KidStyleFile

Post written by Miki

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Just about all parents who have preschool, kinder or school-aged children are now in the full swing of getting ready to send their kids back to school. One of the items you’ll be needing to keep all the children’s shiny new gear together is a decent set of name labels – you’ll be sticking them on drink bottles, lunch boxes, exercise books, diaries, text books, bag tags and even in shoes and clothing, so it’s worth investing in some good quality ones that won’t peel off in the wash or schoolyard.  Luckily, name labels tend to be very affordable, even for the highest quality ones.

Below, in no particular order, is a selection of KidStyleFile’s favourite brands for personalised name labels.  Most of these brands offer many different types of labels, from the all-purpose vinyl ones to iron-on for clothing, right through to shoe labels. Get the kids to help you choose, and have fun with it!

In no particular order:

one. That’s Mine Labels – Schoolies Range, from $11.00
two. Stuck On You – Artist Series Name Labels, $29.95
three. Mooo Name Label Value Packs, from $39.90 $29.95
four.  Bosco Bear – Signature Collection, $19.95
five. Baby Smiles Boutique (Etsy Seller), USD$9.95
six. IdentiKid Large Vinyl Labels, $25.00
seven. Cash’s Designer Vinyl Stickers, $19.95
eight. Bright Star Kids Stick On Name Labels, from $13.95
nine. OzLabels, $19.00
ten. StickyBiz Name Labels, $18.95

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.

Written by Domenica

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Bags, bags, bags! I have my own (ahem) slight obsession with them, so it seems appropriate that I undertake some research in the name of KidStyleFile’s ‘Back To School’ backpack and library roundup. I must admit, some of the bags had my heart racing a little with that ‘have to have it’ kinda feeling, including the Fernando Bear Packpack by Beatrix NY and the Cocoon Couture Library Bags – so sweet!

We are spoiled for choice these days with so many different designs to choose from, and of course functionality is always an important consideration too. So, whether you are after a backpack, a messenger bag, a drawstring bag, a tote bag, a daysack, a library bag, a kinder bag, a swim bag … or just a bag to be seen out and about in, we hope you’ll find one that will have your child counting down the days until kindergarten or school starts.

In no particular order of preference:

1. Skip Hop Zoo Bee Backpack – Haggus & Stookles – $34.95
2. Allerhand Kids Backpack Shadow – Haggus & Stookles – $77.00
3. Stephen Joseph Go Go Backpack – Ballet – Metro Mum – $26.99
4. Little Life Animal Daysack – Shark – Haggus & Stookles – $48.95
5. Medium Personalised Backpack – Mooo – $49.95
6. Lassig Mini Messenger Bag (4 Designs Available) – Metro Mum $49.95
7. Poppy Lou Little Miss Bus Ride Backpack – Baby’s Got Style – $35.00
8. Peace Little Eco Backpack - Cornflowerblue – $49.50
9. Fernando Bear Packpack Beatrix NY – Cornflowerblue – $54.50
10. Fluf Organic Cotton Backpack I Heart You – Kindred Gifts – $39.95
11. Poppy Lou Jazzi Snazzy Giraffe Library Bag – Baby’s Got Style – $35.00
12. Personalised Backpack – Stuck On You – $49.95
13. Shoulder Bag – Gorgeous Giraffe – The Infant Boutique – $39.95
14. Tiger Tribe Rainbow Drawstring Bag - Little Styles – $19.95
15. FREAK*O*BAG™ Monster With Horns Where Did You Get That? – Was $17.95 Sale $12.56
16. Bobble Art Swimming/Library Bag Traffic - Lime Tree Kids – $24.95
17. Bobble Art Swimming/Library Bag Multi Heart – Lime Tree Kids – $24.95
18. Oobi Booky Library Backpack Truck - Little Styles – $12.95
19. Magic Circus Library Bag – Cocoon Couture – $14.95
20. Enchanted Forest Library Bag – Cocoon Couture – $14.95

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

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.

Post written by Miki

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Besides your own, how many other kids do you need to buy gifts for this Christmas?  Nieces, nephews, God-children, step-children, friends’ and neighbours’ kids, your child’s class Kris Kringle… it all adds up pretty quickly, doesn’t it?

The good news is that there are loads of amazing gifts out there for under $25, meaning you can stay within budget and delight the recipient at the same time. These are also the kinds of presents I like to put under the tree for my own kids; after all, not every gift they receive needs to be huge and expensive.  I sometimes find that they get just as much fun from a $15 bath toy as from something costing ten times more!

