KidStyleFile

Today, Miki helps us out with some great gift ideas at the freshly launched Gifts4Kidz.

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Buying presents for other people’s children terrifies me, and I don’t think I’m alone.

My own child is still so young, and I think it takes plenty of experience of children at all ages before you can be certain of getting something appropriate. How do I know what a teenage boy would like?  Scary stuff!

Luckily the risk is taken out of the equation at the fabulous new Gifts4Kidz - www.gifts4kidz.com.au - where there is a great selection of gifts carefully sorted into categories for boys and girls of different ages.  Phew!!

With the range extending from newborn (keep an eye out for the newborn gift packs, coming soon) through to teenagers and beyond, this lovely site makes buying presents easy - and you can pick up something special for your own kids while you’re there!

What about the Marquise Ultimate Undergarment Set for a new arrival?  All Marquise products are of the finest quality, and this gift is not only beautiful but practical too.  New parents can never have enough little bodysuits and singlets, and this set includes something for every weather condition.

The Le Toy Van products are every kid’s dreams come true.  Beautifully made wooden playsets, there are fairy towers, sweetheart cottages and whimsical teapot cafe sets, not to mention Shanghai Warrior pirate ships and auto garages a-plenty.  Kids will spend hours upon hours in imaginative play with these wonderful sets - wish I’d had one as a kid!

There is also stylish room decor. Little girls would love the Tiger Tribe ‘Pink Flowers’ bedroom set, and little boys are guaranteed to adore the Missi Missi Junior Boys beanbag, and check out the homewares section for divine cot bedding and much, much more.

Brands stocked include Britt, Djeco, Le Toy Van, Kate Finn, Chippie, Little Beetle, Tin Lid Designs, Melo Baby, Creative Education, Alperstein Designs, Missi Missi, Tiger Tribe, Little Swish, Jacques Farel and Zoe Bonbon.

There is also a range of books, including gorgeous gift sets from my all-time favourite author, Roald Dahl, plus some beautifully thought-out baby record books and master plan diaries.

Gifts4Kidz are giving KidStyleFile readers 10% off all purchases until September 30. Enter ‘KSF’ in the promotion code section at checkout to redeem.

From top left in rows:

Discounts include the 10% off for KSF readers.

The Master Plan Diary, $34.95  $31.45 (Ange’s note: I have one of these in red, and it is truly the most beautiful diary I have ever owned!)
Kate Finn Essentials Set - Blue Stripe, $64.95  $58.45
Spots n Stripes Green Cot Set, $110.00 $99.00
Tiger Tribe Bedroom Set -Blue Car, $64.95  $58.45
chippie Black Butterflies Stanley Bag, $64.95  $58.45
Le Toy Van Wooden Teapot Cafe, $84.95  $76.45
Missi Missi Beanbag - Jumbo Boys, $120.00  $108.00
Le Toy Van New York Car Set, $36.00  $32.40
Djeco Princess Marguerite Gouaches Art Set, $42.95  $38.65

Gifts4Kidz charge a flat rate delivery of $9.95 Australia wide. 

Today’s post has me bouncing around like a kid in a toy shop. Which is appropriate, because today’s post *is* about a toy shop. A richly filled, inspiring and beauteous toy shop.

Toy stores represent to me, a piece of pure, fantastical magic. Going to a toy shop is for me, like waking up and discovering I live in a land where the flowers are made of marshmallows, the trees are made of Flake chocolate, and the grass under my feet is made of green icing with coconut in it.

You get the picture: it’s all about letting imagination fly, and having the most fabulous time.

Little Possums Toys- www.littlepossumstoys.com.au - brings my fantasy into reality, with a superlative range of quality toys hand selected by mums to meet the needs of a child’s growing intellect and passion for learning.

Casey and Carolyn at Little Possums Toys are offering all KidStyleFile toy aficionados a 10% store-wide discount until September 30. Please enter the promotional code ‘KSF09′ at checkout to redeem your discount.

Also, be sure to sign up for the Little Possums Toys newsletter and go in the draw to win a sumptuous plush Crumble Bear from Mamas & Papas. The winner will be drawn on September 30.

And now….on with the toys!

There really is the most luscious selection to choose from at Little Possums. The finest quality toy brands from around the globe are represented here: Alex Toys, Automoblox, Brio, Djeco, Fiesta Crafts, Goki, Le Toy Van, Mamas & Papas (the best- selling Mamas & Papas Baby Play range is 15% under RRP at Little Possums, so check it out!) , Manhattan Toy Co, Missi Missi, Orchard Toys, Plan Toys, Playmobil, Quercetti, Schleich, Schoenhut, The Little Experience, Travis Designs and WOW Toys UK.

