KidStyleFile

Written by Miki

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Joanne, proprietor-extraordinaire at Ekidna Kidswear – www.ekidnakids.com.au - is one of those women who just seems to pack more hours into the day than I do.  For starters, she’s the mum of THREE boisterous boys, and she runs a busy and gorgeous online children’s boutique to boot.  She has a great eye for buying, and as a result Ekidna Kidswear is stocked with a really wonderful selection of high quality children’s fashion, accessories and toys, some of which I’m going to show you today.

First of all, do we have any expectant mamas in the house?  If so, have you thought about what you’re going to wear in labour or after the birth? I think it’s time to say goodbye to ugly hospital gowns with big gaps down the back and no easy way of breastfeeding. Have a look at the Designer Mamas hospital gowns; they have snap buttons down the back (i.e. they won’t flash your backside!), they undo easily at the front and sleeves for breastfeeding and any medical lines you might need, plus they come in a lovely range of prints to help you look gorgeous in your first photos with your precious newborn.

Another standout product for me is the Boon Flair Highchair, which is available in four vibrant colourways. It ticks all the boxes for me: it has a pneumatic lift so you can easily adjust the height, it has all the relevant safety features, it’s super easy to clean and it looks great!  It’s also very easy to move around the house as it runs on six urethane casters that won’t scratch your floors, and it has a hands-free braking system for when you want it to stay put.

Ekidna Kidswear is currently offering KidStyleFile readers 10% off their order between now and the 4th of February 2012, using the code KSF10 at checkout. This offer includes sale items, so make sure you have a dig through Ekidna Kidswear’s well-stocked Clearance section, where you’ll find discounts of up to 60% even before your extra 10% discount! As well as that, E offers their customers a great Loyalty Program and they also have an excellent newsletter full of new product news and special offers for subscribers. Sign up, you won’t be sorry!

The prices below are valid using the code KSF10 at checkout before 4 February 2012.

1. Designer Mamas Hospital Gown – Chic Mama, $99.95 less 10% = $89.95
2. Crocodile Creek Colorama Drink Bottle, was $19.95 now $15.95 less 10% = $14.35
3. Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover – Yoko, $48.95 less 10% = $44.05
4. Mor-Stor Ava Paper Rope Cube – Baby Pink, was $39.95 now $24.95 less 10% = $22.45
5. Giimmo ‘Rice’ The Lucky Dog Night Light, was $44.95 now $34.95 less 10% = $31.45
6. Starchild Sunflower Baby Pre-Walker Shoes, $19.95 less 10% = $17.95
7. Playmobil Castle Super Set, was $59.95 now $40.00 less 10% = $36.00
8. Boon Flair High Chair – Kiwi Seat/Coconut Pad, $399.95 less 10% = $359.95
9. Life Factory WeeGo Multi Sensory Silicone Teether – Yellow, was $14.95 now $11.95 less 10% = $10.75
10. Bobble Art Paper Doll Swimming Bag, was $19.95 now $13.95 less 10% = $12.55
11. Bibska Bib – Star Dazer, $12.95 less 10% = $11.65
12. Aden + Anais ‘Little Man’ Muslin Wraps (4 pack), $49.95 less 10% = $44.95

Ekidna Kids stock a impressive selection of products from top 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 and Woof!

Ekidna Kidswear charge from $7.50 flat, trackable postage, and orders over $200 are delivered FREE, Australia-wide.  International orders are welcome. Visit the Delivery information page for full shipping and delivery details.

Written by Miki

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As part of our Christmas coverage this year we are sharing with you our own personal picks for our kids. Today we’re featuring Edwina’s picks. You can also read Dom’s picks, Anna’s picks, Melody’s picks, Jen’s picks and Edwina’s picks. Enjoy! – Ange

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I have two small boys – Master A who is four-and-a-half, and Master J who is two-and-a-quarter – both who are counting down the minutes until Santa comes down that chimney. This is the first year that Master A has really become excited and involved in the lead up to Christmas, and it’s so much fun!  We’ve been getting out our copy of The Night Before Christmas at bedtime most nights, we’re listening to Christmas music in the car and we’re having a blast decorating the house with all the glitter-and-macaroni bits and bobs he’s bringing home from kindy. We’re also going to be flying home to spend Christmas in Adelaide, my hometown, which we’re incredibly excited about as the boys haven’t spent any length of time there yet.

