KidStyleFile

Written by Domenica

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In a former life I was a teacher, and therefore painfully aware of how quickly the school holidays seemed to pass. With some parts of Australia starting school in around two weeks, we felt it was high time to do our homework here at KidStyleFile and roundup some of our fave top ‘Back To School’ picks. Today we are starting with just a few of our fave picks for lunch related items.

At the risk of sounding very old, I must admit that I cannot believe how far the humble lunchbox and drink bottle has come design-wise in both looks and functionality! And with more and more daycare centres, kindergartens and schools becoming waste free, now is the perfect time to consider investing in a fab lunchbox and drink bottle. Nom, nom, nom!

In no particular order of preference:

A. Skip Hop Zoo Lunchies Dog -Haggus & Stookles – $21.00
B. Cooler Lunch Bag Green Robot – Lime Tree Kids – $32.95
C. Built NY Munchler Insulated Kids Lunch Box Boo – Haggus & Stookles – Was $19.95 Sale = $16.95
D. Rex Circus Parade Lunch Box – Little Styles – $11.95
E. Assorted Fluf Lunch Bags – Kindred Gifts – From $23.95
F. Lego Lunchbox Red – Metro Mum – $19.95
G. Jasnor Very Hungry Caterpillar Lunch Bag – Little Styles – $24.95
H. Dwell Lunch Box Bag – Transport – The Infant Boutique – $49.00 Sale $44.10
I. Citizenpip Polka Dot BPA Free Kids Lunch Starter Kit – Metro Mum – $59.95
J. Bobble Art Kids Lunch Box – Multi Heart – Haggus & Stookles – $24.95
K. H2Onya Stainless Steel Bottle 500ml – Buxton Baby – $17.95
L. Hatley Wild At Heart Drink Bottle – Baby’s Got Style – $14.95
M. Funtainer Drink Bottle 355mls – Dancer – Where Did You Get That? – $24.95 Sale $19.96
N. Cheeki Stainless Steel Drinking Bottle 750ml – Metallic Purple – Ekidna Kids – $17.95
O. Bobble Art Spot Drink Bottle – Ekidna Kids – $19.95
P. Contigo Kangaroo Autoseal Blue Drink Bottle – Where Did You Get That? – $21.95
Q. Crocodile Creek Jungle Jive Drink Bottle – Ekidna Kids – $19.95 Sale $15.95
R. Rocket Racing Drink Bottle 350ml – The Infant Boutique – $24.95
S. Drink Bottle – Red Star – Little Explorers – Was $19.95 Sale $11.97
T. Vapur 0.5L Anti-Bottle Cyan Blue – Where Did You Get That? – $18.95
U. Lunch Punch Fairy Princess Sandwich Cutters – Baby’s Got Style – $13.95
V. Toddler Cutlery Set – Charlie’s Bucket – $59.00
W. Lunch Punch Transport Sandwich Cutters – Baby’s Got Style – $13.95

 See individual stores for details of discounted prices as marked in red. Please check individual stores for shipping information and don’t forget to check the KidStyleFile’s All Current Deals page for any special deals that might be available.

Written by Angela

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Skip Hop is a New York-based company, that, in 2003, designed the world’s first baby bag that converts into a stroller bag. Skip Hop have since expanded into a range of toys, feeding, bathing accessories, but their nappy bags have continued to be their top-selling items – and no wonder; these babies are beautiful, and incredibly well featured.

Snap up a Skip Hop ‘Duo Deluxe’ baby bag (was $99.95 now $49.97 ), ‘Duo Double’ (was $169.95 now $84.98) diaper bag,  ‘Duo Double Deluxe’ nappy bag (was $179.95 now $89.98) or ‘Studio’ upmarket mummy bag (was $199.95 now $99.98) at the Shop Until – shopuntil.com.au – Skip*Hop sale. All items are discounted by 50% – woohoo! – while stocks last only. Get over there fast!

Shop Until charge $6.95 flat-rate postage Australia-wide. Orders over $100.00 are shipped FREE. View full postage and delivery information here.

Written by Miki

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Over the last few weeks, the KidStyleFile team have gone into overdrive to bring you an extensive collection of gift guides to make your Christmas purchasing as easy as possible. We’ve given you a total of twenty-one gift guides covering everything from Stocking Stuffers Under $10 to Big Ticket Items Over $100, and each of the KidStyleFile writers has shown you what we’re placing under our Christmas trees for our own kids as well. We’ve also had the owners of many of our favourite stores give their top suggestions for gifts; it’s always great to hear from the experts themselves.  In total we’ve given you 289 ideas for what to buy the special little people in your life, and we hope you’ve enjoyed it as much as we have!

