KidStyleFile

Today, Miki brings us some great tips on how to make your kids party a stunning success.

You can get all your party supplies from the well stocked online stores below, so there’s no need to rush all over town; instead, sit back, relax, and shop in style from home (you’ll save money, too!)

This post is inspired by KidStyleFile reader Vanessa

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Is there anything more fun than a kid’s party? The fairy bread, the silly games, the excited kids (and parents!), the fairy bread, Pass The Parcel, blowing out candles, the cool decorations and did I mention the fairy bread?

It’s actually incredibly easy to organise and run a kids party these days – just ask Angela and I as we’ve both recently done it and survived to tell the tale.

First thing to think of is occasion. Birthday is the most common, but there are also Christening and Baptism days and plenty of other reasons to hold a party.

Next is to decide whether you want a theme, and how elaborate you want that theme to be. Is everything to be in keeping with your circus theme or do you just want the colours to more or less complement each other?

If you need some help with themes, have a look at the great range of ideas at Hullabaloo Parties – www.hullabalooparties.com.au, Smarty Party – www.smartyparty.net.au and Kids Gift List – www.kidsgiftlist.com.au. There’s guaranteed to be something there that’ll get you started!

Invitations are a great way to get all your guests excited about the party too. There’s such a massive range of invitations out there, but make sure you check out the ranges from Poppies For Grace (exquisite!), Imprintables (another of my favourites), Smarty Party, Kids Gift List, Mummy’s Favourite, Gifts4Kidz, and plenty more out there.

Now think about how many people – both kids and adults – you’ll be inviting and make sure you have enough crockery, cutlery, glassware and, of course, food for them all! Smarty Party makes life very easy by offering packages which you can tailor to the number of guests.

On to the really fun stuff: decorations!

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box here. Angela used gorgeous paper lanterns from ChinaTown – www.chinatown.com.au – to decorate her garden for her girls’ birthday party. These are an incredibly cost effective decoration option, and they look so happy and festive.

Also, have a think about table runners and/or table scatters, streamers, balloons of course and banners. Browse around through the links provided in this post and I can guarantee you’ll find something you love. Smarty Party in particular have a fantastic range of balloons, both plain & printed and packages.

Lastly, the bit that all the kids look for: the party bags. A couple of lollies is usually plenty, and that leaves you plenty of room to include some of the adorable (and very cost effective) toys shown in the image collage below.

Not only will the kids have a lasting and very cool keepsake from the party, the parents will thank you for not sending their kids home sugared up to the max! Urban Child and Kids Gift List both have an excellent range to choose from – and as for the bags themselves, we love the ones from Poppies For Grace.

From top left in rows:

‘Bug In A Nut’, $1.10 ea from Hullabaloo Parties
Personalised Stamp, $45.00 including coloured ink pad from Imprintables (these are both a great gift idea and a neat way of making personalised envelopes, cards, gift-wrap, you name it!)
Wooden Spinning Top, $1.20 from Urban Child
‘Birthday Sweets’ Lolly Bag, $12.95 for pack of 15 from Poppies For Grace
Animal Castanets, $2.95 from Urban Child
Zoo Table Runner, $3.00 per metre from Smarty Party
‘Hip Hip Hooray’ invitation set, $22.95 for 15 invitations and 15 button envelopes from Poppies For Grace
Lion Bookmark, $1.95 $1.65* from Kids Gift List
‘Cowboy’ invitation set, $26.95 including 15 invitations, 15 button envelopes and 15 matching magnets from Poppies For Grace
Large Crocodile Magnet, $2.95 $2.50* from Kids Gift List
Pink Butterflies invitation, $4.00 per set for invitation, matching envelope and thank you tag, from Imprintables
HP Royal Whistle, $2.95 from Hullabaloo Parties
DragonFly Baptism Invitation, $4.00 per set including invitation, envelope and thank you tag, from Imprintables
Collapsible Paper Lanterns, $39.95 $24.95 for a pack of 24 (amazing value!)
Yellow Loot Pail, $1.00 ea from Hullabaloo Parties

Please check individual stores for shipping details.

*Discount shown is using the Shop 4 Kids magazine code. Email Angela if you don’t have a copy of the mag, and need the code.

Today I want to introduce you to some fine established and up-and-coming Australian baby and kids product designers.

