KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Edwina

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US-based Inhabitat – www.inhabitat.com – is a design blog dedicated to uncovering stylish and practical products that are designed to be sustainable and smart.

On a mission to spread the word about good design that thoughtfully considers the user, the experience, the social context, and the impact of an object on the surrounding environment, Inhabitat suceeds spectacularly with its constant feast of exceptionally beautiful and throught-provoking artefacts and ideas.

Inhabitat’s spin-off site for kids products and design Inhabitots – www.inhabitots.com – is equally (if not more!) delicious. Here are just a few products I have fallen in love with via their pages.

Amy Mohlenhoff’s Bear Hat, made from 100% organic cotton, and is pretty adorable. The Oeuf Hug-Me and Angel Sweaters are to die for, and to feed my ongoing love affair with Pandas there’s the cute Dwelling Collective Knit Pandas together with her cute friend the Baby Elephant.

Inhabitat make it easy to shop for superbly designed, ethical and environmentally friendly products via their shop, and, happily, they ship internationally!

1. Daniel Michalik Cub Children’s Chair USD$224.00 at Inhabitat Shop
2. Dwelling Collective Baby Elephant USD$24.00 at Inhabitat Shop
3. Dwelling Collective Knit Panda USD$88.00 at Inhabitat Shop
4. Bambu Bamdino Kids Utensils USD$9.00 at Inhabitat Shop
5. Oeuf Hug Me Sweater USD$92.00 at Inhabitat Shop
6. Amy Mohlenhoff Bear Hat USD$68.00 at Inhabitat Shop
7. Green Sprouts Cornstarch Hand Teethers USD$20.00 at Inhabitat Shop
8. BabyBearShop Mama Belly Oil USD$32.00 at Inhabitat Shop

Inhabitat Shop ships internationally. Contact them for a quote.

Today’s post written by Miki

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This is one of those weeks you just don’t want to miss out on.  You see, the girls at Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au – have conspired to bring together a whole raft of special deals, and they all coincide this week!

First of all, KidStyleFile readers can take 15% off store-wide. This means you can get a very nice discount on anything that takes your fancy, including hot new season fashion and a truly wonderful range of accessories for babies and mums alike. This discount is running for a week only – use the code ‘KSFM609′ at checkout, and do it before midnight 30 June, when this offer ends.

Next we turn our focus to Metro Mum’s truly astounding range of über stylish nursery furniture: for a very limited time only you can take 10% off the whole lot!

We’re talking Oeuf, Bloom, Cariboo, Kanoe and lots, lots more.  This deal is only running for a very limited time, so if you’re in the market for some seriously fabulous furniture for your nursery I’d suggest you get onto it right away!

But that’s not all!  Oh no, lovely readers, Metro Mum has even more in store for you.  How about this: every single order is eligible to receive a FREE Hello Babe sample bag, packed full of goodies valued at $40!! If you want one (and who doesn’t?) just add a Hello Babe bag to your cart before checking out.

AND if you sign up to the Metro Mum Club this week, you’ll get $5.00 in rewards points, just like that!

Golly, now that I’ve talked you through all the fantastic offers at Metro Mum, I barely have room to tell you about all the fantastic new products in store – because believe me, there’s loads! What with the new limited edition FunPod in Retro Pink and the super-stylish Bloom Nano highchair (ideal for small spaces and comes in such a great range of colours), you can kit out your kitchen… but as for the rest, you’re going to have to see the image collage below to get some clues as to what’s in and hot!

Pries quoted below in red apply until 30 June 2009 with code, while stocks last only.

1. Babymoov Bebedelice Food Processor + 2 FREE bibs, $199.95 $169.95
2. Mokopuna Value Packs, from $90.00 $76.50
3. BusyBee Friends ‘Cuckoo Chick’ Backpack, $49.95 $42.45
4. Bloom Nano High Chair, $229.00 $194.65
5. Oeuf Cot & Change Station with FREE mattress, $1,778.00 $1,600.20 (using the code ‘FUR609′, this is a special offer for KSF readers only!)
6. BusyBee Friends ‘Pengpeng’ Penguin 4 Piece Luggage Set, $180.00 $153.00
7. FunPod Limited Edition – Retro Pink, $239.00 $203.15 + FREE delivery on this item
8. Milkbar Portable Nursing Pillow, $64.95 $55.20
9. Prego Planner Pregnancy Journal, $43.00 $36.55
10. Hello Babe Sample Bag – FREE!

