KidStyleFile

Post written by Miki

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Besides your own, how many other kids do you need to buy gifts for this Christmas?  Nieces, nephews, God-children, step-children, friends’ and neighbours’ kids, your child’s class Kris Kringle… it all adds up pretty quickly, doesn’t it?

The good news is that there are loads of amazing gifts out there for under $25, meaning you can stay within budget and delight the recipient at the same time. These are also the kinds of presents I like to put under the tree for my own kids; after all, not every gift they receive needs to be huge and expensive.  I sometimes find that they get just as much fun from a $15 bath toy as from something costing ten times more!

I’ve put my top 20 gifts under $25 below, but do have a hunt through the online stores to find other options. Many of KidStyleFile’s favourite boutiques have fabulous categories set up specifically for inexpensive gifts, such as Little Styles (with 11 pages worth!), Dragonfly Toys, Baby’s Got Style, French Bazaar and Design Child among others.

I hope that helps with keeping your Christmas budget balanced, and the special kids in your life overjoyed – good luck!

Written by Anna

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I wonder if you ever here these words: “Look Mummy! Look at me. Mum. Look. At Me.  Loooooook Mummy!”. In my busy house of three very active little children, these words are often being shouted at full volume as my children seek to capture my attention.

A lovely store that has my full attention today has been aptly named by it’s creator, Megan Iasiello, Look Mummy! – www.lookmummy.com.au. Filled to the brim with children’s gifts and toys of superior quality and individuality, a stroll through the pages of Look Mummy! is well worth your time.  In store you will find a very easy selection of categories enabling you to shop via gender, age, price, brand or to fill up a gift box. There are newborn gifts, room decorations, classic wooden toys as well as educational and musical toys and books. All of these and more alongside practical, everyday items for 0-6 year olds.

On the Look Mummy! virtual shelves you will find quality brands including: Voila, Olli & Pop, Jo Robertson, Boon, Studio Skinky, For Walls, Tiger Tribe, Me 2Me2, Tree Toys, Zipit, Janod, Stephen Joseph, Goki, Katy Jane Gift Cards, Lilliputiens, Makedo and Oopsie.

Brilliant customer service is a big part of the Look Mummy! shopping experience including exclusive discount codes each time you make a purchase to use on your next visit or share with a friend. Look Mummy send regular newsletters if you’d like to stay in  touch with the launching of new stock and special offers. And of course there are the fab competitions for their Facebook likers.  Make sure you ‘like’ their page so you don’t miss out their great deals via this channel.

KidStyleFile readers can really shout hooray for Megan and her team though, because she is spreading the Look Mummy! love with a 20% discount which can be applied to everything in store – including the sale stock like the Stephen Joseph Special themed packs. They include a backpack, lunch bag and a free tote. I adore the Farmyard set, and with my KSF discount applied it’s just $56.00 for the whole set! You will need to enter special code KSF20% which is only applicable while stocks last, until midnight 20 November 2011.

Discounted prices quoted below are only applicable with discount code KSF20% while stocks last, until 20 November 2011.

a. Studio Skinky – Playon Crayon $12.00 less 20% = $9.60
b. Tiger Tribe Magna Play – Things that Go $34.95 less 20% = $27.96
c. Tiger Tribe Alphabet Stamps $29.95 less 20% = $23.96
d. Olli and Pop Reverse Bucket Hat Yellow and White $25.95 less 20% = $23.96
e. Tree Toys Pound a Ball $19.95 less 20% = $15.96
f. Goki Magnetic Stacker $28.00 less 20% = $22.4o
g. ‘Once there was a Boy’ – Three Book Boxset $24.95 less 20% = $19.96
h. me2me2 Girls Gardening Kit $29.95 less 20% = $23.96 
i. Stephen Joseph Backpack/Lunchbag Set with FREE Tote $70.00 less 20% = $56.00

Look Mummy calculate delivery charges based on size and cubic weight. This cost is calculated during the checkout process and is shown prior to checking out. Please see the FAQ page for full delivery details.

