KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Leah

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For many of you, this week has been a week of firsts.  It may have been your kidlets first day at school, preschool or day care…their first tooth, first step, first time on the potty….or maybe, the first time they slept through the night (I wish!). My Keiko – www.mykeiko.com.au - meaning  ”My 慶子 ” or roughly “My celebrate child”  is true to it’s name, with an abundance of treats to help you everyday of the week.

We often forget the other siblings that are left behind when one of our children begins school. Ruby Makes a Friend Written by Tina Burke is the perfect book to read to a sibling who has bravely waved goodbye to their older brother or sister for the day. The book introduces us to ‘Ruby’ who solemnly watches her big brother go off to school. She creates an imaginary friend to fill the void and has many adventures with him. In no time Ruby starts school (doesn’t it feel like in a blink of an eye they’re off to school?) herself and meets more friends. This book explores friendships, imagination and fun!

When Mister R was born I was given a gorgeous baby book to record all of his milestone and special moments. One of the mistakes I did make, not being a real crafty person, was using a plain old office ink pad to stamp his little feet and place them in his baby book! Baby wipes would not remove the stain on his little feet….even a half hour soak didn’t work! Oh how I wish I had know about Belly Art – Inkless Print Kits.  No stains. Just a precision imprint of bubs tootsies! Many maternity hospitals also use this fantastic kit.

Packing for trips with the kidlets often requires a checklist: water – check; snacks – check; nappies and wipes – check; spare clothes, um….. Yep, for me I often forget to replace the t-shirt I used last week, or the pants Miss N removed from the bag when it became cloudy and her skirt was not warm enough.  If I’m going to forget something, it’s the spare clothes that I omit. Babysparewear is a concept I think would make my life a little easier. Each set comes with a few basic pieces that make a complete outfit, are packed in a slim line travel case and are made with lightweight 100% cotton, jersey cotton or organic cotton depending on the pack.  Watch out – Babysparewear is reduced to clear! Grab your pack whilst stocks last.

Until 31 March 2010 My Keiko is offering all KSF readers a very generous 20% discount off everything – including sale stock already reduced by up to 30% – store wide. Use coupon code “KSF” at checkout to redeem. You will also receive FREE regular postage on any order over $150. Keep your eye on the What’s New category with new products arriving daily, and sign up to the newsletter to never miss a beat.

Discounted prices quoted below are applicable with code (read above) until 31 March 2010 only.

1. ‘Ruby Makes a Friend’ by Tina Burke Was $19.95 LESS 20%= $15.96
2. Blue Racoon – Frankie Tulip Hat Was $30.00 LESS 20% = $24.00
3. Il Tutto – Mia Baby Bag (Black) Was $449.00 LESS 20% = $359.20
4. Il Tutto – Sienna Day Bag (Red) Was $189.00 LESS 20% = $151.20
5. Belly Art – Inkless Print Kits Was $19.95 LESS 20% = $15.96
6. Beep Beep Slings – Sunny Was $75.00 LESS 20%= $60.00
7. Uchi – Bubblegum Dot Baby Backpack Was $110.00 THEN $60.00 LESS 20% =$48.00
8. ecococoon – Urban Chic Was $39.95 LESS 20% = $31.96
9. Respisense Was $179.00 LESS 20%= $143.20
10. Babysparewear – Eco Chic Was $42.00 LESS 20% = $33.60
11. Alphasketti – ABC Flash Card Set Was $21.95 LESS 20%= $17.56
12. Vanchi Baby – Kiwi Green Stripe Wrap & Lime Spot Hat Was $29.95 LESS 20%= $23.96
13. Elmo Bump Buddy Was $11.95 LESS 20%= $9.56
14. Nature’s Child – Organic Baby Essentials Gift Box Was $95.00 LESS 20% = $76.00

My Keiko stocks a very stylish collection of brands including Aden & Anais, Appaman, Babu, BabyLegs, babysparewear, Baobab, Beep Beep Slings, Billie Goat Soap, Blue Racoon, BoscoBear, Brolly Sheets, Custard Pie, Dripstick, Elegant Baby, Fairy Floss Creations, Fehn Baby, Gin & Tonic, hiPP, Hotbubba, Hullubullu, Il Tutto, Infancey, Jock & Tilly, Locolili, Look At The Wall, Lotus Linens, Luv A Bub, Melobaby, My Keiko, Nature Baby, Nature’s Child, Penny Scallan, Plumb, Read With Me, Renee Pinto, Respisense, Scout, Skeanie, Snuza, Sticky Baby Company, Totseat, Tyrrell Katz London, Uchi, Urban Rituelle

My Keiko charge $8.50 for standard postage, and $10.50 for Express Post, Australia wide. Orders over $150 are delivered for FREE. International orders are welcome. Visit the My Keiko Terms and Conditions page for full shipping and delivery details.

