KidStyleFile

Today, KSF contributor Miki brings you my favourite OS online store, Skimbaco. I knew she’d be blown away, and I think you will be too – happy shopping!!

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Update: Wanna wear Suri Cruise’s shoes? You can buy them at Skimbaco! Suri’s Monkey Toes Ladybug shoes, as seen on Oprah during her interview with Tom Cruise, were actually bought from Skimbaco! How cool is that?!!

My mission, should I choose to accept it: wander over to Skimbaco - ww.skimbaco.com- and pick out a few of the things I think are the best deals. Ten minutes and I’ll be done, right?

Wrong.

Within seconds of hitting Skimbaco’s sale section I was lost to the world. There are some INCREDIBLE discounts over there!!

In addition to the fabulous mark-downs already in place, Katja at Skimbaco is gifting KSF readers an additional 15% off -WOW!

Enter KIDSTYLEFILE in the ’special offer/discount coupon code’ box at check out to receive 15% off your order!

Once the KSF discount code is taken into account, this gives you between 55% – 95% off!! No, that’s not a typo!!!!

And even more remarkably it’s on some gorgeous brands: Tea Collection, Edenstar, Wati, Dirty Laundry, Lola et Moi, Tsukihoshi, Giddy Giddy….the list goes on! (Skimbaco also stocks Marimekko totes, bags and purses. They’re full price, but with your 15% KSF discount in hand, well, go for it!!)

I had so much trouble choosing the ‘best deals’ to feature that I’ve more or less had to close my eyes and stab at the screen – so really, do go and have a look at what else is there because I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

Clockwise from top left (all prices in AUD$ and include KSF 15% discount):

Edenstar Merino Ballet Wrap in Duckegg – $28.33 (was $85.59); Knot White Long-sleeve Tee by IMOGA- $23.61 (was $42.24); Watermelon Hair Clip – $5.67 (was $8.89); Tea Collection Misaki Dress – $28.33 (was $55.58); Edenstar Pedal Pusher Pants – $31.17 (was $77.81); Wrap Velvet Schoolgirl Skirt by Wati – $17.00 (was $51.13)

Clockwise from top left (all prices in $AUD and include KSF 15% discount):

Tea Collection Hoshi Dragon Tee – $12.19 (was $33.35); Tea Collection Sierra Mountain Graphic Top – $11.33 (was $31.12); Canvas cargo short by S.P.UDZ – $7.55 (was $33.35); ‘Made Ya Look’ short-sleeve tee in black by Pluto – $17.00 (was $27.79); Tea Collection Koi Fish Pants – $28.33 (was $65.58); Tsukihoshi Green Camo Sneakers – $24.56 (was $54.46)

Skimbaco ship to Australia very reasonably. Check Skimbaco’s shipping charge table here.

One of the joys of travel is that you can go somewhere else and discover different ways of living — different food, customs, language, mode of dress. What a joy to see things from a fresh perspective, to appreciate and be inspired by the differences, and maybe incorporate a little of that experience into the tapestry of our existence.

Skimbaco – www.skimbaco.com – based in Durango in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado is to me like a direct portal into a different world – a cornucopia of delights nestled in the wilderness.

The selection of products Skimbaco carry includes our very own Aussie designers Edenstar and Paper Wings, and this fact set the bar on the quality I perceived across their selection.

I was entranced by Riiminka Designs from Finland, Tea Collection, Lola et Moi, Droopy Knickers, Twinkle Kids. But what were they really like? What could I expect when they arrived? Should I be thoroughly excited in anticipation of their arrival, or prepare myself for disappointment in the event that the experience didn’t cut it?

So I browsed and watched and waited…until one day – PING – a sale! And, boy, was I am impressed with the results on every level.

Sales are the perfect opportunity to try something that you may not be able to afford on an ordinary day, or something that you have not tried before, and want to road test a time or two before making a full-price commitment. The great thing about buying internationally is that the seasons fit perfectly from a sale perspective; we go to winter when they go to summer, and vice versa.

