KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Angela

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Today I’d like you to meet Mel Barassi, doyenne of the Australian baby and kids world, and proprietor of The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au.

Mel’s enjoys eating, socialising, sewing and reading – despite not having finished a book since she launched The Hip Infant in 2004. Mel’s wry humour, warmth, and sense of style is completely engaging. Read on to find out more, and don’t miss The Hip Infant blog: you will be instantly addicted!

Mel lives in Sydney, Australia, with her husband John, and their four children, Max, Gus, Finn and Coco.

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Tell us a little about your background and how you came to start The Hip Infant

In my past life I was a Registered Nurse and enjoyed the varied opportunities this career gave me.

My training and all hospital roles were as a paediatric nurse in both of Sydney’s major children’s hospitals. I loved it, but my first child was born 10 weeks premmie and was quite sick.

This made me look at a different side of working with children and at the time felt I was way too emotional and affected by my own experience to be a good nurse to my patients.

Fortunately I somehow fell into a job as a film nurse 12 months after Max was born. It was a great opportunity I got to go to amazing locations, meet incredible people and I had lots of fun, but by the time my second child arrived I learnt that having two children was more on the challenging side and logistically the long hours I was expected to be away for work were not compatible with juggling 2 little children.

It was at this point I started dreaming of an at home business and started laying the ground work for what today has become The Hip Infant.

The Hip Infant evolved over time, I was a stay-at-home-mum looking for clothes for my kids and I couldn’t find what I wanted in conventional retail stores so I set about finding them for myself.

At that time online stores were very new, but I saw a gap in the market and crossed my fingers – it sounds clichéd yet true! I did a lot of research, sold items on ebay, did markets, I really listened to what parents were wanting for their kids.

Once I eventually started the process was pretty quick, I fortunately have a husband who works in IT so his support and help were invaluable.

How do you decide what to stock at The Hip Infant?

I’m not sure I should say it, but there is not a lot of method to my buying! I buy things that I would like to wear myself if they were 10 sizes bigger and I buy what I would like to see my kids in.That said, I am very proud to say that we don’t sell plastic toys, anything with batteries that whizzes and flashes or anything endorsed by television programs or commercial ventures.

I guess I am somewhat of a traditionalist, I think little people should look like little people, not adults. Importantly, I want to provide my customers with brands they can trust, ensuring quality is really important for me

What are your top 5 all-time favourite products for babies and kids, and why?

1. Aden + Anais Muslin wraps you can never have too many wraps and muslin is easy, safe, washes well the list goes on.

2. French Bull monster plates- they have been around for years now and I still adore them and so do my kids. Our house is full of them, even kids that come to visit fight over them.

3. Snugglebum PJs- I have a pj obsession, my children love them as much as I do. I have been stocking Snugglebum since we started The Hip Infant and there has not been a season yet that I have not loved. The quality is amazing and the prints super cute. Snugglebum filled a real niche when they launched and I have always been very honoured to be a stockist. There are plenty of similar brands around these days but Snugglebum will always be my fave!

4. Green To Grow Bottles- These bottle are fantatsic, easy to use and of course they look great. I have now used them and stocked them for over 12 months and I have to say they look as good as new, have never leaked and knowing they are BPA Free offers that extra piece of mind. I nearly choked when I saw how expensive they were but have to say they are worth every cent.

5. David Fussenegger Blankets: I first purchased one of these blankets 10 years ago when we had our first son, it is still in great condition and still sits on the end of his bed! I love the range we stock now.

What 5 new products are you loving for babies and kids right now, and why?

1. Belly Art Inkless print Kit (read our blog and my horrid tale with a pot of fabric paint, a newborn and a pillow…it was ugly) $24.95

2. Printspace Customised Birth prints $35.00 I love anything personalised and feel like I am forever buying gifts for new babies, I think these are ideal

3. Milk & Co Baby from $22.95 his has walked off the shelves since we have first started stocking it, people are loving the room strays. There is nothing else around like it and I think we all strive to have a yummy baby smelling nursery and spraying with a natural product is ideal for peace of mind.

4. Newborn Organics- the downside of being online is that people do not get to touch and feel our products. Our new organics range is the softest lushest most divine cotton. Most people who have purchased any of the range email to say they cannot beleive how soft it is! which is very flattering. Our organic range is 100% certified organic cotton.

5. Our own The Hip Infant Limited Edition printed range of tees and baby grows, they are very cute, printed on our lush cotton and are unique to us.

What is your favourite way to spend time with your kids?

With four children our life is consumed with routine and activities, they are all very busy and as three of them are boys I like to keep them as active as possible. Our weekends are full of sporting activities and in between we have lots of chill out time at home.

Every Sunday morning we go to Yum Cha – we are very faithful to our local chinese resturaunt! The kids are crazy about bike riding so we do lots of that too.

The one thing we never miss out on during the week are our bedtime books, the kids love it and so do I. It is the one time they are assured to get some one on one time, and it’s a good time to have a chat too.