Written by Anna

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I genuinely look forward to the festive season and have found that the presence of children in our world has enriched the lead up and anticipation for Christmas even more. Kids find joy and excitement in every aspect of the festive season: the cooking, the parties, making cards and, of course, the gifts!

Shop For Tots – www.shopfortots.com.au is a fantastic store well stocked for every aspect of life with a little tot: clothing, bedding, items for bath time and mealtimes and, everybody’s favourite, toys. Just in time for your festive preparations, a lovely bundle of gifts have arrived in store.

If you need inspiration, head straight to the gift section in store where all of Shop For Tots’ best gift ideas are laid out nicely for you to choose from. There I found all the great items from Tiger Tribe like the Wooden Boxset Doll’s House and Blow Up World Globe.  If you’re out to delight some little people this year, make sure you check out the fab Kid-O products too. My husband spied over my shoulder the Lil Fairy Doors and promptly declared “that is so cute, we have to get one” – well ok, if you insist darling! Attach these special little doors low on a wall, high on a bookshelf or in another secret place inside your home. It’s a gorgeous idea that is bound thrill anyone who loves the magic of fairies.

Shop For Tots are delivering *big* on their promise of delivering baby smiles too: when you enter the exclusive KSF discount code happydays you will get 10% off your order. You are able to use this discount across the entire store including everything in the Sale section where some items have already been reduced by up to 70%! All orders over $100 receive free shipping AND the first 60 orders received will get a free gift with purchase too: a beautiful Tiger Tribe Magnet Set worth $9.95 (images below).  Both offers end 10 November 2011, while stocks last.

PS. While you are there, make sure you sign up for the Shop for Tots newsletter and go into the draw to win a $200 Shop for Tots shopping spree. A winner is drawn every month

Discounted prices quoted below are only applicable with code happydays while stocks last, until 10 November 2011.

a. LilliputiensLiz Reversible Bag  $57.95 less 10% = $52.15
b. Lil Fairy Door $33.95 less 10% = $35.95
c. Tiger Tribe Wooden Boxset Doll’s House $56.95 less 10% = $51.25
d. Tiger Tribe Blow Up World Globe $12.95  less 10% = $11.65
e. Janod Galaxy Spinning Top $25.95 less 10% = $23.35
f. Kid O Tip Truck $22.95 less 10% = $20.65
g. Kid O Memory Match $49.95 less 10% = $44.95
h. Seedling Message Dragon – Duck Egg  $31.30 Special Price: $24.95 less 10% = $22.45
i. Bilibo $37.95 Special Price: $20.00 less 10% = $18.00
j. Plan Toys Road and Rail Deluxe $139.95 less 10% = $125.95
k. Tiger Tribe Dog Softie Rattle $18.95 less 10% =  $17.05

Shop For Tots stock from a very impressive range of brands including: Active People, An Angel at my Table, Annabel Trends, aden + anais, Babushka Baby, Baby KEA, Baby Leo, Baby Luxe, Baby Valentine, Babyushka, Banter & Frolic, Beatrix, Bebe, Bobble Art, Boikido, Boikido Eco, Boon, Bowtique, Brainy Baby, Brio, Britt Baby, b.box, Cherub Baby, Cocoon Couture, Crocodile Creek, Dandelion, Dandi, Delightful Australia, Djeco, EM Lite, Ecococoon, Edz Kidz, Ellaroo, Elle & B, Fiona Kate, forwalls, GR8X, Goki, Goodbyn, Govinci, Graze, Green Toys, Heavenly Creatures, Hopscotch Kids, Huckleberry Lane, Huglees, Il Tutto, Infantino, Janod, Kid O, Kidlet, Kids Kitchen, Kids Konserve, Knuffle Kid, Lama Li, Lamaze, Lark, Le Toy Van, Lifestyle Parenting, Lil Fairy Doors, Lilliputiens, Little Chipipi, Little House, Live Play Create, Lullaby Linen, Lunch Punch, Mamas & Papas, Manhattan, Me2Me2, Melissa & Doug, Meri Meri, Micador, Milk Baby, More 4 Boys, mor-stor, Oishi-m, Oobi, Paper Eskimo, Plan Toys, Rex, Rileah Design, Rosemonde Et Michel, SOLVEJ, Seedling, Specklefarm, Studio Skinky, Talking Tables, Tiger Tribe, Tippy Toes, Tortellini Cushion, Tutu Du Monde, Urchin, Wheely Bug, White Soda and Zzzoolight.

