KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Miki

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*Miki sings in best Mariah Carey impersonation*:“I don’t want a lot for Christmas, this is all I’m asking for…”

Yeah right – of course I want a lot for Christmas!  I love Christmas and putting together my wishlist, but this year just about everything on it is for Alex, my 16 month old boy.  Who can blame me?  I spend all day looking at stunning kids’ clothes, toys and accessories so it’s little wonder I covet so much of it!

I’ve put together a Top 10 list below of my absolute must-haves this festive season:

1. A Rush lunchbox – I find we’re so often out at Alex’s snack and meal times that we really do need a decent lunchbox to take with us.  This one from Rush fits the bill perfectly, and it’s so cute!

2. The adorably wacky Okiedog Fropper – a ride-on toy that bounces too!  I just wish they came in adult sizes…

3. Trunki Towgo – we’re going to be doing a lot of travelling in the new year, and what better way to entertain a toddler in the airport than with a ride-on suitcase?  Plus it’ll hold all his toys, books and essentials for the flights.

4. The Smirk Vespa s/s tee – simple, funky and great quality, I love the Smirk range of tees and onesies.  He’s going to look so cute in this one!

5. A Foogo Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Sippy Cup – non-spill, unbreakable, keeps drinks cold for up to six hours and has a comfy soft spout, what more could we ask for in a sippy cup?  Oh, you want it to be attractive too?  Check that box, the Foogo range is super-stylish!

6. mylittleseat – Ideal for keeping a wriggly toddler still and safe at mealtimes when we aren’t near a highchair, and then it folds down small enough to tuck into my handbag! This will be another handy one when travelling.

7. And speaking of handbags, why should Alex get all the good stuff?  I love this Louenhide Baby Barrel in Biscuit; it’s stylish, minimalist, will go with everything and it’s roomy enough to fit all the paraphenalia I take with me every time I leave the house.

8. The Hip Infant Wall Graphics ‘Up, Up And Away’ – Now that my baby isn’t actually a baby any more, it’s time to redecorate his nursery and turn it into a cool toddler boy’s room.  Given his obsession with balloons (every time he sees one he shrieks “Loon!! Looooon!!”) I think these stunning hot air balloon wall decals will be just the thing to give his room a new look.  They’re so affordable too!  I might get two packets at this price.

9. Some Brio Classic Wooden Race Cars – which he’ll adore, as his other obsession is cars.  Such a boy.  These ones look stunning, and they’re wooden which just makes me love them more; wooden toys last forever. These cars come in four colours so I might get him the whole fleet!

10. The Moppit Radioman T-Shirt- he’ll be cool as a cucumber in this funky green shirt from Moppit.  I have to smile every time I see the little radioman graphic, isn’t it adorable?

1. Rush Jungle Lunchbox, $24.95 at Kinder Kaboodle
2. Okiedog Fropper, $85.90 $65.90 at Amazing Toys
3. Trunki Towgo, $69.95 at Metro Mum
4. Smirk Vespa S/S tee, $34.95 $29.70 at Frock You^
5. Foogo Stainless Steel Leak-Proof Sippy Cup – Blue, $24.95 $21.20* at Ekidna Kids
6. mylittleseat – I Like Squares I Do, $50.00 at Haggus & Stookles
7. Louenhide Baby Barrel – Biscuit, $89.95 at Pastel Pink
8. The Hip Infant Wall Graphics – Up, Up And Away, $39.95 at The Hip Infant**
9. Brio Classic Wooden Race Car, $15.95 at Urban Child***
10. Moppit Radioman T-Shirt, $39.95 $33.95 at Frock You^

Please check individual stores for shipping details.

* Using the Shop4Kids discount code until 30 November 2008.
** GWP offer, see here for more details.
*** FREE $15 voucher when you sign up to the UC newsletter, see here for more details.  Also get FREE shipping using the Shop4Kids code, conditions apply.
^ Get 15% off store-wide when you sign up to the Frock You newsletter.

I am always on the hunt for cool kids products that fuse superior functionality with appealing design sensibility, and today, I’m quite excited, because I have two for you!

Introducing…..{drum roll, please} ‘Fropper’ and ‘Cheeky Chick’.

Brought to you by German-owned Okiedog – www.okiedog.com – these imaginatively designed ride-ons (evocative of fabulous grasshopper-like insects to my mind)  not only look cool-as, but are designed with optimal use, storage and transportation in mind.

So what’s the difference between these stable mates?

Cheeky Chick (pictured above, left) is suitable for chitlins 18 months old, or up to 20kgs. Robust, and lightweight (just 2.2kg), with “whisper-quiet” non-abrasive wheels, this multiple award-winning foot-to-floor ride-on will help your toddler master the basics of locomotion both indoors and out.

Cheeky Chick can also be used with Okiedog’s detachable parent handle, for when you need keep your little one on a safe trajectory.  If your tyke abandons ship, you can open up the compartment under the seat, take out of the carry strap inside and sling  it over your shoulder. When the day of play is done, Cheeky Chick folds down for easy transportation, and space-saving storage

Cheeky Chick’s counterpart, Fropper (pictured above, right), is designed for older toddlers 18-36 months, or up to 20kg. Featuring a bouncy seat that will have your little one bopping and cruising all over the house with joy. Never fear: your floors won’t suffer for the cause as Fropper is fitted with quiet, non-marking caster wheels.

Like Cheeky Chick, Fropper easily and quickly folds down to a compact size. Fropper also has a built-in grip in the seat, which means you can just grab and go, and you won’t have to struggle doing so; Fropper is a featherweight 2.2kg. Fropper can also be used with Okiedog’s universal parent handle.

Finally – and this is a very important feature for kids who like to play straight away, and parents whose favourite past-time isn’t constructing toys for hours – both Cheeky Chick and Fropper are ready to ride right out of the box; absolutely *no assembly* required.

Good thinking, Okiedog!

I have even more great news for you, as both Cheeky Chick, and Fropper, are available to buy online from Australian-based Amazing Toys – www.amazingtoys.com.au – and they are both on sale.

Cheeky Chick is just $95.90 $80.90 and Fropper is just $85.90 $65.90.

The Okiedog universal parent handle, compatible with both Cheeky Chick, and Fropper, is sold separately, and can also be purchased from Amazing Toys for just $29.90.

Check the Amazing Toys Customer Service page for information on shipping charges to your state. Amazing toys ships internationally. Visit the Okiedog website for more pictures, videos and information on the Cheeky Chick and Fropper.

PS For parents of kids 7 – 12 years, you can drool over Okiedog’s G-Force Racer (picture below). It’s not available to buy in Australia as yet, but rest assured I’ll keep you posted