KidStyleFile

Post written by Miki

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When I was a little girl, my family moved from an old 1920s bungalow to a modern brick & tile house. This was significant for me – you see, it was two weeks before Christmas and the new house had no chimneys or fireplaces. How on earth was Santa going to get in? I fretted over it for the entire two weeks before Christmas (my parents only found this out recently, much to their astonishment). Thankfully on Christmas morning I discovered that Santa had managed to squirm his way in to the house somehow. If I’d had a Lil Christmas Door from Little Fairy Doors, I wouldn’t have worried. These magical little doors are perfect for homes that don’t have chimneys – Santa can just magically pop in through the miniature door when he arrives to fill the stockings and put the presents under the tree. Available at Metro Mum – www.metromum.com.au – I think these little doors are a brilliant idea and really add some Christmas whimsy to any home.

Metro Mum also has loads of other goodies just perfect for Christmas. Take the KidKraft Backyard Sandpit for example. It is big enough at 1.1m squared for several children to dig happily in, and it has a jaunty striped canopy overhead to protect delicate skin from sunburn. Imagine the hours upon hours of fun the kids could have with this installed in the back yard! I also know for a fact that the BIG Bobby Car with Trailer would make my 2yo more excited than he’d ever been before in his life; with the high weight capacity he could even take his older brother for a ride in the trailer.

There are some brilliant special offers happening at Metro Mum right now; here are some of the extra special ones:

1. The Tidybooks Bookcases, Bunk Buddies and Book Boxes are 30% off, but strictly only until 27 November 2011.
   
2. All ride-on toys are 10% off until 30 November 2011, including Y-Bike, Wishbone, ooMoo, Trunki and more.
   
3. Buy any easel and receive a FREE Micador Painting Kit valued at $10.
   
4. And lastly, buy any cot or crib from Incy Interiors, Oeuf, Nurseryworks, Touchwood or Cariboo and receive a FREE Anstel Deluxe Double Spring Inner Mattress valued at $169.95.
   
5. Ooh, and do go through the four Metro Mum sale categories (for Mums, Dads, Kids and Babies) to find bargains at up to half price!

And just to put the cherry on top, Metro Mum’s Great Christmas Giveaway is now on with over $2,400 in prizes on offer, including an Incy Interiors Rupert Cot and Egg Chair!  You don’t even need to purchase anything to enter – see here for the competition details.

1. Trunki Ride On Kids Suitcases – Trunkisaurus, $89.00 less 10% = $80.10
2. Tidy Books Bunk Bed Buddy, $125.00 less 30% = $88.00; Tidy Books Children’s Bookcase, $299.00 less 30% = $209.30
3. ooMoo Pinkalicious Balance Bike, $165.00 less 10% = $148.50; ooMoo F1 Balance Bike, $165.00 less 10% = $148.50
4. Deluxe Wood Easel With Blackboard, $249.00
5. BIG Bobby Car + Trailer, $240.00 less 10% = $216.00
6. KidKraft Backyard Sandpit with Striped Sunshade, $249.00
7. Lil Fairy Doors Christmas Door, $38.00 
8. Oeuf Sparrow Cot + FREE Cot Mattress, $1,199.00 

Metro Mum stock from the following brands: Hess-Spielzeug, Allerhand, Annabel Trends, Babymoov, Babymel, Baby Steps 123, Baufix, Babywedge, Bilibo, Bloom Baby, Boyle, Britt, BubbaMat, Bud by Design Room, BusyBee Friends, Caden Lane, Cariboo NZ, Compendium, DadGear, DanishbyDesign, David Fussenegger, Dwink Box, Ebulobo, Ellaroo, Ellie Bellie, Elodie Details, Emotion & Kids, Fatboy The Original, Fertile Mind, FLATOUTbears, Foogo by Thermos, FunPod, Giimmo, Happy Mais, Hello Babe, Il Tutto, IntelliGender®, Isoki, Kanoe, Kiddie Food Kutter, Kids Kitchen, KidsonRoof, Kipiis, Language Littles, Learning Tower, Leander, Leisure Learning, Lilbird, Little Beetle, Little Kitchen, Little Sprowtz, LittleOneBaby, Luna Lullaby, Lupi Lu, Melobaby, Metro Mum, Mia Bossi, Milk & Tickles, MilkBar, Mini Bilibo, Minimonkey, Mishi Design, Mojo, Mokopuna, Mothers Minder, Munchee Mug, My Plate-Mate, Nest, Nuance, Nurseryworks, Ocho, Oeuf, OnTray2Go, Oti, Paper Eskimo, PeeWee & PooToo, Playsam, Prego Planner, PuggyHouse, Qtees, Scout, Seed Organic, Snugabub, Storksak, Totem, Trunki, VisualGram, Vulli, Wall Candy and Zuny.

