KidStyleFile

Written by Anna

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Audrey Hepburn’s son described his mother as having an ‘elegant spirit’ and I think the same could be said of The Little Kidz Closet – www.thelittlekidzcloset.com.au.  As an actress, Audrey Hepburn was the epitome of elegance and grace, and likewise, The Little Kidz Closet showcases all that is elegant and graceful in the world of little children. Proprietor Lesley has an intuitive eye for beautiful design and as such her boutique is a delight to my eyes, and her choice in products is bound to delight your children too.

In time for Christmas, Lesley has stocked The Little Kidz Closet with a host of gorgeous new products. If you need a gift for a baby, a special blanket is a gift that will be treasured and complimented again and again as it travels out and about with wee little baby. The Weegoamigo Blankets would fit the bill perfectly. The Golly Gosh toys would also make a great gift. Or you could choose something to decorate the nursery like a Decoylab clock – I love them all, but my current favourite is the Decoylab Deer Bamboo Clock. For older children The Little Kidz Closet stock great gifts for decorating bedrooms too. There is linen from coveted brand Jacob and Bonomi, including the new Little House Blankets which are up for pre-order. For stylish walls there are the fabric wall stickers from Mae. This unique brand have also launched new melamine plate sets which would make a great Christmas gift. The Dinosaur Dinner Set is pictured below at letter i.

Little people love pint sized storage options to put their special things in, making something along these lines a really thoughtful gift.  Though they might be happy with a recycled shoe box, The Little Kidz Closet have some much more eye catching and stylish options to choose from. For girls there are the Apples Storage Baskets in two colour choices, and for boys there is the range from Hunters Hut with the Vespa New York Cases shown below.

As a special Christmas offer, The Little Kidz Closet are offering all KSF readers who spend $200 or more a $20 gift voucher to be used on your next order. There are no exclusions on what you can spend your $200 on, so as well as all the great Christmas gifts I’ve mentioned you might like to check out the sale section with items heavily discounted, some up to 58% off RRP. This offer is valid until 30 January 2012 and your voucher will be emailed to you and remains valid for 12 months.

a. Weegoamigo Flock of Ducks $79.95 
b. Hunters Hut Vespa New York Cases $55.00
c. Apples Storage Baskets – Raspberry $89.95 
d. Decoylab Deer Bamboo Clock $80.00
e. Teeny Me Beach Towel Navy $29.95
f. Hunters Hut Bicycle Bookends $59.95
g. Mae oh deer girly $79.95 
h. Jacob & Bonomi Tree Of Life Doona Set $135.00
i. Love Mae – Dinosaur Dinner Set $54.95
j. Jacob and Bonomi Little House Blankets $67.00
k. Golly Gosh Crocheted Donkey Soft Toy Rattle $29.95
l. Golly Gosh Crocheted Elephant Soft Toy Rattle $29.95

