KidStyleFile

Today’s post brought to you by Miki. 

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Just wanted to let you know that you need to head on over to La Toriana - www.latoriana.com.au - sometime before 30 September: Elizabeth is celebrating La Toriana’s first birthday and we’re all invited to join in with 20% off store-wide for KidStyleFile readers. Woo hoo!

That’s 20% off new stock, off already discounted sale stock, the lot!  Enter code ‘BirthdayKSF’ at checkout to redeem your discount.

What’s more, every order this month will receive a FREE copy of the latest My Child magazine!  And if all of that isn’t enough, make sure you sign up to the La T newsletter for a chance to win a $50 gift voucher, AND orders over $150 receive FREE postage! Wowee!

I tend to go to La Toriana thinking, “Right, I’ll just have a quick looky”… and there I am an hour later, filling up my cart.

This is because they stock so many of my favourite-est things - Eternal Creation clothes, Anamalz, Oobi Space Hoppers (and just Oobi in general actually, Vanchi super-sized wraps and designer bibs, annieB Play Palaces (what kid wouldn’t LOVE to have one of these?) and much, much more.

But La T gets even better when you start to take 20% off every price in sight! Especially when the La Toriana ’stable’ of brands includes annieB, Britt, Cheeky Little Soles, Dobbin and Drum, Eternal Creation, Finnigan Finn, Hey Baby, Huggalugs, Vanchi, Kee Ka, Lambykins, Oobi, Toys Pure, BumpBuddy, Lazybones, Gertie and Me, Britt, Thurlby Farm, Kids Kitchen, Grommets, Mini Whisk, Annabel Trends, Vintage Kids, Babylicious, Penny Scallan, Tickled Pink, Djeco, Anamlaz, Nana Huchy, Jasnor, Footprints, Tummy Bear, Tea Princess, Alimrose Designs, Fairy Floss Creations, Cuski, and Gaia, and new to La Toriana, Britt, Nanny Pickle, Oopsidaisi and prem baby brands Tummy Bear and Early Birds.

Here are some of my top picks to give you an idea of what goodies are available:

Clockwise from top left in rows:

Prices quoted include the KSF 20% discount code, applicable only until Sept 30.

Eternal Creation Tri Colour Long-Sleeved Shirt With Star, $36.95  $29.56  $23.64
Strawberry Shortcake Ruche Dress, $29.95  $23.96
Finnigan Finn ‘Holly’ Denim Wrap Dress, $64.99  $51.99  $41.59
Cheeky Little Soles ‘In Bloom’, $31.95 $25.56
Peanut T by Kee-Ka, $29.95  $23.96 I have given these tops as gifts before, they come in the sweetest little gift boxes!
Footprints Nappy Cover, $9.50 $7.60 I love this range - so cute, SO affordable, and all 100% cotton!
Heidi Ho Elephant, $49.95  $39.96
Play School Stacking Boxes, $22.95  $18.36
Tractor Farm Set, $52.95  $42.36

As a final note, we all love winning stuff and the prize pool for the KidStyleFile Annual Reader Survey is especially drool-worthy - which is to be expected given that the grand prize comes from La Toriana!

Fill out the Survey before the end of September for a chance to win one of over $2,000.00 in prizes including the grand prize of an AnnieB Play Palace, and a $200.00 customised Mother & Child Pamper Pack, all up valued at $500.00 kindly sponsored by La Toriana.

La Toriana charge $7.50 postage Australia-wide. Orders over AUD$150.00 are posted FREE.

Today I want to introduce you to a beautiful new store that has just opened its virtual doors. Serving clientele through their early years - primarily 0-2 years - and their stylish mamas, Just Ripe - www.justripe.com.au -  brings you a splendid range of clothing, toys, feeding equipment, and accessories from the best brands.