Metro Mum stocks these amazing brands: Mia Bossi, Oeuf, Caden Lane, Il Tutto, Trunki, Melobaby, Babymoov, FlatoutBear, Bilibo, Baufix, Prego Planner, Isoki, Britt, Lilbird, Mokopuna, Dadgear, Little Sprowtz, David Fussenegger, Little Beetle, Little Swish, Kipiis, Funpod, Lanugage Littles Paper Eskimo, Thermos, Pee Wee and Poo Poo, Snack Trap, Kiddie Food Kutter, Bilibo Mini, Nest, Kanoe, Qtees Designs, Mother Minder, Ocho, Compendium, Ellaroo, Boyle, Wall Candy, BabyTalk, Annabel Trends, Lupi Lu, Penny Scallan, Dwink, Scout, Milk and Tickles, Mishi Design, Leisure Learning, Keptin-Jr, Emotion and Kids, Kids Kitchen, Happy Mais, Mojo, Munchee Mug, Totem, Argan Oil Organic Care, OTi Organiser, Ellie Bellie, Beep Beep Slings, Hess-Spielzeug, Seed Organic, Fatboy, Kids on Roof and more.

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.

Today’s post written by Miki

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Whether you’re preparing for a new baby or changing your baby’s nursery into a ‘big kid’s room’, it can be really difficult to find furniture that you – and they – like.

After all, furniture is a big investment at any time, and with children it’s important to find pieces that will grow with them.  To this end I’ve rounded up some of my favourite brands and lines available in Australia, all items which look fantastic and are designed to last for the long haul.

If you want something to jazz up the kids’ rooms but can’t afford to splash out too much, bean bags are jut the thing.  They’re relatively inexpensive, plus you can get them in a huge range of stunning designs – see Cocoon Couture and Missi Missi for some ideas – and kids absolutely adore them.

It’s also worth mentioning that Metro Mum currently have 10% off their large and extremely stylish furniture range, and that the furniture prices shown on their site includes shipping.  Enter ‘FUR609′ at checkout to get the 10% discount.

If you’re after something with a real ‘wow’ factor, head to Miss Tati & Friends as you’re bound to find it there!  Whether you’re shopping for a budding pirate, surfer or princess, there’s something there which is bound to make you ooh and aah.

Here are some of my favourites – see the links below for where to buy them.

1. L’il Buccaneer Bed, $1,495.00 from Miss Tati & Friends
2. Missi Missi Jumbo Beanbag – Hot Pink w/ Stars, $129.95 from Bubba Funk
3. Oriental Princess Bookcase, $1,390.00 from Miss Tati & Friends
4. Gertie & Me Moses Basket & Stand, $349.95 from The Hip Infant
5. Fresco Bloom Classic Contemporary High Chair – Midnight Black, $699.00 from Metro Mum
6. Cocoon Couture Gorgeous Giraffe Bean Bag – Yellow/Blue, $99.95 from ShopHouse
7. Oeuf Cot in Birch, $1,449.00 from Metro Mum
8. Seed Organic Cradle, $315.00 from Metro Mum
9. Teeny Me Roar Flip Flop Sofa, $249.95 from The Hip Infant

As always, please check individual sites for postage details, and have a look at the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your purchase.

Today’s post written by Angela

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OeufNYC – www.oeufnyc.com – (pronounce it UH-F: it’s French for ‘egg’), comprised of French-American couple Sophie Demage and Michael Ryan, are well know for their incredibly beautiful, sleekly designed modern range of furniture and accessories for babies; think the Oeuf Baby Bouncer, Classic range of cots and furniture (recently added to with the stunning new ‘Sparrow’ line).

Lesser well-known in Australia, but no less stunning, is their kids clothing range, Oeuf Clothier.

The Oeuf Clothier Fall/Autumn 09 collection delivers traditional-style knits, impeccably cut, in a stylish palette of greys, browns, creams and pale blues, accentuated with stripes, hearts, and their range of hand-knite animal-inspired accessories – bonnets with ears, masks, snouts, tails and claw-foot booties, strongly evocative of Maurice Sendak’s “Where The Wild Things Are”.

It’s an irresistable combination, made even more compelling with the knowledge that Oeuf are a fair trade and environmentally responsible company: all Oeuf clothing is made in Bolivia, South Amercia, under fair trade agreements which promote fair pay and cultural respect, and all their furniture is made in Latvia, Europe from sustainable materials, with a focus of minimal impact on the environment.

