KidStyleFile

There’s a wise old saying that “Any man can be a father: it takes a special man to be a Dad”.

With Father’s Day galloping up on September 7, it’s time to turn our minds to suitable and special ideas for that special guy in your family.

Truly celebrate your man’s Daddy status at Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au – by skipping the socks and undies, and buy him something that will optimise his life with kids.

There is a great range of stylish baby bags for Mums on the market, but not every Dad wants to tote a floral masterpiece. DadGear, developed by two American Dads answering the call of hands-on Dads everywhere for products geared towards Dads and their unique needs, is the ultimate answer!

The DadGear nappy bags are available in backpack and stylish messenger bag styles that are pretty much incognito – Dad can definitely get away with using these bags anytime anywhere. All DadGear bags incorporate the DadGear “hands free” approach which allows you to change, feed, and entertain your child without ever having to set the bag down.

DadGear also offers a clever ‘Diaper Vest’, a revolutionary twist on the traditional nappy bag bag. DadGear’s “hands free” concept combines comfort and style, allowing dads to change, feed, and entertain their child easily without anyone knowing they are wearing a diaper bag.

With strategically placed pockets, the vest is constructed with high quality materials for ultimate durability and longevity. Just perfect for minimal-gear trips to the park!

Read the full story on the DadGear products on the DadGear website.

I also like the Dad-focused Bathrobe, Slippers and book set (hey, if he doesn’t go for the gown and slippers, there’s always you ), and the journals for Dad to record his thoughts and stories about parenthood and life in general; a lovely bonding exercise and keepsake.

Clockwise from top left:

DadGear Diaper Vest $139.00
DadGear Messenger Bag – Professional Grey $145.00
Dad: My Hero Magnetic Book-Style Photo Frame $13.50
DadGear Backpack Nappy Bag $130.00
Microfleece Bathrobe and Slippers and Dad: My Hero Compendium $70.00
DadGear Sports bag – Retro Red $120.00
My Dad: His Stories Heirloom Book $14.95

While you’re over at Metro Mum scoping gifts for Dad, check out these great new products just landed.

Scout Organic clothing from the US, is so gorgeous for summer, and one of the most affordable organic cotton brands I have found. Trust me: once you’ve experienced organic cotton you won’t want to go back!

Also new in, are the French/English Language Littles dolls (I am so tempted on these: how divine it would be to have French-accented little ones in my midst, and what a life-long gift to be bi-lingual!), Caden Lane linen and blankets from the US – these prints and designs are exceptionally beautiful – iconic Oeuf baby loungers cots and furniture, Milk & Tickles BPA-free colour change baby bottles (a flashback to the Hypercolour ’80s!), and the new and exquisite Ellaroo Mei Tai Organic cotton baby carriers.

So much beauty, so little time! Enjoy

Clockwise from top left:

Language Littles Bi-lingual Doll – ‘Jolie’ English/French (also available in Hebrew, German, Spanish, Russian, Italian and Japanese boy and girl dolls) $69.0
Scout Organics Tee $24.00
Scout Organics dress $33.00
Milk & Tickles BPA-Free colour-change bottle $14.00
Caden Lane Blankets from $48.00
Ellaroo Mei Tai Organic Baby Carrier from $140.00
Oeuf Lounger $165.00

Metro Mum stock the following brands: Caden Lane, Emotion & Kids, Trunki, Babymoov, FLATOUTbears, Il Tutto, Bilibo, Britt, Lilbird, The Prego Planner, Isoki, Mokopuna, Storksak, Melobaby, Mia Bossi, PeeWee & PooToo, David Fussenegger, DadGear, Little Sprowtz, Language Littles, Little Beetle, Baufix, Little Swish, Kipiis, FunPod, Keptin-Jr, Paper Eskimo, Foogo by Thermos, Snack Trap, Nest, Kanoe, Qtees, Mothers Minder, Ocho, Little Kitchen, Compendium, Ellaroo, Boyle, Milk & Tickles, Annabel Trends, Wall Candy, Lupi Lu, Mishi Design, Scount Organic, Oeuf, Mishi Design, and Penny Scallan.

PSST: Wanna get a 15% discount AND a FREE gift* when you make a purchase at Metro Mum? Pick up a copy of the current Shop 4 Kids magazine to get the code. Can’t make it to a newsagent? Drop me a line, and I’ll send it to you!

