KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Anna

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

I’m sure most of us have a ‘favourite things’ list. Here are just a few things that appear on mine: my husband (check) the sound of happy children (check) fresh flowers (check) a dress or two (check) a few special, and most importantly, gorgeous-looking treasures (check) white walls (check) clean floors (hmm, maybe tomorrow?!)

A fantastic spot for finding ‘favourite things’ is the simply stunning space called Little Living – www.littleliving.com.au. Within this luxurious space you’ll find a gorgeous array of only the finest designed children’s home wares, gifts and accessories. Lovingly selected from both European and Australian designers, and brought together and infused with very classy style of proprietor Paula Kos, you will be blown away by the beauty in store.

Finding their home in the stellar line-up at Little Living are pieces from Allerhand, Babymoov, Custard Pie, Danish by Design, ecokid, Ensparkle Ceramics, Firefly and Little Miss Firefly, Forwalls, Gense, Greengate, Hanke, House Doctor, Ida Pearle, International Arrivals, Jock & Tilly, Kideko, Little Lighthouse, Maileg, Marks, Mini Rhubarb, MOJO, Mudpuppy, Ollie & Max, Oscar Blue, Overbeck & Friends, Playsam, Scherning, Seedling, Tania McCartney, The Birthday Company and Zid Zid Kids.

To kick off what is sure to be a long relationship between you and Little Living, Paula is holding a fabulous sale with up to 65% off! This wondrous event lasts only while stocks last until 28 February 2010. There is soooo much to choose from and it really is all utterly and completely gorgeous – we are truly spoiled for choice here! I have selected just a few of my favourites to illustrate my point and showcase what’s on offer to eat, sleep, play and live with from Little Living.

EAT. There is a fantastic choice for kids dinnerware at Little Living.  The Mini Rhubarb range is just gorgeous and with our little girl now out-eating her older brothers, we spend a lot of time looking at her dinnerware! So if you’re embarking on solids or well into the food (+ mess) journey -  for all the time you end up spending looking at, using, picking up from the floor and then washing your child’s dinnerware – I say pick a design like the Sweetie dinnerset that you’ll love too!  If you love polkda dots,  Little Living also stocks the divine melamine polka range from the European designer brand, Greengate. Talk about eating in style!

SLEEP. Greengate also have a lovely range of quality bed linen and cushions for your little one. I adore the Mimi Linen Doona Cover which is currently reduced fro $129.00 to just $40.00! What a find!

PLAY. From German brand Allerhand come a gorgeous and unique sports bag designed to hold a soccer or netball, together with a drink bottle.  These are seriously cool and seriously clever – no more chasing off after run away balls in car parks! Allerhand also make a great range mini rucksack suitable for little ones to use as a backpack or your tween to use as a lunch bag.

LIVE. Another of my ‘favourite things’ is gifts – for there is so much joy to be found in giving Little Living is a superb spot to go gift hunting for you are sure to find so something unique and beautiful – you can even have gifts wrapped to perfection and delivered straight to the lucky recipient. There are gorgeous rabbits, mice and rattles from Denmark’s Maileg which make the perfect baby and toddler presents. I love the large rabbit with stripe dress and check out the Mouse House: what a delightfully quaint gift idea.  Plus if it’s an adult you’re shopping for, I rate highly the ‘My Quotable Kid’ journal as a gift idea for parents.  This is a book that will become a sentimental part of a family’s life – containing all the memorable sayings our kids come out with, and all the associated memories that come out as we relive them over time. Want to give the gift of choice? A Little Living Gift Voucher is just the thing.

Discounted prices quoted below apply while stocks last only.

1. Mini Rhubarb – ‘Sweetie’ 3 pce kid’s dinnerset $24.95 now $20.00
2. Ollie & Max quilted military style jacket $129.95 now $40.0o
3. Maileg Mouse House $180.00
4. Mini Square childrens ottoman – Bird $125.00 now $110.00
5. Babymoov HIPPO bowl and lid $22.00 now $18.00
6. Greengate ‘Mimi Linen’ – single quilt/doona cover $129.00 now $40.00
7. My Quotable Kid – A Parent’s Journal Of Unforgettable Quotes $29.95
8. Allerhand childrens ball & bottle sports bag – 3 colours $34.00 now $29.95
9. Hanke ‘Le Champignon’ stool for children $124.95 now $115.00
10. Playsam xbus- red $134.20 now $95.00
11. Maileg large rabbit with stripe dress $140.00

Little Living use Australia Post and ship via Express Post Australia wide. Postage cost is determined at checkout based on weight. Average orders ship at around $9.50. See Delivery for full information including how to ship Little Living goodies internationally.