The Little Kidz Closet stock products from the following brands: 41 Orchard Wall Stickers, adorning al, An Angel at my Table, Antons lane, A-Z Designer Letters, Baby Kas, Baby Legs, Bloom, Bolly & Bear, boodalee, Boon, BugRugs, Bumprider, Bybo Design, Cariboo, Chalk n Cheese, Cicci – From Zuny Family, David Fussenegger, Decoylab, Design State, Designer Mama’s, Dingsbums, Dotty Spot Designs, ecococoon, Fiona Kate, Forwalls, Frankie Ray Sunglasses, Fresh Baked, Giimmo, Go home Junior, Golly Gosh, Graphic Spaces, Groovy Goose, Habitat Baby, Hanke, Heavenly Creatures, Hugg a Planet, Hunters Hut, idc kids, Il Tutto, Incy Interiors, Innate Gear, IVI, Jacob & Bonomi, Join Us, Jolie Petite Chose, Joolz, Kas Kids, Kidkraft, Koochu, Kouch, Kushee -Mat, Latitude Enfant, Leander, Left Hand Make, Lelbys Bean Chairs, Lilly & Lolly, Little Chillies, Little Chipipi, Little Lamb, Little Light House, Little Miss J, littlenest, Live Play Create, Living Like Lulu, Lovestamp, Lullaby Linen, Made by Mosey, mae, Mamas and Papas, Micki, Mini by Angi Mac, Miss Ruby May, Mista TJ, Miyo, Moll Desks, Mor-stor, Ni-Night, Noosh, Nurseryworks, old soles, Olli Ella, ooMoo Kids, Oopsie, Organic Baby, Paperwings, Petit Collage, Pickle, Pinwheels and Pearls, Pirouette Pettiskirt, Pop and Lolli, Printspace, puggyhouse, Raggidy Rag Dolls, Rondeau Industries, Rosemonde Et Michel Coudert, Seed Organic, Seedling, SleepiSpaces, Solvej Swings, Studio Skinky, Sudo, Tea Princess, Teeny Me, The Learning Tower, The Little Kidz Closet, Three Little Trees, Tidy books, Tommy Rocket, Totriser, Totseat, Touchwood Furniture, Treehouse, ubabub Nursery Furnitue, Urban Nest Designs, Vivi Celebrations, Walnut Melbourne, Whimsy, Zuny Classic and Zzzoolight.

The Little Kidz Closet postage charges start at $7.50. Clothing orders over $150.00 are shipped free of charge. Visit The Little Kidz Closet Information page for full details.

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 we celebrate the 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

Read Australian Made: Part 2 – Celebrating Designers Who Make Their Collections In Australia here.

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Chalk ‘n’ Cheese

Proudly manufactured in Melbourne, Chalk ‘n’ Cheese has been a firm favourite amongst serious fashionistas since its creation by Tracy Eastwood back in 2005. Shying away from overly decorated garments and “fizziness”, Chalk n Cheese signature A line dresses, machine washable fabrics, gorgeous colours and classical styling are reminiscent of European fashion.

You can source Chalk n Cheese from Bubba Funk, ShopHouse, and a bevy of B&M stores here. For past season bargains and end of line stock, don’t forget to check out Trunk Show Kids.

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Selkie Smith

When Melinda Smith left her corporate positon in banking with a dream to make her Yorkiepie bags a wardrobe staple, I really don’t think she expected the demand to be as large as it is today or that she would now be employing a number of staff! Featured in the latest Studio Bambini, Selkie Smith Designs are home grown in the Blue Mountains, are made from a range of delicious, hand picked fabrics (with an exciting collaboration with local fabric designer Saffron Craig only last year), and available in a range of bag types. Which one will you take home?

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Cheeky Chickies

Back in 2006, Mrs Chicken AKA Deni Fowle, hatched a plan that would see her launching one of the very first Australian Made 100% organic cotton clothing and accessories range. With the motto “Let your light shine LOUD and stand out from the crowd!”, Cheeky Chickies bold colours and easy care materials are a favourite in my kidlets wardrobe. Better still, everything from the design to the material to the sewing is all sourced locally here in Australia!  You can purchase Cheeky Chickies Free Range Clothing online at Cornflowerblue and Sustainababy or at one of these bricks and mortar stockists.

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Czarque

A few years ago I came across a pair of divine Czarque soft sole leather baby shoes and fell in love. Head over heels in love in fact. Here was a shoe that was stunning to look at, was soft on my little missy’s feet, and better still, were handcrafted by a shoemaker with over 100 years of experience right here in Australia. They’re sophisticated, they’re unique….they only go up to size 5, so make the most of them while your bubba is small!  You can find Czarque at Bubba Funk or at one of their B&M stores.