I know it is a big jump to make from shopping online locally to internationally, but there are some unbelievable bargains to be had in Skimbaco’s sale section at the moment, and they are too good to miss. Trust me: you won’t regret this side-trip! (Check out my previous post for further details). Remember to use the currency selector so you can shop in AUD$.

To sweeten the experience further Skimbaco is giving KidStyleFile readers an additional 15% off purchases when you enter the discount code KIDSTYLEFILE at checkout. This will give you in total about 70% off most products in the sale section.Skimbaco are living up to their motto of ’spread sunshine’ alright!

You never know, you might even pick up some cheap Edenstar or Paper Wings while you’re there

Here’s some of what I bought, on sale of course Remember that the sale prices listed below will be 15% cheaper after you enter the discount code.

Droopy Knickers Tree Swing Baby Blue T-shirt
Price: $30.94 (AUD) On Sale For: $16.57 (AUD)

Riiminka Designs Purple Princess Dress
Price: $49.73 (AUD) On Sale For: $16.58 (AUD

Tea Collection Journey Canvas Jumper Aubergine
Price: $54.15 (AUD) On Sale For: $22.09 (AUD)

Twinkle Kids Cherry Blossom Small Felt Cake
Price: $19.89 (AUD)- Regular price. This item is sent directly from Hoboken New York, so will arrive separately from the rest of your order.

Big Fish Double Ruffle Tank Top
NOTE: Very small sizing. I recommend you order 2 sizes above what your child usually wears
Price: $32.05 (AUD) On Sale For: $8.83 (AUD)

Marimekko Summer Top
Price: $33.15 (AUD) On Sale For: $11.04 (AUD)

Marimekko Flower Skort
Price: $33.15 (AUD) On Sale For: $18.79 (AUD)

Tea Collection Sol Yarn Dye Stripe Tee
Price: $28.73 (AUD) On Sale For: $13.25 (AUD)

Tea Collection Sakura Canvas Vest
Price: $46.41 (AUD) On Sale For: $26.51 (AUD)

Lola et Moi Green Turtle Neck Shirt
Price: $35.36 (AUD) On Sale For: $16.57 (AUD)

Lola et Moi Paris Wool Dress
Price: $127.09 (AUD) On Sale For: $66.29 (AUD)

Check Skimbaco’s shipping charge table here.

One of my favourite clothing labels for kids is Australia’s Paper Wings – www.paperwings.com.au

Paper Wings is undeniably one of the most inspired and sophisticatedly whimsical labels on the market, equitably distributing it’s brilliance between girls and boys. It pulls this feat off with aplomb, and without cringe or non-ironic kitsch.

The pedigree of seasoned designers, couple Jason Gibaud and Michelle Fallon — they design together, and he does the sewing — who have worked on films including Moulin Rouge, Star Wars and Peter Pan, Paper Wings exudes quiet calm and unrestrained exuberance.

There is a lot of work, and a lot of love in these garments. Paper Wings has a price tag equal to these facts. Undoubtedly they are worth every penny you might spend. But can you afford to spend that many pennies? On an ordinary day, there’s no way I can. But on sale, well, watch me go.

These clothes look incredible and wear brilliantly and, on sale, well, that makes them just about perfect.

There’s only a small selection on sale at the moment, but what there is is still well worth the pickup. I am always on the lookout, and will let you know as soon as I pick up the scent. In the meantime, do your research, pick out what you like, and wait for it to get cheaper

Tiny People – www.tinypeople.com.au – have a small amount of these precious wearable artifacts on sale.

I highly recommend the Denim Pinafore $92.60 (down from $154.00) and the Red Stripe Dress for $107.70 (down from $154).

While you’re there, check out their sale page for Edenstar, Little Red and Trelise Cooper Kids heavily reduced.