Today’s post written by Leah

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

We’ve now reached one of the busiest times of year. For those of you with school aged children, the term is winding down and amongst other things you’ll be busy working out how to entertain your tweens over summer. Some of you are counting down to your first Christmas with your new bub. And then, some of you are planning for a summer trip. Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au has summer covered for all of you, whatever your circumstance. With gifts for all ages, gorgeous nursery items, bags for mum, and humorous aprons for dad.  Gorgeous new brands and products now in store include  Ebulobo, Green Toys, Plan Toys, Ital Trike, Isoki, Dadgear, Il Tutto, Mia Bossi, Oeuf, Nursery Works, Puggyhouse and more!

Recently, Metro Mum introduced the gorgeous Ebulobo Woodours range to their line up of exquisite products just in time for Christmas.  You may remember this unique bear from the KSF Kind and Jugend 2009 Trade Show Best in Show picks back in September. A French creation, Woodours is actually a bear family, with a father and son whose love is as strong as an oak tree. Truly gorgeous, and a great gift for Christmas.

The new Isoki bag range has also arrived in time for summer. These scorching hot bags are so very hip and supremely functional. The new insulated Munch Bags are the perfect solution for keeping your lunch cool this summer, with trips to the beach, park or farm in your itinerary.

My eye was also drawn to the Playsam – Childhood Series Wooden Heirloom Pram. I love the curves that are inherent in all of these Scandinavian designed toys, and the colours are so vibrant and fresh. These classy toys are the perfect gift for a first Christmas gift.

There are several super deals on offer right now at Metro Mum:

1. All orders at Metro Mum receive a free Mum & Babe sample bag. Just add it to your cart with the rest of your order and it’s yours!
   
2. The entire Isoki range on sale 15% off. Prices are as marked.
3. Purchase a Puggyhouse and mention KSF at checkout to receive a free pack of colour-in Puggyhouse Stickers.
   
4. Find selected items up to 40% off in the Sale section.
   
5. Sign up for the Metro Mum Club and go into the draw to WIN a Learning Tower valued at $299.00.

All offers end 30 November 2009, so get thee to MetroMum pronto!

YOU COULD WIN: The Learning Tower Child Safety and Activity Tower rrp $299.00. Enter here.

1.      Ebulobo Woodours Bear Flap Book for Baby $65.00
2.      Playsam Childhood Series Wooden Heirloom Blue Pram $134.00
3.      Isoki NEW Reversible 3in1 Slouch Backpack (Samba Batik) $179.95 $165.00 until 30 Nov 2009
4.      Isoki New Insulated Munch Bag (Kenya) $39.95 $33.95 until 30 Nov 2009
5.      Ellie Bellie Kids Festive Season Reversible Tutu sz0-2yrs $69.95
6.      Nurseryworks Cot Linen Set Bounce Dreamsicle $325.00
7.      Puggyhouse Kids Paperboard Rocket Cubby House $49.95 Puggyhouse – Colour in Stickers (ABC123) $9.95
8.      Playme Wooden Doggy C Rattle for Baby $29.95
9.      Annabel Trends Christmas Apron “Santa Suit” $24.95

For all your in vogue parenting products, 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, 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.

Today’s post written by Angela

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

‘Mum & Babe’: what a lovely, evocative, warm, fabulous combination of words! Cate at Mum & Babe – www.mumandbabe.com.au – has distilled this feeling into her online store with a treasure trove of the best fashion, toys and accessories for babies and kids, as well as a loving spoonful of luxe for Mamas.