Metro Mum use Fastaway Couriers and Australia Post for delivery.  Total delivery cost will be calculated at checkout.  For estimated delivery times, international orders and all the ‘how to’ information see here.

Post written by Leah

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Every year in the lead up to Christmas and birthdays, I receive numerous phone calls from our extended family asking what my kidlets current interest is; what they would be at the top of their wishlist; how they could suitably indulge my children. I usually prompt them with rough category ideas: “perhaps some dress ups?” or “they just love craft these days”.  It’s always a difficult task.  Well today, ladies and gentleman, I present the perfect place to take the hassle out of gift sourcing.

Gifts 4 Kidz – www.gifts4kidz.com.au – is an online store that has gathered together an abundance of fashion and unique, quality gift ideas for babies and kids which, amongst other options, you can search by age group making the site super easy for a grandparent, uncle, or even daddy, to browse and find the gift that is sure to delight.

Brands stocked at Gifts4Kidz include Automoblox, Bebe Clothing, Bebe Jr Clothing, BLOCH, Bobble Art, Books To Wear, Britt Design, Chippie Bags & Accessories, Christopher Vine Design, Cudworth, Custard Pie, Djeco, Jacques Farel, Jarmeez, Le Toy Van, Tin Lid Designs, Manhattan Toy Co, Marquise, Minihaha, Mini Treasures, Missi Missi, Milestone Press, Creative Education, Alperstein Designs, Mini Life, Nana Huchy, Paper Eskimo, Posh!, Pintoy, Seedling Craft Kids, Tahlia, Tiger Tribe, Tommy Rocket, Two Belles, Uttman Kids, Walnut, Willow and Finn, Wheely Bug, Woof! and Zoe Bonbon, with Nana Huchy and Mini Life new additions to the lineup.

My picks include the fab Seedling kits, the YBike, Djeco craft kits and Le Toy Van role play toys – my number one favourite is the Le Toy Van playmats which integrate integrate beautifully with the Le Toy Van toys such as the Pirate Ship, Fairy Tower and Dollhouse.

To help you tick off each item on your Christmas wishlist, Gifts 4 Kidz are offering all KSF readers a whopping 30% off every single thing store wide, including sale stock, until midnight 29 November 2010. To redeem this offer simply enter KSF30 at checkout. You’ll also receive a FREE signature gift package with every offer. While you’re there be sure to subscribe to the Gifts 4 Kidz VIP club to score discounts for future purchases (not applicable on top of any other offer; sorry) and go into the draw to WIN 1 of 5 $50.00 Gift Vouchers.

Discounted prices quoted below are valid with code KSF30 until midnight 29 November 2010 only.

1. Nana Huchy Ruby Rag Doll $41.95 LESS 30%= $29.37
2. sunnyLIFE Bronte Beach Sounds $49.95 LESS 30%= $34.97
3. Seedling Make Your Own Erupting Volcano $54.95 LESS 30%= $38.47 and Seedling The Fashion Designer’s Kit $59.95 LESS 30%= $41.97
4. sunnyLIFE Beach Cricket Blue $49.95 LESS 30%= $34.97
5. YBIKE – Cool Blue $119.95 LESS 30%= $83.97
6. Mini Life FD Layered Dress Francisco Print (2-6) $65.95 LESS 30%= $46.17
7. Le Toy Van Sweetheart Cottage Set with Dolls House Playmat $340.00 LESS 30%= $238.00
8. Djeco Geoform Boxed Set $59.95 LESS 30%= $41.97
9. Le Toy Van Shanghai Warrior Pirate Ship $110.00 LESS 30%= $77.00
10. Automoblox HR3 Mini Blue Hot Rod $27.00 LESS 30%= $18.90
11. Ruby Luxe Red Flat Disc Bracelet $9.95 LESS 30%= $6.97 and Ruby Luxe Beaded Balloon Girl Necklace $29.95 LESS 30%= $20.97

Gifts4Kidz charge a flat rate delivery of $9.95 Australia wide and provide FREE gift packaging. For full information, including International orders, please see Delivery and Returns.

