KidStyleFile

Written by Anna

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Thanks to the intuitive eye of proprietor (and fashionista extraordinaire)  Julie Lemmon, Cradle Rock – www.cradlerock.com.au -  has one of the most impressive collections of fine fashion for children you could ever lay your eyes on. With toys and accessories as well, you can not only ‘shop while the stars are out’ at this boutique, but shop like a star too!

Cradle Rock is throwing open it’s doors with a brilliant sale, with up to 40% off brands like Oobi, Rock Your Baby, Munster, Sudo, Rittenhouse, Minti, Little Horn, Cried Wolf and more. No code is needed; prices are as marked. In addition, your order will arrive beautifully gift wrapped free of charge, and if you spend $150+ your order will be shipped to you FREE within Australia.

I must admit I am jealous for those of you who can get to Cradle Rock’s  bricks-and-mortar store at 40 Stokes Street, Port Melbourne. Because you can visit Julie in her funky retail space and enjoy the Last One Left Cradle Rock Sale. **There are special $15 tubs where you can get up to 75% off the original price – wowee!** This is an in store sale only and not available online. To shop those tubs, head in to Cradle Rock between:

• 9am-4pm on Tuesday 27th, Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th and Friday 30th December
• and 9-2pm on the 31st December

Stay up with the latest happenings at Cradle Rock and to be added to their monthly $100.00 giveaway draw, sign up to the Cradle Rock newsletter by entering your details in the box at mid left of the Cradle Rock homepage.

1. Oobi Mia Layered Skirt – Sky Was $39.95 Now $29.95
2. Sudo Girls Butterfly Dress Was $74.95 Now $59.95
   
3. Minti Boys Cloud Face Burglar Tee – Green Stripe Was $44.95 Now $34.95
4. Munster Smudge Boardie $59.95
5. Oobi Party Dress – Apple Pop Was $49.95 Now $39.95
   
6. Bloch Betina Toddler Ballet Shoe – Red/White Was $79.95 Now $59.95
7. Little Horn Boys Dancing Dinos Tee Was $44.95 Now $34.95
8. Coco & Ginger Coco Cutwork Kaftan – Pink Was $74.95 Now $54.95
9. Minti Girls Lone Wolf Tee – Ballet/Hot Pink Was $44.95 Now $29.95
10. Sudo Girls Fabulous 50 Dress Was $84.95 Now $59.95
11. Munster T4T Crosseyed Boys Tee Was $39.95 Now $29.95
12. Rock Your Baby Boys Western Shirt Was $39.95 Now $29.95  
13. Rittenhouse Kids Dotty Boxy Tee – White Big Dot Was $59.95 Now $39.95

Cradle Rock stock from a rather extraordinary array of brands that include: Alex Toys, Automoblox, Baby Bloch & Bloch, Bholu, Blik Wall Graphics, Blink Designs, Boo Foo Woo, Boon, Brio Toys, Built NY, Cheeky Little Soles, Cocoon Couture, Crib Rock Couture, Cried Wolf, Crocodile Creek Cuddle Fish, David Fussenegger, Djeco, Dumpling Dynasty, Dwell Studios, eeBoo Toys, Egglings, Escapulario, Fish Lilly, Flash Harry, French Bull, Gaia Organic Cotton, Haba Toys, Infancy, Infantino, Itch Design, Jetti Spaghetti, Keiki Designs, Kenana Knitters, Kideko, Lark, Latitude Enfant, Little Alouette, Little Experience, Little Horn, Little Kitchen, Luna Gallery, Mae Fabric Wall Stickers, Mamas & Papas, Melissa & Doug Toys, (minimink), Mine Jeans by Kayla, Minti, Monkey Do, Monster Couture, Mudpuppy, Munster, Neat Oh by Zip Bin, Nest Nursery, Oobi Baby, Petunia Pickle Bottom, Playmobil, Pooki & Co, Purebaby, Quercetti Toys, Radio Flyer, Rittenhouse, RockYour Baby, Rosie Flo, Seedling, Sew Your Own, Silikids, Skip Hop, Sooki Baby, Sparkle T, Sparrow Kids,  Sukie, The Cheekeyes, The Little Experience, The Toy Workshop,  Tiger Tribe, Tiny Mammoth, Twiseted Twee, Wee Gallery, Wry Baby and Zen Baby.