Do you get any ‘me’ time, how do you spend it (or would you spend it)?

With four kids, a full time job and a husband I have to make a real effort to make ‘me’ time. When life gets busy it’s the first thing to be sacrificed unfortunately!!!

When I do have ‘me’ time I catch up with girlfriends, go to the gym and sometimes just enjoy putting my feet up! I also love walking – it is the only time I get to think.

When you’re a mother I think it’s really important to try and include some ‘me’ time everyday in your life – even if it’s just a long hot shower with the door shut.

For any woman juggling motherhood and family, life is a balancing act and requires a lot of patience, compromise and deep breathing!

What’s coming up for The Hip Infant?

We have some great things in store for Spring and Summer (with some early ones arriving next week!) from Ouch, Snugglebum, a great new Cuddlefish range, Plum Baby, and of course we have some of our house hip delights arriving at the end of August.

The Hip Infant blog has just had a makeover, and due to popular demand we have some really interesting articles, interviews, guest bloggers and just generally some nice day dreamy bits and pieces to view.

We also have a great competition coming up, stay tuned you won’t want to miss out on this one!

Today’s post written by Miki

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Now listen up people, because I have big news and I’m only going to say it once: The Hip Infant’s – www.thehipinfant.com.au – End Of Financial Year sale begins on Monday 15 June, where there will be 20% off store-wide, including sale stock! “Great!”, I hear you say “But I have to wait until *Monday*???”

Ok, I’ll knock off the tease: of course you don’t!! KSF readers are shopping royalty, and Mel at The Hip Infant is opening her sale early for us, with three days of pre-sale shopping all to ourselves!!! YES!!!

Use the code ‘KSF-SALETIME’ at checkout from now until 22 June 2009 to score a juicy 20% discount on everything at The Hip Infant. This is a genuine once a year sale – if you wait for another discount like this you’ll be waiting 12 months, so get out that credit card and hurry on in!

Ever since I first discovered the magical world of online shopping for babies and kids, I’ve been a fan of The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au. So given my infatuation with the store, it was only natural that when I found out that I was pregnant with my second baby I did my big ’setting up the nursery’ shop at The Hip Infant.

Mel, who runs the show, is a mum of four and a former neonatal nurse, so she really knows what she’s on about and it shows in the selection of products she chooses to stock. Whether you want clothing for your tot, decor or bedding for the nursery, toys or accessories, you are guaranteed to find it here.  What I love about THI is that Mel stocks just as much for boys as she does for girls – yay for equality!

Not only that, but Mel designs a couple of ranges of her own: if you don’t own any Coco & Eli or The Hip Infant Basics yet, I’d like to know why not!  I bought the Coco & Eli Cot Bedding Set in Blue Buttermilk Birds (no. 1 below) for my bub, and it is divine: deliciously soft 100% cotton jersey fabric, the colour is just the right mix of sweetly soothing and childishly playful, and how sweet are the little birds?  You can also get baby clothing and wraps in the same print – I recommend the wraps; I bought some of them too and they’re an excellent size. Any mum knows that there’s nothing worse than a too-small wrap.

This sale also marks the biggest discount I have ever seen on the coveted Tip Toey Joey pre-walker shoes. Lap it up! Also pick yourself up a new, limited edition, Tipu Tiger Trunki at 20% off – fabulous!

Have a look at the image collage below to get some idea of the vast range available at The Hip Infant, and check out the massive list of brands stocked at the bottom of this post.  And happy shopping!  Remember, it’ll be another year before this discount rolls around again…

The prices quoted in red below are after the 20% KSF discount using the code ‘KSF-SALETIME’ has been applied. This offer expires 22 June 2009.

1. Coco & Eli Cot Bedding Set – Blue Buttermilk Birds, $99.00 $79.20
2. Tiger Tribe Mobile – Elephant, $31.95 $25.56
3. Plum Baby Romper – Wallpaper Flowers, $24.95 $19.96
4. Hip Stuff Mini Maracas Yellow Stripe (set of two), $7.95 $6.36
5. Bluebird & Honey Short Sleeve Applique Tee – Elephant, $24.95 $19.96
6. David Fussenegger Bodo Animal Cot Blanket – Charcoal, $84.95 $67.96
7. Assorted Printspace Prints, $20.00ea $16.00ea (unframed)
8. Tip Toey Joey Roley – Mud & Aqua, $49.95 $39.96
9. Ouch Long Sleeve Hoodie – Apple Stripe, $31.50 $25.20
10. Tip Toey Joey Dolly – Sugar Plum, $49.95 $39.96
11. Blik Wall Graphics – Insomnia, $69.95 $55.96
12. Fleurville Sling Tote – Pink Ogo, $198.00 $148.00 $118.40

