KidStyleFile

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 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.

Today’s post written by Miki

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With my second baby on the way, I’m starting to look at sleeping options for him or her.  I doubt my ‘big boy’ will be out of his cot by the time the new little bundle arrives, and so I’ve decided that now is the time to splash out on a really lovely bassinet, baby hammock or moses basket.

But which to choose?

Here are the options, as I see it.

Bassinets and cradles are like little cots, perfectly sized for a newborn and will usually hold a baby for the first four or five months.  Because they’re so much smaller and lighter than a full-sized cot, they can be kept next to your bed and moved around the house during the day if you need to.

Check out the Seed Organic Cradle as my favourite example.

Moses baskets are just that – baskets with carry handles, which are lined and padded to make them comfy for baby.  Moses baskets will sit on stands (usually available separately), in order to double as a bassinet, but the basket can also be carried around the house or taken out as a portable bed for the baby while you’re at a friend’s house or on holiday.  Most babies fit into a Moses basket for about three months.

For the most beautiful Moses baskets, see the Seed Organic Pod (Moses basket & stand), and the Gertie and Me Moses basket & stand.

Baby hammocks are designed to simulate the movement the baby was used to while in its mother’s tummy.  Suddenly lying so still can be a shock for newborns, so the gentle swaying motion of a hammock can be just the thing for restless little ones.

I love the Kanoe, which can be hung from an eye-bolt fixed to any solid structure and can be moved around the house simply by shifting it to another eye-bolt, has a spring mechanism to make the movement more natural to the baby, and comes in several gorgeous colour combinations.

My top contenders:

1. Kanoe Baby Hammock – Natural, $349.00 from Metro Mum
2. Gertie and Me Moses Basket, $250.00 and Stand, $99.95 from The Hip Infant
3. Seed Organic ‘The Pod’ Moses Basket & Stand, $329.00 from The Hip Infant, also available from Metro Mum
4. Seed Organic Cradle, $279.00 from The Hip Infant, also available from Metro Mum

Please check individual sites for postage, and as always check the KidStyleFile ‘All Current Deals’ page to see if you qualify for a special discount or offer.