Still looking for the perfect present? Ride-on toys are winners every time, and there’s still time to shop without raising a sweat.

Urban Baby- www.urbanbaby.com.au – have all my favourite ride-ons under the one roof.

Wheely Bugs, the Mishi Grow-Up, Okiedog Fropper and Cheeky Chick, and cool-as YBike are guaranteed to bring miles of smiles and happiness to a small person near you on Christmas Day.

Place orders at Urban Baby by 8am Friday 19 December for Standard Receipted Post to Eastern States, and 8am Monday 22 December for Express Post to Eastern States. Western States and all other orders placed after these dates and time cannot be guaranteed to arrive in time for Christmas Day, so make your move now!

Urban Baby ship by weight, with most orders coming in around the$8.00 mark. Check the Urban Baby delivery info page for full details.

Today’s post written by Miki

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Attention Shoppers: I have some superb news for you today:

To kick start our Christmas shopping, Joanne at Ekidna Kids – www.ekidnakids.com.au – is giving us 15% off store-wide for 72 hours only!!

All you have to do is enter ‘KSF72′ at checkout to claim your discount but be warned: you’re going to have to be quick to claim this one: this discount expires at 9am on Wednesday the 19th of November. Don’t miss out or you’ll be kicking yourself!!

Even better, everyone who spends over $50.00 using that code (not including postage) will receive a FREE Drop Buddy, valued at $9.95

Ekidna Kids is a great place to get sorted for Christmas (even without the discount), as it’s packed full of brilliant gift and decor ideas to really make the season sparkle.  You can also take advantage of the FREE gift wrapping service!

Ekidna Kids also has a new Loyalty Program: for every dollar spent (excluding postage and applicable discounts) a point is earned.  Each point is worth $0.05 and your points are automatically redeemed against your next purchase.  Sweet! So time to get shopping

Limited on space, can’t be bothered spending hours putting the faux fir tree together or don’t want to spend the festive season sweeping up pine needles?

My pick for the day is Joanne’s fabulous range of Bosco Bear wall art, in particular the Christmas tree decals of which there are several to choose from.

Just stick one of these super-stylish tree decals to your wall and voila!  You’re all set for a chic and hassle free Christmas, while still feeling festive and – all importantly – there’s still somewhere to put the presents!

Bebe by Minihaha is well represented at Ekidna Kids, you’ll be glad to know, with the full range of new season’s gear for girls and boys. I love Bebe’s twist on vintage and the exquisitely soft fabrics they use.  It’s a deliciously giftable range – if you can bring yourself to give it away!

Looking for a ride-on for your little tacker? The YBike is a sure-fire winner for kids from 18 months – 5 years.

For gorgeous stocking stuffer ideas, Ekidna Kids has some great products all ready to go.  Anamalz are a favourite with everyone, and the Accoutrements tins of designer bandaids (of course!) in pirate and cowboy designs will be great in the stocking and will patch up and scrapes or bruises on the day.

You can get lots more ideas for gifts and Christmas decor by visiting Ekidna Kid’s Christmas 2008 section.  The well-stocked Specials section is always worth a look as well; I’ve spotted many an amazing bargain in there.

