KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Miki

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Modern Cloth Nappies (MCNs) are becoming more and more popular as parents start to look for sustainable and easy to use options rather than disposables.

While the good ol’ flat white squares of cotton are still a viable option, the new breed of MCNs require no folding, are less bulky, don’t involve scary pins and – let’s face it – just so much more attractive!  Have a look at some of the beautiful options below and you’ll see what I mean.

There are multitudes of options when it comes to MCNs, and without all the information it can seem quite confusing.  There is an excellent and easy-to-read guide explaining the different sorts here at Oz Cloth Nappies which I recommend reading.  Each brand of MCN is different though, so make sure you read carefully on each manufacturer’s website to make an informed decision about which is the best for your needs.

Here are just a very few of the most popular:

bumGenius!

Nappies from bumGenius! – www.bumgenius.com.au – come in two varieties.

The All In One (AIO) cloth nappy, which has won industry awards for being so easy to use (put it on the baby, wash dry, put it on the baby again – no folding or extra bits to add in at all).  These nappies are sized from XS for a newborn to L for a toddler/preschooler.

The One Size 3.0 cloth nappy is new and improved and, as the name suggests, is one size fits all from newborn to preschooler.  It comes with two inserts to adjust the size, and is one of the most popular MCNs world-wide.

Itti Bitti

Itti Bitti nappies – www.ittibitti.com.au – are becoming hugely popular. In fact they have their own Facebook page with nearly 450 fans at last count!

Itti Bittis come in three varities:

• Classic Snap AIOs which are designed to be ultra trim, and thus fit like a disposable nappy under clothes.  They’re sized to fit babies from about six months up to 1 year (size M) and 1 to 3 years (L).
• The Bitti D’Lish which features a soft waterproof outer layer, a stay-dry inner of suedecloth and optional snap-in or sewn in soaker pads. The Bitti D’Lish is sized S to L.
• The Bitti Boo which has an outer layer of polycotton velour, inner layers of cotton and bamboo and snap-in hemp boosters (which are topped with bamboo velour to make them soft on the baby’s bottom).

Green Kids

Green Kids nappies – www.greenkids.com.au – are an Australian-designed and made option which are renown for their ease of use and – I have it on good authority – their Minkytimes and Anytimes nappies are meant to be some of the best on the market for overnight.  All Green Kids nappies require absorbant inserts which are sold separately.

Green Kids nappies come in three varieties:

• ‘Anytimes’ nappies are the most versatile of the Green Kids range, and can be used overnight.  They have a waterproof outer layer and a stay-dry inner layer.
• ‘Funtimes’ nappies are designed for daytime use only and feature some great prints (see the image above to get an idea).  They’re great for showing off – the nappy, a singlet and your baby is all set for a summer’s day.
• ‘Minkytimes’ nappies can also be used day or night, and have a lovely soft Minky outer layer, and inner layers of waterproof PUL and soft suedecloth. They have plain colours and some great prints!

Mini La La

Carli, who runs one of my favourite online stores La La Baby, now also has her own line of MCNs which are rapidly gaining in popularity, so much so that she has had to stop taking orders for the time being.  She’s expecting to start again in the next couple of weeks though, so keep an eye on the site: Mini La La – www.minilala.com.au.

Mini La La nappies come in OSFM (one size fits most) pocket nappies – add bamboo or microfibre inserts, and sized nappies (S, M & L) which are an AIO design.

I’m told by a happy customer that Carli’s nappies are beautifully designed for a great fit and – the best thing! – come in the most delicious designer fabrics!  Although they’re a boutique nappy at this point, watch for them to grow rapidly in popularity once Carli is ready to take orders again.

Please see individual sites for stockists, prices and postage details.

Today, Miki reports on some fabulous footwear finds. It’s wonderful to know that funky and fashionable can meet, with baby and kids shoe designers producing shoes that not only look superb, but support healthy foot development. With kid’s feet constantly growing, you get the chance to have a bit of fun with choosing designs, and to make it even more fun, you can snap up some bargains here. Enjoy the weekend!