Shop For Tots ship Australia wide and charges start at  $6 for orders under 500g. Delivery is FREE for orders over $100. International delivery ranges in price from $15 & $30 depending on the weight of each order. For full delivery information and list of charges please see here.

Post written by Miki

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You know that when I start talking about Little Styles – www.littlestyles.com.au it’s a given that I’ll be waxing lyrical about how much new stock has arrived.  The sheer volume of new stock every time I visit Little Styles never fails to amaze me, particularly when it has clearly all been so carefully chosen and is all so darn gorgeous!

This week I’m noticing new fashion in-store from Oobi, Gaia Organic Cotton, Big by Fiona, Minti, Munster, Three Little Trees, Bluebird & Honey, Baobab to name but a few, and oh my but there are some lovely pieces here!  The Minti Circle Knee Trackies are a huge hit this winter and they look great teamed with Minti’s Pirate Jumper as seen at #1 below.  The Oobi Boys Puffa Vest is sporty and bright and fun and will suit your active young man down to the ground, while who could ask for anything prettier than the Oobi Tilly Tailored Jacket for their little girl?  I can’t stop looking at it!

Fashion aside, there are also new decor and accessories from Tiger Tribe, Penny Scallan and Aden + Anais, including Tiger Tribe’s Softie Puppy Mobile – just perfect if you’re kitting out a nursery for a baby boy or need a sweet baby shower present – and likewise the Tiger Tribe Mia Rag Doll is perfect for a baby girl.  If it’s decor you’re after then you must check out the new Penny Scallan range for fresh and lovely bedding and room accessories, and there are also some lovely new wraps from Aden + Anais.

Terri and the team at Little Styles are make it easy to snap up new season’s stock with a 15% off store-wide discount at Little for KSF readers: use the code ksf15 at checkout to get the discount, and make sure you do so before midnight 7 May 2011 when this offer ends. Want more? The 15% discount also applies on the hundreds of items of sale stock already marked down by up to 50%! Go get it before it’s gone!

Discounted prices quoted below are applicable with code ksf15 until midnight 7 May 2011 only.

1. Minti Crew Pirate Jumper, $49.95 less 15% = $42.45; Minti Circle Knee Trackies – Black/Grey, $54.95 less 15% = $46.70
2. Oobi Tilly Tailored Jacket, $59.95 less 15% = $50.95; Oobi Boys Puffa Vest, $49.95 less 15% = $42.45
3. Big by Fiona Scanlan Antique Tulle Tutu Dress – Blue, $99.95 less 15% = $84.95
4. Bluebird & Honey Onesie – Stripe Applique Penguin, $29.95 less 15% = $25.45; Bluebird & Honey Denim Embroidered Dress, $43.95 less 15% = $37.35
5. Three Little Trees Hooded Romper – Humpty, $34.95 less 15% = $29.70; Gaia Organic Cotton Red Floral Footed Onesie, $34.95 less 15% = $29.70
6. Tiger Tribe Mia Rag Doll, $34.95 less 15% = $29.70; Tiger Tribe Softie Puppy Mobile, $49.95 less 15% = $42.45

Little Styles stock over 3,000 products from over 120 premium labels, provide flat rate next day delivery – which is FREE on orders $150+ – gift wrap your order in their signature stationery, along with no fuss returns and exchanges. ‘Like’ Little Styles on Facebook to get up to the minute updates, discounts, special offers & competitions.  You can also sign up to their newsletter for the latest information: enter your email address in the signup box on the homepage .