A few things that are really putting a smile on my dial at the moment include the Travis Designs themed dress-up costumes, the Automoblox cars, and Mamas & Papas Carrots the Donkey - a tremendous bargain you simply cannot go past at a massive discount of of $75.65 off rrp after all discounts have been applied.

Check below for more fine picks.

Clockwise from top left:

Prices quoted are after 10% KidStyleFile has been applied, and are applicable until September 30.

Travis Designs King Costume with Crown $72.95 - 10% disc = $65.95
Brio Red Classic Race Car $15.95 - 10% disc = $14.35
Djeco Geoform Magnetic Box Set $54.95 - 10% disc = $49.45
Mamas & Papas Knitted Lamb Gift Box $36.95 - 10% disc = $33.25
Travis Designs Ladybird Costume $58.95 - 10% disc = $53.05
Travis Designs Sugar Plum Fairy Costume $84.95 - 10% disc = $76.45
Le Toy Van Sweetpea Fairy Doll $16.95 - 10% disc = $15.25
Mamas & Papas Carrots the Donkey Rocker - already discounted by 25% to $165.95 - 10% additional disc = $149.35
Automoblox S9 Blue Sedan $48.95 - 10% disc = $44.05

Little Possums Toys delivery charges are automatically calculated at checkout according to the Australian Post recommendation for product volume, weight and destination. Orders are delivered by either registered Australia Post or Fastway Courier. Contact Little Possums for further details.

I just adore Monkeytail & Wellington - www.monkeytailandwellington.com.au. Owner Vicki has created a wondrous boutique of uniquely creative and exuberant products from passionate local and overseas independent designers, boutique brands and artisan crafted products that inspire me every time, and she’s always adding more new and fabulous things.

If I had to explain the feeling Monkeytail & Wellington gives me, it reminds me of reading my favourite childhood story over again and loving it every time - “more! more! again! again!”. It also tickles my fancy to see what the M&W mascots, the dino and monkey, are up to on each page - it’s just a delight and a joy.

Monkeytail & Wellington stock the following brands: 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.

Little Hero capes, Lillybean Playfood, The Piggy Story bags, art folios and tableware, and Monkey Do (beautiful made-in-Melbourne quality and designs. I met the designers recently, and I tell you what, their clothes really channel the loveliness of the people who make them) have also now arrived.

To help you celebrate childhood (your child’s and your own second childhood!), Vicki at Monkeytail & Wellington is offering KidStyleFile reader 15%* off store-wide until August 31.

Use the code ‘KSF02′ in at checkout to score your exclusive discount.

Woohoo! <sound of running feet and front door slamming>

That’s the sound of me heading over the M&W pronto: I’m off to buy some Little Hero capes and accessories, Cutecumber goldfish hairclips (we just acquired some real goldfish, and we love them!), Verve jazz CD (major cred for their musical education), and another Owly Shadow Puppet or two for me to play with for my children’s upcoming birthdays.

Head on over to discover the magical world of Monkeytail & Wellington for yourself. Picks of the day below to inspire you

Clockwise from top left. Prices in red are after 15% KSF discount, and are applicable until 31 August only, so get your skates on!

Red Zinnia Lounge Set Set (one off: size 2 only) $49.95 less 15% = $42.45
The Piggy Story Doggy Diary Handy Notecard Set with case $34.95 less 15% = $29.70
Monkey Do Flower Sunday Dress (available in sizes 4 & 6) $65.00 less 15% = $55.25
Monkey Do Holiday T-shirt in Avocado (available in sizes 4 & 6) $38.00 less 15% = $32.30
Little Campers Blue Planet Lounge Set (one off: size 2 only) $49.95 less 15% = $42.45
The Piggy Story Ramblin’ Kid Cow suitcase & accessories $59.95 less 15% = $50.95
Verve records Jazz for Kids $30.00 less 15% = $25.50
Owly Shadow Puppets - Dinosaur $15.00 less 15% = $12.75
Cutecumber Goldfish Swimming Practice Hairclips $7.00 less 15% = $5.95
Little Hero Capes - choose from 8 fab designs. Matching power cuffs and masks sold separately  $39.95 less 15% = $33.95

*Offer ends 31 August 2008, and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer, or custom orders. VIP discounts not applicable during the promotional period.

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 during non-promotional periods, 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.

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.)