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Heavenly Creatures

With its genesis back in 2005,  Heavenly Creatures is a Melbourne based label that truly encapsulates the whimsical tradition of fusion dress-ups and functional wear. Designed by duo Kelly Duckworth and Heidi Weber, you’ll become all nostalgic with the tales this label tells, from Peter Pan to Narnia,. You can find their range at Little Styles and ShopHouse; or click on their website to locate a store near you.

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Mae

Mae, or ‘Love Mae’ as they have also become known, is a truly original reusable fabric wall sticker company that is completely Australian Made. This gorgeous innovation sprang from the minds of three lovely ladies – Bec, Peta and Emily from the little town of Stokers Siding in Northern NSW (less than 25 minutes from Byron Bay), and has progressively grown to become one of Australia’s favoured interior design products. Washable, durable and able to stick on to most surfaces, the Mae range will cheer up, charm and provide food for the imagination for any child (or even adult) whose walls they don. Buy direct from the Mae website.

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Knuffle Kid

With an ol’ worlde charm grown from locally sourced Australian Made and vintage materials, Knuffle Kid is an Australian Made label that has risen from the market scene to be stocked in many online and B&M stores across the country. The brain-child of Emma Strybosch, Knuffle Kid (meaning “to cuddle” in Dutch – and young goat= child) is bright, original and amongst my selection each and every season. To purchase try Threads of Red or click here for their full stockist list.

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Britt

Britt Design has become an internationally recognised label that started as a small market stall at Bondi Markets and can now be found in places like Harrods in the UK. Proudly Australian, with 80% of the product line made right here, Britt products are renowned for their super soft garments, signature teddy and for their customer service. Britt Design know what it’s like to lose a childs favourite teddy too, so they’ve set up the Lost Teddies initiative, or emergency teddy replacement. Ooohhh, so sweet! You can find their complete stockist list here.

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Miss Haidee

A few years ago now, I purchased my very first Shop 4 Kids magazine and fell in love with a photo spread of babies in the cutest little playsuits and bloomers. The label – Miss Haidee. Back then, they were almost impossible to source, as Miss Haidee was predominantly a market store item and based in Byron Bay NSW (now Woodbridge, Tasmania). Thankfully, that’s all changed with the emergence of their own online store which is full of goodness, and a handful of discerning stockists. Miss Haidee has a Enid Blyton Gypsy feel to it, with the skirts all ready for twirling and dancing, with small runs of each item to ensure they remain unique.

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Tea Pony

Almost every little girl wishes for a pony at sometime in their life, so it goes without saying that Tea Pony is a label that every little girl should also have at least one dress from hanging in her cupboard. Elsa Cooper, the designer and owner of the label, thought up the concept of Tea Pony back in 2006 after the birth of her little muse Coco. Inspiration from folk prints and vintage styling, Elsa has created a bevy of delightful dresses in cotton that are soft on the skin and beautiful to the eye. Every piece is lovingly made in a little studio just out of Byron Bay. Tea Pony can be sourced on their own online store and a sprinkling of online boutiques.

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Read Australian Made: Part 2 – Celebrating Designers Who Make Their Collections In Australia here.

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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.

As part of our Christmas coverage this year we are sharing with you our own personal picks for our kids. Today we’re featuring Anna’s picks. Enjoy! – Ange

Read all Christmas 2010 coverage to date here.You can view last year’s picks here.

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Anna her children, 6,5 and almost 2 years

There is much excitement in the lead up to Christmas as my husband and I think, plan, save and purchase special gifts for our children. It is one of my most favourite things to do! As we consider what their list of wants, together with what we know they will love, we always find it a special time to reflect on how much they have grown since the previous Christmas and marvel over all the new developments in their life. My beautiful babies are growing up!

Our boys are in the midst of a passionate phase of making stuff. Nothing seems to make it to our recycling bin at the moment unless it has been turned in to a rocket ship, or a monster, or a vehicle for the said monster. To fine tune all this making they are being gifted with a makedo activity set each and some great new LEGO. The new release Graeme Base book for summer reading, some great little stocking suffers from the ever handy Lark, and a hip summer tee to pop in their sack (gee, Santa, you’ve got *great* style!).

