KidStyleFile

Today’s post written by Angela

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Well, we’re down to the wire now: in one week’s time exactly it will be Christmas Day, and time to rest and play with gusto! To help me in my quest to find the best Christmas gifts for kids I asked some of my favourite online stores what *their* hot picks for kids this Christmas are, and why. I have thoroughly enjoyed the diverse selection of products that have arrived in my inbox – so many fabulous ideas! – and I am thrilled to be sharing part 7, the final instalment in this series, with you today.

Read all previous instalments here.

		“The Zoo Pack is the little kid backpack where “fun meets function!”Whimsical details and durable materials make this the perfect on-the-go pack for kids on-the-go!” - Vikki at TheInfantBoutique.com.au Skip Hop Zoo Pack – (Dog & Penguin pictured) also available Monkey and Mouse, $39.95 each
“Every child needs a ride-on, and Gyro Car is one of the best out. The car moves by itself as the result of the laws of kinetics (no batteries needed: this one’s kid-powered!) when the child turns the steering wheel .” - Jo at TheToyBug.com.au The Original Gyro Car, $110.00
		“This stunning 100% cotton embroidered summer dress from Two Belles will look great on Christmas Day and will go the distance all summer long.” - Mel and Marzena at TinyThreads.com.au Two Belles Embroidered Gypsy Kaftan Dress – $69.95 $29.95
“This pack of 3 mini Automoblox, includes a red sportscar, green ute and blue sedan and would make a great present for one lucky child, or split them to make stocking stuffers or small gifts. The quality is truly remarkable, and the interchangable components utterly ingenious!” – Casey and Carolyn at LittlePossumsToys.com.au Automoblox Mini Cars 3 Pack ‘K’, $52.95
		“This dress is perfect for all Christmas festivities. Every little girl will have fun twirling around like the angel she is in this stunning piece. Made from the beautiful Figgy Pudding line, the rich festive burgundy colour is lightweight and perfect for the holiday season.” - Andrea at SodaPopKids.com.au ZoZoBugBaby Angel Wing Holiday Dress, $79.00

Please check individual stores for postage and delivery information.

Today’s post written by Anna

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

The resounding  theme song in our house this weekend has been courtesy of The Beatles: ”Here comes the sun, little darling, here comes the sun and I say it’s alright.”

Yay! Summer is on its way, the sun is out and it’s time to be outside frolicking in it!  A great spot to get you inspired for fun in the sun is Soda Pop Kids www.sodapopkids.com.au.

So, little darling, let me guide you through the standouts of what’s new in store for summer at SPK.

First notable mention is the fabulous new bean bags, kinder bags and library bags from Monster Couture. If you have a boyish little monster, I can imagine him falling in love with this new monster range.  My favourites are the Captain Shaggy Bean Bag in Red and the Monster Library Bag.

A striking tee is a ’must have’ item for summer wardrobes. and Soda Pop Kids stock some of the funkiest tees around via Little Lark. Made from organic cotton, Little Lark offer a great range of designs on both tees and onesies meaning you just pick your favourite print, applicable size and – voila!- you’re set for summer!  (Hands down my favourite is the “I Scream” print.)

Soda Pop Kids is now stocking the delightful range from DINGaRINGS – which made Ange’s Best in Show list at the recent Kids InStyle tradeshow.

DINGaRING’s are ingenious in that they are are a soft toy, rattle and teething ring all-in-one! Babies and parents are sure to fall in love with these quirky and endearing Byron Bay- designed creatures  There are 5 DINGaRINGS ‘personalities’ to choose from; my faveourite is Emma Owl – Job: Truck Driver.  Loves: Country Music & Surfing.  Hates: VPL & Speed Cameras!! Don’t you just love her?!

Shop for summer at Soda Pop Kids now, and you’ll receive 15% off everything instore until 30 September 2009.  Enter discount code  ’KSF15′ at checkout to redeem. With new season stock and some lovely end of season bargains listed on the Sale Page, 15% off is sure to get you humming along: “here comes the sun, da da da da, here comes the sun”!!