Stocking a well-thought selection of goodies from brands including BabyLegs, Bellababe, Dirty Laundry, Folkmanis, Funky Feet Fashions, Itch, Kate Mack (coming soon), Lilly Bean Play Food, Noonoo, Oopsy Daisy Baby, Pink Chicken, Playsam, Quilt-Baby, Rock Your Baby, Rosa Pomar Slings, Schaaf (the Mozartkugel is the most divine musical toy you ever did see!) Skip Hop, Troll beads, Wry Baby, and Kaiya Eve Couture, not to mention a growing range of fine handmade creations from local and overseas designer-makers, you are bound to be delighted!

Mum & Babe are currently having a sale, with up to 65% off selected Dirty Laundry, Wry Baby, Skip Hop, Pink Chicken, and more. There’s also a Secret Sale happening, with 20% off all Rock Your Baby threads. No code needed, both these offers are while stocks last only, so do not dilly dally!

PS Just before I dash off to visit my new nephew (little Jasper, just 12 hours!!) I have to show you a few extra goodies just arrived at Mum & Babe. I’m just drooling over…Funky Feet Fashions ($29.95 per pair) – cute, yet still tasteful; Jenna the Butterfly ($34.95) – has to be the most beautiful sensory toy ever; and the bursts of colour in the form of Grimm’s Rainbow Element Stacker ($19.95 for small; also available in large for $39.95), and the Rock Crayons ($14.95; use them to create art with, or as a decor statement!) are buzzing my brain, and evelating my mood just looking at them! Lifes good! Grab a slice of it at Mum & Babe…

Mum & Babe postage costs arre based on Australia-post weight charges, and are calculated at checkout. International orders are welcome. Contact Cate for a quote.

Today’s post written by Miki

………………………………………………………………………………………………

A few months ago I came across Playsam Toys ‘in person’ for the very first time, and I fell head over heels in love. On the screen Playsam is beautiful enough, but in the flesh they are to die for!

A small, iconic, Swedish design company, Playsam have worked with companies such as Saab, Volvo, Skandia, Brio and Atlas Copco, among others. When you see their toys you’ll understand why such prestigious companies want to work with them – they are so fine, they can even be found in the Swedish Design Museum under Icons of Swedish Design!

Extraordinarily sleek, these wooden toys made of beech from Germany and Italy, and coated numerous times with certified toxin-free lacquer paint, beg to be touched, handled and played with – you’ll find yourself unable to leave them alone, never mind the kids!  They also look good enough to be displayed as art around your house – they’re just too beautiful to pack away at the end of the day.

Little Living – www.littleliving.com.au – currently have a fine selection of Playsam Toys on sale up to 30% off. While you’re there, also be sure to stop by their general Sale page. You’ll be needing your credit card…

Little Living postage costs are based on Australia Post’s weight charges. The avergae cost for Expressdelievry is $9.50 per order, Australia-wide. International orders are welcome. Please see the Little Living Delivery page for full details.

Today’s post written by Miki

………………………………………………………………………………………………

This is a KidStyleFile Public Service Announcement:
In case you hadn’t noticed, Mother’s Day is coming up!

Mother’s Day is a lovely day for mums.

You can fairly confidently expect breakfast in bed (whether it’s edible or not remains to be seen), you’ll receive some sort of home-made card which, being a mum, you’ll treasure for at least the next 30 years, and – drumroll, please – you get a present – yay!

Now you *could* leave it up to Daddy and the kids to choose you something.  You really could.

But if you want to receive something you actually love, then I suggest you go to Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au – and buy your own gift. Tamara and Francine will even gift-wrap it for you

The girls at MetroMum are making it super-easy to choose something divine, and at the moment there’s a deal on nappy bags: buy any nappy bag over $100 at Metro Mum between now and 30 April 2009, and you’ll receive a $50 Metro Mum gift voucher!

And in case you are wondering whether you can justify treating yourself to a Storksak, a Mia Bossi, an Il Tutto, an Isoki or a brand new Allerhand, you can.

Not only do quality nappy bags make great long-term investments (many of them, including the Il Tutto Chiara pictured below in black, make ideal stylish laptop cases when you go back to work), they retain their resale value – and you can put them on layby at Metro Mum!

That’s not all at Metro Mum though, not by a long shot. Check out the Zuny limited edition leather animal bookends; I literally squealed out loud when I saw them!  Then there are the incredibly clever Learning Towers, which are so new they haven’t arrived yet (order now for end of April delivery).  For loads of other hot new products, take a look here.