Our little princess has already moved into a ‘big girl’ bed and hot on the heels of Christmas, she will turn two. So, I have in mind a bedroom makeover, transforming it from nursery to a little girl’s room with the help of some very gorgeous fabric wall stickers from Mae. She will also receive a Peek-a-boo bag which will be a great toy her brothers can help her with, a special doll (to go in the pram she is being gifted by her doting Grandmother) and a pretty dress for Christmas day.

And the cherries? Well it simply could not be Christmas without cherries…and lots of them!

Christmas Gifts for our Boys:

1. Lego Atlantis Guardian of the Deep $24.99
2. Lark Handmade Set of Traditional Spinning Tops $7.95
3. Lark Handmade Harmonica in Box $7.95
4. Lego Creator Ferocious Creatures $49.95
5. The Legend of the Golden Snail by Graeme Base $19.97
6. Makedo activity set – ‘find and make’ robot $15.00
7. Ouch Ahoy Captain Tee – Grey $29.95
8. Cried Wolf Pencil Tee $44.95

Christmas Gifts for our Little Princess:

1. Angel Sleeve Dress – Peach $30.00
2. Miss Ruby May Posy Doll – Petal $59.95
3. Mae Twitter Wall Decal $44.95
4. Peek-a-boo Bag – Sugar ‘n’ Spice $26.95

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

Today’s post written by Anna

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It appears a tradition has been started in our family. My little girl has twice been gifted a special toy tea set at Christmas from her doting Aunty, the first one was a present while she was still in utero! Because of my shared love of a cup of tea and the beautiful role-playing fun that blossoms around a tiny tea set, this is one tradition I love and want to continue. So, in expectation of what’s in store for Christmas, here’s a little roundup of what’s currently on the market (*wink, wink* dearest Aunty!)

You will find a gorgeous array of tin tea sets for little people, many presented in a lovely matching suitcase. There are sets made from wood like the gorgeous one from Plan Toys and colourful ceramic ones too. There are fabric sets that come in a matching carry bag, or how about a cute knitted set?  For a unique handmade tea set you might like to check out the collection of sets at Etsy – there are also patterns if you are handy enough with some crochet needles yourself?!

If you have a little man who would like to share in the fun of a tea party, there is a gorgeous Blue Sailboat Design. Or if you are a collector yourself (and money is no obstacle) you might like to check out these vintage and antique toy tea sets – what an amazing collection! Set the scene for some special Tea Parties with Mae’s gorgeous repositionable fabric stickers on your walls, or the Mini Mae collection to get you in the mood for a cuppa, wherever you take them.

1. Mae Tea Time Mini Stickers $19.95 at Mae
   
2. Mae Tea Time Wall Stickers $79.95 at Mae
   
3. Little Styles Tin Tea Set – Pink Flower $57.95 at Little Styles
   
4. Baby’s Got Style Tin Tea Set in Suitcase – Pink $54.95 at Baby’s Got Style
   
5. Plan Toys – Wooden Tea Set $49.99 at Metro Mum
6. Lark Cornishware Classic Knitted Tea Set $79.95 at Lark
   
7. Dyles My first tea party playbag $38.95 at Little Styles
   
8. Sparkle T Spotti tea set $52.95 at Little Styles
9. Lark Pink Spotty Floral Knitted Tea Set $69.95 at Lark
   
10. Cuckoo Nest Handmade Tea Set $79.00 at Lark

Please check individual sites for shipping details, and always remember to look at KidStyleFile’s All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best deal available.

Today’s post written by Anna

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With what can only be described as exquisite taste, Vikki from The Infant Boutique – www.theinfantboutique.com.au has put her superb ‘choosing powers’ to work in selecting some new wares for her beautiful store for precious newborns right up to age 8.