In case you’ve missed any of our guides, today I’m going to give you a final wrap-up of everything we’ve covered. And don’t forget, if you’re still stuck for ideas, come over to the KidStyleFile Facebook page to chat to us and all our incredibly helpful fans – I can just about guarantee we’ll come up with the perfect solution.

Our Christmas Gift Guides For 2011:

Top 20 Stocking Stuffers {Under $10}  |  Top 20 Gifts {Under $25}  |  Top 20 Gifts {$25 to $50}  |  Top 20 Gifts {$50 to $100}  |  Top 20 Gifts {Big Ticket Items Over $100}  |  Besty of Etsy: Handmade Christmas Gift Guide  |  Besty of Etsy: An Australian Handmade Gift Guide  |  The Green Guide: Best Eco-Friendly Gifts  | Top 10 Advent Calendars  |  Favourite Christmas Books  |  Staff Picks: Under Dom’s Tree  | Staff Picks: Under Anna’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Melody’s Christmas Tree  | Staff Picks: Under Jen’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Edwina’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Miki’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Leah’s Christmas Tree  |  Staff Picks: Under Angela’s Christmas Tree  |  Store Owners’ Picks: Part 1  | Store Owners’ Picks: Part 2  | Store Owners’ Picks: Part 3  | Store Owners’ Picks: Part 4

Please check individual sites for postage details and be sure to survey the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

Written by Domenica

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Uh oh! Despite best intentions, have you left your Christmas shopping to the last minute? Don’t despair, Little Styles – www.littlestyles.com.au – is here to save the day. Boasting 4000+ products, 130+ brands, 750+ gifts under $25, and free shipping for orders over $150, consider Little Styles your personal little Christmas helper to get your preparations back on track.

With a huge range of gifts still making their way onto the virtual shelves, you are spoiled for choice.  Take a look at the What’s New section to see offerings from Tiger Tribe, Oobi, Ridley’s, Bobbleart, Alimrose, Paper Eskimo, Spiegelburg, Jellycat, Oobi, Skip Hop, Alex Toys & much more! And remember, Little Styles has great Christmas picks for babies, toddlers, bigger kids and even grown ups. Girls will squeal with delight at the gorgeous Tiger Tribe Wooden Boxset Doll House; while boys will have hours of fun with the Sevi Village With Train Wooden Playset with its large landscape mat, 19 piece wooden train track and 14 wooden vehicles. For little babes I recommend the Skip Hop Hug & Hide Activity Bear; with over 10 developmental activities for under $30 bucks it represents excellent value. If you are on budget then check out the Gifts Under $25 section where there are around 650 choices to help keep you on track.

Little Styles also stock a fabulous range of perfect party season outfits for ages newborn to 8 years. If you are in need of inspiration then check out the Christmassy Clothing Ideas. For girls I adore the Oobi Rusalka Dress in Scarlet, while for boys I like the Fox & Finch Red Check Woven Shirt paired with the Sosooki Boy’s Denim Shorts and belt.

Last minute gift shopping is made easier today because Little Styles are offering KidStyleFile readers a 15% *storewide* discount, including a monster load of sale items already reduced by up to 40%. To access the savings, just enter code santa15 at checkout before midnight 16 December 2011. Remember, you can use this discount across all departments, so if you are hosting Christmas or New Year’s Eve celebrations this year check out the Party section. The huge range of party bits and bobs includes brands such as Robert Gordon and Paper Eskimo; designs sure to brighten your tables this festive season. While stocks last, Little Styles are also sending out a free Christmas gift bag with every order, flat-packed and ready for your use.

Discounted prices below are valid with code santa15 while stocks last, until 16 December 2011.

1. Tiger Tribe Wooden Boxset – Doll House, $59.95 LESS 15% = $50.95
2. Alimrose Designs Fairy Doll, $54.95 LESS 15% = $46.70
3. Alimrose Designs Claire Doll – Red Dress, $31.95 LESS 15% = $27.15
4. Skip Hop Zoo Bookends – Owl, $59.95 LESS 15% = $50.95
5. Oobi Summer Rusalka Dress – Scarlet, $59.95 LESS 15% = $50.95
6. Sevi Village With Train Wooden Playset, $129.95 LESS 15% = $110.45
7. Sosooki Toddler Boy’s Tee Sunset, $32.95 LESS 15% = $28.00; Khaki Patched Pant, $44.95 LESS 15% = $38.20
8. Little Styles Animal Puzzle Truck, $29.95 LESS 15% =25.45
9. Tiger Tribe Cheekies Softies – Pink Panda & Blue Dog, $27.95 each LESS 15% = $23.75