I’ve put my top 20 gifts under $25 below, but do have a hunt through the online stores to find other options. Many of KidStyleFile’s favourite boutiques have fabulous categories set up specifically for inexpensive gifts, such as Little Styles (with 11 pages worth!), Dragonfly Toys, Baby’s Got Style, French Bazaar and Design Child among others.

I hope that helps with keeping your Christmas budget balanced, and the special kids in your life overjoyed – good luck!

Written by Miki

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When Angela and I first started discussing a ‘Stocking Stuffers Under $10′ post, I have to admit I was doubtful. “But Ange,” I said, “What if I can’t find twenty online products of KidStyleFile-worthy quality, costing less than ten bucks each?”  Fortunately Angela had more faith than I did and sent me off to do some research.  Aren’t I glad she did!  There are so many small-but-quality products out there even at the very lowest ends of the price scale, which is exactly what we all need with Christmas stockings to stuff.  In the end my main difficulty was deciding what to leave out of the top twenty!

Everything you see below is less than $10, and a good portion of it is less than $5. I’ve divided it into categories for babies, boys and girls, but it probably goes without saying that those are only very rough guidelines and that most products have a certain amount of crossover (although I’m not sure how my boys would react if I put hair accessories in their stockings – hey, maybe they’d love them).

This really is only a sample of the products available once you start looking, so consider this post a jumping-off point and start exploring. I must give Where Did You Get That? a special mention for their huge Stocking Stuffers category too; it has fourteen pages of the kinds of things just perfect for stockings.

So get to it, go stuff those stockings – if you want to follow my family’s tradition, pop a Terry’s Chocolate Orange in the toe… yummmmm.

Babies:
1.  Ebulobo Crazy Wolf Spoon, $3.95 at Metro Mum
2. Vice Versa Chicken Teething Device, $9.95 at Bubba Funk
3. Ellani Petite Red & White Stripe Clip & Elastic Set, $6.95 at Mini Chatterbox
4. Alex Toys Ducky Bath Thermometer, $8.95 at Mini Chatterbox
5. Personalised Face Washer, $9.95 at Stuck On You
6. Bouncing Wooden Ladybird Mobile, $6.45 at My Wooden Toys

Boys:
1. Digger Bag Tag, $3.95 at Bright Star Kids
2. Anamalz Crocodile, $9.95 at Ekidna Kids
3. Bobos Bandaids, $9.95 at French Bazaar
4. Ouch Striped Socks, $5.99 at Looking At You Kid
5. Micador Nuts & Bolts Crayons, $4.60 at Cocobear
6. Djeco Animal Stickers, $4.95 at Where Did You Get That?
7. Mini Wooden Tangram Puzzle, was $6.95 now $4.95 at My Wooden Toys

Girls:
1. Rhubarb Red Spot Necklace & Bracelet Set, $7.95 at Billy Lids
2. French Bull Orange Princess Juice Cup, $9.95 at Ekidna Kids
3. Handmade Hair Clips, $4.99 at Outlet Shop For Kids 
4. Djeco ‘Lady Of Circles’ Create With Stickers, $6.95 at Where Did You Get That?
5. Micador Bubblegum Brush – Mint, $2.50 at Cocobear
6. Micador Early Start No-Drip Paint – Orange Sherbet, $6.90 at Cocobear
7. Elliot Notebook, $6.95 at French Bazaar

PS: The bunting dividing the categories in the image collage is actually a Christmas wall decal by Bosco Bear. It retails for $29.95 from the Bosco Bear Online Store.

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 Angela

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The winter solstice – the shortest, darkest (and sometimes the coldest feeling) day of the year – will soon be upon us. There’s nothing better to banish the winter blues with a big dose of colour, and Stuck On You – www.stuckonyou.biz – delivers the goods with aplomb.

For the past 15 years now Stuck on You have been delivering quality personalised products in a rainbow of colour choices. Starting with their famous name labels, they’ve now diversified into a whole world of goodies from bags to tags, bibs to bottles, height charts, clothing, lunch boxes, pyjamas, stationery and much, much more – all of which can be personalised with your child’s name. If your child is constantly misplacing their items then personalisation might be the key to saving money on replacing lost items. There are many options that are well priced to serve as gifts for your children’s friends and their many birthday parties too!

Hurry over to Stuck On You to enjoy a fine mid-year celebration. Right now - and for 3 days only,  until 20 June 2011 – all KidStyleFile readers will receive 20% off store-wide. Enter discount code KSF20 at checkout to redeem. Remember, 3 days only, so get your skateroos on!

Note: Excludes value packs, specials and shipping. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Stuck On You despatch all orders within four working days and postage start at a low $2.00 – $5.30 via standard Australia Post delivery. If you need your order faster the charges are $7.50 for Express Post, or $15.00 for courier delivery.