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It’s well known these days how important it is to buy quality footwear for children.  The better brands of children’s shoe are designed to ensure that the little feet they protect grow and develop properly, so it’s a vital investment to make on behalf of your kids.

Luckily for us, there’s a great range online, and they aren’t just ergonomically designed, they’re extremely cute to boot! (Te he )

Here are some of our favourites:

Run by unashamed shoe fanatic Fiona, Tiny Steps - www.tinysteps.com.au is shoe heaven for toddlers! With a fabulous range of shoes for newborns through to two years, and it’s good to know that she only stocks shoes which encourage proper foot development in babies and toddlers.

Stocking brands such as Pediped, Pedoodles, diddledumpling, ShooShoos and Kinder Klobber to name but a few, you can’t help but find something perfect for your little one here.

Personally I’m eyeing off the Pediped shoes for my little guy – the hard part is choosing which ones!

From top left in rows: 

Pedoodles Flower Power $48.95
diddledumpling Snail Bootie $39.95
Pediped Tyler Navy $42.95
BlaBla Ladybug Booties $27.95

If you, like so many others – including our Ange -, are a big fan of fabulous US shoe brand Morgan & Milo then head straight to Charlipop Kids – www.charlipopkids.com.au.

Great for active kids, these are not only hard wearing but gorgeous to look at too!  Fresh, fun and sporty designs which are perfect for everyday use while still being a bit special.

The Morgan & Milo emphasis is on the fit, comfort and practical detailing, so these shoes are a winner anyway you look at it.

Don’t forget that you can get 10% off at Charlipop Kids Designer (yes, including Morgan & Milo) until 30 September!  Enter ‘KSF’ at checkout.

From top left in rows:

Morgan & Milo Avril Mary Jane Red Madras Patchwork Plaid $29.00  $26.10
Morgan & Milo Matilda Capri Blue Flower Print $29.00 $26.10
Morgan & Milo Gumboots Lou Lou Spots $45.00  $40.50
Morgan & Milo Libby Skimmer Olive Pinky $29.00  $26.10

Oh, how I love the collection of shoes at Buckets & Spades – www.bucketsandspades.com.au!  A great range of brands are there, including the delightfully frivolous (but somehow still practical) Lelli Kelly maryjanes and boots, Diesel sneakers, Fred Bare sandals, Agatha Ruiz De La Prada, Bimbi and the gorgeous Garvalin. My personal favourite, though, is Tip Toey Joey – adorable!!

Make sure you have a look at the extremely well-stocked Shoe Specials section at Buckets & Spades too!  That’s a great way to get premium quality shoes for the kids at big discounts.  And if there’s something in the full priced section that you adore, use the Shop 4 Kids discount code to take 10% off the price.  Just a tip.

No links provided here as Buckets & Spades is a frames-based site.  Use the search function to find anything you want, or just select the ‘Shoes’ link on the homepage.
From top left in rows:

Discounts below show the 10% Shop4Kids discount off full-priced items.

Tip Toey Joey Wavey 030 K – Olive/Charcoal $49.50 $44.55
Agatha Ruiz De La Prada Shoes Abadia $139.00  $125.10
Lelli Kelly Papavero Mid $99.00  $89.10
Diesel Parawil $125.00 – $140.00 $112.50 – $125.00 depending on size.

If Fair Trade is important to you (and it is to me) then Skeanie – www.skeanie.com should be your first choice for pre-walker and toddler shoes.

Made from soft, high quality leather uppers and designed to be non-slip for both walkers and crawlers, these little shoes are just adorable.  I also love the toddler boots and shoes – perfect for a little person who is determined to be a big person and wants the boots to prove it!

The baby shoes make ideal baby shower/new baby gifts, so take advantage of the Skeanie FREE giftwrapping service!

From top left in rows: 

Red Boots $39.95
Black Leather Toddler Boots $49.95  $39.95
Pink Sandals $29.95
Green Sneakers $29.95

La-La Baby – www.lalababy.com.au – make the most adorable slippers, which are super soft cotton and wool felt, guaranteed to keep baby’s toes snuggly and warm.  These are the perfect baby shower present and they’re so affordable that you don’t have to stop at one pair!