Below are the special treats they’ll be finding under our tree on Christmas morning – after all, they have been pretty good this year – and a few things they might get beforehand if they’re extra lucky, or if I need some extra help surviving the plane trip!

1. Trunki Kids Ride-On Suitcase – Bernard The Bee, $89.00 at Metro Mum
Master A received a Trunki as a special gift a couple of years ago, and his little brother is so envious that it’s time he received one of his own. We have a 4.5 hour flight to get to our destination for Christmas, so this one will be an early gift.

2. Cheetah Dragon 16″ Boys Bike, $179.00 at The Bicycle Store
Master A is ready to graduate from his balance bike to a ‘big boy’s bike’ with pedals. This one has ticks in all the boxes: training wheels, tick! price tag, tick! handlebar streamers (because why should girls get all the fun?), tick!

3. ooMoo F1 Balance Bike, $165.00 at Metro Mum
As Master A moves up to a big new bike, so Master J will be wanting to move up from his little scoot-along trike as well. His brother’s old balance bike has seen better days, but I know this racy red option will suit him down to the ground.

4. Lego Volkswagon T1 Campervan, $169.99 at Lego Online Store
Seriously, who doesn’t love Lego? Master A will get a massive kick out of this camper, but I think the biggest smile when this box gets opened will be on the face of his dad!

5. Playmobil Super Set – Construction, $59.95 at Cradle Rock
We already have a few Playmobil toys and they’re absolutely brilliant – detailed, robust and designed with all sorts of clever little tricks. The boys will both have a brilliant time playing with this set, which will then live permanently at their grandparents’ house to be played with on visits.

6. Seedling ‘Design Your Own Box Kite’ Set, $36.95 at Design Child
This will be a great gift to be stashed until the school holidays seem to be dragging, at which point we’ll pull it out of the cupboard and have a fun day creating and flying!

7 & 8. Toshi Cotton Sunhat With Toggle – Safari, $33.95; Toshi Cotton Sunhat With Toggle – Surfing, $33.95 at Baby’s Got Style
The boys both need new sun hats, and these ones from Toshi are both practical and gorgeous.

9. Anamalz Crocodile, $9.95 at Ekidna Kidswear
The Anamalz toys make for fantastic stocking stuffers – the boys have one each already, which are proudly displayed on their bedside tables. I think they’d love to start adding to the collection.

10. Djeco Beasts Stickers, $4.95 at Where Did You Get That?
Djeco sticker packs are incredibly good value, and with a price this low they’re brilliant for shoving into stockings. I might even give them this pack before Christmas to help amuse them on the plane.

11. Books To Wear ‘My Shark’ PJs, $36.95 at Little Styles
We have a family tradition of all receiving a new pair of PJs on Christmas Eve (yes, Mum & Dad too) and these ones will be spot on for Master A…

12. Marquise Print PJs – Balloons, $32.95 at Little Styles
…while these ones will be perfect for Master J.

13. ‘Tails’ by Matthew Van Fleet (hardback), $14.67 at Book Depository
Matthew Van Fleet’s tactile, interactive books are absolutely brilliant for toddlers and young preschoolers. I can’t wait to read this one to him.

14. ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton (hardback), $9.88 at Book Depository
A childhood favourite of mine, it’s going to be so much fun settling in to read chapters to Master A at bedtime. This present might almost be more for me than it is for him!

15. Lilly & Lolly Scoop Bunkbed, $3,250.00 at The Little Kidz Closet
Okay, so this one is really a wish list item rather than something that will actually be under (beside?) our tree on Christmas morning. But isn’t it stunning? The boys are outgrowing their little IKEA beds, so I’ll need to look at getting them something like this before much longer – hint hint Santa!