Below are just a small sample of some of my favourite pieces from the Oeuf Clothier Fall/Autumn range, as presented at Bubble New York this past March.

To purchase Oeuf and Ouef Clothier, US and OS readers can head straight for the Oeuf Stockists page, which will serve you well.

Oeuf furniture and accessories are stocked in a number of Australian boutiques including Metro Mum, The Hip Infant, and Urban Baby.

If you are interested in Oeuf Clothier pieces, then try Kido Store who currently have some of last season’s pieces on sale; keep your eye open for the Fall/Autumn pieces as pictured below, or, if you can’t wait, try one of the US/OS stores to see if they’ll post internationally for you.

Please check individual stores for postage and delivery information.

Today’s post written by Edwina

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There is so much going on over at Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au that I hardly know where to start: they have some great new stock that I am dying to show you, but I can’t go any further without telling you that that it is SALE TIME!

Yes, its true, MetroMum are having a 15% storewide sale this week only! Just enter ’sale15′ at the checkout to redeem the discount. Offer ends 28 Feb 009.

Before you rush over let me quickly show you some of my favourite picks from their great range.

I am so in love with the OnTray2Go containers that attach directly to shopping trolleys: woo-hoo! Not only are they BPA-free, but I am sure I could easily distract my 2 year old with some healthy snacks on his trolley tray that he will hopefully stop trying to climb out when I am not looking!

I also can’t resist Sophie the Giraffe.  She is actually a 100% natural teething toy, is made in the French Alps and comes with her own birth certificate. Did I mention she is sooooo cute?

MetroMum also have a nice collection from Caden Lane, such cute bibs and blankets, and the Bowler Bag is a great disguise for a bag full of nappies!

Tamara and Francine at MM are also eagerly awaiting the new OEUF Sparrow Collection that arrives in Australia in April. They are taking preorders now and the first shipment is almost sold out, so order now to avoid disappointment!

Prices quoted in red below are with the 15% discount code until 28 Feb, 2009.

1. OnTray2Go – Kids Snack Container $12.99 $11.04
2. Vulli – Sophie Giraffe Natural Teething Toy $35.00 $29.75
3. My Plate-Mate – Spill-Guard for Toddler Meals $16.00 $13.60

1. Caden Lane – Bowler Nappy Bag $150 $127.50
2. Mother Minder – Stainless Steel Reminder Bracelet $29.95 $25.45
3. Metro Mum Organic Pregnancy Tea – Healthy Milk, Pregnancy and New Mum blend $13.00 $11.05
4. Caden Lane – Hooded Towel and Washcloth Set $36.00 $30.60

Ouef furniture is designed by a French/American husband and wife in New York City and they have a strong mission to create simple and clean furniture designs without compromising on quality. Ouef means ‘Egg’ in French, and these gorgeous creations are perfect for the day when your wee egg hatches.

1. Oeuf – Sparrow Collection Cot (Birch) $1249
2. Oeuf – Sparrow Collection Wardrobe $1749
3. Oeuf – Sparrow Collection Single Bed (Grey) $1299.95
4. Kanoe – 100% Organic Cotton Baby Hammock (Earth/Sky) $349

*The Oeuf Furniture prices include delivery, so the price you see there is the total of what you’ll pay.

Style is now at your fingertips Metro Mum stocks these amazing brands Mia Bossi, Oeuf, Caden Lane, Il Tutto, Trunki, Melobaby, Babymoov, FlatoutBear, Bilibo, Baufix, Prego Planner, Isoki, Britt, Lilbird, Mokopuna, Dadgear, Little Sprowtz, David Fussenegger, Little Beetle, Little Swish, Kipiis, Funpod, Lanugage Littles Paper Eskimo, Thermos, Pee Wee and Poo Poo, Snack Trap, Kiddie Food Kutter, Bilibo Mini, Nest, Kanoe, Qtees Designs, Mother Minder, Ocho, Compendium, Ellaroo, Boyle, Wall Candy, BabyTalk, Annabel Trends, Lupi Lu, Penny Scallan, Dwink, Scout, Milk and Tickles, Mishi Design, Leisure Learning, Keptin-Jr, Emotion and Kids, Kids Kitchen, Happy Mais, Mojo, Munchee Mug, Totem, Argan Oil Organic Care, OTi Organiser, Ellie Bellie, Beep Beep Slings, Hess-Spielzeug, Seed Organic, Fatboy, Kids on Roof and more.