Also, don’t forget to sign up to the Metro Mum Loyalty Club before you make any purchases: you earn loyalty points for every purchase. Also, Metro Mum offer FREE delivery with orders over $200.00 – fabulous!

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.

*Terms and conditions apply. 

Ok, here’s the latest news for all the luxe bag lovers in the house: Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au – is now stocking the entire Mia Bossi Spring 2008 baby bag collection, direct from the US.

Even if you haven’t heard of Mia Bossi before, I’m sure you have spotted these top-shelf bags in the media: Mia Bossi bags are toted by A-list Illuminati including Katie Holmes, Tori Spelling, Angelina Jolie, Anne Heche, and Britney Spears.

What do they all love about these most luxurious of baby bags? Well, they are effectively incognito baby bags – you would never know they were baby bags to look at them.

Mia Bossi bags don’t deceive on the nappy bag functionality front though: they are impressively big, and come complete with a removable nappy bag insert, faux fur change mat, stroller clips to make attaching your Mia Bossi to your pram or stroller a snap, and a host of other thoughtful features. You can even purchase a computer bag insert to carry your laptop in the ultimate style once the baby days have passed. You can view lots of detailed images of the bag features on the Mia Bossi website.

Mia Bossi carry the hallmarks of the most prestigious quality and are constructed of the finest Italian leather, and waxed canvas trimmed with Italian leathers and hardware.

Mia Bossi bags are on-trend, while possessing a classic presence (think Hermes) that is bound to endure.

Buy one now from Metro Mum and receive a FREE muslin wrap and Mother Minder bracelet. Offer ends 7 August 2008.

PS: You should sign up to the Metro Mum Loyalty Club before you make any purchases: you earn loyalty points for every purchase, and I saw a mention of a discount code there, too Also, Metro Mum offer FREE delivery with orders over $200.00 so there are a lot of ways to save a mozza.

Clockwise from top left:

Mia Bossi – ‘Audrey’ Italian Barolo Leather Nappy Bag (Sand) $1200.00
Mia Bossi – ‘Maria’ Italian Leather Nappy Bag (Chocolate) $515.00
Mia Bossi – ‘Tobey’ Nappy Bag (Rootbeer) $180.00
Mia Bossi – ‘Maria’ Designer Nappy Italian Leather (Tangerine) $385.00
Mia Bossi – ‘Katie’ Designer Nappy Bag Popcorn (Cream Dots) $193.00
Mia Bossi – ‘Katie’ Designer Nappy Bag Noir (Black) $193.00

While you are over at Metro Mum, take note of the other gorgeous products in store, and don’t miss their toy sale for some hot bargains. Find my my top picks below.

Clockwise from top left:

Baufix Buggy Construction Set $29.95 $25.46
Trunki Towgo $69.95 $63.00
Kanoe Baby Hammock $349.00
Bilibo (available in 6 colour choices. Mini Bilibo also available.) $39.00 $33.15 – FREE TOTE BAG with every Bilibo purchased
Language Littles Bi-lingual Doll – ‘Alexia’ English/Greek (also available in Hebrew, German, Spanish, and Japanese boy and girl dolls) $69.00 $62.10
Nest Cot Linen Set (Pink Pebbles) Also available in Green Pebble $248.00
Kiddy Food Kutter $9.95
FunPod Safety Stand $230.00
Binky Boo Dressing Gown, Slipper and Teddy Set (Latte) $50.00
KeptinJr Post a Baby Comforter (Blue, also available in pink) $19.95 $13.97

Metro Mum stock the following brands: Emotion & Kids, Trunki, Babymoov, FLATOUTbears, Il Tutto, Bilibo, Britt, Lilbird, The Prego Planner, Isoki, Mokopuna, Storksak, Melobaby, Mia Bossi, PeeWee & PooToo, David Fussenegger, DadGear, Little Sprowtz, Language Littles, Little Beetle, Baufix, Little Swish, Kipiis, FunPod, Keptin-Jr, Paper Eskimo, Foogo by Thermos, Snack Trap, Nest, Kanoe, Qtees, Mothers Minder, Ocho, Little Kitchen, Compendium, Ellaroo, Boyle, Annabel Trends, Wall Candy, Lupi Lu, and Penny Scallan.

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.