The list of brands stocked by The Hip Infant includes Aden + Anais, AKA Pipik, Albetta, ALex Toys, Alimrose Designs, Anna & Sally, Annabel Trends, Anne Claire Petit, Baby Einstein, Baby Legs, Babylicious, Benny Boy, Bical, BlaBla, Blink Designs, Bobble Art, BUD, Built NY, Bump Buddy, Candela, Cheeky Monkey, Christmas Ideas, Coco & Eli, Cuddlefish, David Fussenegger, DiddleDumpling, Dirty Laundry, DwellStudio, Elegant Baby, Elodie Details, Eyetribe, Fiesta Crafts, Flensted Mobiles, Fleurville, Foogo By Thermos, For Walls, For Windows, French Bull, Funtainer By Thermos, Gertie and Me, Gifts Ideas Under $25, Giimmo, Go_Home JNR, Green To Grow, Haba, Heimess, Hip Stuff, ID Tee, Inch Blue, Infancy, Jazzy Toes, JellyCats, JewelQueen, Kathe Kruse, Keptin Jr, Kid Squidgy, Kiddopotamus, Kipiis, Lima Bean, Limo Basics, Little Einsteins, Little Joey, Little Twig, Liz Knits, Milestone Press, Milk & Tickles, Mill & Mia, Minimonkey, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Mum To Mum, My Child, Oeuf NYC, OUCH, Peanut Shell, Present Time, Pure Baby, Rockabye Baby, Rondeau Industries, Room It Up, Sigikid, Simple Gorgeous Storage, Skip HOP, Smirk Kids, Snugglebum, Snugzeez, Teeny Me, The Hip Infant Basics, The Hip Infant Birthday tees, The Hip Infant Limited Edition Basics, The Hip Infant Sneakies, The Hip Infant Wall Graphics, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Toys Pure, Trunki, Wall Candy Arts, WalRUs, and Wee Gallery.

The Hip Infant charge $7.50 postage Australia-wide.  All orders are shipped via Courier or Express Post.

Today’s post written by Angela

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I really don’t know how Mel over at The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au – does it: she has *four* children, one of the web’s most successful online baby and kids boutiques, AND she designs not only her own label (The Hip Infant Basics) but also the Coco & Eli label.

Mel is a master of time management (I want to know where she has her time machine hidden!) and is a perfectionist who knows what works for babies and mums inside and out.

No surpise then that the newly released range of Coco & Eli cot linen, onesies, and separates, adding to the existing range of generously sized muslin wraps, is to die for!

These pieces are 100% cotton and deliciously soft, and the designs – funky spots and the sweetest most mellow birds – are contemporary, yet gentle, in keeping with with those who they are designed for: delicious little babies.

Coco & Eli is also well-priced for the style conscious mum on a budget: a winning combination!

To celebrate the launch of the new additions to the Coco & Eli range, Mel at The Hip Infant is giving away a Coco & Eli Muslin Wrap in Buttermilk Spots (you can choose pink, or blue) valued at $24.95 to every KSF reader who spends $100+ at The Hip Infant between now and midnight, Monday 13 April 2009, while stocks last. Enter ‘KSF’ in the gift message section on checkout to claim your free wrap.

This run of Coco & Eli is small, and stocks are limited so if you love it, you know what do do!

The list of brands stocked by The Hip Infant includes Aden + Anais, AKA Pipik, Albetta, ALex Toys, Alimrose Designs, Anna & Sally, Annabel Trends, Anne Claire Petit, Baby Einstein, Baby Legs, Babylicious, Benny Boy, Bical, BlaBla, Blink Designs, Bobble Art, BUD, Built NY, Bump Buddy, Candela, Cheeky Monkey, Christmas Ideas, Coco & Eli, Cuddlefish, David Fussenegger, DiddleDumpling, Dirty Laundry, DwellStudio, Elegant Baby, Elodie Details, Eyetribe, Fiesta Crafts, Flensted Mobiles, Fleurville, Foogo By Thermos, For Walls, For Windows, French Bull, Funtainer By Thermos, Gertie and Me, Gifts Ideas Under $25, Giimmo, Go_Home JNR, Green To Grow, Haba, Heimess, Hip Stuff, ID Tee, Inch Blue, Infancy, Jazzy Toes, JellyCats, JewelQueen, Kathe Kruse, Keptin Jr, Kid Squidgy, Kiddopotamus, Kipiis, Lima Bean, Limo Basics, Little Einsteins, Little Joey, Little Twig, Liz Knits, Milestone Press, Milk & Tickles, Mill & Mia, Minimonkey, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Mum To Mum, My Child, Oeuf NYC, OUCH, Peanut Shell, Present Time, Pure Baby, Rockabye Baby, Rondeau Industries, Room It Up, Sigikid, Simple Gorgeous Storage, Skip HOP, Smirk Kids, Snugglebum, Snugzeez, Teeny Me, The Hip Infant Basics, The Hip Infant Birthday tees, The Hip Infant Limited Edition Basics, The Hip Infant Sneakies, The Hip Infant Wall Graphics, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Toys Pure, Trunki, Wall Candy Arts, WalRUs, and Wee Gallery.

