The clink of designer bangles is so satisfying, don’t you think? Even better when you know they’re one-of-a-kind. Young fashionistas are going to love these Seedling Make Your Own Indie Bangles kits. With striking ribbons and fabric to wind around each wooden bangle, it’s a great way to explore colours and patterns and carve out a unique style of their very own.

Available at our Seedling pop-up event here. Be quick!

1. Explore the world with this cool monochromatic World Map and handmade Sticker Set.

2. In I Never Forget a Face Matching Game, the challenge is to pair up the smiling faces of 24 kids from around the globe.

3. You’ve got the whole world in your hands with this fun, Felt World Globe from Tiger Tribe.

4. Who wears a kimono? Which country loves the bagpipes? These cool Totem People are a great way to create stories about different cultures.

5. Figure out what connects people in this vividly illustrated Around the World Puzzle.

6. Africa’s a big continent, so there’ll be plenty of sticker stories kids can build on the fold out landscape with the African Sticker Book Collection.

United Nations
Totem People – bring the folk from many nations together and let them play.

New Faces
I Never Forget a Face! Matching Game – hone memory skills by matching the faces of 24 children from around the world.

Grand Tour
Putumayo Kids Europe Coloring Book – Give Big Ben a fresh new l ook and much more with these delightful colouring activities.

Grand Tour
Putumayo Kids Europe Coloring Book – Give Big Ben a fresh new l ook and much more with these delightful colouring activities.

Pack Leader
Union Jack Scooter – these fabulously retro-styled wheels have come out well ahead of the pack.

Rattle Royal
King Rattle – A right royal joy for your wee little prince or princess

Challenge young minds and bodies with our fun-packed selection. Cheer on your dinosaur to a podium finish in the thrilling Dinosaur Race. Discover who has the keenest eye with the Animal Olympics 40 piece puzzle. Or get out into the backyard and stage some real events of your own using the endlessly versatile Fun in the Sack Finish Line. Stock is limited, so don’t be slow off the mark. Shop our Olympic story now.
1. Fun in the Sack Finsh Line.
2. Animal Olympics 40-piece puzzle.
3. Snail’s Pace Race.
4. Around the World Puzzle.
5. Dinosaur Race.

Ready to explore one of the world’s most exciting cities? London has plenty to offer the curious globetrotter. Take a child-friendly stroll through some of its amazing sights with the classic picture book A Walk in London by Salvatore Rubbino. Channel some mod-cool with the stylish Union Jack Scooter, or add an iconic double-decker to your little one’s vintage car collection. Shop now.

While our athletes are striving for glory in London, you can get into the spirit with our brilliant selection of Olympic-themed fun. See who’s the greatest at puzzle-solving, learn about new countries with our globally-inspired colouring books, or take a tour round the host city on a classic red double decker bus, London map in hand. Let the Fun n’ Games begin! Shop our Olympic story now.

It’s one of those poignant parenting moments: when your child gives you a card they’ve made themselves. These beautifully illustrated, DIY pop-up cards from Kidsonroof lets them really push the boat out. Actually, you’ll probably want to put a few aside for your own use. Guaranteed to have a longer shelf life than the usual store-bought card.

Check them out here for the next seven days.

Italian architect Ramin Razani uses the methods of origami to create his elegant lamps for both children and adults. He’s an active member of the origami community and whole sites are devoted to his amazing designs. This week, we’re showcasing Razani’s whimsical Zzzoolight Lamps. Perfect for the kids’ room, we can’t choose between the baby Elephant, the Giraffe and the Snail. What’s your favourite?

These retro art posters from the ever-cool cats at Printspace are a great way to give the kids’ room a fresh look without getting out swatches. We love the Alphabet, or the Cheeky Monkey. They’re 50cm x 70cm, lithographically printed on satin-coated art paper. And they fit the IKEA Ribba frame. Another satisfying tick off the list.

Check out the full collection here.

Love really clever products? We do. This one’s a beauty: the Squirt Spoon from Boon. Simply pop bub’s puree into the end and squeeze it out onto the spoon end. No mess, no jars or pouches to carry around. For feeding on the go, it’s the business.