1. OB Designs – DINGaRING’s – Emma Owl & Pete Penguin $19.95 less 15% KSF discount = $16.95
2. Little Choopie – Summer Selection Snap Clips $15.00 less 15% KSF discount = $12.75
3. Polka – Circular Play Dress – Yellow $64.95 less 15% KSF discount = $55.20
4. Little Lark – Orange Tee – Bike $29.50 less 15% KSF discount = $25.10
5. Bluebird & Honey – Pink Pinafore -Elephant/Apple $79.00 less 15% KSF discount = $67.15
6. Polka – Aye Aye Cap – Grey $19.95 less 15% KSF discount = $16.95
7. Little Lark – Organic Onesie – “I Scream” $29.50 less 15% KSF discount = $25.10
8. Monster Couture – Captain Shaggy Bean Bag – Red $99.00 less 15% KSF discount = $84.15
9. Monster Couture – Library Bag – Monster $15.00 less 15% KSF discount = $12.75

Soda Pop Kids stock stunning products from the following brands: 5 Plus 1, Abe Jones, Agoo, BabySoy, Baby Legs, BabySpareWear, Bask Home, Billie Shoes, Bella Tunno, Belle & Boo, Black Eyed Susie, Bluebird & Honey, Coco Bonbons, Cocoon Couture, Cushie Tushies, Deep Denimn, Dine N Doodle, Ergo Pouch, Flirty Bird, Gracious May, Isabell’s Umbrella, Itch, KayaNow, Little Choopie,  Little Lark, Milk Lush, Micro Me, Little Moo Shoes, Moppit, Monster Couture, Monstar Kids, My Little Seat, OB Designs, Ohme-Ohmi, Oliver and the King, Pedro Sprout, Polka, Pinna 4 Piper, Princess Ratbag, Snoffs & Skummis, Siiri, Sooda, Sooki Baby, Sweetbeets, The Pat-A-Cake Baby, The Whimsy Patch, Three Fish Shop (formerly Babai Alainn), Three Little Trees, Tommy Rocket, Two Belles, Twiglet, Violet & Rose, Walnut and ZoZoBugBaby.

Soda Pop Kids charge  a flat rate of $7.50 standard postage Australia-wide. Orders placed before 10am will be dispatched the same day (Mon-Fri). International shipping is welcome for the flat fee of $20.00. View Soda Pop Kids’ Shipping and Payment page for full information on postage and delivery.

Today’s post written by Angela

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

When I reported on the launch of online boutique Soda Pop Kids – www.sodapopkids.com.au a couple of months ago, many of you headed over and promptly feel in love with this fabulous store. And rightly so: Andrea at Soda Pop kids has searched the web to bring together a feast of the best independent labels for baby and kids clothes from birth to 4 years, many of which can’t be found anywhere else, complementing these with a selection of well-known quality labels.

Who am I talking about? Well, feast your eyes on: A Little Lark, Abe Jones, Three Fish Shop (formerly Babai Alainn), BabySoy, Baby Legs, Bask Home, Billie Shoes, Bella Tunno, Belle & Boo, Black Eyed Susie, Bluebird & Honey, Bobishi, Cocoon Couture, Cushie Tushies, Dine N Doodle, Frank & Me, Gracious May, Isabell’s Umbrella, Jack & Jane, Kunkle Baby, Little Chirpy Bird, Little Daisy Designs, Milk Lush, Little Moo Shoes, Moppit, Mountain Aven Baby, My Little Seat, O’Danny’s Girl, Ohme-Ohmi, Pedro Sprout, Oliver and the King, Quilt Baby, Raggidy Rag Dolls, Scandeez, Sooki Baby, Snoffs, Scummies, Sweetbeets, The Pat-A-Cake Baby, The Whimsy Patch, Three Little Trees, Twiglet, Violet & Rose, and Wasabi Kids.

There are also some new labels instore at Soda Pop Kids, notably 5 Plus 1, Little Choopie and Monstar Kids.

5 Plus 1 presents the most exquisitely crafted reversible matinee jackets for little girls – the choice of fabrics is stunning, as is the detail. 5 Plus One also make skirts and gorgeous pinafore dresses in the sweetest designs you ever did see. This label is a real standout: definitely one to keep your eye on!

Little Choopie produce a cute range of (very very affordable!) fabric covered hair ties and slides in retro-styled designs and contemporary patterns. I love the gift tin sets.

Monstar Kids are an Aussie label who have been on the scene since 1996. Their current collection has really turned my head: loving the robot tee for boys and the flower print dresses for girls, and the incredible lace doily print pants – you’ve got to see them!!

Ok, know you’re up to date with the Soda Pop Kids scene it’s time to shop, and there’s even more of an incentive to do so: Andrea at Soda Pop Kids has marked almost everything down on-site already, and she is returning our love for her store with a 20% discount store-wide for KidStyleFile readers. Can you believe that??!! It’s TRUE – just enter ‘KSF’ at the discount coupon section at checkout to redeem until 31 July 2009.