The Hip Infant charge $7.50 postage Australia-wide.  All orders are shipped via Courier or Express Post.

Today’s post written by Miki

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It’s getting very, very close to the cut-off times for ordering your Christmas presents online, but you’ll be glad to know that you’ve still got a couple of days up your sleeve at The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au.

Mel at THI knows that her customers need to be sure of delivery by Christmas Eve, and so she’s set her cut-off ordering time for Monday 22nd December (that’s two days from now) at midday AEST.

It goes without saying though, that the earlier you order the better.  Make sure you order early (like, now) if you want big items, as by Monday all orders will need to be sent in Express Post satchels in order to make it to you on time.

So what to order?  There are sooooooo many choices at The Hip Infant that I barely know where to begin!

Well what I will tell you is that Santa sent me a Trunki Towgo from The Hip Infant just last week!  Needless to say I was overjoyed, and I was amazed how fast delivery was, especially given that I’m in New Zealand.  Thanks Santa – *mwah!*

I also want to point out The Hip Infant’s Wall Graphics which featured on my Christmas Top 10 List. The hot air balloons are my pick, but also do check out the beautiful Love Trees which are available in pink and blue.

The Hip Infant’s Basics Range is a surefire winner, and it’s a favourite of mine for gifting; always goes down a treat.  And it’s just got better: the Limited Edition THI Basics Range features adorable appliques which will perfectly suit your bub over summer.  They’re so affordable too!

You can still place orders for ID Tees until 3pm AEST tomorrow (20 Dec).  These stunning personalised tees are always a hit – kids love personalised items, and the ID Tees are stylish as well which means Mum is happy too!

For those who are on a bit of a budget this year – let’s face it, who isn’t? – or for those who’ve already bought the ‘big presents’ and now just need stocking stuffers and smaller gifts, I strongly recommend paying a visit to the Gifts Under $25 category.  Mel has helpfully put it together to make shopping a breeze and with around 180 gorgeous products in there you certainly won’t lack for choice!

Shop at The Hip Infant before Christmas Eve, spend more than $50.00 (before postage), and you’ll receive the cutest little tape measure: super handy when shopping online as you need never order the wrong size for your kids again!

Even better, you’ll also receive 15% off all purchases over $50!! Enter ‘KSF’ at checkout by Christmas Eve to claim this great discount.

Remember that you can take 15% off these prices AND receive a free gift simply by making sure your purchase is $50 or more! Offer ends 24 December 2008.

1. Alex Toys Tub Squirters – Jungle, $14.95
2. Kathe Kruse Ikabab Rattle ‘Wuff’, $32.95
3. The Hip Infant Wall Graphics ‘Up, Up And Away’, $39.95
4. Trunki Towgo, $69.95
5. Candela Night Lights – Blue/Green, $99.00
6. The Hip Infant Limited Edition Nappy Pants Set – Pink Bird, $34.95
7. Present Time Monkey Doorhanger – Lime, $14.95
8. Bud Luxury Duck – Bloom, $10.95
9. Bobble Art Drink Bottle – White Spot (BPA Free), $19.95
10. Tiger Tribe Mix-A-Pix Funny Faces, $19.95
11. The Hip Infant Limited Edition Romper – Aqua Owl, $28.95

The huge range of brands stocked at The Hip Infant includes Aden + Anais, AKA Pipik, Albetta, ALex Toys, Alimrose Designs, Anna & Sally, Annabel Trends, Anne Claire Petit, Baby Einstein, Baby Legs, Babylicious, Benny Boy, Bical, BlaBla, Blink Designs, Bobble Art, BUD, Built NY, Bump Buddy, Candela, Cheeky Monkey, Christmas Ideas, Coco & Eli, Cuddlefish, David Fussenegger, DiddleDumpling, Dirty Laundry, DwellStudio, Elegant Baby, Elodie Details, Eyetribe, Fiesta Crafts, Flensted Mobiles, Fleurville, Foogo By Thermos, For Walls, For Windows, French Bull, Funtainer By Thermos, Gertie and Me, Gifts Ideas Under $25, Giimmo, Go_Home JNR, Green To Grow, Haba, Heimess, Hip Stuff, ID Tee, Inch Blue, Infancy, Jazzy Toes, JellyCats, JewelQueen, Kathe Kruse, Keptin Jr, Kid Squidgy, Kiddopotamus, Kipiis, Lima Bean, Limo Basics, Little Einsteins, Little Joey, Little Twig, Liz Knits, Milestone Press, Milk & Tickles, Mill & Mia, Minimonkey, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Mum To Mum, My Child, Oeuf NYC, OUCH, Peanut Shell, Present Time, Pure Baby, Rockabye Baby, Rondeau Industries, Room It Up, Sigikid, Simple Gorgeous Storage, Skip HOP, Smirk Kids, Snugglebum, Snugzeez, Teeny Me, The Hip Infant Basics, The Hip Infant Birthday tees, The Hip Infant Limited Edition Basics, The Hip Infant Sneakies, The Hip Infant Wall Graphics, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Toys Pure, Trunki, Wall Candy Arts, WalRUs, and Wee Gallery.

