KidStyleFile

Post written by Angela

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Last week it was the girls turn and today boys have their day! Check out what some of our favourite online stores recommend for boys this Christmas. Stay tuned for more instalments happening every week until Xmas.

Read all Christmas 2010 coverage to date here. View our 2009 coverage here.

		“For the up and coming rockstars the ‘Rebel’ Flying V Soft Guitar is a must have this Christmas as it will provide hours of noise free fun for kids with energy and imagination.” - Raegan at ALittleBitofCheek.com.au The Grateful Thread Rebel Flying V Soft Guitar, $49.95
“Let the boys carry their gear with style with these envirosax for kids. Environmentally friendly and non toxic in a range of fun prints they’re great stocking fillers!” – Liesl at ThreadsOfRed.com.au Envirosax Robot Bag, $8.95
		“Comprising 42 pieces of sturdy recycled cardboard, little boys will love constructing this piece, and then immerse themselves in imaginative play as zoom through the skies!” - Jenny at StateOfGreen.com.au Kidsonroof Totem Aero Model, $26.95
“These are divine toys for your little man – solids wood, beautiful colours, and each vehicles makes a difference sound. Perfection!” - Penny at BillyLids.com.au Voila Sound Vehicles, $29.95
		“Plan Toys are always beautiful finished with stunning attention to details and this pirate ship is no exception. Fun to play with and a beautiful decor piece for your son’s room.” - Sarah Jayne at GiggleAndGrow.com.au Plan Toys Pirate Ship, $100.00

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

As part of our Christmas coverage this year we are sharing with you our own personal picks for our kids. Today we’re featuring Olivia’s picks. Enjoy! – Ange

Read all Christmas 2010 coverage to date here. You can view last year’s picks here.

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Olivia and her 1 year old daughter

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Oh, how I love Christmas! I still reflect back on my early Chrissy memories: lunch with my family, a tribe of no less than 30; sitting around the tree, while one by one the gifts were distributed; how Pop would repeatably play ‘White Christmas’ on the pianola. Here I am, many years later ready to share the joy with my little girl and hopefully create some similarly fond memories for her. Although memories can’t be bought, the look on a little one’s face when they tear the paper of a gift or three on Christmas morning is priceless! I can’t wait!

1. Cat-Rabbit Alice Toy – Alice in Wonderland, $140.00. This cute-as-a-button, modern take on Alice in Wonderland is a must have for the little lady in your life.

2. Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Santa Sack, $49.00. Every year the talented team at EMMM launch a fun-filled collection of Christmas must haves. Try resisting this funky monkey santa sack!

3. Kikki K Adhesive Notes: Apples, $4.95. I just can’t get enough of anything ‘apples’ – childlike, and very now. The kids will have a great time sticking these on anything and everything known to man!

4. Go Home Lifestyle Products – Cottage Table Tent, $89.95. Running out of room for yet another toy? Simply convert the dining table into a tent… after meal times of course.

5. Mizzle Anywhere Blanket – Cloud, $24.95. This blanket is light enough for summer, with padding which offers soft comfort for your littlie.

6. Mesmerised board book, $11.95. Black and white illustrations to stimulate little eyes.

7. Zid Zid Kids Mini Poof – Elephant, $130.00 $65.00. Just because! Who wouldn’t want this divine poof for the lounge room or nursery?

8. IKEA Mula Bead Roller Coaster, $19.99. Great for those fine motor skills.

9. Mog’s Christmas by Judith Kerr, $10.05. 40th anniversary edition of a timeless classic.

10. Tea Pony – Belle & Boo Print Dress, $67.95. A gorgeous collaboration between ‘Belle & Boo’ & ‘Tea Pony’ – divine Belle & Boo print on front and duck print on back joined together by a string. The perfect Christmas Day outfit.

11. Red Kids Table & Chairs set with toy box storage, $110.00. Bright, fun, practical with built-in storage.

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

Post written by Angela

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It’s mid November and a great time to starting thinking about Christmas. Now’s the time to surreptiously stash pressies to take the pressure off Santa! To help me find the perfect picks I have asked some of our favourite online stores what their hot picks for kids this Christmas are. I am delighted to share part 3 with you today: special picks for girls only. Stay tuned for more instalments (including the ‘boys only’ selection!) happening every week until Xmas.

Read all Christmas 2010 coverage to date here. View our 2009 coverage here.