Today’s post written by Miki

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Been to Urban Child – www.urbanchild.com.au – lately?  No?!  What are you waiting for – get over there now!  Melissa has been busy stocking up on all sorts of new season goodies and there are truckloads of gorgeous things to check out.

First of all are Melissa’s new brands, which include the divine Bluebird & Honey (their applique pinafores are so adorable that I’m going through my list of every little girl I know to see if I could buy one), and some hot new baby bag styles from Il Tutto – yay! I’ve yet to meet the mum who isn’t secretly – or not so secretly! – coveting at least one Il Tutto bag.

Also new to Urban Child are a few natural and organic brands.  Everyone who has had a newborn knows how delicate their skin is, and so it seems only logical to keep harsh chemicals away from them.  Nature’s Child is wonderful for super-gentle, organic skincare for babies (and breastpads for mums), while Nutured By Nature’s organic baby clothes are perfect for the layer next to your precious babe’s skin.  And where will you sleep your organic bub?  Where else but in a Seed Organic Cradle or Pod!

There’s even a special KidStyleFile offer going on at Urban Child but only for the next 24 hours: spend over $100 and receive a very tidy 15% off*!! Enter the code ‘KSF’ at checkout to redeem, but do it fast because this offer ends at 9am on Wednesday 20th May. *Not valid on gift vouchers. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.

For those of you lucky enough to live in Melbourne, you can go and see Urban Child’s stock in person at Magnolia Square – Tiny & Small this Thursday, Friday and Saturday (21-23 May). Head along and say hi!

1. Il Tutto Stella Nappy Bag – Red, $429.00
2. Walnut Mary Janes – Black, $29.95
3. Albetta Organic Monkey Babygrow, $45.95
4. Nurtured By Nature Kind Organic Striped Romper, $24.95
5. Seed Organic – The Pod, $349.00
6. Bluebird & Honey Owl Print Tee, $24.95
7. Nature’s Child Certified Organic Cotton Face Wipes, $24.95
8. Bluebird & Honey Cord Pinafore Dress – Pale Blue, $79.95
9. Nature’s Child Organic Bottom Balm, $19.95
10. Walnut Desert Boots – Navy, $59.95
11. Bluebird & Honey Pinafore Dress – Denim, $79.95

Urban Child stocks a gorgeous range of brands including Aravore Babies, Oobi Baby & Kids, Neige, DwellStudio, Aden & Anais, Kidsonroof, Albetta, Little Chipipi, Walnut, Baby Bonkie,  eeBoo, Cocoon Couture, Peanut Shell, Alex Toys, Mooo, Baby Legs, Red Plum Linen, Red Wagon, Belli Skincare, Baobab, Caden Lane, Robbie Adrian, Crocodile Creek, Brio, WOW Toys, Mamas & Papas, Mill & Mia, Kaloo, Ellaroo, Urban Child, Infancy, Felt Creations, Silikids, Made By Angie, Look At The Wall, WOOF!, Schylling, Pebbles, Micro Bikes and Scooters, and il Tutto luxury baby bags.

Urban Child ship Australia-wide from $6.95.  Please see here for further details.

The state of the environment has been an issue of concern for some time now, and the focus on environmentally sustainable options that minimise waste and use clean, green products, and modes of manufacture is one that we’ll need to keep paying attention to so our children, and their children’s children, can live long and happy lives in a healthy global ecosystem.

Shopping online is a great way to save some dollars and the environment at the same time: no need for a car or the monetary or environmental expense of petrol, plus shopping online – like right here! – saves you money AND a heap of time, so it’s a win win win win win situation!

Ekidna Kidswear – www.ekidnakidswear.com.au – is getting behind the cause this month, and encouraging you to buy clean and green for you children, by offering 15% off all the products in their Organics section.

Select from Green to Grow baby bottles, a reassuringly toxin-free option for bottle-feeding your baby.

Green to Grow bottles are made from PES plastic, which gives them a natural golden color. They are free of phthalates, lead and PVC – all known toxins – and free of bisphenol A – a suspected hormone-disrupting chemical used in polycarbonate plastic, from which most baby bottles are made. Green to Grow’s bottle teats are made from a transparent, medical grade silicone that is heat-resistant, non-toxic, and odorless. The teats are free of nitrosamines, a potentially harmful contaminant found in many rubber teats.

