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Splish, Splosh, Splash! Rainy Day Gear to Turn Your Grey Sky Blue

Posted: April 17th, 2009

Today’s post written by Kat

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Today it rained -bucketed down. And my two-year-old could not have been happier!

In a brief respite, we threw on our wellies and jumped joyously in puddles in the driveway. If you haven’t tried it lately, I highly recommend it!

If you don’t have a hot bath to jump into after your aquatic adventrues, check out these stylish (and splashproof) options:

Gumboots:

Available in a plethora of colours and prints, these options make sure your wellies are anything but boring! Puddle Beach have a bright and cheerful range of boots from several brands, including Western Chief’s Ladybug and Camoflauge ($41.80ea), which offer cotton lining, handles to make putting them on so much easier for litle people, and non-slip soles, which is always handy.

They also have a more basic, but equally as cute, range, with designs such as Aeroplane and Worm ($36ea, currently on sale for $29) sure to delight kids of all ages, as well as your purse!

Hunter Wellington Boots are just about the creme de la creme of the gumboot world. Originally designed for traipsing through the Scottish Highlands, they’ve been in production since 1856 and therefore really know their stuff (and the website reassuringly informs us their boot-making technology has since been updated). They do a kid’s range in simple colours that will set you back $70 a pair, but they are so jam-packed with every orthopaedic advantage, it’s definitely where I’d put my dollars..if I wasn’t so attracted to polka dots and sparkly bits…

..and stripes, like this adorable pair by Morgan & Milo, available at Tiny People, for $60. Or the gorgeous Rasperry Birds print on these Ouch wellies from the Hip Infant ($26.95). So many choices, I almost wish winter was a bit longer (almost)!

Raincoats:

I used to have a sensible bright yellow raincoat that folded neatly into a little square, in it’s own pouch in my schoolbag. Man, it sucked. Thankfully, when my daughter starts school she can have her cherry-pickin’ choice of all that is bright and beautiful -

ShopHouse have a handy wet weather section which includes a nice range of Penny Scallan raincoats. The Navy Star print ($44.95) is subtle yet cool, or for a pretty pattern to brighten up your day try the sweet Daisy print ($44.95).

You could also head back to Puddle Beach for a coat to match your wellies – the Ladybug and Pink Kitty($64.35ea) by Western Chief are perfect for little girls, while the blue Dino coat for boys ($64.35) is just too cute to resist!

Got a little monster? Kit him out appropriately with this cool Monster raincoat ($49.95) from Moochie-moo!

Umbrellas:

There are oodles of umbrellas out there, so let your imagination (and your mouse) run wild!

That said, you might not have to look much further than Kinder Kaboodle, who also have a nifty section devoted to rainy days. Their umbrella pages are just glorious! My picks are the Rush Strawberry Flower and Green Dino brollies, or Penny Scallan’s Star and Spot designs (all $19.95ea).

Wrigglebots have a great range of Kidorable wet weather gear, including the very sweet Butterfly and Lotus umbrellas for girls, and this very cool Pirate for boys (all $18ea)!

I also found a whole shop devoted to brollies (so Mum can grab herself a funky new one as well!), StellaBrella where they not only stock gorgeous prints for kids (like Butterfly and Frogs, $19.95) but uber chic clear options with coloured trims (I love the yellow, despite my prior negative association) – oh la la!

Please check individual stores for postage and delivery information.

Build It Up, Build It Up: Construction Toys to Teach and Delight

Posted: February 16th, 2009

Today’s post written by Miki

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Construction toys are an definite must-have for every kid’s toybox.  Whether it be some hand-me-down wooden blocks or one of the amazing sets pictured below, construction toys are so necessary, and SO much fun!

Girls and boys alike love to build things.  It fulfills a need in them for expressing their creativity and for learning how the world works: why does the tower fall down if you nudge it? What works to make it stay up?

Construction sets can be played with on their own, with friends or siblings or with a parent – especially Dad!  Want to instigate some father/child bonding?  Buy some sort of construction toy (I think Automoblox or the Marble Run below are surefire bets) and just wait for Dad and the kids to get stuck in together.

Now, what to buy?

Well the most well-known construction toy needs no introduction: Lego is eternally popular and kids just adore it.

However some lesser-known options which are just as good as Lego, if not better, are pictured below along with info on where to get them.

a. Djeco Creanimaux, $69.95 at Favourite Toys
b. Ball Track Construction Set, $199.95 at
Moochie-Moo
c. Quercetti Fantacolour Daisy, $27.95 at Happy Little Hippos
d. Baufix Buggy – Small, $29.95 $24.95 at Happy Little Hippos
e. Lego Duplo Supermarket, $73.99 at IQ Toys
f. Quercetti Georello Farm, $34.95 at Happy Little Hippos
g. Automoblox Red Sports Car, $46.25 at Little Possums Toys
h. Mic-O-Mic sportscar, $34.95 at Moochie-Moo

Please check individual sites for postage, and as always check the KidStyleFile ‘All Current Deals’ page to see if you qualify for a special discount or offer.

Out and About with Haggus and Stookles: In the car, at the park, on a holiday…you’ll be happy anywhere!

Posted: October 15th, 2008

Here’s some names you won’t forget: Haggus and Stookles – www.haggusandstookles.com.au.

Named for the nicknames H&S’s owners, Donna and Andrea’s kids gave to their younger siblings, Haggus and Stookles equip you to handle every outing with your baby or kids, from a trip to the local park, to a multi-country overseas expedition. You will be oh-so-glad you’ve met them: they will absolutely revolutionise and improve your life!

