KidStyleFile

Written by Leah

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As spring approaches, the weekends at my house become a hive of activity. There are no less than 5 extended family birthday parties in quick succession to attend, new season wardrobes to gather together and Christmas shopping (yes…it’s on the horizon people!) to start thinking about. As a working mum I need to be organised, so it’s the last few weeks of winter where my online shopping goes up a gear as I hunt for bargains to have ready to go when needed.

Shop For Tots - www.shopfortots.com.au – is the perfect place to start! Launched  in April, Kate and Steve (inspired by their gorgeous 3 year old twins, Orlando and Sofia, I’m certain), have collated an enormous selection of the finest toys, baby goods and clothing lines for you to choose from. I’m convinced that there is something in store for every single child, making Shop For Tots the perfect shopping destination for every need.

If it’s a party you are busy preparing for, ensure you take a few minutes to peruse the party section for some delightful options for your table, preparations and party bags. I recently used the Talking Tables Cake Central Cake Toppers on a selection of my baking creations, and they drew ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from the adult group I presented them to.

The provision of games and activities to push away boredom is a must have in my house. I’m always circulating our family collection and adding something each month to engage my kidlets and keep them busy. I am excited to see a bevy of options at Shop for Tots and they have just added even more to their wooden toys, puzzles and games area! They all make a special gift too.

To make things even more exciting, Shop For Tots currently have over 400 items on sale with up to 30% off. Take advantage of some of the super bargains you’ll find right now. You’ll also find a super special offer for KSF readers: enter code KSF-freeship for free shipping on all orders until 31August 2011.  And a quick reminder – you only have 10 days to get your entry into the Shop For Tots ‘Join our Community’ Competition which has over $1400 worth of prizes to be won. 

For all the latest news from Shop for Tots, make sure to “like” their Facebook page.

Prices quoted below are valid while stocks last. Remember: free shipping is available with code KSF-freeship until 31st August 2011.

1. Live Play Create Tike $220.00 $154.00
2. Goodbyn Original Lunchbox $45.00 $31.50
3. Active People Bilibo Pixel $12.95 $9.07
4. Plan Toys Eco Home $99.95 $73.78
5. Govinci All-in-one Backpack $45.80 $32.06
6. Edz Kidz Kids Ear Muffs $28.95 $20.27
7. Kidlet Love Rectangluar Cushion $41.95 $29.37
8. SOLVEJ baby/toddler swing $219.95 $154.00
9. Studio Skinky Playon Crayons $12.95 $9.07
10. Seedling Message Dragon Royal $32.95 $24.50
11.  Kids Konserve Lunch Kit Caterpillar $58.95 $41.27
12. Tutu Du Monde Orchid Petal Tutu $149.00 $104.30

Post written by Miki

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There can be no doubt as to how devoted Shelley at Lime Tree Kids – www.limetreekids.com.au – is to choosing her products.  With her belief in Attachment Parenting and the importance of child-parent playtime, Shelley has put the same consideration and care that she put into helping her gorgeous adopted son ‘learn to be loved’ into her online boutique – and it shows.

The whole store is full of unique and quality items designed to promote play between parent and child, and each item has been chosen for its “usefulness , creativity, developmental & emotional encouragement and general fun – ness” which pretty much sums up what we all look for in a toy!  New this month at Lime Tree Kids is a stunning new selection of games and puzzles from brands like Fred, Janod, GOKI, Melissa & Doug and Plan Toys.

I know for a fact that my Master A would get a huge kick out of the Janod Magnetic Plane while Master J would have ever so much fun exploring the GOKI Shake & Stack Sensory Blocks; in fact there’s basically nothing here my boys wouldn’t love!  I see a lot of things here that would make fantastic gifts, including the Janod Suitcase Puzzles while the XYZ Alphabet Blocks by Fred gave me a good giggle – D is for Dentures? P is for Power Saw? S is for Sunburn? *Awesome*

Every sale before 14 June 2011 at Lime Tree Kids using the code KSF1055 will receive 10% off and automatically go into the special KidStyleFile competition draw to win a $100 gift voucher! The 10% off can also be used in the sale category where you’ll already find products discounted by up to 55%, so this is a fantastic deal.  The winner of the competition will be announced via the Lime Tree Kids e-newsletter on 17 June 2011.