Choose products from Albetta, Annabel Trends, Baby Banz, BabyLegs, Boon, Clean Shopper, EcoBaby Organic Dummies, Eleganter, Eternal Creation, Fiesta Crafts, Purebaby, Vanchi, Jack & Lily, Storksak, Imse Vimse, Baobab, Monkey-DO, Blabla, Little Joey Organics, Cheeky Monkey, Aden & Anais, Itsy Bitsy, Infancy, Fish Lilly, Britt, Babymoov, The Wall Sticker Company, Infantino, Lotus Linens, Snazzy Baby, Kumquat, Heimess, Hess-Spielzeug, Gaia Skin Naturals, Hurphy Durphy, Little Tesoro, Paper Eskimo, Noo Designs, Peanut Shell, Polkadot Papoose, Pop Maternity,  Taia, and Ring O Rosey.

This list is expanding every week at the moment, so keep your eyes peeled for more to come!

There is so much that’s fab at Just Ripe, that it’s hard to pick the highlights, but two things you simply *must* know about are the lush Storksak bags (the bag of choice for Angelina and Brad, amongst other glitterati) and the, Imse Vimse swimwear, which will be a boon for parents of babes due at the end of the year; swim nappies start in newborn sizes, and tankini tops at 3-6 months.

Also of note at Just Ripe is the personalised service that Just Ripe’s owner, Dimity, offers. This goes beyond what you might normally expect, and reaches into personal shopping territory, the range of services are so detailed.

Just some of the areas that Dimity and her team can help you with include:

• Personally walking you through the store
• Taking you straight to the items most suitable for your request
• Advising you on the latest trends and unique items for something cool and different
• Making tailored gift packs to meet any budget or theme
• Gift wrapping presents and even writing on a card and sending it on your behalf if required
• Creating beautiful sets to make your little one look gorgeous
• Suggesting new additions to work with your existing wardrobe
• Corporate gifts
• Gift registries

To kick off your love affair with Just Ripe, Dimity is offering KidStyleFile readers a $10.00 gift voucher when you spend over $50.00.  Enter ‘KSF’ in the coupon code section at checkout to redeem. Offer ends on Sunday September 21, and your gift voucher is valid for 3 months from date of issue.

Clockwise from top left:

Fiesta Crafts -The Family Popovs $54.95 A contemporary and quirky take on the traditional Russian Doll set.
BlaBla Mini Doll - ‘Buzz’ $42.95 ‘Buzz’ is my fave of all the BlaBla dolls. Suitable for girls and boys in equal measure, what a great baby shower gift (and life-long buddy!) Buzz would make.
Infantino Safari Roller $19.95 Babies just love interactivity and the cause and effect relationship. This toy is guaranteed to provide hours of stimulation and giggles.
BlaBla Finger Puppets $8.95 each Available in 20 different characters these are great for collecting, and affordable enough to pop in as an extra little pressie for bigger siblings to amuse themselves, and the new baby, with.
EcoBaby Organic Dummy $9.95 No nasty hormone disrupting chemicals here. Peace of mind for parents in more ways than one!
Albetta Vintage Car Top and Pant Set $42.00 Total coolness for little boys! Also available in Cupcake design for little lasses.
Infantino 2 in 1 Activity Mirror $39.95 A great double-duty toy, I love the way this attaches to the cot, and can also be easily configured for tummy-time use. Hours of enjoyment to be found here.
Fiesta Crafts -Tooting Teddies Train $69.95 Deservedly award-winning, Tooting Teddies is an utter delight. You cannot go past this quality toy.
Boon Snack Ball $15.95 Modern design that merges form and function beautifully. Highly affordable too! Collect the set for the ultimate in aesthetic appeal, and everyday practical application.
Boon Fluid No-spill Toddler Cup $15.95
Imse Vimse Swim Nappy $23.50 Fits even the tiny newborn aqua-baby to perfection.
Imse Vimse Tankini Top $26.00 Fits from size 3-6 months and up.
Kumquat Pink Dotty Owl Lap Onesie $23.00 A sweetly uplifting design of wise owls graces this perfectly pink suit. Available in blue traffic design for boys.

And, last, but certainly not least, Just Ripe is stocking the esteemed Storksak bags. A triumph of design, these bags do not outwardly belie their nappy bag status in any way, but, open them up and - ta-da! - they afford every efficiency you could hope for. Head on over to Just Ripe to find out more.

Storksak ‘Jamie’ in black $299.95
Storksak ‘Elizabeth’ in cream $379.95

Just Ripe offer a flat shipping rate of $7.50 for standard size parcels Australia-wide.  Shipping is FREE for purchases over $150.00. International orders are warmly welcomed, and are shipped for a flat rate of $18.00 for standard size parcels. See the FAQ page for full details on shipping.