Fashion, toy and accessory brands stocked include Aden & Anais, Adiri, Albetta, Alex, alex & charli, Alimrose Designs, Annabel Trends, Baby Gund, Baby Bloch, Babykids, Babylegs, Babylicious, Baobab, Bbox, Bebe, Bebe Au Lait, Belly Art, Big by Fiona Scanlan, Blabla, BLINK Designs, Bluebird & Honey, Bobbleart, Bonds, Busybee Friends, Cheeky Little Soles, Cheeky Monkey, Cloud B, Cocoon Couture, Dashbaby, Deglingos, Elodie Details, Fish Lilly, Flipsy Flopsy Doll Co., Flirty Bird, Flo, ForWalls, French Bull, Fresh Bakes, Gala Organic Cotton, Gertie and Me, Giddy Giddy, Gimmo, Global Style custom, Haba, Hess-Spielzebug, Indy & the Ninja, Infancy, Infantino, Isoki, Itch Design, Jack & Lily, Jasnor, Kathe Kruse, Lakeland Design, Lark and Friends, L’il Fraser Collection, Little Chippi, Little Styles, Love Police, Mamas and Papas, Marquis, Melissa & Doug toys, Miatom, Milk Baby, Minimonkey, Minti, Moppit, Muddy Cloud, Noo Design, Oobi, Paper Eskimo, Pinkberry Kisses, Pink Thodore, Plum, Precious L’il Things, Purebaby, Rockabye baby!, Rush, Russ, Sevi, Sigikid, Skeanie, Skip Hop, Sooki Baby, Super Zeros, SwaddleDesigns, Three Little Trees, Tiny Mammoth, Tiny Revolutionary, Tiny Tribe, Vintage Kid, Walnut, Well Spotted, Woof!, and WOW toys.

Little Styles deliver Australia-wide for the flat fee of $7.50. Orders over $150 are delivered FREE of charge. See ordering and delivery for more information, including international shipping rates.

Post written by Miki

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In terms of specific features to look for, library bags are pretty simple really: hardwearing fabric, some kind of simple closure (although this is optional, tote-style works well too), along with a cute-as-buttons design and you’re good to go. We have our top 10 list of favourites for you to peruse and I’m willing to bet it will give you all the inspiration you need.

1. Mee A Bee Kids Messenger Bags, $40.00; available at the Mee A Bee online store
2. Mooo Personalised Library bags, $24.95; available at the Mooo online store
3. Tiger Tribe Drawstring Bags, $19.95; available from Little Styles
4. Zazzle Library Bags, $14.95-$44.95; available from Zazzle
5. Cocoon Couture Kinder Bags, $39.95; available from ShopHouse
6. Stuck On You Personalised Library Bags, $29.95; available from the Stuck On You online store
7. Bobble Art Canvas Kinder Bags, $24.95; available from My Baby Rocks
8. Adelaide-based Etsy seller ‘MissMaddyMoloy’ Handmade Library Bags, USD$28.00; available from Etsy.com
9. Apple Green Duck Calico Sacks, $2.95ea; available from Apple Green Duck
10. Kiddysac Drawstring Bags, from $14.95; available from Haggus & Stookles

Please check individual sites for postage details and be sure to survey theKidStyleFile All Current Deals page to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal.

Post written by Anna

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The simple phrase ‘Back to School’ brings up mixed emotion as a parent. There is the heartache at watching our ‘babies’ head off on their first day, mixed with the pride of seeing them in their uniform. Plus there is the wonder at all the new things and people they will encounter throughout the year. Getting ready for these ‘back to school’ moments hastens a flurry of preparations because (arrhh, help me!) there is just so much to think about!

A brilliant store that can help get you and your little ones all set for the adventure of 2011 is Haggus & Stookles – www.haggusandstookles.com.au, who specialise in getting you and your little ones organised and out of the house. The Haggus & Stookles site is so user friendly and all laid out in sections so you can find what you need quickly and easily. You can cross off all of the most important items from your back to school list -  and you can do it all in style too!