These talented and individuals pour their heart and soul into their work, resulting in the most wonderful artifacts that truly capture the magic of childhood.

I also want to send out a big shout out to everyone who is inspired to create and bring what you imagine to life. However young or old you are, or big or small your enterprise, your passion represents a positivity, individuality and diversity in the world that burns bright.

Vive the independent designer!

Below, view my multimedia presentation of 10 Australian designers (Chalk ‘n’ Cheese, Paper Wings, mill&mia, Red Thread Designs, Imprintables, Quinn Macool, Look at the Wall, Red Wagon, Miss Haidee, Evie LaLa).

There is music, so turn it up

Get inspired with this directory of resources that will lead you to a bevy of unique and boutique Australian baby and kids designers showcasing their talent locally and internationally.

On your doorstep

• Hope Street Markets, Sydney (www.hopestreetsmarkets.com)
• Magnolia Square, Melbourne (www.magnoliasquare.com.au)
• Mothers Market, Hobart (hobartmothersmarket.blogspot.com)
• South Bank Lifestyle Market, Brisbane (www.southbankmarket.com.au)

Online & around the world

• Made It – Australian independent designers selling online (www.madeit.com.au)
• Bubble – The Kids Trade Show (www.bubbletradeshows.com)
• Playtime Paris – The International tradeshow dedicated to children’s universe and maternity wear (www.playtimeparis.com)
• Life inSTYLE/ Kids inSTYLE tradeshow, Australia (www.lifeinstyle.com.au)

Pick up the current issue of My Child magazine, and turn to page 12, to read my Trend Watch article on independent designers. 

This weekend, Miki delves into some of the finest decor and accessory products available for babies, kids and mamas. Today, plan your child’s birthday party, shop for winter footwear, find the perfect present, or indulge in some retail therapy just for you!!

Pop in tomorrow for Part two of this Special Weekend Feature.

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Giggle ‘n’ Groove
I have a problem with Giggle ‘n’ Groove www.gigglengroove.com: there’s just too much that I want! And it’s all so perfect for presents too, but how on earth do you give it away?

I’ve yet to meet the little girl who wouldn’t go gaga over the GNG Princess Charm bracelet. It’s so feminine and sweet, and yet not too much, just in the right quantities. Mums don’t miss out either – there’s a fab selection of earrings and other ‘mum’ jewels, and don’t miss the hair section (what I’m really coveting is the ponytail clip pictured below).

And if your boy has yet to discover the manly joys of wearing bling, fear not! G’n’G have name bracelets for boys that are funky and, yes, masculine too. The G ‘n’ G jewels are handcrafted and beautiful quality – see Angela’s post on how much she loves her Giggle ‘n’ Groove purchases.

Great gift ideas, so even (or especially!) if it’s a gift for yourself, go nuts with my blessing And don’t forget to use the special code in this month’s My Child magazine to receive a free pair of Classic Bows with your order!

Clockwise from top left:
Boys name bracelet, starting from $50
Millefiori earrings, $9
Cats Eye ponytail clip, $12
Princess charm bracelet, $65

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Betts Kids
I’m a long-time devotee of Betts Kids www.bettskids.com.au. Almost all my shoes came from then-Betts & Betts when I was little, and now my family is into the second generation to wear Betts kids shoes. Betts Kids have their lovely shiny new website up and running now, so it’s easier than ever to get great quality shoes for little feet.

While my little munchkin is still in pre-walkers, I do love to nosy around the ‘big kids’ section, and there’s plenty to nosy at here, believe me. Actually, don’t believe me – go and look for yourself! There’s a huge range of all sorts of kids shoes; school shoes of course, but also casual and dressy and sporty… not to mention the rather fabulous gumboots pictured below and some very cute slippers too. You’ll never have to wrestle your toddler or child through a shoe fitting in a store ever again!

Betts Kids have FREE SHIPPING AND RETURNS on orders of $69.95 or more until 8 June, and don’t forget to enter their competition to win one of five Little Chipipi wall sticker sets! See here for more details.

Clockwise from top left:
Attitude by Patrick, $49.99
Alyssa I by Osh Kosh, $59.99
L. Token by Pepper, from $20
Sweet Heart by Bb Kids, $24.99
Total.S by dakota, $74.95 $37.49
Jolly Roger by Bb Kids, $24.99.