PS: The background for today’s post comes from Bosco Bear who are making fabulous Christmas wall decals. What a great way to dress up your walls for the festive season!

Please check individual stores for shipping costs. Also make sure you read the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Post written by Miki

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To continue our Gift Guide Series, today I’m looking at gifts in the $50 to $100 price range.  It’s an excellent price bracket for buying something a little bit special for the boy or girl in your life who has tried extra hard to be good all year (a few whacks in the direction of his/her brother or sister notwithstanding); and there some amazing choices available.

The Cloud Bookcase pictured at #4 below would look beautiful in a nursery – fill it with new or secondhand books for your baby to enjoy to create a truly amazing gift. I’ve also included the Wheely Bug in the babies’ gifts section, because although it’s technically for 12+ months, my youngest child started playing with his brother’s Wheely Bug from about 4 months old, and loved it more than anything else we had – he’d grab at the wobbly antennae, kneel up while holding onto it, push it along like a walking trolley and so on. I’m also enamoured of the TrayKit which I think might be exactly what my boys need to help us all survive the long car trip we’re planning early in the New Year; and for little girls the Bobbi Sunshine Ruffled Daisy Swimsuit is simply too sweet for words. I am cheating by mentioning an extra product in addition to my top 20, but I also think this Stephen Joseph Backpack/Lunchbag Set is adorable and great value, and it comes in several other designs if farmyards aren’t your thing.

Keep reading to see my top twenty picks (in no particular order) for gifts in this price range, loosely grouped into products for babies, boys and girls.

Babies
1. Boon Frog Pod, $69.95 at Ekidna Kids
2. Wheely Bug – Bee (small), $85.95 at Shop For Tots
3. Cloudb Sleep Sheep, $59.95 at Billy Lids
4. My Escape Cloud Bookcase, $59.95 at The Little Kidz Closet
5. Groovie Math Blocks, $74.00 $55.50 at Cornflower Blue
6. Woolly Wugs Summer Sleeping Bag – Red, $59.95 at Stylish Kiddish

Boys
7. Stuck On You Designer Value Pack of Labels, $59.95 at Stuck On You
8. TrayKit – Kids Travel Tray & Backpack, $54.95 at Haggus & Stookles
9. Monster Couture Beanbag – Captain Shaggy Red, $99.95 at Little Styles
10. Playmobil T-Rex With Raptors, $79.95 at Cradle Rock
11. It’s A Clock Educational Children’s Clock – Bubble Boy, $89.00 at Metro Mum
12. Trunki Ride On Suitcase – Freddie Fire Engine, $89.00 $80.10 at Metro Mum
13. All Terrain Balance Bike, $99.95 at Design Child

Girls
14. Pink Swan Tutu, $60.00 at Little Red Love Buttons
15. Language Littlies Bilingual Doll – French/English, $69.00 at Ekidna Kids
16. Scruffy Dog Bonnie Silver Sandal, $52.95 at Tiny Steps
17. Mooo Personalised Backpack, $69.95 at Mooo Online Store
18. Bobbi Sunshine Ruffled Daisy Swimsuit, $54.95 at Baby’s Got Style
19. Green Toys Eco Friendly Cookware & Dining Set, $74.00 at Metro Mum
20. Enchanted Animals Wall Stickers, $79.95 at My Munchkin Home 

Please check individual stores for shipping costs. Also make sure you read the KidStyleFile’s All Current Deals page to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Today’s post written by Angela

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If you’re in the market for some of the finest toys in the land, then I recommend taking a trip over to Send a Toy – www.sendatoy.com.au - who stock some of the coolest local and European brands out.