To make absolutely certain that your order is received in time for Christmas, here are the Ekidna Kids shipping deadlines

• 15th December: NT, WA, TAS and QLD country
• 17th December: VIC, SA, ACT and NSW country
• 19th December: NSW metro

1. Bosco Bear Room Art Christmas Tree – Brown, $89.00 $75.65
2. Cheeky Little Soles Silver Sparkle Ballet Slippers, $31.95 $27.15
3. Little Extensions Onesie Extender, $14.95 $12.70
4. Anamalz Cow, $9.95 $8.45
5. Koby Rose Print Dress, $49.95 $42.45
6. Mamas & Papas ‘Made With Love’ Activity Cube, $12.95 $11.00
7. Drop Buddy Lanyard, $9.95 $8.45 or FREE with purchases over $50.00!
8. Flirty Bird ‘Bear In The Wood’ Snagless Hair Elastics, $8.95 $7.60
9. Bebe by Minihaha Danny Tee, $24.95 $21.20 and Danny Print Shorts, $21.95 $18.65
10. Cocoon Clothing Grey Marle Thong Tee, $24.95 $21.20

You have a vast array of top quality brands to choose from at Ekidna Kids, including Anamalz, Annabel Trends, Aroma Baby, Babe Mode, Baby Blankie, Baby Legs, Badger Balm, Baobab, Beautiful Soles, Bebe, Bertini, Bud, Brio, Cheeky Little Soles, Chelona, Crocodile Creek, Eternal Creation, Fairy Floss, Fiesta Crafts, Fish Lilly, For Walls, Fruity Faces, Heimess, Humphrey’s Corner, Infancy, Isoki, Itsy Bitsy, Jaffa, Karma Baby, Lark Designs, Latitude Enfant, Little Chipipi, Longueville Media, Mamas & Papas, Marquise, Messaround, Milkwrap, Minihaha, Mondays Child, My Munchkin Home, Nature’s Child, Oobi, Paper Eskimo, Peter Rabbit, Pia Eriksson, Roocci, Russ, Sigg, Skip Hop, Smart Mom, Smirk, Starchild, t4tot, Toys Pure, Uchi, Vintage Kid Designs, WallCandy Arts, Wink Designs and Woof!.

Ekidna Kids ship Australia-wide for a flat rate of $6.95. Please see here for more details.

Ride-on toys are one of my favourite category of kids toys, and most certainly one of my children’s; they just love the mobility and independence of being on wheels.

The YBike, hailing from South Africa, is a new breed of balance bike designed for use from 18 months upwards, and engineered to help your child build the skills, balance and coordination needed to ride a big-kid bicycle.

This bike looks pretty rad, but the Harley-Davidsonesque styling of the YBike isn’t just for looks: this design is engineered to be ultra safe.

The front wheel is considerably further forward, affording a bigger turning circle, which reduces the risk of falling over the front when turning. The back wheel is also covered to stop children from riding over their feet. The YBike body is also designed for better clearance of obstacles and the larger wheels produce a safer ride on uneven surfaces.

The YBike is constructed is built to last too: the injection moulding eliminates weak points, and makes this bike super-tough. It’s available in 5 colours too, so there’s a look to suit every taste.

While the YBike’s superb design features may leave you breathless, the price tag will not: it sells for just AUD$119.95!

Pick up a current copy of Shop 4 Kids magazine to access the special KidStyleFile code to give you 15% off the YBike — making it a mere AUD$101.95 –  at Ekidna Kids.

If you can’t get to a newsagent you can email me for the code.

Ekidna Kids charge $6.95 postage, Australia wide, and international orders are welcome.

Update 10 October 2008: Please note that the price of the YBike has now increased to $119.95 due to supplier increases in importing it into Australia.

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Psst! Want to get 20% off at Ekidna Kidswear - www.ekidnakidswear.com.au? Well, have I got the code for you!

Enter ‘KSF48′ in the coupon code section at checkout, and I predict you will be 20% luckier This offer is good for the next 48 hours only, so don’t dilly dally.

(If you’re coming to this post after midnight, September 12, never fear, you can still get a very healthy 15% off. Email me and I’ll give you the details).

As if you needed any other reason to shop at E-Kids, I’m going to give you two more:

1. by making a purchase in September you’ll go into the draw to win a cool-as YBike, valued at $99.95,
2. and if if you share your environmentally friendly tips with Joanne at Ekidna, you’ll be in the running to win a $50.00 Ekidna Kids voucher.

You are going to just love your little virtual road-trip over to Ekidna Kids:  Joanne has been stocking the rafters with the coolest new stock. I’m so impressed with what she has sourced for us!