La La Baby also stock Chookleaf shoes designed for kids aged 9 months up, with lovely soft leather and bright, fun designs (for pics, see below).

Ten Sticky Fingers – www.tenstickyfingers.com.au – stock the most exquisite little booties made by mother & daughter team Red Thread Designs.  These booties are handmade using only the finest materials and the cutest little buttons, and no two booties are alike.  These booties are also heavily discounted at the moment to make way for new stock coming. Couture booties on the cheap: I love it!

From top left in rows: 

La La Baby Apple Soft Baby Slippers $18.95
Red Thread Designs ‘Little Pink Duck’ Booties $19.50  $11.90
Red Thread Designs Citrus Tart Slippers $19.50  $11.90
Chookleaf Tan Loafers at La-La Baby $54.95  $47.95

Please check individual sites for postage details.

A new baby coming into the world is a very special event, and one to celebrate with jubilation. Prepare for the imminent arrival with a baby shower filled with love, and some very special gifts. Today, Miki shares a few of her favourite picks for baby shower pressies.

Today’s post was inspired by KidStyleFile reader Tina

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If there’s one party I love going to every time it’s a baby shower.

There’s something about getting a gaggle of women together to cluck over the expectant mum, eat yummy nibbles and goo and ga over teeny tiny baby clothes and sweet little toys.

I also love choosing the gift to take. These days, of course, I don’t have to rush around every baby store in town to try to find the perfect gift because we have a plethora of beautiful baby boutiques at our fingertips online. Makes everything so much easier!

Now, in choosing what to give the ‘mum to be’ I have a few guidelines which I try to abide by.

The first applies to baby clothing, and it is simply to think about what season it’s going to be when the baby is most likely to fit into the outfit. A woolly hat and jumper in newborn size isn’t going to get as much use if the baby is due in January, so it might be better to go for a lightweight romper and cool muslin wrap.

I also try to get at least some baby clothes in a size bigger than newborn. In my experience, everyone gives exquisite, adorable, minuscule newborn sized clothes, but babies grow so fast that they don’t get a chance to wear all these beautiful pieces more than once or twice. Sizes 00 (3-6 months) or 0 (6-12 months) tend to get much more wear, and it’s lovely to have something there for the baby to grow into.

Next, I always try to get something for the mum as well. The baby shower is a great time to pamper mum as once bubs arrives all the attention will be on the little one! Some luscious skin products (there are some gorgeous ones featured below) or yummy chocolates will go down a treat.

Now what about if you’re the one organising the baby shower?

Well, first thing to think about are the games to play! Mummy’s Favourite – www.mummysfavourite.com.au – have a great list of baby shower games at the bottom of their ‘baby shower gifts’ category.

Then just make sure you have delicious, healthy nibbles and some funky invites to send out (I love the range of invitations at La La Baby – www.lalababy.com.au).

Before you know it you’ll be ready to go!

Here are some of my favourite gifts to take to baby showers:

ISOKI Petite Traveller – Zanzibar, $39.95 $33.95 from Ekidna Kids*
Pure Baby Puff Sleeve Bodysuit – Watermelon Stripe, $29.95 $13.95 from Urban Child (also available in Kiwi Stripe)
Grey Owl Applique Baby Romper, $21.95 from La La Baby**
Belli Pregnancy Gift Box, $84.95 from Urban Child
‘That’s Not My Tractor’ Touchy Feely Book, $14.95 from La La Baby**
Britt Design Twinkle Gift Boxed Set, $49.95 $42.45 from La Toriana*
Cuddle Mouse, $64.95 $55.20 from Kids Gift List*
i candy ‘nobody puts baby in a corner’ tee, $27.95 $23.75 from La Toriana*
aden + anais Muslin Wraps, $54.95 $41.21 for a pack of 4, from Pastel Pink***
The Hip Infant Basics Nightie – Scarlet & Aqua stripe, $29.95 $26.95 from The Hip Infant*
The Hip Infant Basics Long Eared Bunny – Scarlet & Aqua Stripe, $15.95 $14.35 from The Hip Infant*
David Fussenegger Pastel Bassinet Blanket, $49.50 $42.08 from Pastel Pink***

Also, check out new kids on the block Just Ripe – www.justripe.com.au – and 9 Months Waiting – www.9monthswaiting.com.au -  for a fabulous selection of products for newborn to two years, and Skeanie – www.skeanie.com – for perfect footwear for tiny tootsies.