And I have one last little thing to impart: Metro Mum are giving away $1800 in prizes in the form of PixiPhoto photo shoots. Comp closes 30 April 2009. Click here to find out more.

1. Allerhand Trendy Courier Nappy Bag – Urban, $132.50
2. The Learning Tower – Natural, $120.00
3. Elodie Details Baby Bottle – Petit Royal, $16.00
4. Mia Bossi ‘Maria’ Designer Nappy Bag – Tangerine, $450.00
5. Isoki Bohemian Reversible Saddle Tote Bag, $199.95
6. Luna Lullaby Bounce-A-Bye Pregnancy and Baby Ball – Flutterby, $89.95
7. Zuny Limited Edition Leather Bookends – Lion and Elephant, $69.95ea
8. Il Tutto Chiara Tote Leather Baby Bag – Black, $449.00
9. Elodie Details Petit Royal Baby Pacifier – Peacekeeper, $15.00
10. Storksak Emily Shoulder Sak – Pewter, $209.00
11. Playsam Wooden Streamliner Classic Car – Black, $77.00

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 Angela

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Somewhat aloof, mythical, and mesmerising, the rabbit form has remained virtually unchanged since its first apprearance on the planet. The rabbit is a great design, and a master of reproduction, and therefore, along with the chick and egg, an iconic symbol of Easter abundance and – plus they’re super cute!!

I unashamedly admit I am a “rabbit person” – I had house rabbit for decades – and I am significantly responsible for the ongoing success of Cadbury.

Easter blends bunnies and chocolate, and I couldn’t be happier!

If you’re on the hunt for the most bunderful gift for your own little rabbit this Easter, be sure to hop to it, and check out the finds below. You can buy all the below online, while you’re munching on a nice quiet pre-Easter egg

A. Sarah Jane Studios Button Badges, Set of 2 at Monkeytail & Wellington – $6.50 $5.20

B. Playsam Rocking Rabbit at Little Living – $429.00 $295.00

C. Peter Rabbit Pullalong Toy at La Toriana – $29.95

D. La Marelle Colouring Book from Rainbow Puppen – $19.95

E. Ikaboo Mini-Glow Night Light from 5 Little Monkeys – $39.95 $34.95

F. Kathe Kruse Luckies Mini Rabbit at The Hip Infant – $15.95

G. Dumpling Dynasty DIY Bunny Kit at Lark Made – $29.95

H. Stickmeon Sir Rabbit Wall Sticker at Stickmeon – $66.00

I. Schleich Black and White Rabbit at Little Possums Toys – $4.75

J. Toys Pure Rabbit Puzzle at The Hip Infant – $13.95

Please check individual stores for postage and delivery information.

Today’s post written by Edwina

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

The Scandinavians are a playful and hugely talented bunch. We can send out a huge thank you to our Nordic cousins for giving us Lego, Brio, Hansa, Hama Beads, Playsam, and the fantastic Svan childrens furniture, to name just a handful!

Huset – www.huset-shop.com – is a great online store to check out when you want to see what is hot in modern Scandinavian design. And with such a huge design heritage to be found here, it’s safe to say there is a lot that you will love.

The Playsam Saab Roadster Ride On ($US460), based on the first Saab built in the 1940s, has to be the most adorable ride on car I have ever seen!

Huset don’t limit their stock of Scandinavian masterpieces to toys, they have fantastic artists and fashion Designers as well. See below to see a few of my new loves.

Our Children’s Gorilla Apehangers $US20
Danefae Viking Erik Coin Purse $US15
isak ABC Poster $US40
Brokiga Kalas Print $US50
Our Children’s Gorilla Children Unite! Poster $US40

From top left, in rows:

Smafolk Happy Lion Tee $US40
Phister and Philina Mini Tunic $US45
Silke and Suus Gert Skirt $US50
Phister and Philina Magic Baby Suit $US45
Smafolk Funky Flower Baby Body $US28 $US19.60
Danefae Lille Lang T-shirt Navy Viking Erik $US35
Danefae Viking Erik Striped Baby Body $US35

For those who are now smitten, be sure to check out the Huset Blog – for more hot designers, new trends, Stockholm and Copenhagen fashion weeks, and more.

Please check the Huset website for shipping and delivery charges.