Discounted prices below are only valid using code KSF1055 while stocks last and until 14 June 2011.

1. Janod Magnetic Plane, $34.95 less 10% = $31.45
2. GOKI Push Along Ladybird, $10.95 less 10% = $9.85
3. Plan Toys Wooden Baby Car, $21.95 less 10% = $19.75
4. Fred XYZ Alphabet Blocks, $39.95 less 10% = $35.95
5. GOKI Stacking Tower, $29.95 less 10% = $26.95
6. Melissa & Doug Construction Chunky Puzzle, $19.95 less 10% = $17.95
7. Janod Dragon Suitcase Puzzle, $32.95 less 10% = $29.65
8. GOKI 4 Layer Butterflies Puzzle, $14.95 less 10% = $13.45
9. GOKI Catch The Bee Game, $12.95 less 10% = $11.65
10. GOKI Shake & Stack Sensory Blocks, $49.95 less 10% = $44.95

Lime Tree Kids stocks the following quality designers: Alimrose, Aden + Anais, Lily & George, Boon, JamBerry, Melissa & Doug, Plan Toys, Fred, Puj, Fiesta Crafts, GOKI, Heimess, Janod, Lilliputiens, Doowell, lunchpunch, Rex, Engel, Oopsie, ERGObaby, Bubeewrap, KissKiss HugHug, Breeze Baby, PeanutShell, WallCandy, Flexi Bath, Lupi Lu, The Wean Machine, Bambinoz, Easy Bubs, O.B Designs, Swaddle Designs, Wee Gallery, Kikkerland, Peekaboo, Dwell Studio, Usbourne, Todd Parr, Toys Pure, Cara Jane, Jellycat, Hog Wild and JIP.

Lime Tree Kids ship Australia-wide using Express Australia Post. Fees are a flat $10 for the first 5 kg, and $3 per kilo thereafter. For full terms and conditions, including international shipping, please see the page titled ‘Shipping’.

Post written by Anna

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Propreitors Tamara and Francine of the hip and happening Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au – are serious go-getters and as such their gorgeous store is always filled with action. This joyful season is no exception, you can literally feel the Christmas spirit as you glance across the home page, and it doesn’t stop there: the entire store is alive with festivities!

The buzz starts with the arrival of lush new products like the brilliant Silver Cross X4 Doll’s Pram, which has been reduced in price and would make a fabulous Christmas present for a little lady or two. There are new Trunki accessories like the very reasonable priced TrunkiTote which could make a very thoughtfyl and timely gift in time for summer holidays just around the corner. And because we’re talking Metro Mum, there are always some very fine gifts on offer for stylish mums, like the very savvy Texthook Ultimate Smartphone Pram Accessory.

The festive season is being celebrated every day at Metro Mum with Tamara and Francine bringing us Daily Christmas Deals on some of their favourite Christmas Gifts. Check in each day to see what deal is on offer in the final lead up to Christmas. You can also enter the fantastic Metro Mum Christmas Competition: the prize pool is worth over $2,000 and finishes on 17 December 2010, so don’t miss it!

If you are still out to source some toys to fill up your Santa sacks, then I suggest you pause and put those car keys away and instead make a cuppa and get your fingers out ready to clickety click your way to some very happy children this Christmas morning. Why, you ask? Because….

Metro Mum are having a massive Toy Sale with up to 50% off selected toys from quality brands  like Melissa & Doug, Plan Toys, Trunki, Giimmo, Bilbo, Vulli and more. Prices are as marked; see the Metro Mumwebsite for terms and conditions. You have just one week to make the most of this fabulous sale which lasts, while stocks hold out, until midnight 20 December 2010.