“Who?”, you ask, well try An Angel at my Table, Automoblox, Bajo, Brio, Cocoon Couture, Deglingos, Djeco, Dumpling Dynasty, Educo, EEBOO, Fiesta Crafts (my girls received this gorgeous puppet theatre/shopfront from Santa last Christmas), Folkmanis, Green Toys, Haba (don’t miss the Petit Fours), Heimess, Honeysticks, Janod, Kaloo Baby Gifts, Kathe Kruse, Lark, Le Toy Van, Mamas & Papas, Melissa & Doug, Moulin Roty, Nici, Pintoy, Plan Toys, Quadrilla, Rosie Flo activity books, Sevi, SIGG Bottles, Trudi Soft Toys, Vilac, Voila Toys, Wheely Bug (one of the best deals on the web for these iconic ride-ons), and WonderWorld!

To sweeten the Send a Toy experience, they are having a fab sale with selected items up to 50% off while stocks last. Check my hot picks below, and keep an eye out for new additions to the sale category – they are regularly popping new goodies in.

Send a Toy postage charges start at $9.90 for standard post (less for those in Adelaide, and for small single-item orders) and $11.90 for Express for orders up to 3kg, Australia-wide, excluding bulky items. Free gift-wrapping applies on most items. International orders are also welcome. Please see the Send a Toy Delivery Guide for full details.

Today’s post written by Angela

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Nee ha nee nah – BabyLegs Christmas Stocking Stuffer mega-special coming through!!!

Ekidna Kidswear - www.ekidnakidswear.com.au has come up trumps with the ‘Legs, and is offering a fab Buy 2 Get 1 Free offer!

Simply purchase 2 pair of BabyLegs, and pop KSF, and your three preferences* for your third (and FREE!) pair in the comments field at checkout. Offer ends December 20, 2008.

BabyLegs are the perfect extra ‘layer’ for summertime dressing: pop them in your bag – they take up next to no room – and you’ll have instant warmth and sun protection for little arms and legs at your disposal.

There’s a lovely range of clothing over at Ekidna Kids just begging to be worn this Christmas day (check my picks below for outfits that look great with the BLs): Bebe by Minihaha, Marquise, Eternal Creation, Koby, Infancy, Jaffa, and Smirk Xmas themed tees can all be found heavily marked down in the ‘Specials’ section.

Also have to make mention of the Little Extenctions onesie ‘extenders’, a very cool little invention that will get you months more wear out of baby onesies – a superb idea at any time, but especially savvy in these economy conscious times.

Christmas day is not complete without toys, and there are some great finds at Ekidna Kids. Brio wooden block sets, and Playmobil sets (so hard to find usually, and soooo beautifully detailed!), and the Angel at My Table Teepees (free delivery on these makes them irresistable!) are my hot picks.

Finally, the Bosco Bear Christmas Wall Decals are tres chic: they come in a great range of colour options to suit every decor, and are budget friendly too!

Speaking of hip pockets, you can score 15% off store-wide at Ekidna Kids until 28 February 2009 with the KSF reader code which can be found inside in the Summer 2008/9 issue of My Child magazine. (I’ll be popping the code in this Tuesday’s newsletter, so make sure you sign up to be in the loop!)

1. Marquise Fleece lined vest $29.95 $19.95
2. Marquise Basics Blue Birds Tee $14.95 $9.95
3. Eternal Creation ‘Flamenco Angel’ top $47.95 $29.50
4. BabyLegs Assorted designs $16.50 – BUY 2, GET 1 FREE UNTIL 20 December 2008!
5. Marquise Basics Blue Footless Leggings $14.95 $9.95
6. Bebe by Minihaha ‘Tilly’ 3/4 leggings $22.95 $18.36
7. Brio Blocks Set of 50 $49.95
8. Playmobil sets $24.95 & $54.95 each
9. Eternal Creation ‘Tuscany’ sundress $46.95 $36.95
10. Cheeky Little Soles – Ballet Slippers $31.95
11. An Angel at My Table Teepee Tents $229.95 FREE POSTAGE on this item
12. Little Extensions Onesie extenders (Christmas babies designs) $14.95 $12.50
13. Smirk Christmas Pudding Tee $33.95 $27.95
14. Bosco Bear Christmas Wall Decals $89.00

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.