Cradle Rock will ship anywhere in the world!  Australian domestic orders shipped via Australia Post with eParcel starting from $6.95. For international rates and full delivery information, please click here.

Written by Miki

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As part of our Christmas coverage this year we are sharing with you our own personal picks for our kids. Today we’re featuring Edwina’s picks. You can also read Dom’s picks, Anna’s picks, Melody’s picks, Jen’s picks and Edwina’s picks. Enjoy! – Ange

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I have two small boys – Master A who is four-and-a-half, and Master J who is two-and-a-quarter – both who are counting down the minutes until Santa comes down that chimney. This is the first year that Master A has really become excited and involved in the lead up to Christmas, and it’s so much fun!  We’ve been getting out our copy of The Night Before Christmas at bedtime most nights, we’re listening to Christmas music in the car and we’re having a blast decorating the house with all the glitter-and-macaroni bits and bobs he’s bringing home from kindy. We’re also going to be flying home to spend Christmas in Adelaide, my hometown, which we’re incredibly excited about as the boys haven’t spent any length of time there yet.

Below are the special treats they’ll be finding under our tree on Christmas morning – after all, they have been pretty good this year – and a few things they might get beforehand if they’re extra lucky, or if I need some extra help surviving the plane trip!

1. Trunki Kids Ride-On Suitcase – Bernard The Bee, $89.00 at Metro Mum
Master A received a Trunki as a special gift a couple of years ago, and his little brother is so envious that it’s time he received one of his own. We have a 4.5 hour flight to get to our destination for Christmas, so this one will be an early gift.

2. Cheetah Dragon 16″ Boys Bike, $179.00 at The Bicycle Store
Master A is ready to graduate from his balance bike to a ‘big boy’s bike’ with pedals. This one has ticks in all the boxes: training wheels, tick! price tag, tick! handlebar streamers (because why should girls get all the fun?), tick!

3. ooMoo F1 Balance Bike, $165.00 at Metro Mum
As Master A moves up to a big new bike, so Master J will be wanting to move up from his little scoot-along trike as well. His brother’s old balance bike has seen better days, but I know this racy red option will suit him down to the ground.

4. Lego Volkswagon T1 Campervan, $169.99 at Lego Online Store
Seriously, who doesn’t love Lego? Master A will get a massive kick out of this camper, but I think the biggest smile when this box gets opened will be on the face of his dad!

5. Playmobil Super Set – Construction, $59.95 at Cradle Rock
We already have a few Playmobil toys and they’re absolutely brilliant – detailed, robust and designed with all sorts of clever little tricks. The boys will both have a brilliant time playing with this set, which will then live permanently at their grandparents’ house to be played with on visits.

6. Seedling ‘Design Your Own Box Kite’ Set, $36.95 at Design Child
This will be a great gift to be stashed until the school holidays seem to be dragging, at which point we’ll pull it out of the cupboard and have a fun day creating and flying!

7 & 8. Toshi Cotton Sunhat With Toggle – Safari, $33.95; Toshi Cotton Sunhat With Toggle – Surfing, $33.95 at Baby’s Got Style
The boys both need new sun hats, and these ones from Toshi are both practical and gorgeous.

9. Anamalz Crocodile, $9.95 at Ekidna Kidswear
The Anamalz toys make for fantastic stocking stuffers – the boys have one each already, which are proudly displayed on their bedside tables. I think they’d love to start adding to the collection.

10. Djeco Beasts Stickers, $4.95 at Where Did You Get That?
Djeco sticker packs are incredibly good value, and with a price this low they’re brilliant for shoving into stockings. I might even give them this pack before Christmas to help amuse them on the plane.

11. Books To Wear ‘My Shark’ PJs, $36.95 at Little Styles
We have a family tradition of all receiving a new pair of PJs on Christmas Eve (yes, Mum & Dad too) and these ones will be spot on for Master A…

12. Marquise Print PJs – Balloons, $32.95 at Little Styles
…while these ones will be perfect for Master J.

13. ‘Tails’ by Matthew Van Fleet (hardback), $14.67 at Book Depository
Matthew Van Fleet’s tactile, interactive books are absolutely brilliant for toddlers and young preschoolers. I can’t wait to read this one to him.

14. ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ by Enid Blyton (hardback), $9.88 at Book Depository
A childhood favourite of mine, it’s going to be so much fun settling in to read chapters to Master A at bedtime. This present might almost be more for me than it is for him!

15. Lilly & Lolly Scoop Bunkbed, $3,250.00 at The Little Kidz Closet
Okay, so this one is really a wish list item rather than something that will actually be under (beside?) our tree on Christmas morning. But isn’t it stunning? The boys are outgrowing their little IKEA beds, so I’ll need to look at getting them something like this before much longer – hint hint Santa!

PS: The background for today’s post comes from Bosco Bear who are making fabulous Christmas wall decals. What a great way to dress up your walls for the festive season!

Please check individual stores for shipping costs. Also make sure you read the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Post written by Miki

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As the final in our series of price-range Christmas gift guides, today I’m looking at the ‘big ticket items’, those items costing upwards of $100.  Some of these items might be wish list pieces, while others are more attainable.  Either way, enjoy the collection of twenty superb items guaranteed to light up any kid’s face on Christmas morning.

My two-year-old would think all his dreams had come true if he found a BIG Bobby Benz under the tree, while his older brother might be more interested in a Radio Flyer Dual Deck Red Flyer Tricycle, and I know they’d both love a Teepee from An Angel At My Table. Angela tells me that the Marble Sounding Tree is absolutely amazing – her family has one, and her daughters have had endless fun making beautiful music with it. Plus how incredibly stylish is this Janod Chic Maxi Kitchen? Boys and girls alike would have an amazing time cooking up a storm with that.

Have yourselves a merry little Christmas and enjoy all the amazing choices on offer.

1. Lilly & Lolly Child’s Desk, Toybox & Stool Set, $650.00 at The Little Kidz Closet
2. Marble Sounding Tree – Large, $136.00 at Honeybee  Toys
3. Le Toy Van Lily’s Cottage, $149.95 $144.95 at Where Did You Get That?
4. Jack’s Cubby House, $999.00 at Hip Kids
5. Classic Red Racing Car Rocker, $595.00 at Monty And Franks
6. Radio Flyer Dual Deck Red Flyer Tricycle, $154.95 at Just Toy’n Around
7. ooMoo Kids Leggy Table & Chairs, $180.00 at Mini Chatterbox
8. Little Polly Rocking Horse, $595.00 at Monty And Franks Designer Toy Co
9. IVI Interactive Play Rug – Farm, $299.95 at The Little Kidz Closet
10. KidKraft Fun Explorers Rocket Ship Playset, $199.00 at The Little Kidz Closet
11. An Angel At My Table Navy Stripe Teepee, $219.95 at Shop For Tots
12. Solvej Swing by Holmsater, $220.00 at Look Mummy
13. Micki Wooden Pram With Hood, $118.95 at Baby’s Got Style
14. Janod Chic Maxi Kitchen – Brown, $170.00 at Lime Tree Kids
15. BIG Bobby Benz, $220.00 $198.00 at Metro Mum
16. Lundy Stockholm Dollshouse, $189.95 at Cradle Rock
17. Wishbone Balance Bike – Apple A Day Special Edition, $299.00 at Metro Mum
18. Left Hand Make Small One Tables & Chairs, $510.00 at The Little Kidz Closet 
19. Janod DIY Trolley With Magnetic Tools, $129.00 at Lime Tree Kids 
20. Silver Cross Chatsworth Doll’s Pram – Red Poppy, $999.00 at Silver Cross Online Store
21. The Magic Klorifil Tree, $195.00 at The Infant Boutique (yes I know it’s cheating to have 21 items, but I couldn’t resist this one!)