First up, the YBike. A fantastic new style of balance bike, the YBike has been engineered to help improve your child’s balance and co-ordination skills.

The safety aspects of the YBike are also very appealing. The front wheel is considerably further forward, affording a bigger turning circle, which reduces the risk of falling over the front when turning. The back wheel is also covered to stop children from riding over their feet. The YBike body is designed for better clearance of obstacles and the larger wheels produce a safer ride on uneven surfaces.

The YBike is constructed to last; the injection moulding eliminates weak points, and makes this bike super-tough.

Apparently the YBike can be used by tots as young as 18 months old, so this is a product with great longevity that is robust enough to last how ever many children you need to throw at it.

The YBike sounds, and looks, incredible! While the bike’s superb features may leave you breathless, the price tag will not: the YBike is a mere $99.95 (less 20% until Friday 12 – makes it just $79.96!! - and 15% after that.)

On the clothing front, I have to mention the new Eternal Creation collection that has just landed. In my opinion, this is their best collection yet. I am very taken with the 50′s-inspired styling and prints; very mini-Audrey!The Miatom tees are also very sweet, bringing a taste of Japan, and a slice of Italy to the table with their funky prints. E-Kids have also received the new season’s Bebe by Minihaha ranges in for baby boys and girls, and it’s super sweet.

The Flirty Bird hair accessories I simply have to rave about. I am a huge fan of their cute and quirky hair ponies, and we have an extensive collection of them, including the Bambi and Bear in the Woods varieties below. Choose also from their very lovely clippies.

The Cheeky Little Soles summer sandals are just so sweet. I saw these in the flesh at the Kids inSTYLE trade show in Melbourne recently, and they really do have to be seen and touched to be believed. Sooo soft – they almost feel like a little one’s warm little foot – and Lisa at CLS has really outdone herself with the designs this season.

Tippy Toes fans will be pleased to know that Annabel Trends has brought out several new designs to delight you with. BabyLegs has also released a range of new patterns; I’m loving the Retro Herringbone for summer.

Mums of toddlers should know about the very practical, and incredibly stylish Foogo snack cups and drink containers, and mums with babes in arms will be thrilled to know that Ekidna Kids is now carrying the revolutionary Adiri baby bottles.

See my picks below to get you started, and view the New Arrivals section at Ekidna Kids to discover the whole story on new products just in.

From top left in rows:

Prices quoted are after 20% discount with code until September 12. After this date you can get a 15% off code: email me and I’ll give you the details.

Miatom Vespa Tee  $24.95 20% off = $19.96
BabyLegs Retro Blue Herringbone $16.50 20% off = $13.20
Cheeky Little Soles – ‘Boys Club’ Summer Sandal $35.95 20% off = $28.76
Bebe by Minihaha ‘Oscar’ bodysuit $28.95 20% off = $23.16
Flirty Bird Hair Ponies – sold in a pair $8.95 each 20% off = $7.16
Foogo Stainless Steel Leak-proof Straw Bottle $21.95 20% off = $17.56
Miatom Japan Doll Tee $24.95 20% off = $19.96
Eternal Creation ‘Tuscany’ sundress $46.95 20% off = $37.56
Foogo Stainless Steel Leak-proof Sippy Cup $24.95 20% off = $19.96
Adiri baby bottle Variety of flows etc. available (all bottles 236ml) $19.95 20% off = $15.96
Cheeky Little Soles – ‘Nesting’ Summer Sandal $35.95 20% off = $28.76
BabyLegs Retro Pink Herringbone $16.50 20% off = $13.20
Annabel Trends Tippy Toes socks – box of 6 $19.95 20% off = $15.96
YBike - available in 5 colour choices $99.95 20% off = $79.96

If you want to scoop up some fabulous bargains check out the ‘Specials’ page and feel oh-so-glad that you did

Ekidna Kids now have a blog; a great place to keep abreast of developments at Ekidna Kids. Check it out.

Ekidna Kidswear charge $6.95 for standard postage, and $9.95 for Express Post, Australia wide. International orders are welcome. Visit the Delivery information page for full shipping and delivery details.