Green to Grow’s products are tested in the U.S. to ensure they meet the highest standards for quality and safety, are packed in 100% recycled packaging to be easy on the environment, and they are top rack dishwasher safe to be easy on you!

From left:

Green to Grow BPA Free! Wide Neck Feeding Bottle 300ml $19.95 15% off NOW $16.95
Green to Grow BPA Free! Regular Neck Feeding Bottle 300ml $19.95 15% off NOW $16.95
Green to Grow BPA Free! Wide Neck Feeding Bottle 150ml $16.95 15% off NOW $14.40
Green to Grow BPA Free! Regular Neck Feeding Bottle 150ml $16.95 15% off NOW $14.40

No doubt you have seen Anamalz before. An Australian design innovation, even at their diminuative stature – just 10cm high! – they are quite the standout pieces. With their delightful organic maple wooden bodies, posable limbs, and amiable expressions, they provide children with a lovely tactile play experience, which will last generations while being kind to the planet.

We love Anamalz here at out house, and have the whole menagerie of 12. My kids love to play with them, and assemble their collections along the dado rail in their bedroom. I must say they do really add personality to a space, feel lovely to hold, and are easily portable, making fabulous go-anywhere buddies for your child.

In addition to the 15% discount, Ekidna Kidswear is giving away a free Anamalz calico bag (holds 3 – 4 animals) and a pack of collector cards when 2 or more animals are purchased in one transaction.

From left:

Anamalz Lion $9.95 15% off NOW $8.45
Anamalz Crocodile $9.95 15% off NOW $8.45
Anamalz Elephant $9.95 15% off NOW $8.45

I must say, that I am a big fan of chemical free options where possible, and there’s no time more important to minimise artificial and chemical ingredients than when your baby is smaill: their little bodies have so much smaller ratios to be able to process toxins, and it just feels right to keep them as natural as possible.

Ekidna Kids makes this easy, with a compact, but thoughtful range of products for the littlest ones. The Under the Nile Organic Vegie teething toys are just the sweetest chew toys, and easy to wash and care for, Aromababy GMO-free organic massage oil delivers the highest quality product to give your baby yummy massages with, and the Nature’s Child organic face wipes and bottom balm offer gentle solutions for your child’s sensitive skin, and how I wish the Dri Liners – a reusable absorbent insert that fits inside any cloth or disposable nappy – existed when my babes were small: I would have save a small fortune in nappies!!

From top left, in rows:

Under the Nile Organic Cotton Carrot Teether $19.95 15% off NOW $16.95
Under the Nile Organic Cotton Mushroom Teether $19.95 15% off NOW $16.95
Nature’s Child Organic Face Wipes (4 pack) $17.95 15% off NOW $15.25
Nature’s Child Dri Liners (3 pack) $19.95 NOW $11.85
Aromababy Organic Massage Oil (100ml) $14.95 NOW $10.15
Nature’s Child Bottom Balm (50 gm) $14.95 25% off NOW $12.70

Ekidna Kidswear stock over 55 quality baby and kids brands including Anamalz, Annabel Trends, Aroma Baby, Babe Mode, Baby Blankie, Baby Legs, Badger Balm, Baobab, Beautiful Soles, Bebe, Bertini, Bud, Brio, Cheeky Little Soles, Chelona, Crocodile Creek, Eternal Creation, Fairy Floss, Fiesta Crafts, Fish Lilly, For Walls, Fruity Faces, Heimess, Humphrey’s Corner, Infancy, Isoki, Itsy Bitsy, Jaffa, Karma Baby, Lark Designs, Latitude Enfant, Little Chipipi, Longueville Media, Mamas & Papas, Marquise, Messaround, Milkwrap, Minihaha, Mondays Child, My Munchkin Home, Nature’s Child, Oobi, Paper Eskimo, Peter Rabbit, Pia Eriksson, Roocci, Russ, Sigg, Skip Hop, Smart Mom, Smirk, Starchild, t4tot, Toys Pure, Uchi, Vintage Kid Designs, WallCandy Arts, Wink Designs, Woof!, so you have a veritable feast of luxe to choose from.

If you want to scoop up some fabulous bargains check out the ‘Specials’ page and feel oh so glad that you did (lots of Oobi in there for you OobiWatchers)!

Ekidna Kidswear charge $6.95 for standard postage, and $9.95 for Express Post, Australia wide. International orders are welcome. Visit the Delivery information page for full shipping and delivery details.