Check my hot picks below: I am just loving the MintiMoo shoes – they start at a measly $16.00 with discount – yup $16.00 – this seriously cheap for leather shoes!! Also, if you’re looking to pick up Bluebird and Honey, Cocoon Couture, Three Little Trees, and Itch Design clothing for you little Master or Miss don’t miss this opportunity!

Prices quoted in red below are after the KSF reader discount has been deducted with code ‘KSF’ until 31 July 2009 only. Prices return to normal from 1 August 2009.

1. Itch Design Cute Pom Pom Dress $55.00 $40.00 each $32.00
2. Cocoon Couture Calico Library Bag $15.00 $10.00 $8.00
3. Monstar Kids Robot Trio Long-Sleeved Tee $33.00 $29.70 $23.76
4. Cocoon Couture Calico Library Bag $15.00 $10.00 $8.00
5. Black-Eyed Susie Corduroy Pants $49.00 $30.00 $24.00
6. Itch Design Track Pants $40.00 $35.00 each $25.60
7. MintiMoo Steps ‘Jorja’ Mary-Jane Shoe $39.00 $20.00 $16.00
8. Little Choopie Set of 5 Assorted CupcakeCutie Hairties in Gift Tin $9.50 $8.50 $6.80
9. MintiMoo Steps ‘Harry’ Shoe $44.00 $25.00 $20.00
10. Bluebird and Honey Corduroy Pinafore Dress $79.00 $71.10 $56.88
11. 5 Plus 1 Reversible Matinee Jacket $70.00 $65.00 $52.00
12. Babysparewear – 3 piece Fashion Fix in Blue/Navy $50.00 $35.00 $28.00
13. Cocoon Couture Little Foxy Beanbag $100.00 $85.00 $68.00

Soda Pop Kids charge  a flat rate of $7.50 standard postage Australia-wide. Orders placed before 10am will be dispatched the same day (Mon-Fri). FREE pick-up is available to customers living locally. International orders are warmly received: email Andrea at Soda Pop Kids and she’ll give you a quote for delivery. View Soda Pop Kids’ Shipping and Payment page for full information on postage and delivery.

Today’s post written by Miki

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Hi, my name’s Miki and I’m a self-confessed kids’ shoe addict.

I’m not alone: KSF readers Jodi and Melanie recently requested a post on shoes and boots for little feet, and I am more than happy to oblige! (In fact, I have been wanting an excuse to sit down and hunt out some awesome little shoes as my son (nearly two) has just grown out of his last pair of Pedipeds and his Walnuts are still too big for him – and that’s not as rude as it sounds!)

So, where to begin?  Well, with winter approaching it seems sensible to look for boots – after all, we mums love to wear our boots in winter so who’s to say that the kids don’t too?  Luckily there are boots galore in all sorts of sizes to suit all sorts of ages, and both girls and boys.  Have a look at the image collage below for some of my faves.

Sneakers are always a goer regardless of your child’s age or gender.  Take them anywhere, do anything in them; they can be teamed with the girliest of tutus or the most macho jeans and shirts you can imagine.  I think every child should have at least one or two pairs of sneakers!

Don’t forget that babies and young toddlers should be in soft-soled shoes until several months after walking has been established. Plenty of research shows that babies’ feet develop best when they learn to walk barefoot, and soft soled shoes are a good alternative where bare feet just aren’t practical.  The soft little leather shoes from brands such as Robeez, Star Child, Beautiful Soles and Skeanie are also great for protecting crawlers’ feet.

Well without further ado, here are my picks for the cutest kids’ shoes and boots this season! Enjoy!

1. Baby Chick Pink Boots, $95.00 from Kounia-Bella
2. Luxurious Cream Loafers, $49.95 from Skeanie
3. Morgan & Milo LTT Oxford – Red/Orange, $44.95 $39.95 from Where Did You Get That?
4. Walnut Desert Boots – Navy, $59.95 from Urban Child
5. LelliKelly Iris Laces Sequinned Boots, $114.00 $109.95 from Where Did You Get That?
6. Beautiful Soles Silver Rock Star Baby Shoe, $39.90 $29.95 from Bubba Funk
7. Star Child Cherry Baby, $39.95 from Chic Kids
8. Scandeez Baby Leather Brown Moks, $35.00 $21.00 from Soda Pop Kids
9. Walnut Mary Janes – French Navy Spot, $29.95 from Urban Child
10. Samvara Navaho Cowboy Boot – Chocolate, $114.00 from Bubba Funk
11. Fire Engine Red Boots, $39.95 from Skeanie
12. Robeez Guitar Soft-Soled Baby Shoes, $57.00 from Kounia-Bella
13. Jack & Lily Love Birds – Chocolate, $54.95 from Little Styles

PS Polka also make a gorgeous girl’s boot, the Mika-Lu, which Ange’s girls have for this winter, for just $88.00. Hit up Raspberry Rascals to behold the goodness. Check sizing with them before your purchase.