Please check individual stores for shipping costs. Also make sure you read the KidStyleFile’s All Current Deals page to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Written by Edwina

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As part of our Christmas coverage this year we are sharing with you our own personal picks for our kids. Today we’re featuring Edwina’s picks. You can also read Dom’s picks, Anna’s picks, Melody’s picks and Jen’s picks. Enjoy! – Ange

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Edwina, Sacha 7, Finley 4 and Luka 10

Christmas is a wonderful time of year and we love to decorate, entertain and share the good tidings with our family and friends. When I am searching for gifts for my boys I try to balance some outdoor toys to enjoy over the Summer with some crafty fun and puzzles for indoor evenings or quiet time. Even though they are getting older, they still like to share a bath occasionally and some bath toys are always fun, especially if it involves squirting your brothers.

1. Hanno the Gorilla $130 from Miles Mason Trading Company
Hanno is designed by David Weeks for Areaware. He is made from sustainable beech wood and and can hold many poses. He reminds me of a Godzilla and will hopefully become a classic that will withstand generations of play.

2. Zoologic Puzzle $13.40 from Venucci
We love puzzles and the animals in this one can double as a your own zoo friends. 2 games in 1, perfecto!

3. Stickers Mouk for Boys $4.00 from French Bazaar
Set of 60 stickers inspired from the book “Around the World with Mouk”, because who doesn’t love cool stickers.

4. Piperoid Paper Pipe Robots $22.50 from Miles Mason Trading Company
Piperoid is a Japanese company who designs and manufactures paper pipe robots.  Easy to assemble with clear instructions, simply cut and fold, and once assembled, you can pose them with small adjustments of their movable joints. My oldest boy loves origami, and I know he will love these too. Plus they are super cool looking, love at first sight.

5. Happy Giddy Bug House $18.95 from Shop For Tots
Boys + Bugs = Happy Giddy Boys House.

6. Makedo Find and Make Robot $14.95 from Kindred Gifts
What I love about this craft kit is that it is really a tool box for creativity. It also encourages thinking about design and encourages recycling and reusing objects for fun and creative pursuits. The constituent pieces can be reused over and over to create an evolution of box robots, until they take over the house, perhaps?

7. Boon Creature Bath Toy Cup Set $19.95 from Cradle Rock
Anything to encourage a bath! Seriously great stocking stuffer and all round watery fun!

8. Boon – Splat $19.95 from Look Mummy
See above, but add a little competition Ring Toss into the mix.

9. Starkick Soccer Trainer $19.95 from Cradle Rock
We *heart* Soccer, so this will go down very well and I love to encourage skill development especially when it happens *outside*.

10. All Terrain Balance Bike $99.95 from Design Child
My youngest is nearly ready for a big bike, so this will be just the thing to get his balance and confidence developed. He loves chasing his bigger brothers so hopefully he will enjoy this all terrain set of wheels.

Please check individual stores for shipping costs. Also make sure you read the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Post written by Miki

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To continue our Gift Guide Series, today I’m looking at gifts in the $50 to $100 price range.  It’s an excellent price bracket for buying something a little bit special for the boy or girl in your life who has tried extra hard to be good all year (a few whacks in the direction of his/her brother or sister notwithstanding); and there some amazing choices available.

The Cloud Bookcase pictured at #4 below would look beautiful in a nursery – fill it with new or secondhand books for your baby to enjoy to create a truly amazing gift. I’ve also included the Wheely Bug in the babies’ gifts section, because although it’s technically for 12+ months, my youngest child started playing with his brother’s Wheely Bug from about 4 months old, and loved it more than anything else we had – he’d grab at the wobbly antennae, kneel up while holding onto it, push it along like a walking trolley and so on. I’m also enamoured of the TrayKit which I think might be exactly what my boys need to help us all survive the long car trip we’re planning early in the New Year; and for little girls the Bobbi Sunshine Ruffled Daisy Swimsuit is simply too sweet for words. I am cheating by mentioning an extra product in addition to my top 20, but I also think this Stephen Joseph Backpack/Lunchbag Set is adorable and great value, and it comes in several other designs if farmyards aren’t your thing.

Keep reading to see my top twenty picks (in no particular order) for gifts in this price range, loosely grouped into products for babies, boys and girls.