Choosing products for wee little ones can be a little daunting, but Vikki has made shopping for a baby a joy with all she has pulled together.  Just landed are some really gorgeous new products from Mamas and Papas including the Jumbles attachable toys. My personal favourite is the little Pink Elephant. He’s so sweet he’s sure to keep your little sweetie amused in the pram, in the car. And check out the gorgeous new Scrapbook musical mobile for a really lovely addition for a nursery.

There are also some stunning new cotton spot bassinet blankets from Luna Ninos. They bring together some of my favourite items for nursery linen – subtle colours, pure cotton and polka dots! They would add  a gorgeous (and practical) touch to your nursery or make a gorgeous gift to welcome a little one to the world.

You can also find new ‘Mae’ fabric wall stickers at The Infant Boutique, as well as the gorgeous new 2010 range of Sigg drink bottles such as Little Bunny, Little Monkey and Little Panda.

Stay in the loop at The Infant Boutique by joining their email newsletter and become a fan on Facebook for regular product previews and updates, advance sale notices and special offers. On that note, while you’re over at The Infant Boutique, make sure you check out the current specials section – you can save up to 50%, and  there are some beautiful items, like selected Sibis Sirch birch wood ride-ons and more at 20% off, and selected Svan pieces on sale at 30% off, to peruse.

If you love any of these new products at The Infant Boutique, or make your own special discovery when you visit today – you have reason to shop and shop fast dear reader! Because until midnight 10 April 2010, Vikki is offering an exclusive 10% discount (*excluding already reduced stock, furniture, books, jewellery, custom made orders and non stock items) to KidStyleFile readers. To redeem this offer just enter code ‘KSF2010′ at the discount code section at checkout.

Discounted prices quoted below are only applicable until 10 April 2010 with the exclusive KSF code (see above).

1. Luna Gallery Cotton Spot Bassinet Blanket – Pastel $95.00 less 10% = $85.50
2. Alana Marie Educational Toys Minature Piano – Red $134.95 less 10% = $121.45
3. Mamas and Papas Jumbles – Pink Elephant $29.95 less 10% = $26.95
4. SIGG Little Monkey 0.3lt $32.60 less 10% = $29.35
5. DwellStudio Bib/Burp Set – Sparrow $55.00 less 10% = $49.50
6. Lifefactory Multi-Sensory Teether – Raspberry $14.95 less 10% = $13.45
7. Eeni Meeni Mini Moh Giraffe Hair Brush & Comb Set $39.00 less 10% = $35.10
8. DwellStudio ID Tag – Elephant $14.50 less 10% = $13.05
9. ErgoCocoon – Grey $29.95 less 10% = $26.95
10. Mamas and Papas Musical Mobile – Boys $109.95 less 10% = $98.95
11. Mae’s Branches $44.95 less 10% = $40.45