Fashion, toy and accessory brands stocked include Aden & Anais, Adiri, Albetta, Alex, alex & charli, Alimrose Designs, Annabel Trends, Baby Gund, Baby Bloch, Babykids, Babylegs, Babylicious, Baobab, Bbox, Bebe, Bebe Au Lait, Belly Art, Big by Fiona Scanlan, Blabla, BLINK Designs, Bluebird & Honey, Bobbleart, Bonds, Busybee Friends, Cheeky Little Soles, Cheeky Monkey, Cloud B, Cocoon Couture, Dashbaby, Deglingos, Elodie Details, Fish Lilly, Flipsy Flopsy Doll Co., Flirty Bird, Flo, ForWalls, French Bull, Fresh Bakes, Gala Organic Cotton, Gertie and Me, Giddy Giddy, Gimmo, Global Style custom, Haba, Hess-Spielzebug, Indy & the Ninja, Infancy, Infantino, Isoki, Itch Design, Jack & Lily, Jasnor, Kathe Kruse, Lakeland Design, Lark and Friends, L’il Fraser Collection, Little Chippi, Little Styles, Love Police, Mamas and Papas, Marquis, Melissa & Doug toys, Miatom, Milk Baby, Minimonkey, Minti, Moppit, Muddy Cloud, Noo Design, Oobi, Paper Eskimo, Pinkberry Kisses, Pink Thodore, Plum, Precious L’il Things, Purebaby, Rockabye baby!, Rush, Russ, Sevi, Sigikid, Skeanie, Skip Hop, Sooki Baby, Super Zeros, SwaddleDesigns, Three Little Trees, Tiny Mammoth, Tiny Revolutionary, Tiny Tribe, Vintage Kid, Walnut, Well Spotted, Woof!, and WOW toys.

Little Styles deliver Australia-wide for the flat fee of $7.50 with orders over $150 are delivered FREE of charge. See ordering and delivery for more information, including international shipping rates.

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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 Dom’s picks. Enjoy! – Ange
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Mia (L) & Eva (R) both 20 months old

Christmas last year was a bit of a blur to be honest. I had 10 month old twins who really didn’t know what was going on, and the only thing on my Christmas wishlist was getting to have a shower that day! This year my girls are at an age where for the very first time they might just understand the magic of Christmas, and I look forward to spoiling them silly.

My Christmas shopping list terrifies my husband with its ability to grow daily. Here is a glimpse of how it looks right now:

1. Xick Black Leather Sandals $55.00- from Wee Willie Winkie Because girls will learn from a young an age to have a love of shoes. Made from leather, these shoes are just gorgeous for warm summer days.

2. Rhubarb Birdie Handbag $14.95 – from Stylish Kiddish I need to encourage my girls away from mama’s bags and towards their own, and how better than with this gorgeous birdie bag from Rhubarb?

3. Sparkle T Cupcake Stand $55.95 – from Stylish Kiddish Truly fabulous on the waistline are these wooden cupcakes from Sparkle T. They are great at encouraging imaginative play and the act of sharing.

4. Skip Hop Zoo Backpack Owl $34.95 – from Little Styles (In an effort to encourage a few sleepovers at Nonna’s house) I am loving this cute backpack from Skip Hop – they’ll love it because it will remind them of Hoot from the ABC’s Giggle & Hoot.

5. Old Soles Pavement Tread Red $44.95 – from Cornflowerblue I am a little embarrassed to admit to the fact that my girls now own 10 pairs of Old Soles shoes between them. This pair, however, are for my nephew who will love racing around in them. Everyone knows that red runners make you go faster. I also like this pair here from Mini Chatterbox.

6. Imp Blue Playsuit $49.00 – from Aunty Ollie I love this gorgeous brand; and either one of my babes will look lovely in this on-trend jumpsuit.

7. Janod Chic French Grocery Shop $125.00 NOW $115.00 for a limited time – from Lime Tree Kids Anyone say entrepreneurs? My girls can learn the art of making money young by running their own shop in this tres chic little French grocery.

8. Missie Munster Owlwise Dress $50.00 – from Little Pinwheel My absolute favourite piece for girls this summer. I love – they need!

9. Sparkle T Markham Machine in Pink $9.95 – from Stylish Kiddish To save my girls fighting over my nephew’s trucks they can have their very own. Being pink he isn’t going to want it, and at this price I can easily buy the girls one each.

10. Nursery Rhyme Blocks $34.95 – from Cornflowerblue What a fun way to learn nursery rhymes while also further developing fine motor skills.

11. A Child’s First Numbers by Alison Jay $24.95 – available from Design Child My girls love books and we have almost all Alison Jay’s books – except this one.

12. Contigo Kid’s Autoseal Drink Bottle in Purple $11.95 – available from Where Did You Get That? I love it because it will save me cleaning up spills and they’ll love it because it looks like a big person’s drink bottle. Everyone’s happy!

 Please check out KidStyleFile’s All Current Deals page for any special deals that might be available.