As always, please check individual sites for postage details, and have a look at the KidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your purchase.

Today’s post written by Angela

……………………………………………………………………………………………………

Do you love gorgeous products slightly off the beaten track? Well, hello Honey: you are *HOME*!

Andrea at newly-launched Soda Pop Kids – www.sodapopkids.com.au – has scoured the web for unique treasures and come up trumps with the best handmade goodies, as well as a great selection of boutique favourites, to make you smile real big!

My hot picks are the gorgeous applique dresses and tees from new Aussie label Bluebird & Honey, the unique, warm, and woolly Babai Alainn beanies for winter, and the very cool printed tees from A Little Lark.

To celebrate the launch, Andrea at Soda Pop Kids has marked everything down on-site up to 50%, and to add even more celebratory pop and fizz to the occassion, she’s giving KSF readers an extra 10% discount until 31 May 2009. WOO-HOO! <Do a little happy dance here!!> Enter code ‘KSF’ to redeem.

Here’s a heads-up of the seriously cool brand line-up awaiting you at Soda Pop Kids: A Little Lark, Abe Jones, Babai Alainn, BabySoy, Baby Legs, Bask Home, Billie Shoes, Bella Tunno, Belle & Boo, Black Eyed Susie, Bluebird & Honey, Bobishi, Cocoon Couture, Cushie Tushies, Dine N Doodle, Frank & Me, Gracious May, Isabell’s Umbrella, Jack & Jane, Kunkle Baby, Little Chirpy Bird, Little Daisy Designs, Milk Lush, Little Moo Shoes, Moppit, Mountain Aven Baby, My Little Seat, O’Danny’s Girl, Ohme-Ohmi, Pedro Sprout, Oliver and the King, Quilt Baby, Raggidy Rag Dolls, Scandeez, Sooki Baby, Sweetbeets, The Pat-A-Cake Baby, The Whimsy Patch, Three Little Trees, Twiglet, Violet & Rose, and Wasabi Kids. Beat that!

PS Andrea’s partner popped the big question to her recently, too, so be sure to give her your congratulations when you shop

Prices quoted in red below are after the KSF reader discount has been deducted with code ‘KSF’ until 31 May 2009 only. Prices return to normal from 1 June 2009.

A. Bluebird & Honey A-Line Pinafore Denim Dresses $79.00 $74.00 each $66.60
B. Babai Alainn Popcorn Beret in Ecru $49.00 $40.00 $36.00
C. A Little Lark Bike Hoodie (reverse shown) $49.50 $40.00 $36.00
D. Pedro Sprout Felt Booties $32.00 $25.00 $22.50
E. Gracious May Vintage Mary Janes $35.00 $25.00 $22.50
F. A Little Lark Songbird and Build-a-Bot Tees $39.50 $30.00 each $27.00
G. Babai Alainn Cafe and Pumpkin Aviator Pilot Beanie $49.00 $39.00 $35.10
H. The Whimsy Patch Boy Bear Doll $65.00 $45.00 $40.50 and Girl Dollie with Small Friend $70.00 $50.00 $45.00
I. Mountain Aven Baby Sushi Sushi Lounge Set $49.00 $30.00 $27.00
J. Twiglet Chocolate Bird Baby Resort Pants $47.00 $30.00 $27.00
K. Frank and Me My First Wallet $7.00 $4.00 $3.60
L. Sooki Baby Choo Choo Train Tee $24.95 $22.00 $19.80
M. My Little Seat Dream Feed Travel Chair $50.00 $45.00 $40.50
N. Sweetbeets Alphabet Letterpress Card $6.95 $5.00 $4.50

Soda Pop Kids charge  a flat rate of $7.50 standard postage Australia-wide. Orders placed before 10am will be dispatched the same day (Mon-Fri). FREE pick-up is available to customers living locally. International orders are warmly received: email Andrea at Soda Pop Kids and she’ll give you a quote for delivery. View Soda Pop Kids’ Shipping and Payment page for full information on postage and delivery.