		“Who could resist the ruffles cuteness of the Princess Squart? With built in underpants under this ruffled skirt and stain resistant fabric with 50+ UV protection these make a functional and utterly addition to your little girls wardrobe.” - Susan and Alison at Agoo.com.au Agoo Princess Squart in Rose, $44.99
” A perfect Christmas gift is the one that we remember with happiness and we keep till we’re 80…and it still brings a smile then!!  These authentic, handcrafted Woodburn Russian Nesting Dolls, for young and old, make the perfect gift for giving this Christmas.” – Kellie at Moowoo.com.au Woodburn Russian Nesting Dolls, $54.00
		“There is plenty of room in this gorgeous new large backpack from Tiger Tribe. Fit everything from school books to several changes of clothes, lunch box or snacks, toys and all the other treasures kids carry around!” - Donna at Haggus & Stookles.com.au Tiger Tribe Owl Backpack, $44.95
“Add a little comfort this Christmas with our new range of Organic Baby infant bedding, the perfect gift to make baby smile each day!” - Sam at LittleChipipi.com.au Little Chipipi Baby Alphabet Quilt, available in 3 designs, $129.95
		” Mums can be extra happy this Christmas: buy pairs of these amazing water and sand tolerant sandals (won’t rust or rot!) and pick up a pair for yourself. Merry Christmas!”. - Hayley at LittlePinwheel.com.au Saltwater Sandals, $79.00

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

Post written by Angela

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I love Christmas, birthdays and any other celebration you care to name. It’s just great to get together in the spirit of happiness and joy and there’s nothing better than watching kids tear wrapping paper off pressies. Once the party is over though, where do you put all that *stuff*??

We all have stuff and kids seem to accrue it with great speed so it’s important to be prepared with storage that will help you stay – and more importantly, feel – calm and organised. Say “no sweat” to stacks of toys, books, games and nic nacs with this great selection of storage options.

1. This set of 4 woven backet apples from Living Like Lulu are just fabulous. My girls have 3 in their room and I’ve snaffled the fourth one for myself! Bigger and better than you expect, these make a great decor feature as well as being extremely practical. $85.00 at Gallop Lifestyle

2. The Tidy Books Bunk Buddy Bookcase offers the ideal solution to bunk dwellers and presents a fresh new take on the bedside table. $125.00 from Rose & Lily

3. The Live Create Play Fruut Tree also delivers the good in terms of function and makes a wonderful sculptural piece for your home. Dress it up as the Christmas tree and then install it in your child’s room for everyday use and wow factor. $295 at Where Did You Get That?

4. Fiona Chandler at Fiona Kate Storage sums it up with her store motto: Simple Gorgeous Storage! Made from incredibly hardy coated board these boxes come in all colours, shapes and sizes to fit every space and application. Use them instead of gift paper and get those Christmas pressies wrapped in an instant. From $14.95 at Fiona Kate

5. No one understands storage better than IKEA, and there’s a plethora of kids storage solutions on offer from these small lidded boxes to large storage options that can be on display or concealed in a wardrobe. Prices start at just a few dollars. If you don’t live near an IKEA you can order online with IKEA Direct.

6. Hip Kid’s range of kids sofas do double duty with built-in storage under the seat. Super clever and super cute! $129.00 from Hip Kids

7. Cocoon Couture’s new range of wall hooks will make your kids *want* to pick up after themselves. Complement them with the rest of the range from Cocoon Couture and get the complete award-winning look. $89.00 from Cocoon Couture

8. The latest products from wall sticker brand Forwalls, these robust canvas storage tubs in a range of designs are easy for your child (and you!) to handle and will look great in the nursery. $64.95 from Forwalls

9. Besides looking way cool, this quirky pencil holder from English design house Suck UK will keep pencils, textas and crayons in order. $39.95 from Shop Until

10. I purchased 3 of these Canvas Storage Pouches by Maron Bouillie recently and am well pleased. Equipped with hooks on the back you can hang them anywhere storage is needed. $33.00 from Gallop Lifestyle

11. If only I’d had room to stash these large woven strapping baskets from Mor-stor in my luggage when I saw them at Mathilda’s Market in Melbourne on the weekend! There is a solution though: buy online and get delivered direct to your door! $39.95 at The Little Kidz Closet

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

Post written by Raquel

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As sure as day becomes night Christmas is coming! Make it as green as can be this year with my pick of the crop of beautiful environmentally and kid friendly gifts. Enjoy!

Read all Christmas 2010 coverage to date here.You can view last year’s picks here.