The Infant Boutique stock the following HUGE selection of quality brands: Aden and Anais, Adiri, An Angel at My Table, Anamalz, And Me Too, Annie B, ApplePie Design, Babies Only, Babu, Baby Couture, BabyLegs, Babymoov, Bajo,Bee & Tree, Bholu, BlaBla, Black & Blum, Brave New Word, Brooklan Tree, Cavania Cards, Cheeky Little Soles, Claesens, Coco & Eli, Cocoon Couture, Cuddle Fish, Cuski, Del Campo, Djeco, Dwellbaby, Earth Babies, Ebulobo, Emu Australia, Felt Tales, Fiesta Crafts, Fish Lilly,Frankie Ray, French Bull, Gertie and Me, Giddy Giddy, Giimmo, Green to Grow, HandySitt, Happy Horse, Heimess, Herbie, I Love Mybabycino, iCandy, Imprintables, In Your Room, INKE, Isabelle Norman, IsaBooties, Isoki, Itch Design, Joanna Zhou for Mom, Karen Miles, Kids Kitchen, KinderKot, Kipiis, Kushies, Lil Fraser Collection, Lakeland Design, Lambini, Lambykins, Lark, Le Toy Van, Leander, Les Folies, Little Blue Fish, Little Chipipi, Little House, Little Kitchen, Little Pearls, Little Red Pear, Little Twig, Lorena Siminovich, Lotus Linens, Mamas & Papas, Mandalay Design, Manhattan Toy Company, Me Giant, Mi-House, Milestone Press, Mill & Mia, Mini Rhubarb, Minimink, Miriam Bereson, Momiji, Monkey-do, Moulin Roty, Mumi & Bubi, Nature Baby, Natures Child, Nice4Neez, NooNoo Design, Nurtured by Nature, Oeuf, NYC, OUCH Clothing, Pakhuis Oost, Peanut Shell, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Popover Apron, Raggidy Rag Dolls, Ramalama, Ramona Ramona, Red Plum Linen, RJSP, Room Seven, Rouge Living, RosenbergCpg, Sandra Isaksson, Sandy Cousens Art, See Kai Run, Seed Organic, Sew Your Own, SIGG, Sirch, Skip Hop, Squids, Stuffit, T4Tot, Tatiri, The Grassy Garden, The Infant Boutique, The Little Experience, The Source Products, The Wall Sticker Co, Thilde, Thread Design, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Under the Nile, Usborne Books, Vessel, Vulli, WallCandy, and Wheely Bug. Phew!

The Infant Boutique uses Regular Post or Express Australia Post. Delivery charges are based on destination, size and weight of your order.  Orders are dispatched twice weekly. The Infant Boutique currently only delivers within Australia. View the FAQ page for full customer service information.

Today’s post written by Angela

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Wall stickers are one of the easiest ways to create a big decorating impact in your child’s room. Affordable, DIY, and easy to apply and remove, there is no faster way to go from blank to brilliant.

Mae – www.lovemae.com.au - wall stickers meet all the requirements in terms of beautiful designs, easy on-easy off and affordable, but these wall decals go beyond this, with big claims: Mae stickers will stick to anything – rough wall finishes, and even fence palings, included! – they are infinitely ‘sticky’, but leave no tacky residue or marking, they are fully washable (throw them in a washing machine if they get grubby) and virtually indestructible, being impervious to scrunching and general mangling.

A further important and unique difference between Mae stickers and other wall sticker products is that they are not made of plastic, they are made of *fabric*.

I couldn’t quite get my head around this concept until I saw the Mae products in the flesh at the Kids InSTYLE trade show in Melbourne earlier this year, where I got to test out all the grand claims, and I’ve got to say that seeing – and scrunching! – really was believing.

Mae wall stickers are around the same thickness as regular plastic wall decals, but in a fabric similar to iron-on mending fabric in texture and weight. They have a soft finish that feels nice to the touch and is easy to handle. I rolled the stickers into balls, scrunching and pulling at them mercilessly in a vain attempt to damage them: they came back to perfect when unscrunched and reapplied to the wall.

Impressed, I purchased some Dress Up Dolls for my twins 5 year olds: nothing beats testing by children! Two months later these stickers have been played with endlessly, and they look just as good as the day they were bought.

In addition to their beautiful selection of nature-themed, animal, car, dino and doll designs, Mae have designed a beautiful limited edition Christmas tree with which to celebrate the upcoming festive season.

Sporting Christmas candy canes, baubles and a chirpy little red robin, this tasteful tree is not only beautiful it is space efficient, environmentally friendly (no polluting plastic or chop-chop of a real tree) and goes beyond Christmas: remove the Chrissy decorations, add extra leaves (supplied) and you have a year round decor delight.

Mae fabric wall stickers are available to purchase online here. The Mae Christmas tree will be available in-stores from the end of October 2009.

Stay tuned for new designs coming from Mae coming late February 2010. Rest assured we’ll keep you posted!