Today Miki brings you a great selection of inspired Father’s Day gift ideas. The big day is just over 2 weeks away, so make haste, and scoop up these goodies (and get some great bargains too!)

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Fathers Day is just around the corner, and I still haven’t organised anything! Eeek!!

Luckily for me and for anyone else in my shoes, it’s been made easy this year. Have a look below to see what these great stores are offering!

First up, we have Global Style - www.globalstyle.com.au, tha bomb for personalised tees, jumpers, singlets, hoodies, hats and bags. With a huge range of the ‘base’ garments and a MASSIVE range of personalisable designs to go on them, each product from Global Style is truly unique.

There’s a great range of Fathers Day designs at the moment, so you can go nuts creating something special for a special Dad who deserves it. My favourite is ‘daddycool’ (pictured below) but that’s just one of many. I couldn’t do justice do all of the available designs in the graphics below, so go and browse around at Global Style to see them all!

Another reason why Global Style gear makes such a great gift is the free matching personalised gift card which can be completed as you go through the checkout process.

Abbey at Global Style is offering KidStyleFile readers 10% off storewide. Enter code: DADDY and expiry: 09/2008 (make sure the date is in exactly that format) when prompted at checkout. This offer expires at 3pm AEST on the 2nd of September and orders received by then will arrive in time for Fathers Day.

No links here as everything at Global Style is personalised and completely unique - but you can very easily re-create one of these just by following the process in the Global Style online store.

Metro Mum - www.metromum.com.au - have a brilliant selection of stuff for dads. The DadGear bags and vests are quite fantastic. I know for a fact that my husband would love these, as he often grumbles about having to carry my gorgeously feminine nappy bags around with him when he takes our son out. And the vest is even better, as it negates the need to carry a bag at all! Pack everything you need into the cleverly-situated pockets and that’s one dad who’s ready to roll.

The ‘For Dad’ section at Metro Mum is full of great gift ideas for daddies, even after the DadGear vests and bags. There’s a gorgeously fluffy - yet masculine - bathrobe and slipper set, Annabel Trends aprons, bath goodies, books, photo frames and more.

Use the Shop 4 Kids code to take 15% off storewide at Metro Mum, and get a free gift!*

Annabel Trends screenprint apron - ‘Daddy Cool’, $25.95
DadGear diaper vest - black, $139.00
DadGear messenger bag, $145.00
Bathrobe and slipper set, $70.00
Compendium - Interview Heirloom Book “My Dad. His Stories, His Words”, $14.95

La Toriana - www.latoriana.com.au - has long been known for its attention to the finer things for kids and parents, and their selection for dads is no exception.

The Vanchi nappy bags for dads are great; stylish, minimalist black which doesn’t show the dirt from all those trips to the park and looks great hanging over Dad’s shoulder.

There’s also a great, giftable range of little things to make Dad’s wardrobe and life just that bit more luxurious. Lovely soap, a therapeutic heat pack, perfumed shoe inserts (brilliant for smelly shoes!), and ‘Socks & Jocks’ perfumed sachets to go in his underwear drawer, but they’re also great for a suitcase if he travels. This range all has gorgeous black and white packaging, very classy.

Use the Shop 4 Kids code to take 15% off storewide at La T and get a free gift!*

Vanchi canvas dad bag, $99.95
Mens therapeutic heat pack, $21.95
Mens shoe sachets, $15.95
Mens ‘Socks & Jocks’ scented sachet set, $10.95
Vanchi vogue dad bag, $119.95

Last but certainly not least, visit the source of the hippest slogan tees for Dads and their sons, at Quinn Macool - www.quinnmacool.com.au.

With a fantastic Fathers Day offering on at the moment, there are three fabulous gift ideas at Quinn Mac.

The first is a unique personalised magazine cover, mounted on canvas with your very own photo and headlines. Fantastic for putting above Dad’s desk at work! There are six templates to choose from, and Monique at Q-Mac makes it easy peasy to create just the right layout for your Dad.