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Imprintables
If you’re looking for cool stationery then go no further than Imprintables www.imprintables.com.au. For invitations themed for pyjama parties to pool parties, from garden parties to baby showers, there really is something for everyone here, not to mention plenty of stylish generic invitations. My son’s first birthday is coming up and I’m torn between ‘roaring birthday party’ and the vintage-inspired ‘pinwheel’. And have a look at the adorable ‘icecream’ invitation for a little girl’s party!

I also think that the playdate invitations are such a great idea. Playdates are a wonderful way for kids to cement both new friendships and old, not to mention allowing the mums to get to know each other too! There are three different designs and each pack of five includes the invitations, envelopes and seals.

Roaring birthday party invitation and Icecream invitation, $4 per set + $20 set-up fee (set includes invitation, printed envelope and thank you tag)
Paper plane play date invitations and Bobbin stick play date invitations; $15 for a set of five, includes invitations, envelopes and seals.

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Mummy’s Favourite
Here’s a site which we have recently discovered at KidStyleFile: the incredibly beautiful Mummy’s Favourite www.mummysfavourite.com.au. I’m going to break with KSF tradition in this segment and show you accessories for gorgeous Mummies rather than kids, because why should the kids get all the good stuff? (Just so you know, though, Mummy’s Favourite do have loads for the littlies, including toys and decor from two of my favourite brands, Oobi and Alimrose – check ‘em out.)

So if you have the post-Mothers Day blues and need a little pick-me-up, browse through the huge range here. Whether you want beauty products to pamper yourself with or an accessory for taking out and about or putting on your desk at work, you won’t be disappointed.

Clockwise from top left:
Willow and Finch heat pack, $24.95
Apogee address book, $64.00
Primo yummy mummy coffee mug, $9.95
MOR cosmetics peony lip silk, $21.95
Pratten eel skin wallet shown in ‘powder’, $55.00, available in eight colours.

Please check individual sites for shipping details.

As a child I was enthralled by stationery. The different designs, textures (and, in some cases, smells!) were so tantalising.

My sister and I used our stationery as swap cards, exchanging pieces to build each of our collections. On auspicious occasions, I would use the pieces for their intended purpose: writing to friends, and expressing thanks for gifts received.

Of course, I love to receive letters too. I get a little thrill of anticipation, each time I open the letterbox (shopping online makes this experience a frequently rewarding one!)

In recent years, my kids have provided me with regular opportunities to indulge in the pursuit of great stationery.

Imprintables – www.imprintables.com.au – have some of the most exquisite hand-made stationery I have seen. Look at the personalised note-cards Nathalie at Imprintables made for my girls:

Each personalised set consists of 12 note-cards, with co-ordinating envelopes and seals ($35.00 including the $10.00 set-up fee). There are 8 designs to choose from to suit boys and girls. A truly classy gift idea!

Imprintables also produce a stylish, simple and fun selection of an extensive selection of birth announcements, baptism and Christening invitations, party invitations for grown-ups and littlies, and even wedding invitations. Best of all your event details will be personalised on the invitation!

If you cannot find anything in the current designs that fits the bill for you, Nathalie at Imprintables can create bespoke stationery exclusively for your event. Perfect!

Clockwise, from top left:

Gelato Thank You Cards (set of 5) – $20.00
Vintage Car Birthday Invitation (personalised notecard, matching envelope and thank you tag) $4.00 per unit plus $20.00 set up fee
Daisy Baptism Invitation (personalised notecard, matching envelope and thank you tag) $4.00 per unit plus $20.00 set up fee
Baby Face Birth Announcement (personalised announcement card and matching envelope) $4.00 per unit plus $20.00 set up fee

Imprintables are offering two special deals to KidStyleFile readers until June 30:

1. Receive complimentary Party Favour bags with any order of Personalised Invitations
2. Complimentary gift with any Personalised Stationery set

Please note that orders are processed via email correspondence. When details and quantities are confirmed then Nathalie provides you with credit card and direct deposit payment options.

To receive your free gift with purchase be sure to enter KIDSTYLEFILE when you email your order to Nathalie.

Postage costs are determined by order size. Contact Nathalie for further information.