The Hip Infant charge $7.50 postage Australia-wide.  All orders are shipped via Courier or Express Post.

Today’s post written by Angela

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Looking for the most chic clothing decor and accessories for your baby or child from birth to two years plus? The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au- is ‘it’, baby!

The Hip Infant has been on the scene for 4 years now, and Head Hipster Mel, mother of four, and former neonatal nurse, really knows a thing or two about style, and what works. If a product doesn’t look hip, and make life as a parent easier, she doesn’t stock it!

This means that everything at The Hip Infant is possessed of breathtakingly beautiful looks, and can take all the rough treatment that little kids dish out.

I read once that our aesthetic is shaped from infancy, that the objects we come into contact with from an early age inform our perception and understanding of the world.

If that’s true, you can get your little one off to a flying start in the taste department with the artily designed – and very practical; love the removable portion containers with lids, and replacement pieces (sold separately) – Skip Hop Palette Plate.

Today’s post brought to you by Miki.

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It’s the time of year again when everyone who has to buy a Christmas gift for a small child – whether their own children or someone elses – starts scratching their heads and wondering what would be appropriate.

With this in mind, I’ve put together a gift guide for babies to preschoolers at one of my favourite online stores, The Hip Infant - www.thehipinfant.com.au, purveyors of the finest clothing, toys and accessories for babies and kids from birth to 2 years.

Without further ado, here are my hot picks for you!

For babies (up to 12 months of age), I recommend the Alimrose handsqueekers which come in all sorts of different designs and make the cutest noises when squeezed.  They’re also very sensitive so the tiniest baby fist can get a sound out of them.

THI also has an excellent range of wooden toys, rattles and pram strings which go down a treat – I love wooden toys, they’re classy and last forever.

If you want to give clothes, I personally love gifting The Hip Infant basics range, which is affordable, stylish and excellent quality.

On to the toddlers now. From here I’ve done gender-specific gift suggestions, but it goes without saying that they’ll work just as well for the opposite gender if you simply choose a different colour or design.

Toddler girls will love the range of soft toys, especially those from Alimrose and BlaBla which are incredibly sweet and whimsical. You could also give her a lamp for her room, as it’s possible by this stage that she’s spooked by the dark.  The soft glow of a night light can be very comforting, and these ones look great as well!

My favourite idea for toddler boys is to get a funky little bag such as a Tiger Tribe drawstring bag, and fill it with board books.

Toddlers are often very proud of being able to feed themselves, so a funky dinner set (I love French Bull robots and monsters) is another idea.

Preschoolers looooove water play (don’t we all!) so I think bath toys are a great way to go here. THI has a big range of Alex Toys and Bud Luxury Ducks so there’s plenty to choose from.

Most bath toys are fairly unisex, but if you want to go gender specific then girls will love the Alex Toys Princess In The Tub set while boys are likely to shun that in favour of the Alex Toys Shaving In The Tub set – he can shave just like Daddy!  Why not make up a lovely gift package by adding a funky Annabel Trends bath cap to the bundle?

More ideas for preschoolers are to make up a parcel including a Hip Stuff Wooden Hairbrush and a selection of JewelQueen hair clips for a little girl, and the For Walls chalkboard robot or truck for a boy – as they’re designed to be safely removed and repositioned on walls, you (or his parents) will love them!

To give you the added incentive (as if you need it!) to snap swome goodies up for Christmas, Mel at The Hip Infant is offering KidStyleFile readers 15% off store-wide… but only for 48 hours! So get moving NOW as the discount ends at 9am on the 4th of November.  Enter code ‘KSF1′ at checkout to redeem.

From top left in rows:

Dicounted prices quoted are after the 15% discount has been calculated. This offer is applicable until 9am November 4, 2008 only, so get your skates on!

Fiesta Crafts Jungle Bowling, $49.95 $42.45
Eyetribe Sunnies Squids Turquoise, $39.95 33.95
Alimrose Pram Tie – Bumblebee Navy/Red, $39.95 33.95
Hip Stuff Wooden Hairbrush – Pink Hearts, $5.50 $4.67
Tiger Tribe Drawstring Bag – Wheels, $17.95 $15.25
Alex Toys Shaving In The Tub, $19.95 $16.95
Elegant Baby Bath Duck – Aqua Stripes, $9.95 $8.45
Flip A Shape – Yum! $13.95 $11.85
Elegant Baby Bath Duck – Polka Dot Orange, $9.95 $8.45
Alex Toys Dirty Pigs, $14.95 $12.70
Alimrose Doll Rattle – Delores, $29.95 $25.45
What’s That Noise? by Sally Rippin, $10.95 $9.30
Jewel Queen Hair Clip – Pink Cherries, $4.95 $4.20
Jewel Queen Hair Clip – Red Spot Bow, $5.95 $5.05