The next is Father & Son matching t-shirt sets. These are great, with some heartwarming and some hilarious combinations. ‘Like Father…’ ‘…Like Son’ is pictured below, and there are loads of others to choose from.

The third gift idea is a Fathers Day t-shirt for your son. Make him into a walking greeting card (only cuter), and really give Dad something to smile about on the day. Who could resist their little boy in a t-shirt saying ‘Dad Rocks’?

These three gift ideas are already discounted at Quinn Macool, and KidStyleFile readers get an additional 10% off until the 1st of September! Enter dadrocks in the Redeem Code box at checkout.

Personalised magazine cover printed on canvas, from $30.00
Dad Rocks infant tee, $20.00
Just Like My Dad infant tee, $20.00
Dad symbol tee, $20.00
‘Like Father, Like Son’ t-shirt set, $44.95

Please check individual stores for postage and shipping details.

* Pick up a copy of Shop 4 Kids Magazine at your newsagent, or email Angela and she’ll let you in on the code.

Post written by Miki
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One of the occupational hazards of KidStyleFile is that I find myself in temptation’s way all too often: so much cool stuff at such great discounts - how could I not buy at least some of it?

My poor old credit card has taken a hammering over the last few months, but you know what? I don’t regret a single one of my purchases so far.

Because I think that’s a pretty solid endorsement of what I’ve bought, I thought I’d showcase some of my favourites today. (I’ve taken my own photos for this, so I apologise for the slightly dodgy photos; hopefully you’ll get the idea at least )

Threads
I love little boys’ clothes. My son Alex (aged nearly one) has a fairly extensive wardrobe, but we do have a few favourites.

I know I rave on about these at every chance I get, but the American Apparel baby rib karate pants are revered in this household. Comfy, stretchy and still really cool looking, he wears them… well, most days actually, now that I think about it!

I always get ours from Frock You - www.frockyou.com.au - because Kat stocks such a great range of sizes and colours and has such kick-ass sales. There’s also the My Child magazine discount code*(see bottom of page) which gives you 20% off storewide!

I’ve bought a few tops from Frock You too - currently Alex is wearing Smirk tees (I love the Smirk designs, it’s my absolute favourite kids tee brand) and Ej Sikke Lej too.

The other favourite top du jour is his Oobi ‘Bella the Martian’ hoodie, which I bought from Fairy Kisses - www.fairykisses.com.au.

Fairy Kisses have a brilliant price on this one at the moment, check it out! The other great thing about this hoodie is that Angela gave Alex the matching Oobi Timorous Beastie: too cute!

Kindy Kamper

The Kindy Kamper - from www.kindykamper.com.au - was another present from Angela (yes, she spoils us rotten). Even though it’s marketed at pre-schoolers it’s actually really great for babies too because it fits into portacots so nicely!

We do a lot of travelling to see our respective families and having the Kindy Kamper has made bedding for Alex a breeze. I just grab the KK and the portacot and that’s it - nothing else needed! The little loops on the bottom of the KK padded base fit over the portacot matress perfectly (they’re adjustable for different sizes of matress too) and the padding in the KK base makes the portacot matress softer too. I can tuck Alex in just like normal, so he’s happy and comfy.

Once we’re home again it’s just as easy. The KK gets flung in the washing machine, then it dries just as well either on the line or in the dryer, and then it’s ready to go all over again.

It’s also Alex’s cot bedding at daycare - no more lost sheets or having to sew name tags on to about eight different items, as the KK covers it all. Couldn’t be easier.

Here’s a photo of the KK set up in my portacot (which is a Phil & Teds T2), and with Alex in it. Please excuse the rather, erm, ‘vibrant’ playroom floor in the background!

Bags

My ISOKI petite traveller (from Ekidna Kids - www.ekidnakids.com.au) goes everywhere with me these days, whether I have Alex with me or not. It’s small enough to be easy for me to take around (not much bigger than a clutch really) but big enough to fit everything a mum could need when she’s out running errands.

I’ve just emptied mine out on the desk, and this is what I fit in it:

Two disposable nappies, a travel pack of nappy wipes, a few nappy sacks, a twin-pack of teething rusks, a little box of sultanas, a muesli bar, a bib, my mobile phone, some cash (sadly not very much), a notebook and pen, my keys and all the cards I use on a daily basis - credit card, EFTPOS card, library card etc. And I still have plenty of room for a bottle and my sunglasses etc.