Discounted priced quoted below are valid until midnight 20 December 2010, while stocks last only.

1. Trunki Penelope the Princess Carriage $88.00 reduced to $74.00
2. Giimmo Night Light ‘Rice’ the Dog $44.95 reduced to $39.95
3. TrunkiTote $18.95 reduced to $17.50
4. Melissa & Doug Dinosaur Stamp Set $24.95 reduced to $18.95
5. Silver Cross X4 Doll’s Pram $99.95 reduced to $89.96
6. Bilibo Pixel $12.95 reduced to $9.50
7. Vulli – Sophie Giraffe Natural Teething Toy $34.00 reduced to $29.00
8. Mishi Design Grow Up Transformable Toy $185.95 reduced to $165.00
9. Texthook Utimate smartphone pram accessory $39.95 reduced to $35.96

Metro Mum stock from the following brands: Hess-Spielzeug, Allerhand, Annabel Trends, Babymoov, Babymel, Baby Steps 123, Baufix, Babywedge, Bilibo, Bloom Baby, Boyle, Britt, BubbaMat, Bud by Design Room, BusyBee Friends, Caden Lane, Cariboo NZ, Compendium, DadGear, DanishbyDesign, David Fussenegger, Dwink Box, Ebulobo, Ellaroo, Ellie Bellie, Elodie Details, Emotion & Kids, Fatboy The Original, Fertile Mind, FLATOUTbears, Foogo by Thermos, FunPod, Giimmo, Happy Mais, Hello Babe, Il Tutto, IntelliGender®, Isoki, Kanoe, Kiddie Food Kutter, Kids Kitchen, KidsonRoof, Kipiis, Language Littles, Learning Tower, Leander, Leisure Learning, Lilbird, Little Beetle, Little Kitchen, Little Sprowtz, LittleOneBaby, Luna Lullaby, Lupi Lu, Melobaby, Metro Mum, Mia Bossi, Milk & Tickles, MilkBar, Mini Bilibo, Minimonkey, Mishi Design, Mojo, Mokopuna, Mothers Minder, Munchee Mug, My Plate-Mate, Nest, Nuance, Nurseryworks, Ocho, Oeuf, OnTray2Go, Oti, Paper Eskimo, PeeWee & PooToo, Playsam, Prego Planner, PuggyHouse, Qtees, Scout, Seed Organic, Snugabub, Storksak, Totem, Trunki, VisualGram, Vulli, Wall Candy and Zuny.

Metro Mum use Fastaway Couriers and Australia Post for delivery.  Total delivery cost will be calculated at checkout.  For estimated delivery times, international orders and all the ‘how to’ information see here.

Post written by Miki

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Ok, admit it: who hasn’t finished their Christmas shopping yet?  It’s okay, don’t stress, you’ve still got time.  Just go to Giggle & Grow – www.giggleandgrow.com.au – and start shopping!

Giggle & Grow have a wonderful philosophy of supporting ethically made, environmentally friendly products from Australia and around the world.  They carefully choose to stock products that support people who are less fortunate than we are, which I think is even more relevant and beautiful at Christmas-time.  After all, isn’t that exactly the kind of ethos we’re all trying to instil in our children?

Giggle & Grow’s carefully selected capsule range of fashion, toys, baby toiletries and baby gear offers up some easy choices for Christmas. Plan Toys are made from sustainable timber (the Treehouse is the icing on the cake under the tree this Xmas), while Green Toys are made from recycled milk bottles – which makes the Green Toys Recycling Truck even cooler.  I can personally recommend the Playon Crayon sets – we were given one by a friend a few months ago and both my kids (aged 3 and 15 months respectively) absolutely love them.