The Hip Infant stocks a huge range of designers including AKA Pipik, Albetta, Alex Toys, Alimrose Designs, Anna & Sally, Annabel Trends, Anne Claire Petit, Baby Einstein, Baby Legs, Babylicious, Benny Boy, Bical, BlaBla, Blink Designs, BUD, Built NY, Bump Buddy, Cheeky Monkey, Christmas Ideas, Coco & Eli, Cuddlefish, David Fussenegger, DiddleDumpling, Dirty Laundry, Elodie Details, Eyetribe, Fiesta Crafts, Flensted Mobiles, Fleurville, For Walls, For Windows, French Bull, Gertie and Me, Go_Home JNR, Green To Grow, Haba, Heimess, Hip Stuff, ID Tee, Inch Blue, Infancy, Jazzy Toes, JellyCats, JewelQueen, Kathe Kruse, Keptin Jr, Kid Squidgy, Kiddopotamus, Kipiis, Lima Bean, Limo Basics, Little Chipipi, Little Einsteins, Little Joey, Little Twig, Liz Knits, Milestone Press, Mill & Mia, Mini Glow, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Moppit, Mum To Mum, My Child, Oeuf NYC, OUCH, Peanut Shell, Present Time, Pure Baby, Rockabye Baby, Rondeau Industries, Rush, Sigikid, Simple Gorgeous Storage, Skip HOP, Smirk Kids, Snugglebum, Snugzeez, Teeny Me, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Toys Pure, Trunki, Vessel, Wall Candy Arts, WalRUs, and Wee Gallery.

The Hip Infant charge $7.50 postage Australia-wide.  All orders are shipped via Courier or Express Post.

Today’s post written by Miki.

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Word on the street is that the just-landed Tiger Tribe gear is flying out the door at The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au.

It’s not hard to see why: the backpacks, drawstring bags and cool new character dolls (mermaid, pirate, astronaut, super hero and fairy) are hot hot hot!

For little babes the Tiger Tribe best-seller is the Hummingbird Mobile.  I also love the Humming Bird Hanging String for a slightly different look.  Either way, your little bub is going to adore gazing up at the sweet little birds above her cot or change table.

Check out the whole Tiger Tribe range here.

For room decor and wall decoration, make sure you have a good look at The Hip Infant’s own range of Wall Graphics.  Classic, striking designs, these are really affordable and look absolutely stunning.  My pick today is the new Love Tree wall graphics, available in pink and blue.  Team the pink Love Tree (1.4m high so it’s a statement piece) with the Tiger Tribe Hummingbird Mobile mentioned above for a stylish and cost-effective little girl’s room.

Other hot products at THI right now are the Aden + Anais muslin wraps.  In fact, The Hip Infant is the only online seller to stock the entire range so you know you’ll be spoiled for choice.  I love these wraps, I think they’re the perfect size for swaddling and they look and feel so beautiful!

The Funtainers by Thermos – the big siblings of the Foogo by Thermos range – are also hot property, and it’s no wonder why! These insulated drink and food containers are boldly patterned with a butterfly print for girls and multi-sports for boys.  The ultimate Hip Infant lunch-wear!

Being a KSF reader, as you are, shopping with The Hip Infant afford you some nice benefits:

Get 10% off store-wide at The Hip Infant with the Shop4Kids discount code, available in the KidStyleFile weekly newsletter! Not a subscriber yet? Sign up here – it’s well worth it: you get the latest deals emailed to your inbox every week, and there are great prizes to win every month.

To sweeten the deal further, get a FREE completely adorable Gertie & Me duck (pictured below) by spending $65.00 or more while using the Shop4Kids discount code. This wee duckie is valued at $11.95 and it’s too cute!!

On to today’s picks now. You you can see from the graphics below why The Hip Infant’s motto is ‘if you can’t find what you’re looking for, it’s just not hip enough for us to stock!’  You’re telling me!!

From top left in rows:

Discounted price listed is after the 10% KidStyleFile Shop 4 Kids 10% discount code is applied. Code ends October 31.

The Hip Infant Wall Graphics Love Tree – blue, $54.95 $49.45
Gertie & Me Duck – FREE with purchase over $65.00 using the code above (duck valued at $11.95)
The Hip Infant Basics ‘The Big Bib’- Scarlet & Pink Stripe, $12.95 $11.65
The Hip Infant Basics Romper – Scarlet & Pink Stripe, $26.95 $24.25 (I gave this romper and the bib above as a gift just last week and it was a big hit! I’ll be buying them again in future for sure.)
Tiger Tribe Hanging String – Hummingbirds, $27.95 $25.15
Tiger Tribe Backpack – Aliens, $29.95 $26.95
Gertie & Me Isobel Mouse, $19.95 $17.95
Funtainer By Thermos Drink Bottle – Butterfly, $19.99 $17.99
Funtainer By Thermos Food Jar – Multi Sports, $19.99 $17.99
Aden + Anais Muslin Wraps Mod Style, $49.95 $44.95
Cheeky Monkey Tag Blanket – Blue, $16.00  $14.40 (Ever noticed that your baby is more fascinated with the tags than with the toy itself? This is a superb toy for the littlies!)