Check it out here at the Boon pop-up store.

1. Tennis anyone? Six pairs of Tenny Jenny tennis shoe socks from Trumpette make the perfect gift for a little star.
2. Style meets spills with Mozi’s sweet and practical 100% cotton jersey baby bib.
3. Little fingers will get a workout with the colourful and chemical-free Eco Dough.
4. Compact and self-contained, Tiger Tribe’s Beach Villa lets you bring the fun along wherever you go.
5. Keen young artists will love doodling in their eco-savvy Chimpanzee Sketchbook from Eco-Jots.
6. Take your Ballerina from warm-ups to first night with Mudpuppy’s magnetic Ballerinas Dress Up Dolls.

Kids’ dough has a hypnotic appeal for littlies. These vibrant handmade tubs from eco-kids® takes the hassle out of either finding a safe version for your little one to use, or making it yourself. They’re made from 100% natural ingredients. Add the eco-friendly bamboo rolling pin to the mix and give their creative instincts free rein.

Check out the eco-kids® range here.

Why not get a Beach Villa for the school break? Or maybe a Castle? Tiger Tribe’s ingenious Boxed Sets serve up hours of fun inside a compact eco-friendly box. Perfect for playdates or a family getaway.

Check out the entire “portfolio” here.

1. Tidying up is a lot more fun with this canvas Heliplanes Storage Tub from Mor-Stor.
2. Recharge your little inventor's batteries on a bold Robot Collection plate from French Bull.
3. Add a little flair to your outfit and give bub something safe to chew on with Jellystone Designs’ Organic Bangles in Fushia Bubblegum, Scarlet Red or Carrot.
4. Fond childhood memories are made of soft, cuddlesome toys like Edward Elephant.
5. Pucker up–dress-ups are even more exciting with a dash of colour from Pure Poppet's Natural Play Makeup Kit.
6. This attractive, natural-finish Recycling Truck will have littlies coming back for more.

French Bull makes some of the best-looking kids’ dinnerware on the planet.
BPA-free, heat resistant, dishwasher-safe and shatter-proof, they’re ideal for butter fingers or buttery fingers. Flavour of the month is the wacky Robot Collection. Plate up when batteries are running low.

Check them out here, along with the Princess and Monster Collections.

Finding a great floor covering for the nursery is a challenge, but here’s one from La Da Dah that makes us dance a jig.
Hand-crocheted from 100% cotton, the Pink Multi Rug also works as a throw over the end of a bed. Perfect for a little girl’s room – and there’s a Grey version for boys.

Pick one up at the La De Dah Pop-up store now.

Here’s something to add to the stash of kid’s birthday pressies you keep hidden for emergencies – Ridley’s Magic Kit. At $19.95, it’s an old-school charmer guaranteed to conjure a delighted grin. Inside are five classic illusions to practise, including the Thumb Tip Trick, the Multiplying Balls and the Magic Rope Trio.

Of course, your own little magician will probably want their own kit when they see this one. Better make it two then.

Available for the next seven days here.

1. You can’t help but hear the siren call of these dazzling Mermaid costumes from Wanabe.
2. Snowflakes are one of our favourite things – especially when decorating a sweet Acorn beanie.
3. Busy life? Keep a Ridley’s Magic Set up your sleeve for unexpected birthdays or rainy day blues.
4. Durable, reusable and deliciously eye-catching – the Tangerine Orange Lunchskin Sandwich Bag adds a touch of fun to the midday meal.
5. Mudpuppy’s fantastic Mermaids Create-a-Cards are sure to make waves, wherever you send them.
6. Dare them not to laugh when they snuggle under this comical Sardine Tin Doona for the first time.

Go beddy-buying your favourite Bed Toppings here.

One of the saddest things about growing up is you don’t get to insist on going down the street dressed as a Red Indian any more (at least without attracting some startled looks).

On the other hand, you’ll have a hard time coaxing your kids out of their favourite Wanabe outfit. Their superb, vintage-inspired costumes are handmade using fine quality fabrics and designed for active play.