Please check individual stores for shipping charges.

*Shop4Kids discount available from The Hip Infant, La Toriana and Kids Gift List.
**La La Baby: FREE gift with purchase until 19 September!
***Pastel Pink: 25% off storewide until midnight 7th September!

Today Miki goes la-la for the delectable La La Baby. You will too when you see what’s in store. Enjoy!

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Ooh, you’re going to love this one!

La La Baby – www.lalababy.com.au – are already extremely popular with all our discerning readers here at KidStyleFile, but this is going to tip the scales even further in their favour.

In order to make room for delicious new stock (I’ll come back to that, I promise), Carli at La La Baby is having a big clear out with 40% off all Oobi and 50% off all Eternal Creation! What’s there has to go, and stock is very limited so you need to get in quickly!

There are some brilliant gift set ideas in there, fantastic to put away in the present drawer for next time someone you know has a baby – seems to be every other week for me! – and some gorgeous items for your own kids to enjoy. How about the Eternal Creation denim blazer for a trendy little man or the strawberry shortcake lounge set from Oobi for a little girl?

I also love the Itsy Bitsy rompers: practical and adorable!

Get a FREE GIFT at La La Baby when you spend more than $50.00 in one order! Enter ‘KSF’ in the comments field at checkout to get yours.Offer ends 19 September.

There’s also a great deal on Huggalugs – buy two pairs and get the third pair for FREE!!! See details here and the full range of Huggalugs at this link.

Clockwise from top left:

Oobi Eggs singlet & nappy cover set, $36.50 $21.90
Itsy Bitsy Spots romper, $27.95 $24.95
Oobi Blue Green Stripe shorts, $39.50 $24.70
Eternal Creation Amalfi shoes, $32.95 $16.47
Oobi Strawberry Shortcake lounge set in bag, $39.50 $29.70
Eternal Creation denim blazer, $64.95 $32.47

Now, as I promised, I’ll give you a sneaky peak at what Carli has coming into stock!

First product to showcase: Posy Dolls. Besides being totally gorgeous both to look at and touch, each Posy Doll is completely unique, one of a kind. If you see one you love at La La Baby, snap her up right then and there because once she’s gone, she’s gone for good!

I also love the new Babushka Dolls. Beautifully handmade, each one can also double as a little pillow – how sweet! Great gift for a little girl!

I adore the new MiniLa La range of hair clips. Ange has some of the ‘Sophie’ clips for her girls (I imagine she might be heading back for some of the new ‘Eve’ clips too)  and tells me that they they have a bit of non-slippy stuff on the inside so they don’t fall out – bonus! Each set includes six clips, all absolutely beautiful, and to store and display them to their full advantage the gorgeous frames (available in small, medium and large) are perfect!

The adorable onesies from Very Kiki aren’t in stock yet but they’re due this week, so keep a close eye on that link to snap them up as they walk in the door!

Ok, without further ado here are some graphics to get you moving:

Clockwise from top left: 

Bebe Pink Paper Lanterns, $79.95
‘Polly’ Sprite Doll, $47.95
Lola hair clips, $9.95
Cupcake Baby Gift, $17.95
‘Beatrice’ Posy Doll, $59.95
Mae hair clips, $9.95
Count Wallcandy, $82.95
Tatiana handmade Babushka, $19.95

La La Baby stock their own La La Baby, and Mini La La range of accessories, baby shoes, stationery and toys, along with Annabel Trends Tippy Toes and Babytalk, Oobi Baby, Eternal Creation, Miriam Berenson, Chookleaf, Bella Tunno, Ouch! Baby, Babu Ladies, Googoo, Willow and Finn, Chalk n Cheese, Itsy Bitsy, Bella Tunno, Look at the Wall, Greetings by Chapel Press, Huggalugs, Kideko, WallCandy, Independence Studios, Bud by Design Room, The Source, Usborne books, Uchi, and coming soon, Very Kiki.