One of the most important aspects of any time away from home (be it the park, nanna’s house, daycare, kinder or big school) is food! So Haggus & Stookles has a whole category devoted to Eating Out. Here you will find everything you need to get the food and drink department sorted: drink bottles, a massive array of colourful lunch boxes (over 60 items to choose from) like these super clever Lunch Cooler Bags made by great brand Fridge To Go. I love the range of reusable sandwich wraps and snack packs made by 4MyEarth which come in an impressive 10 designs to choose from. Your next stop will be a bag to keep all of this in and Haggus & Stookles again have you covered with a gorgeous selection of backpacks, drawstring bags as well as pencil cases and accessories. They can even set you up with a personalised name tag to pull everything together in a nice, neat little back to school package.

Haggus & Stookles are making your preparations even easier and happier, with a fabulous offer to all KidStyleFile readers: take 10% off storewide including everything in the specials section which has sale items reduced by up to 40%? Yes please! Enter code kidstylefileschool at checkout to have the discount applied to your order until 7 February 2011.

Discounted prices quoted below are only applicable with redemption code kidstylefileschool until midnight 7 February 2011.

• Lunch Boxes:  Fridge to Go Medium Lunch Cooler Bag (in black and red) $32.95 less 10% = $29.65
  
• Bags: Tiger Tribe Large Kids Backpack – Apple $44.95 less 10% = $40.55 and Bobble Art Kids Swimming/Library Bag – Paper Doll $19.95 less 10% = $17.95
• Drink Bottles: Thermos Intak Vacuum Insulated Drink Bottle – 770ml $34.99 less 10% = $31.49
  
• Reusable Sandwich & Snack Wraps: 4MyEarth Sandwich Wrap (‘Skull’ and ‘Butterfly’ designs shown) $10.95 less 10% = $9.85 and 4MyEarth Snack Bags – with expandable side (‘Cars’ design shown) $8.95 less 10% =$8.05
• Personalised Bag Tags: Kids Personalised Bag Tags – Kids $9.95 less 10% = $8.95

Haggus & Stookles stock an array of products to make your life out and about with kids a breeze, including: 4 My Earth; Aden & Anais; Adore-A-View; aka Pipik; Alex Toys; Allergy free passports; Allerhand; AllyKat; Amadeus; Annabel Karmel; Annabel Trends; Baa Baa Blind; Baby Mel; Baby Nation;  Baby Sherpa; Baby U; BabyWedge; Bags & Boxes; Bazoonai Kids; Bebe au Lait; Bella Tunno; Bobble Art/Rush; Boo Boo Buddy; Brolly Sheets; Bubbaroo; Built NY; Chick Pea; Dad Gear; Danish by Design/Minui; Design Go; Djeco; Dripstik; Drop Buddy; Easyfeed; Ellaroo; Envriosax; Envirotrend; Fit & Fresh; Fridge to Go; Gaia Skin Naturals; Go Home Junior; Goldbug; Goober Baby; High Road; Houdini Stop; Hurphy Durphy; Infantino; Infoband; Innate; Irony Homewares; JazSlings; Jelly Cat; Kaboodle Bags; Kiddysac; KidsAlert; Kipiis; Kozy Koala; Kozyepi; Littlelife; Lollipop Monkey; Longitude 151; Made by Mums; Medibuddy; Melissa & Doug; Moochie-Mo; Munchee Mug; My Little Seat; myBagTag; olli&pop; OnTray; Oobi; Petit Jour Paris; Pigeon; Playgro; Pure Wipes; Scrunch; SIGG; Skip Hop; Snug as a Bug; Stick ‘n Go; Storksak; Stuffit; Swan & Sparrow; Tantrums; Tatyourtot; The Bag Tag Studio; The Mummy Hook; Thermos; Tiger Tribe; Trunki; Vanchi; Woobee

Postage and handling at Haggus & Stookles starts at $6.50. Express post within Australia and International registered post are available. Insurance is optional. See the Haggus & Stookles site for more details.