It’s amazing how much fits into such a little bag!

Another favourite in my nappy bag collection is my Vanchi Carry All Nappy Bag in choc tudor.

The best price I’ve seen on these is at La Toriana when you use the My Child magazine discount code*(see bottom of page) to take 15% off AND get a free gift.

It’s had a hard life, my Vanchi, but I have to say that it’s so well made that it’s taken all the abuse I’ve thrown at it and not batted an eyelash. Once I brushed the smooshed biscuit off it I realised that it actually still looks like new! I love this nappy bag precisely because it doesn’t look like a nappy bag - perfect!

The other bag that really deserves a mention is the Fleurville kids messenger bag, which hails from from Itty Bitty Yuppy - www.ittybittyyuppy.com.au.

Things I love about this bag (besides its obviously gorgeous looks) are its size; small enough that a pre-schooler can carry it, but big enough that I don’t look silly carrying it either, and the unique PVC-free fabric it’s made from. It feels great (really soft but tough) and it’s such good quality.

It also came with an insulated lunch bag which is very handy for being out and about. This is the bag that goes to daycare with Alex as it fits everything he needs for the day: lunch, nappies, change of clothes, bottle etc. etc.

Please visit individual website for product prices and postage information.

* If you can’t get to a newsagent then email Angela; she’s nice and she’ll give you the code

Today, Miki presents a gorgeous selection of pram accessories that bring function and glamour into your baby-toting life. You use these things every day, so why not splash and indulge in something beautiful that will enhance your life every day. Enjoy

Check last weekend’s Special Feature on Prams and Strollers for more inspiration from Miki.

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Pramskins
Your pram is getting a bit old and shabby, right? It’s probably done the hard yards with at least one toddler, but you can’t afford to replace it with a shiny new one.

Don’t worry! There’s a simple and fabulous way to cost effectively rejuvenate grotty old buggies, and it’s called a Pramskin.

Proudly run by Melbourne-based ‘one-mum-band’ Hana, the Pramskins brand www.pramskins.com.au was launched in 2004 and has grown exponentially in popularity since then.

Although there’s plenty to choose from in the Pramskins range, my personal favourite is the Phil & Teds compatible liners - what a great idea to be able to coordinate the front and back seat of my buggy! But then I find myself drifting towards the snugglebags, perfect for our evening walks along the beach in cooler weather….

Best of all, Pramskins are designed to fit all prams, even Peg Peregos, so you’re all in luck!

Groovy Orchid Set, $39.95
Retro Circles Blue Set, $39.95
“Kimono” Black & White set, $39.95

Nappy/Pram Bags
A girl can never have too many handbags, right? Goes to figure, then, that a mum can never have too many nappy bags. I certainly can’t, I seem to have enough to start my own shop! Not that I’m planning on selling any of them, I’ll guard them with my life

But today, just as a very special treat for you all, I’m going to share with you my nappy bag favourites, AND the best places to get them.

First of all I want to showcase ISOKI. These bags are extremely beautiful, practical and what’s more, when buying an ISOKI product $1 of your purchase will be donated to the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation - Newborn Intensive Care Centre. So not only do you get a beautiful new bag, you can feel good about it too!

The name ‘ISOKI’ literally means ‘beautiful gift’ which they certainly are - give them to other new (or not so new) mums or give them to yourself just for doing a damn good job. The ISOKI designs are fantastic too, really quite ingenious, just check out the reversible hobo and baby bags!

The ISOKI I really want is the ‘petite traveller’ in bahama birds; it’s perfect for me now that my boy is getting old enough not to need a big nappy bag if we aren’t going out for long. There’s room for a couple of nappies, wipes, one bottle and a few bits and bobs for me so we’d be all set and looking hot!

Get your ISOKI goodies from Ekidna Kids www.ekidnakids.com.au.

Ekidna Kids are having their massive 2nd birthday sale and to celebrate they’re offering 25% off storewide!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY EKIDNA KIDS!