The Green Guide is published on the second Friday of each month. Read previous ‘The Green Guide’ posts here.

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1. These chubby, stackable Playon Crayons from Studio Skinky are non toxic, stain free and easy for equally chubby fingers to grip. $12.90

2. Created by the Lawrence Hall of Science – University of California, Berkeley, Sunprint Kits allow kids to harness the sun’s power in an artfully fun way.  $14.50

3. The Funny Paper Cubby House is made from 85% recycled corrugated fibreboard with skylights and internal shelves, for tikes who fancy a place of their own. $109.95

4. Calafant’s Recycled Treehouse slots together easily, comes ready to decorate and won’t take up space in the yard. $39.95

5. Give your resident fairy a wee makeover with Eternal Creation’s fabulously fun and fair trade Fairy Wings. $39.95

6. Featuring 53 amazing species, Terra Toy’s Animal Playing Cards are an awesome way to play while sneaking in some math and natural world learning. $6.95

7. It’s got plenty of creepy crawly appeal so you know he’ll be digging Kidsonroof’s Totem Spider recycled construction set. $26.95

8. Alleviate the burden of carrying all the kid’s gear by inspiring them to carry it themselves with these super funky organic Kids Satchels from Apple & Bee. $29.95

9. Handmade by Tibetan refugees, these Steiner Dolls are an extra special friend for extra special boys and girls. $88.50

10. Gotta love a snazzy piece of green real estate that’s interest free. The Melrose Dollhouse is made from recycled paper and won’t break the bank. $55.00

11. An affordable birchwood balance bike with its own stand and storage basket? Runna bikes will be running out the door when Santa finds out about these. Available in pink or black. $149.95

12. After100% organic and 200% groovy?  Check out this Gandhi tee from Tiny Revolutionary. $32.95

13. For mini tradies ready to graduate from pretend play, Moulin Roty’s Wooden Tool Box contains kid sized tools that are the real deal. Suitable for eight and over. $59.95

14. Made from recycled milk containers, all this Dump Truck from Green Toys needs is a naturally charged driver to help clean up the planet; one play session at a time! $54.95

15. Lilly Pilly Arts’ lovely vintage look Personalised Blocks are handmade and can be customised with baby’s name. From $16

16. Once I Was A Comic is made from – yep, that’s right – recycled comics and is richly packed with tonnes of interesting facts and gorgeous illustrations about endangered tigers. $11.95

17. Pure Baby’s organic cotton Woven Bodysuit is almost as cute as bubs. Almost. $39.95

18. Push it, match it, chew it: Mokuyusya’s handmade Elephant Mum and Baby provides a naturally tactile play experience for eco tots. $66

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

Post written by Angela

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It’s mid November and a great time to starting thinking about Christmas. Now’s the time to surreptiously stash pressies to take the pressure off Santa! To help me find the perfect picks I have asked some of our favourite online stores what their hot picks for kids this Christmas are. I am delighted to share part 2 with you today. Stay tuned for more instalments happening every week until Xmas.

Read all Christmas 2010 coverage to date here. View our 2009 coverage here.

		” We love that you can coordinate a pair to your favourite Oobi outfits, and the handy elastic back means they stay on. Available in three colourways and come in a handy carry bag.” - Terri at LittleStyles.com.au Oobi Flip Flops /  Thongs, available in Whale, Blue Strawberry and Red Spot ffrom 1-8 years  $17.95
“A gorgeous ‘take anywhere’ toy that makes a stylish and fun gift idea for Christmas this year.  This delightful wooden set packs up neatly ready for the next play.” – Paula at LittleLiving.com.au Tiger Tribe Plane Box Set, also available in ‘car’ variety $59.95
		“Ragbags take the guess work out of gift giving this Christmas, what girl wouldn’t love a gorgeous handbag embellished with flowers, pearls and organza ribbons!” - Mary at MyBabyRocks.com.au Ragbag, $33.90
“One of these stunning silver name necklaces – or gold, if you prefer – is sure to bring a smaile to your little girl’s face come Christmas morning.” - Lesley at TheLittleKidzCloset.com.au Personalised silver or gold name necklace, POA
		“With so many fabulous Djeco items in store it truly is a tough decision on what to choose! The Birds of Paradise Coloured Sand Workshop is just so beautiful and will provide hours of creative joy with four stunning masterpieces to create.” - Toni and Melony at .com.au Djeco Birds of Paradise Sand Workshop $31.95

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