If you’re looking for Christmas Day fashion then consider Giggle & Grow’s selection from Mon*Star Kids, Purebaby and Vintage Kid. Got a babe in arms? Pick up what is, in my humble opinion, the *best* baby carrier on the market, the ERGObaby Carrier, and you won’t look back (or have a sore one!).

Right now you can take 10% off store-wide at Giggle & Grow and get FREE gift wrapping to boot when you use the code christmasrush at checkout until 22 December 2010. All Giggle & Grow orders are shipped Express Post as standard: place your order before 3pm AEST and you’ll receive your goodies the very next day. Now that’s the service Santa ordered!

Discounted prices quoted below are valid until 22 December 2010 using the code christmasrush at checkout.

1. Plan Toys Pirate Ship, $100.00 less 10% = $90.00
2. Green Toys Tea Set, $48.00 less 10% = $43.20
3. Playon Crayon, $12.90 less 10% = $11.61
4. Green Toys Dump Truck, $50.00 less 10% = $45.00
5. Plan Toys Stacking Rings, $32.00 less 10% = $28.80
6. Plan Toys Fruit & Vegetable Cutting Set, $40.00 less 10% = $36.00
7. Green Toys Jump Rope, $20.00 less 10% = $18.00
8. Green Toys Recycling Truck, $50.00 less 10% = $45.00
9. Plan Toys Oval Xylophone, $35.00 less 10% = $31.50

Giggle & Grow posts Australia wide for the flat fee of $8.00. Orders placed before 3pm AEST will be delivered next business day. International orders are welcome. Please email Giggle & Grow for a quote.

Post written by Leah

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This week Santa Claus will be arriving in shopping centres all around Australia. Oh yes, he’s coming to town alright and I really need to sort out my kidlets wishlist so that they can whisper in his ear and help him with his annual gift giving. You see, I’m certain that Santa uses the online marketplace to source his presents, (How else can you explain his ability to be so prepared?) and I need to give him a head-start so nobody misses out.

Just Toy’n Around – www.justtoynaround.com.au - will be one of Santa’s first stops I’m sure. With an array of almost every quality toy brand you could think of for kids from infancy right up to 10 years, this super sweet shop is just the place for hand picking special treats and gifts. They have an assortment of toys from craft to pretend play; outside activities and educational – over 650 in fact! You’ll also find a selection of clothing, shoes and party goods.

Until recently, my little Miss N (just 2) showed virtually no interest in toys for any longer than 2 minutes. She is an outside darling by nature, preferring to twirl in the garden or chase butterflies. Enter Plan Toys Fruits & Vegetables with Tray set. This little set literally turned on the switch when it comes to pretend play for my princess, and started a revolution in our house. It seems everyday the kidlets are preparing a “pretend” tea party or a “pretend” shopping trip. Trikes and bikes are also on the list this year and I just know Santa has his eye on the Radio Flyer Classic Red Tricycle and Discoveroo Wooden Balance Bikes for two *very* good children.

Just Toy’n Around, Quality Toys and Unique Gifts, are here to help Santas and his elves with deliveries this Christmas and are offering FREE standard postage Australia-wide on all orders over $50.00 (before postage charges). Fill up your sack and enter KSF50 at checkout to redeem this offer until midnight 20 November 2010. Looking for a bargain to boot? Head to  the Bargain Corner to find up to 60% off. You’ll also earn Rewards Points for every dollar you spend at Just Toy’n Around, and there are more goodies for you if you sign up for the Just Toy’n Around newsletter, so sign up and shop hard!!