There’s a great range of ISOKI here, so don’t even bother trying to limit yourself to only one bag at these prices, and check out the rest of the store for fab discounts while you’re there!

Clockwise from top left:
ISOKI Vintage Floral Reversible Baby Bag, $189.95 $142.46
ISOKI Bahama Birds Reversible Baby Bag (interior shown) $189.95 $142.46
ISOKI Moroccan Vine Change Mat Clutch, $34.95 $26.21
Full ISOKI Petite Traveller range, $39.95 $29.96 each

Secondly, Vanchi. My first and much-loved nappy bag was a Vanchi, the Carry All in Choc Tudor.

The Vanchi fabrics are exquisite, but I think my favourite thing about the Vanchi range are all the little extras that come with each bag. The bottle safe (even fits my chunky ‘Closer to Nature’ bottles!) the wet pack perfect for wipes or makeup, the internal key clip, the sweet little silver dummy charm hanging off the handle, mobile pocket, change mat and the dummy safe (which I now use as a coin purse).

Other mums always compliment me on my ‘nappy bag that doesn’t look like a nappy bag’ - can’t go wrong there!

Oh, and the other great thing about Vanchi is that they have a couple of bags designed especially for dads. My husband has a hissy fit when he takes the baby out and I expect him to carry one of my ‘girly’ nappy bags - I reckon a Vanchi dad’s bag would be the perfect solution!

Get Vanchi nappy bags from La Toriana - and don’t forget to use your My Child magazine discount code to take 15% off the marked price and get a free gift! Also don’t forget that La T offer free shipping on orders over $150.00.

Left to right, discounts including the My Child magazine code:
Bowler baby/parents bag, geisha, $99.95 $84.95
Classic baby/parents bag, hearts, $99.95 $84.95
Messenger baby/parents bag, lime, $99.95 $84.95

My last nappy bag offering for today is a US brand not common in Australia, although other nappy bag afficionados will almost certainly know of it.

I’m talking about Ju-Ju-Be. These bags are seriously space age, baby!

Memory foam changing pads, teflon coated exterior to ward off spills and mess, anti-microbial-coated linings protecting against the nasties that can grow in dark places and so on. Cool!

And speaking of cool, have you seen their designs? You just can’t miss them, they’re loud and proud of it! Ju-J-Be inspires devotion in their followers, I have yet to meet a single person who has been able to keep themselves to one Ju-Ju-Be only.

As I said, Ju-Ju-Be can be tricky to find in Australia, so guess what I’ve found for you? A wonderful US-based store that ships Ju-Ju-Be to Australia for FREE!!

You read that right. FREE SHIPPING!!

I’m talking about Mamas & Munchkins - www.mamasandmunchkins.com. The free shipping offer includes all full-priced Ju-Ju-Be orders over $100! Enter JJB at checkout.

Clockwise from top left:
Ju-Ju-Be Be All in Citrus Sorbet, USD$120
Ju-Ju-Be Be Quick in Mint Juleep, USD$15
Ju-Ju-Be Be Small in Sienna Swirl, USD$80
Ju-Ju-Be Be Spicy in Groovy Garden, USD$150

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Swiss Strolli Rider and Buggypod
Last pram accessory for the day - two of them actually - the Strolli Rider and the Buggypod.

Have you seen either of these in action before? They’re such nifty ideas! They’re both designed to turn a single pram or stroller into something that can take an extra toddler/young preschooler as well, but at a much lower cost than buying a whole new pram.

Ok, so with the Swiss Strolli Rider the younger kid sits in the pram and the older one sits on the sort of bicycle seat and is towed along behind. Perfect for giving tired little legs a rest on the walk home from school and so on. Ingenious!

The Buggypod is a very different design but the same essential idea. It clips on to the side of your existing pram or stroller to give your kid a break, but when it’s not in use it folds flat against the side of the pram, so you won’t have trouble getting through supermarket checkouts with this little beastie!

Baby BT in WA stocks both the Buggypod and the Swiss Strolli Rider, and they will ship them throughout Australia for about $30, depending on where you are.

Buggypod, $189
Swiss Strolli Rider, $169

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That’s all for today, folks. Have a great long weekend!

Please check individual stores for shipping rates,including international shipping availability and pricing.