We love these cowboy and indian costumes for a bit of retro play. Check out the entire range here.

Soft boiled egg and toast soldiers? Sausages and tomato sauce? Veggies and dip? Whatever you put together, with Double Dippers, there's a place for everything, and no room for spills. In four great colours.

1. Keep it fresh in the nursery with a sweet Apple Tree decal from Trendy Peas.
2. Sing the classic hits together with this vividly illustrated and practical, wipe-clean Nursery Rhymes Book.
3. 100% cotton Blue Denim Jeans with a hot pink twist from street-wise designers Mooce.
4. Super-light, fold-away and safe for busy toddlers – no wonder the Scramblebug Splash wins awards for great design.
5. This vibrant Frangipani Stainless Steel Water Bottle from Cheeki is ultimate accessory for active youngsters.
6. Say “hello” to these cheekily bright Ni Hao Noodle Bowls and chopsticks for little diners.

]]> Sat, 16 Jun 2012 00:59:00 +0000 http://kidunot.com/blog/quicksmart-quiet-ride/

There’s no stopping a busy two-year-old when they’ve discovered the joys of things that move. So you either resign yourself to buying a new floor in a few years time, or you get smart about what you let them race down the hall.

Quicksmart’s award winning Scramblebugs and Scuttlebugs have specially designed quiet, non-scratch wheels, which make them the perfect ride-ons for rainy day fun.

Check them out here.

What do we want from our pre-teen fashion? Something bright and yet sophisticated, comfortable to wear and above all, washing machine friendly. Kids’ designer clothing brand Mooce understands this instinctively. Their latest Winter 2012 collection is brimming with brilliant ideas.

Little girls will love the fashion-forward styles in bold hues and classic neutrals, like the street-savvy Balloon and Cloud Dress, which manages to look both endearing and hip at the same time. You’ll love how easy it is to mix and match to make the most of your winter wardrobe.

Pick up the best of the Mooce Winter Collection 2012 for the next seven days here.

This unique interactive animated storyteller is here just in time for the International Year of Reading. The Vtech Storio Console comes complete with press-button Story Dictionary, Reading Games, fun activities, and a Disney Cars 2 or Dora the Explorer Story Cartridge.

These sturdy stainless steel drink bottles are just too cool to lose. Pick a signature design like Butterfly, Dinosaur, Sports Ball or Frangipani (from sixteen colourful options), and it's sure to find its way home again.

Transforming your little one’s room is a walk in the woods with these captivating wall decals from designer outfit Trendy Peas. We’re completely entranced by the Tree with Squirrels, but we could easily fall for the Modern Airplanes or the Tree with Owls tomorrow. The best thing is, changing your mind is that simple – Trendy Peas’ wall decals are removable, reusable and wipe clean. The video below shows you just how effortless they are to use.

It's all about style when the girls get together. We love this Glitter Party Kit to bring out their inner divas. And to keep a 7+ glamazon busy for hours, try these Make Your Own Lip Gloss and Make Your Own Nail Polish kits.

1. This game of Beehives – matching bee to hive with tongs – is a buzz for pre-schoolers.
2. Catch spills gently with this oh-so soft, absorbent BabyLuxe Organic Terry Reversible Baby Bib.
3. This Lion Round Storage Hamper will soon sort the Bedroom Jungle out.
4. Encourage sweet dreams with these snug-as-a-bug See Saw Sleep Tight Cosy fit PJ Set.
5. Put the finishing touches to your nursery with the innocently charming signed giclée art print The Garden.
6. Rub each page of the Magic Pictures Animals book to see who’s hiding – then colour in with felt tip pens or crayons. Hours of fun.

]]> Sat, 09 Jun 2012 00:59:00 +0000 http://kidunot.com/blog/out-of-the-box-giveaway-is-closing/

If you blinked and somehow missed this fantastic giveaway – get cracking and enter! We’re giving away a Family Day Package to Out Of the Box Festival for Children, Queenslands not-to-be-missed arts event of the year for children! And entries close tonight!