The Hip Infant stocks an impressive range of designers including AKA Pipik, Albetta, Alex Toys, Alimrose Designs, Anna & Sally, Annabel Trends, Anne Claire Petit, Baby Einstein, Baby Legs, Babylicious, Benny Boy, Bical, BlaBla, Blink Designs, BUD, Built NY, Bump Buddy, Cheeky Monkey, Christmas Ideas, Coco & Eli, Cuddlefish, David Fussenegger, DiddleDumpling, Dirty Laundry, Elodie Details, Eyetribe, Fiesta Crafts, Flensted Mobiles, Fleurville, For Walls, For Windows, French Bull, Gertie and Me, Go_Home JNR, Green To Grow, Haba, Heimess, Hip Stuff, ID Tee, Inch Blue, Infancy, Jazzy Toes, JellyCats, JewelQueen, Kathe Kruse, Keptin Jr, Kid Squidgy, Kiddopotamus, Kipiis, Lima Bean, Limo Basics, Little Chipipi, Little Einsteins, Little Joey, Little Twig, Liz Knits, Milestone Press, Mill & Mia, Mini Glow, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Moppit, Mum To Mum, My Child, Oeuf NYC, OUCH, Peanut Shell, Present Time, Pure Baby, Rockabye Baby, Rondeau Industries, Rush, Sigikid, Simple Gorgeous Storage, Skip HOP, Smirk Kids, Snugglebum, Snugzeez, Teeny Me, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Toys Pure, Trunki, Vessel, Wall Candy Arts, WalRUs, and Wee Gallery.

The Hip Infant charge $7.50 postage Australia-wide.  All orders are shipped via Courier or Express Post.

Post written by Miki
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Newborns are such precious little souls. Among the host of delectable features is their delicate soft-as skin. As a parent you just want them to be comfy and cosy at all times.

It’s not always easy to find practical yet beautiful clothes for them though – who wants to be fiddling with awkward fastenings at 3am or let their baby be irritated by scratchy inner seams?

Luckily for everyone with (or expecting) a newborn, there’s now The Hip Infant Basics Range which is everything you could want, and better yet, it’s genuinely affordable!

Mel at The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au – is offering fab KidStyleFile readers special deal: spend over $50.00 on the Basic Range and receive a free matching Teddy Hat (value $14.95), or spend over $100.00 on the Basic Range and receive a free matching long-eared bunny (value $19.95).

Enter KSF-TED for the hat and KSF-BUN for the bunny. Offers end 31 July 2008. View the original post on this offer for more pics and details.

Ok, now that your newborn is clothed it’s time to have some fun in the sale section. There’s so much to choose from in there – a great range of Mill & Mia, Benny Boy, Smirk, Pure Baby, loads from Infancy, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Moppit, Ouch and more.

There are also nappy bags on sale from Fleurville and Skip Hop, and some brilliant prices on the rarely discounted Peanut Shell baby slings!

Have a browse through and stock your cart with stunningly discounted goodies

The Hip Infant stocks a massive range of designers including *takes a deep breath* AKA Pipik, Albetta, Alex Toys, Alimrose Designs, Anna & Sally, Annabel Trends, Anne Claire Petit, Baby Einstein, Baby Legs, Babylicious, Benny Boy, Bical, BlaBla, Blink Designs, BUD, Built NY, Bump Buddy, Cheeky Monkey, Christmas Ideas, Coco & Eli, Cuddlefish, David Fussenegger, DiddleDumpling, Dirty Laundry, Elodie Details, Eyetribe, Fiesta Crafts, Flensted Mobiles, Fleurville, For Walls, For Windows, French Bull, Gertie and Me, Go_Home JNR, Green To Grow, Haba, Heimess, Hip Stuff, ID Tee, Inch Blue, Infancy, Jazzy Toes, JellyCats, JewelQueen, Kathe Kruse, Keptin Jr, Kid Squidgy, Kiddopotamus, Kipiis, Lima Bean, Limo Basics, Little Chipipi, Little Einsteins, Little Joey, Little Twig, Liz Knits, Milestone Press, Mill & Mia, Mini Glow, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Moppit, Mum To Mum, My Child, Oeuf NYC, OUCH, Peanut Shell, Present Time, Pure Baby, Rockabye Baby, Rondeau Industries, Rush, Sigikid, Simple Gorgeous Storage, Skip HOP, Smirk Kids, Snugglebum, Snugzeez, Teeny Me, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Toys Pure, Trunki, Vessel, Wall Candy Arts, WalRUs, and Wee Gallery. Phew!