Postage is $12.00, or free if you spend $150 or more.

Going further afield, US-based e-tailers are offering a lovely little price-reduced Paper Wings booty. Note that I have only included stores that offer reasonable shipping options to Australia.

Bella and Max – www.bellaandmax.com – have a number of girls Paper Wings items on sale, including the Striped dress for USD$63.8o.

Bella and Max also stock a lovely range of brands including Tea Collection, Harajuku Lovers and Petit Bateau .

They have a couple of Tea Collection items on sale for boys, and a wider range of brands on sale for girls. I highly recommend the Tea Collection Yuki Dot dress on sale for USD$31.50, and the boys Yuki Dot shirt on sale for USD$23.80. (We have the dress, and the styling and quality is A1. I’m impressed by Tea Collection overall; buy with confidence.)

Also, check out Bella and Max’s range of ‘Neige’ (French for ’snow’). Feast your eyes! These pieces are stunning! The Josephine Dress is on sale for USD$76.80, down from $128.

The Toby Coat is USD$84.00, down from $140. (To browse the full Neige range visit the Neige website – http://www.neigeclothing.com/home.html)

You will need to contact Bella and Max, for a shipping quote to Australia, but you shouldn’t be put off: Juliet is lovely, and a fast and friendly communicator, and charges are kept to a minimum.

Olliebollen – www.olliebollen.com have the Paper Wings Striped Leggings in black and white on sale for USD$34.50 a true bargain (1 size 2 and 1 size 6 only), and the long sleeved all over Shoe Print tee (1 size 2 and 1 size 4 only) for USD$36.90; another steal.

Olliebollen carry an extensive range of upscale brands including Camper, Tea Collection, Agatha Ruiz de la Prada, Absorba, Baby Lulu, Small Paul et al. Check out their clothing sale page; a huge range of quality offerings are within. They also have a good range of Haba, Melissa and Doug, and some Marimekko on sale in their toys and accessories section.

Postage is charged based on weight of the goods, and is calculated at checkout.

And last, but definitely not least, the wonderful Skimbaco – www.skimbaco.com.

Skimbaco is (pronounced ’skimba-co’) is the family business of Katja Presnal and her husband Matt — a former runway model from Finland, and a emergency services rescue helkicopter pilot respectively — and their three stunning offspring. They operate Skimbaco from the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Katja has the most exquisite taste and style, and every product Skimbaco carries is selected with great care to ’spread sunshine’ (as is their motto) to their customers.

Receiving a parcel from Skimbaco is a great delight as they send in a box, not a post satchel, which somehow confers a greater delight to the opener. The website is also very helpful in that it has a currency selector, so you can do all your shopping in your home currency – AUD$.

During December I took advantage of one of the most delight-filled sales I have ever witnessed (crazy crazy prices and free international shipping, for example — don’t worry, I will let you know as soon as that’s happening again!), remnants, which include Edenstar, Tea Collection and Lola et Moi, of which are now still available.

Thanks to the great prices I took the opportunity to purchase a number of brands I hadn’t heard of before, Riiminka Designs, Twinkle Kids and Wati, for example, and dig in on some Tea Collection – ‘Journey Dress’ still available for AUD$33.14 : grab it, it’s beautiful!! -, Lola et Moi (incredible Owl Brooches; thank-you-very-much) and Droopy Knickers(!) – Blue Silhouette tee still available for AUD$18.78 (a tip on this piece: it runs large, size 2T more like an Australian standard size 3-4). The quality and detail of the items is superlative. I couldn’t be happier!

Katja also has a taste for Aussie design and stocks Edenstar, and Paper Wings…which is the purpose of this post, after all!

Skimbaco are currently low on Paper Wings thanks to their recent super sale, but they do have the Boys Skull tee on sale for AUD$44.19. (The skull print is worn at the back).

Skimbaco’s shipping costs are very reasonable; and shipping is free for orders over USD$200.