1. Radio Flyer Classic Red Tricycle $139.95
2. Bluebird & Honey Panda Gift Set $29.95
3. Red Polka Dot Summer Fun Shoes $15.00
4. Mother Garden Wild Strawberry Breakfast Tea & Toaster Set $89.95
5. Agoo H2O Water Bottle & Leg Warmer Set Butterfly Burst $29.95
6. Pink Owls Clutch Bags $19.95
7. Mother Garden Sweet Red Strawberry Kitchen $289.95
8. Vtech First Steps Baby Walker $69.99
9. Wooden Fruits & Vegetables Deli Tray Set $32.95
10. Wooden Picnic Basket Set $44.95
11. Hape Bamboo Rapido Game $28.95

Just Toy’n Around is  overflowing with over  650 quality toys and products from over 60 designer brands including (deep breath now!):  Agoo, Alex Toys, Automoblox, Big Jigs, Bluebird & Honey, Brainy Baby, BRIO, Calafant, Carter’s. Crocodile Creek, Discoveroo, Djeco, Edan Rose, Educo, Envirotrend, Felt Creations, Fisher Price, Fun Factory, HABA, Hape, Heimess, Ital Trike, Jaggers’c Closet, Janod, Junior Tradesman, Just Toy’n Around, KatyJane Designs, Kid O, Kiddieland, Kidsonroof, Ladybird, Lamaze, Lark, Le Toy Van, Leap Frog, Lilliputiens, Little Pumpkin, Little Tikes, Mamas & Papas, Mattel, Mecollie Designs, Mega Blocks, Mechano, Melissa & Doug, Mexx shoes, Mishi Design, Mokoh Design, Mother Garden, Mother Hen, Next, Okiedog, Old Navy, Plan Tos, Pop Out World, Poss Bloss, Quercetti, Radio Flyer, Ready 2 Learn, Santoys, Sevi, Sparkle T, Step 2, Stirlingfox GoPlay, Sylvanian Families, Tacker Tracker, The Little Experience, Tiger Tribe, Viking Toys, Vtech and World Alive.

Just Toy’n Around postage starts at $9.95 for orders up to 3kg. For complete ordering and delivery information, including arranging international shipping, please see here.

Post written by Leah

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To be honest, I’ve never really been as experimental with Master R’s wardrobe as I am with both my own and Miss N’s. I haven’t thought through boys accessories or taking risks. He’s a bit of a trackie pants and tee kind of boy, so I’ve been reluctant to change that winning formula.

But, you know what? After finding and falling in love with the The Hipster Mom, aka Samantha Moeller, I’ve realised that my personal fashion philosophy of simply adding a few statement pieces to your staple wardrobe will work just as perfectly for my little man; the formula is think through purchases and work out what you’re channeling: boho, rocker boy; preppie etc.  Using Samantha’s little boy, Fritz, as inspiration I have searched for a collection of ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ pieces that will make dressing your boy a whole heap of fun. Don’t forget to always let your little one’s own style flow through – the outcome is always impressive!

1. Munster Fooey Tee – white Tiny People $40.00
2. Edz Kidz Ear Muffs – Blue Baby Ear Muffs $26.00
3. Tommy Rocket Guitar Tank My Baby Rocks $39.95
4. Drum and Trace Tee Green Eyed Monster CornflowerBlue $35.00
5. Rock Your Baby Mosh Pit Tee Cradle Rock $29.95; Rock Your Baby Skater Shorts – Red/Black Check Cradle Rock $39.95; Harlequin Scalf – dark blue Tiny People $30 Now $21
6. Love Police Long Way to the Shops Little Styles $34.95
7. Funky Jolly Jack BabyLegs Babes in Arms $14.95
8. Let’s Rock Guitar Bag (Black) Kawaii Kids $35.00
9. Rock Your Baby Kids About To Rock tee Baby’s Got Style $28.00
10. PlanToys Wooden Musical Band Drum Set Metro Mum $104
11. Silly Reflection – Lunch MoneyMonkeytail & Wellington $19.95
12. Trunk ltd AC/DC Big Gun Tee – Cheeky Little Monsters $59.95
13. GogoYubari Tee- Gabrial Saynte $25.99
14. Littlehorn Mixed Tape Tee Ten Little Indians $39.95

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 around.