Babies
1. Boon Frog Pod, $69.95 at Ekidna Kids
2. Wheely Bug – Bee (small), $85.95 at Shop For Tots
3. Cloudb Sleep Sheep, $59.95 at Billy Lids
4. My Escape Cloud Bookcase, $59.95 at The Little Kidz Closet
5. Groovie Math Blocks, $74.00 $55.50 at Cornflower Blue
6. Woolly Wugs Summer Sleeping Bag – Red, $59.95 at Stylish Kiddish

Boys
7. Stuck On You Designer Value Pack of Labels, $59.95 at Stuck On You
8. TrayKit – Kids Travel Tray & Backpack, $54.95 at Haggus & Stookles
9. Monster Couture Beanbag – Captain Shaggy Red, $99.95 at Little Styles
10. Playmobil T-Rex With Raptors, $79.95 at Cradle Rock
11. It’s A Clock Educational Children’s Clock – Bubble Boy, $89.00 at Metro Mum
12. Trunki Ride On Suitcase – Freddie Fire Engine, $89.00 $80.10 at Metro Mum
13. All Terrain Balance Bike, $99.95 at Design Child

Girls
14. Pink Swan Tutu, $60.00 at Little Red Love Buttons
15. Language Littlies Bilingual Doll – French/English, $69.00 at Ekidna Kids
16. Scruffy Dog Bonnie Silver Sandal, $52.95 at Tiny Steps
17. Mooo Personalised Backpack, $69.95 at Mooo Online Store
18. Bobbi Sunshine Ruffled Daisy Swimsuit, $54.95 at Baby’s Got Style
19. Green Toys Eco Friendly Cookware & Dining Set, $74.00 at Metro Mum
20. Enchanted Animals Wall Stickers, $79.95 at My Munchkin Home 

Please check individual stores for shipping costs. Also make sure you read the KidStyleFile’s All Current Deals page to be sure you’re getting the best deal.

Written by Jen

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I’ll admit that I much prefer shopping for my kids than myself. When their wardrobes need some TLC, you’ll always find me online, where it’s calm and quiet with zero chance of tantrums.  As a constant hunter for all things hip, the selection of super cool duds is most certainly on the up. Australian stores are hearing our call, and finally the boys are getting a piece of some well earned stylish action.

This season, our little demons are pulling off their pullovers and getting back into boardies. You’ll see lots of ocean blues, minty greens and accents of black mixed with soft greys and hard edged graphics. Retro prints and old school illustration make a comeback thanks to Baobab and Mister Mista, while geometry is also loud and proud, with Munster and Katvig having fun with daring stripes.

If I was allowed a favourite, I’d probably have to say Minti. I just love the classic basics mixed with vivid t-shirts and cool pants. However, as the weather warms up, we must also remember to keep our kids sun protected. On that note, don’t forget that Agoo are giving away a free pair of Kidz Banz sunnies while stocks last until 30 September 2011, when you buy one of their 50+UV protected shirts. Now isn’t that’s a great incentive to slip, slop, slap?!

one: Oobi Marshall Sleeveless Hoodie in Blue $39.95 at Shophouse
two: Baobab Bike Family Tee in Blue $39.95 at Baobab
three:  Kutie Protocol Olive and Popeye Jeans $79.95 at Little Pinwheel
four: Minti Spinning Record Tee in Red $39.95 at Cradle Rock
five: Minti Check Boardies in black $44.95 at Cradle Rock
six: Mister Mista Hang Loose Hoody $59.95 at Mister Mista
seven: Agoo Journey Tee with Denim Graffiti $38.00 PLUS free pair sunglasses valued at $24.95, while stocks last until 30 Sept 2011
eight: Bobo Choses Moon Tea in Blue $55.00 at Charlie’s Bucket
nine: Munster Mosaic Boardies $54.95 at Cradle Rock
ten: Eeni Meeni Miini Moh Herringbone T-shirt in Clover $51.00 at Eeni Meeni Miini Moh
eleven: Katvig Organic Pirate Pants $53.95 at Baby Goes Retro
twelve: Fore!! Axel & Hudson Tic Tac Toe Polo US$27.80 at Little King Boutique

Please check individual stores for postage and delivery information to your location.