Donna and Andrea joke that Haggus and Stookles began with ‘a poo in the park’: kids needing to go the toilet at a park with no toilets – who hasn’t been caught out that way when toilet training kids?

Donna and Andrea saw a need for good quality and functional products to handle these sorts of situations, and many others, that parents encounter every day whilst experiencing life with kids. They then searched far and wide for the best products to help make your life easier and more enjoyable when you are out and about with the little ones.

With shopping categories like ‘In the car’, ‘For the pram’, ‘Eating out’, ‘Play on the go’,  Naptime, For bums, ‘Packing for travel’, ‘Allergy Traveller’, and ‘For bums’ (my favourite! I’ll tell you why in a minute!), and an incredible range of top quality products from — hope you’re ready! — 4 My Earth, Aden & Anais, Adore-A-View, Alex Toys, Allergy free passports, Amadeus, Annabel Karmel, Baa Baa Blind, Baby Mel, Baby Nation, Baby Sherpa, Baby U, Bags & Boxes, Bazoongi Kids, Bella Tunno, Boo Boo Buddy, Brolly Sheets, Bubbaroo, Dad Gear, Danish by Design, Design Go, Djeco, Dripstik, Drop Buddy, Easyfeed, Ellaroo, Envirotrend, Fit & Fresh, Fridge to Go, Goldbug, Goober Baby, High Road, Hurphy Durphy, Infantino, Irony Homewares, Kaboodle Bags, Kiddysac, KidsAlert, Kindy Kamper, Kozyepi, Lalapanzi, Lollipop Monkey, Longitude 151, Made by Angie, Made by Mums, Medibuddy, Melissa & Doug, Moochie-Moo, Munchee Mug, My Little Seat, myBagTag, Nest, Oobi, Pigeon, Playgro, Pure Wipes, SIGG, Snug as a Bug, Stuffit, Tantrums, The Mummy Hook, Thermos Foogo, Vanchi, and Woobee, you’ll be set and ready for anything!

Ok, so why is ‘For Bums’ my favourite category? Well, it contains the Potette Travel Potty.

This little item has been a life-saver on many occasions I cannot count. One memorable incident where it came in handy was on a plane, just before take-off, when the on-board toilets were closed, and the seat belt lights were one. Cue a little voice from one of my 2 year olds: “Mummy, I need to do a wee”. Never fear, I whipped out my trusty travel potty, with it’s special liner fitted, and saved the day (and the plane seat!)

This little wonder folds flat, is small enought to fit anywhere – a small handbag, for instance, will save your bacon through an array of toilet emergency locations, and is extremely cheap to boot. This is definitely one for you out-with-kids survival kit!

Another great little innovation is the Design Go Mosquito Bite Reliever. Drug free and effective, add it to your first aid kit; it is sure to come in handy over the summer months.

Fit & Fresh lunch boxes are an essential when you’re on the road, or even for school days, as they keep food nice and cool for 6 hours. No more spoiled yoghurt at lunch!

Sleeping is a major issue, whether at home, daycare, or travelling, and Haggus and Stookles has the perfect solutions.

For little babes, you can’t go past super-stylish Lalapanzi Collapsible Moses Basket. For bigger kids, the Kindy Kamper Day Bed is just the thing. Fully featured with bottom blanket, top sheet, pillow and removable top blanket, it rolls up into a portable swag. (Miki reports it goes perfectly in a portacot, and also uses hers for her son at daycare.)

You’ll also need a picnic rug for outdoor expeditions. The super-luxe Woobee Large Blanket is the way to go! With weather-proof backing, and the snuggliest top layer, it’s great as a picnic rug, a tummy-time blankie, or pram snug.

My super cheap and utterly gorgeous pick of the day award goes to the Envirotrend EnviroShopper bags that Haggus and Stookles are stocking.  They are enviro-kind, incredibly stylish (choose from 4 beautiful designs) and, at just $4.25 each, are an absolute STEAL!

Speaking of steals, have a look at the great range of free activities for kids you can download from Haggus and Stookles, including colouring in pages, dot to dots, travel games and a fantastic travel diary for when you are on holidays. Also, make sure you check out Haggus and Stookles’ Tips for on the Go: there is a wealth of knowledge there on being out and about with the kids in the car, on holidays, international and plane travel and for general outings to the park, shops, toilet training when out and much more!

haggus-and-stookles-picks-20081015.jpg

From top left in rows:

Design Go Mosquito Bite Relief $29.95
Adore-a-View Baby Car Seat Mirror in Teddy Bear $49.95. Also available in Butterfly design
Fit & Fresh Lunch on the Go Lunch box $12.95
Lalapanzi Collapsible Moses Basket in Retro Red $325.00, pictured with co-ordinating Lalapanzzi Blanket $70.00 , and Lalapanzi Travel Sack $70.00. Also available in Chocolate Sage colour- way
Danish by Design HandySitt $139.95 Available in Beech and Cherry
Annabel Carmel Small Bowls Set $14.95
Envirotrend EnviroShopper bag $4.25 Available in 4 designs
Potette Travel Potty
$14.95

Kindy Kamper Day Bed
$54.95
Sigg Drink Bottle $22.95
Moochie-Moo ID Bands $4.95
Baby Mel Camille Nappy Bag in red $99.00
Super Woobee Large Blanket in Chocolate/Pistachio $132.00

Haggus and Stookles’ poistage charges are based on weight, and start at $7.50. Express, registered, and international post options are available. See the Delivery information page for full details on shipping.

Premiere

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