Mill & Mia babygrow chocolate stripe, $59.95 $34.95
The Hip Infant Basics Range nappy pants, scarlett & aqua stripe, $14.95
Smirk red pirate man summer tee, $33.95 $15.00
The Hip Infant sneakies in red, $27.95 (sooooo cute!!!)
The Hip Infant Basics Range nightie in scarlett & pink stripe, $29.95
Infancy cargo denim dress, $55.00 $35.00
Fleurville sling tote, gold, $198.00 $148.00
The Hip Infant Basics Range baby grow, scarlett & aqua stripe, $29.95
Hip Stuff yellow bath radio, $36.95 $26.95 (this just made me giggle, but it’s also a quirky gift idea)

The Hip Infant charge $7.50 postage flat Australia wide for Express Post/courier delivery. Orders are dispatched within 24 hours of receipt. The Hip Infant also ships internationally. Please visit the Delivery Info page for full information on shipping.

Happy New Financial Year everyone!!

This might not have the same ring to it as Happy New Year, but it many ways it’s just as fun, because it’s Tax Return time – yay! – and I have just the plan for what you can spend it on

The Hip Infant – www.thehipinfant.com.au – is one of the icons in Australian online baby-wear and accessories. If it’s cool and for the under 5 set, then The Hip Infant has it.

There has been a very exciting development over at The Hip Infant: they have just launched their very own product range, The Hip Infant Basics.

The Hip Infant Basics is essentially a capsule wardrobe for babies. It is comprised of the finest quality singlets, rompers, separates and sleeping suits, all in super-stylish and flattering colour-stripe combinations.

Mel at The Hip Infant has four children (three boys and a girl), and in a previous life was a neo-natal nurse, so there isn’t much about kids that Mel doesn’t know.

Mel has designed The Hip Infant Basics drawing from her wealth of experience as a mother, and as a children’s health professional. These products are a winning combination of comfort, style, and practicality, and as an added bonus they are inexpensive!

At $19.95-$29.95 you can afford to wear them every day, and why not when they look this good!?

As a very special exclusive offer to KidStyleFile readers, Mel at The Hip Infant is offering two incentives to buy from The Hip Infant Basics range.

OFFER 1: Spend over $50.00 on The Hip Infant Basic Range and receive a FREE matching Teddy Hat (Valued at $14.95)
Enter code KSF-TED to claim your gorgeous hat free!

OFFER 2: Spend Over $100.00 on The Hip Infant Basic Range and receive a FREE matching Long Eared Bunny (valued at $19.95)
Enter code KSF-BUN to claim your sweet bunny free!

Offers end 31 July 2008.

We are a very privileged lot over here at KidStyleFile as these gifts are limited edition items, and this promotion is exclusive to KSF. I keep thinking of what a fab gift this will make for a little new-bub…hmmm

While we’re on the subject of new products at The Hip Infant, check out their new The Hip Infant Sneakies soft-soled pre-walkers.

At just $27.95 a pair, these are such a steal!!

You are bound to find something beautiful to make you smile at The Hip Infant. They stock over 85 high end baby and kid brands.

Choose from clothing, accessories, nursery products, decor pieces, baby carriers and slings, and toys, from AKA Pipik, Albetta, Alex Toys, Alimrose Designs, Anna & Sally, Annabel Trends, Anne Claire Petit, Baby Einstein, Baby Legs, Babylicious, Benny Boy, Bical, BlaBla, Blink Designs, BUD, Built NY, Bump Buddy, Cheeky Monkey, Christmas Ideas, Coco & Eli, Cuddlefish, David Fussenegger, DiddleDumpling, Dirty Laundry, Elodie Details, Eyetribe, Fiesta Crafts, Flensted Mobiles, Fleurville, For Walls, For Windows, French Bull, Gertie and Me, Go_Home JNR, Green To Grow, Haba, Heimess, Hip Stuff, ID Tee, Inch Blue, Infancy, Jazzy Toes, JellyCats, JewelQueen, Kathe Kruse, Keptin Jr, Kid Squidgy, Kiddopotamus, Kipiis, Lima Bean, Limo Basics, Little Chipipi, Little Einsteins, Little Joey, Little Twig, Liz Knits, Milestone Press, Mill & Mia, Mini Glow, Mitty James, Mon Ange, Moppit, Mum To Mum, My Child, Oeuf NYC, OUCH, Peanut Shell, Present Time, Pure Baby, Rockabye Baby, Rondeau Industries, Rush, Sigikid, Simple Gorgeous Storage, Skip HOP, Smirk Kids, Snugglebum, Snugzeez, Teeny Me, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Toys Pure, Trunki, Vessel, Wall Candy Arts, WalRUs, and Wee Gallery.

You can pick up a lot of products up for less at the moment at The Hip Infant’s end of financial year sale.

My picks from the sale are the Peanut Shell baby carriers, David Fussenegger blankets, and Trunki kids ride-on suitcases (the Trunki Towgo is one of my top 10 picks for kids), all going cheap as chips!

The Hip Infant charge $7.50 postage flat Australia wide for Express Post/courier delivery. Orders are dispatched within 24 hours of receipt. The Hip Infant also ships internationally. Please visit the Delivery Info page for full information on shipping.