La-La Baby post within Australia from $4.50 per order – see here for full delivery details.

Post written by Miki
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You know what I love best about La-La Baby – www.lalababy.com.au?

It’s not the great layout of the site, it’s not the fantastic range of designers they stock (see below for the full list) and it’s not even their amazing sale prices.

No, all those things are brilliant but what I love best is how bright and fun and fresh everything is.

Truly, have a browse and you’ll see what I mean. The site isn’t just packed full of bargains; the products have been so carefully chosen that it’s also a pleasure just to look around.

I did mention the amazing sale prices before, and I have to elaborate as it was something of an understatement. I’m talking about up to 50% off almost everything!!

Here is a list of some – not all – of the sale items:

15% off Chookleaf shoes – now $47.95

Save $2 on Huggalugs leg warmers – now $14.50

Up to 40% off Eternal Creation clothing and footwear (summer and winter)

Save 50% on La La Baby bibs – now $7.50

Up to 45% off Oobi Baby clothing and accessories (summer and winter, and there is a HUGE range here!)

Save $10 on Uchi nappy bags

Save $7 on Blue and Pink PouchMISS nappy bag converter (brilliant idea!!)

Ouch Baby thongs just $8.95

Save $10 on Monster nursery lights now $39.95

25% off Willow and Finn fine girls clothing

Up to 20% off Huggalugs bump huggers for pregnant bellies

$44.95 off Kideko kids bedding

25% off Itsy Bitsy baby rompers

10% off Annabel Trends tippy toes socks and babytalk growsuits

See what I mean? HOT DISCOUNTS.

And it gets even better: as a special introductory offer for KidStyleFile readers, Carli at La-La Baby is going to give you all a FREE GIFT with purchase! She’s keeping it a secret as to what, so you’ll just have to buy something to find out what it is. Going by her range of products it’s guaranteed to be gorgeous! Just enter KSFGIFT in the Comments box at check-out – too easy. Offer ends 15 August 2008.

La-La Baby’s range of designers is fantastic. Besides their own La-La Baby line accessories, baby shoes, stationery and toys, we’re also talking about Annabel Trends Tippy Toes and Babytalk, Oobi Baby, Eternal Creation, Miriam Berenson, Chookleaf, Bella Tunno, Ouch! Baby, Babu Ladies, Googoo, Willow and Finn, Itsy Bitsy, Bella Tunno, Look at the Wall, Greetings by Chapel Press, Huggalugs, Kideko, WallCandy, Independence Studios, Bud by Design Room, The Source, Usborne books, Uchi, and coming soon, Chalk n Cheese.

PouchMISS organiser – babylicious blue, $36.95 $29.95
Alphabet frieze, $24.95
La-La Baby lime car bell toy, $12.95
La-La Baby watermelon bay slippers, $18.95
Chookleaf chocolate frizzle shoes, $54.95 $47.95
Chookleaf red and pink crown shoes, $54.95 $47.95
Kideko ‘Monster’ single bed set, $139.95 $95.00
KeeKee Rabbit Doll, $27.95
La-La Baby hair clips – see the full range here
Huggalugs ‘Rocker’, $16.50 $14.50
Huggalugs ‘Jazz’, $16.50 $14.50
Luxury Duck ‘Moroccan Duck’, $10.95 $9.95
Kideko ‘Love’ single bed set, $139.95 $95.00
Annabel Trends ‘Superstars’ socks, $19.50 $17.95
Ouch! Baby thongs in pink, blue and yellow, $11.95 $8.95

La-La Baby also have extremely competitive shipping charges, with registered post of orders over $150 absolutely free! Get the full story on delivery here.