOKI petite traveller (from Ekidna Kids - www.ekidnakids.com.au) goes everywhere with me these days, whether I have Alex with me or not. It’s small enough to be easy for me to take around (not much bigger than a clutch really) but big enough to fit everything a mum could need when she’s out running errands.
I’ve just emptied mine out on the desk, and this is what I fit in it:
Two disposable nappies, a travel pack of nappy wipes, a few nappy sacks, a twin-pack of teething rusks, a little box of sultanas, a muesli bar, a bib, my mobile phone, some cash (sadly not very much), a notebook and pen, my keys and all the cards I use on a daily basis - credit card, EFTPOS card, library card etc. And I still have plenty of room for a bottle and my sunglasses etc.
It’s amazing how much fits into such a little bag!
Another favourite in my nappy bag collection is my Vanchi Carry All Nappy Bag in choc tudor.
The best price I’ve seen on these is at La Toriana when you use the My Child magazine discount code*(see bottom of page) to take 15% off AND get a free gift.
It’s had a hard life, my Vanchi, but I have to say that it’s so well made that it’s taken all the abuse I’ve thrown at it and not batted an eyelash. Once I brushed the smooshed biscuit off it I realised that it actually still looks like new! I love this nappy bag precisely because it doesn’t look like a nappy bag - perfect!
The other bag that really deserves a mention is the Fleurville kids messenger bag, which hails from from Itty Bitty Yuppy - www.ittybittyyuppy.com.au.
Things I love about this bag (besides its obviously gorgeous looks) are its size; small enough that a pre-schooler can carry it, but big enough that I don’t look silly carrying it either, and the unique PVC-free fabric it’s made from. It feels great (really soft but tough) and it’s such good quality.
It also came with an insulated lunch bag which is very handy for being out and about. This is the bag that goes to daycare with Alex as it fits everything he needs for the day: lunch, nappies, change of clothes, bottle etc. etc.
Please visit individual website for product prices and postage information.
* If you can’t get to a newsagent then email Angela; she’s nice and she’ll give you the code 