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.

Today’s post written by Miki

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Every so often I stumble across an item that I absolutely can’t live without.  Strangely enough (or not – you’ll see what I’m talking about) a majority of them seem to be at Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au.

Take the Oeuf nursery furniture range, for example.  I would kill to have this stuff in my nursery, as I’m sure would just about every style-conscious mama. It’s sleek, minimalist with a little hint of retro and just absolutely stunning.  Naturally, the quality of its construction goes without saying. The range is available in Beech or Walnut tones.

The Oeuf range has also been very cleverly designed to last for as long as possible – after all, these are investment-quality pieces and you want to get your money’s worth! The cot can be converted into a seriously stylish toddler bed and the dresser can have the change table added to the top during the baby years, and then removed during the older years to be a piece that wouldn’t look remotely out of place in a stylish teenager’s or adult’s room. The mini library (so cool, I love the cubbies) is also very flexible in that it would be perfect in a modern nursery but would work just as well in the living room or kitchen – or any room in the house, really!

At the opposite end of the size scale is the Munchee Mug, an ingeniously designed cup to hold toddler snacks which won’t spill them all over the floor.  I quite often pack some cheese cubes or home-made popcorn for Alex when we go out, but about and it drives me mad when he up-ends the container and they all fall out onto the supermarket floor! (ewwwww) The Munchee Mug could put an end to my woes by allowing him to comfortably get his fist into and out of the cup, but not letting him spill everything on the floor.  It’s available in four cool colour combos and it’s a bargain – $12.99!

For kids slightly older than my toddler, I love the KidsonRoof Cardboard Playhouse.  A cubby house (who doesn’t love them!) which can be decorated and personalised making it kid heaven, and then folded down flat to slide under the bed when it’s not in use. This’d be the perfect Christmas present for 3-6 year olds.It’s on special this week too!

Now speaking of specials, I’ll let you in on a little tip: keep a close eye on Metro Mum’s ‘What’s Hot’ box (you can see it on their homepage) as the specials in it will be changing weekly leading up to Christmas.  It’s a great way to get super deals on super products, including products which are rarely discounted.  This week’s Hot Box contains the KidsonRoof Cardboard Playhouse as mentioned above, and the uber-funky Mojo Mini Me Kids Beanbag Chair.  BaaaarGAIN!

And while I’m on a roll, here’s another tip: join the Metro Mum Club to receive exclusive discounts and offers during the year, and earn rewards points on all your purchases.

1. Oeuf Cot In Walnut, $1,380.00 (shown with Oeuf Changing Station In Walnut, $320.00)
2. Oeuf Dresser In Walnut, $1,210.00
3. Oeuf Mini Library Storage Shelving System In Walnut, $850.00
4. Totem 3D Puzzle Construction Toy For Boys, $49.99
5. Mojo Mini Me Kids Beanbag Chair, $55.00 $50.00
6. Softmats Multi Purpose BubbaMat, $199.00
7. Munchee Mug Anti Spill Snack Cup & Lid – Pink, $12.95
8. KidsonRoof Mobile Cardboard Playhouse, $65.00 $59.99
9. HappyMais Ecological Kids Craft Toy – Fox, $24.00
10. Babymoov Toilet Training Seat Reducer With Handles, $29.95

Metro Mum’s fabulous range includes products from Emotion & Kids, 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, Penny Scallan, and Caden Lane and Trunki.  Divine, each and every piece!

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.

Today’s post written by Angela

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Looking for the most chic clothing decor and accessories for your baby or child from birth to two years plus? The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au- is ‘it’, baby!

The Hip Infant has been on the scene for 4 years now, and Head Hipster Mel, mother of four, and former neonatal nurse, really knows a thing or two about style, and what works. If a product doesn’t look hip, and make life as a parent easier, she doesn’t stock it!

This means that everything at The Hip Infant is possessed of breathtakingly beautiful looks, and can take all the rough treatment that little kids dish out.

I read once that our aesthetic is shaped from infancy, that the objects we come into contact with from an early age inform our perception and understanding of the world.

If that’s true, you can get your little one off to a flying start in the taste department with the artily designed – and very practical; love the removable portion containers with lids, and replacement pieces (sold separately) – Skip Hop Palette Plate.

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.