Written by Miki

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I don’t know about your local shops, but mine are definitely getting their Christmas on.  It may only be mid-October but there’s tinsel as far as the eye can see, and carols playing over the loudspeakers.  All of this is serving to remind me that I really don’t want to repeat last year’s mad scramble for gifts in the final week, so I’m getting it sorted now.  My only distraction is that today’s store of choice, beautiful online boutique Little Styles – www.littlestyles.com.au – has so much on offer that I can’t stop myself window shopping through it all!

You see, Terri has been going crazy with her Silly Season buying up big and as a result we have a vast array of summer fashion and wonderful gift ideas to choose from.  One example of this is the entire Oobi Summer collection now in-store, and what a stunning collection it is. I’ve already earmarked several pieces I absolutely *need* for each of my boys, and I adore the girlswear too – who can resist little girls in blue gingham sundresses?

You’ll also find a fantastic range of toys (and more arriving every day – hello Christmas ideas!), gifts, decor and partyware too.  Does anyone have a kid with a Christmas birthday coming up?  My birthday is in late December, and take it from me that Christmas babies want their birthdays to be special too.  The range of partyware at Little Styles will definitely set you on the right track for a magical birthday or end-of-year party.  Plus don’t forget that Little Styles stocks 130 labels and over 3500 products, flat-rate next day delivery is also FREE when you spend over $150!

Make absolutely certain to look through the sale section too, because you can take an *additional 20% off* all sale items!  This offer is for five days only and is valid using the code further20 at checkout.  Keeping in mind that the sale section is enormous (currently fifty pages of bargains, people – FIFTY!), is being added to every day, and has items already discounted by up to 60%… you’re looking at some incredible savings here.

Sale prices listed below are valid with code further20 until 21 October 2011, while stocks last only.

Cute gift ideas: Skip Hop Hug & Hide Activity Toy – Monkey, $29.95; Skip Hop Zoo Divided Plate – Elephant, $10.95; Skip Hop Zoo Bowl – Zebra, $6.95
Funky Tee: Oobi Summer Emerson Car Tee, $29.95
Pretty Summer Outfits: Oobi Summer Celeste Dress – Blue Gingham, $34.95; Oobi Summer Peggy Ra-Ra Dress, $49.95; Bebe Zoe Butterfly Tee, $23.95; Bebe Zoe Poppy Skirt w/ Bloomer, $34.95
Sale: Books To Wear Baby Girl My Teddy PJs, was $34.95 now $26.95 less 20% = $21.56; Well Spotted Best Actress Tee, was $34.95 now $29.95 less 20% = $23.96; Oobi Archie Retro Check Pant, was $34.95 now $27.95 less 20% = $22.36; Books To Wear Baby Five Little Ducks PJs, was $34.95 now $26.95 less 20% = $21.56

Fashion, toy and accessory brands stocked include Aden & Anais, Adiri, Albetta, Alex, alex & charli, Alimrose Designs, Annabel Trends, Baby Gund, Baby Bloch, Babykids, Babylegs, Babylicious, Baobab, Bbox, Bebe, Bebe Au Lait, Belly Art, Big by Fiona Scanlan, Blabla, BLINK Designs, Bluebird & Honey, Bobbleart, Bonds, Busybee Friends, Cheeky Little Soles, Cheeky Monkey, Cloud B, Cocoon Couture, Dashbaby, Deglingos, Elodie Details, Fish Lilly, Flipsy Flopsy Doll Co., Flirty Bird, Flo, ForWalls, French Bull, Fresh Bakes, Gala Organic Cotton, Gertie and Me, Giddy Giddy, Gimmo, Global Style custom, Haba, Hess-Spielzebug, Indy & the Ninja, Infancy, Infantino, Isoki, Itch Design, Jack & Lily, Jasnor, Kathe Kruse, Lakeland Design, Lark and Friends, L’il Fraser Collection, Little Chippi, Little Styles, Love Police, Mamas and Papas, Marquis, Melissa & Doug toys, Miatom, Milk Baby, Minimonkey, Minti, Moppit, Muddy Cloud, Noo Design, Oobi, Paper Eskimo, Pinkberry Kisses, Pink Thodore, Plum, Precious L’il Things, Purebaby, Rockabye baby!, Rush, Russ, Sevi, Sigikid, Skeanie, Skip Hop, Sooki Baby, Super Zeros, SwaddleDesigns, Three Little Trees, Tiny Mammoth, Tiny Revolutionary, Tiny Tribe, Vintage Kid, Walnut, Well Spotted, Woof!, and WOW toys.

Normally Little Styles deliver Australia-wide for the flat fee of $7.50 with orders over $150 are delivered FREE of charge. See ordering and delivery for more information, including international shipping rates.