The lucky winner will enjoy:

4 tickets to Helpmann Award winning show, Me and My Shadow, Saturday 16 June at 9.45am, Playhouse, QPAC (performance)
4 tickets to Design your Story World, Saturday 16 June at 10.45am, Playhouse Lounge, QPAC (workshop)
4 tickets to We Built this City, Saturday 16 June at 1.30pm, Cultural Forecourt, South Brisbane (outdoor activity)

For more details and to enter; quickly zip over here and leave your entry in the comments field provided. It's that easy!

Pack your princess off to her next sleep-over in style. We love these Sleep Tight PJ sets in Silly Owls, See-Saw, and Mulberry Stripe designs. Also the comfy, cosy wide-leg style in Princess and Dream. We can't guarantee there'll be much sleep, but they'll definitely keep the cold out.

Whatever your young art lover dreams of, there's something special for them here. Fly away with the Fairy Art Print, join the fun with Fairy's Friends or daydream in the Fairy's Garden. And with fearless Red Robot and his cool friends, we haven't forgotten the boys.

All kids love to do it. And with a menu that includes PlanToys’ yummy Breakfast, Bagel Meal, grownup Steak Meal and colourful Fruit and Veg, who can blame them? Especially when it’s all served up on this classy Tableware Set.

It’s not always easy to find quality bassinet and cot sheets for baby. A high price tag isn’t necessarily a guarantee of softness. Baby Luxe makes up for the disappointments. They make a range of sheets in both certified organic bamboo and cotton. Bamboo is fantastic as a highly breathable, odour-resistant material with natural anti-bacterial properties. Ideal for newborns. The 100% cotton is soft, comfy and safe for older babies.

Baby Luxe pays attention to crib safety too, with patented safety stay-on corners that keep the bottom sheet in place, no matter how thick the mattress.

Stock up today at our Baby Luxe Event.

Out Of the Box - Queenslands not-to-be-missed arts event of the year for children is on from the 12th – 17th June 2012. Sponsored by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Out Of the Box is a spectacular biennial festival featuring an action-packed week of more than 50 vibrant, interactive performances, workshops and free events designed to celebrate learning, play, curiosity and discovery in children 8 years and under.

The mind boggles at the breadth and depth of the events and performances on offer and highlights this year include:

Me and My Shadow (Suits 4 - 8 years) - winner of the Helpmann Award for Best Presentation to Children in 2011; Me and My Shadow is a gentle story told using the languages of paper, light, shadow, colour, water, music, sound and words. Click here for bookings and more info.

The Flying Orchestra (Suits 4 - 8 years) – based on the book by Queensland writer and illustrator Clare McFadden, The Flying Orchestra is visual theatre and live music at its finest. Click here for bookings and more info.

We Built this City (Suits all ages) – one of our favourite events for the whole family! Release your inner architectural, design and construction skills to build tunnels and construct towers using not one, but thousands of boxes! Click here for bookings and more info.

Design your Story World (Suits 3 - 8 years) - Have you ever imagined being able to walk around the illustrations in a picture book? Using art and design techniques, children work with QUT Early Childhood Education students to build a large-scale, 3-Dimensional, continuous installation of 2 picture book worlds.
Click here for bookings and more info.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this spectacular festival; Kid U Not have a Family Day Package to give away! Be quick, entries close this Friday 11 June 2012!

Included in the prize package:

4 tickets to Helpmann Award winning show, Me and My Shadow, Saturday 16 June at 9.45am, Playhouse, QPAC (performance)
4 tickets to Design your Story World, Saturday 16 June at 10.45am, Playhouse Lounge, QPAC (workshop)
4 tickets to We Built this City, Saturday 16 June at 1.30pm, Cultural Forecourt, South Brisbane (outdoor activity)

How to enter:

To enter simply leave a comment in the field below and tell us why you would like to go to the Out Of the Box Festival and who you would take with you.

Good luck!

Doesn’t it make you smile when things just work together? These ForWalls square storage hampers fit neatly inside that practical Ikea shelving you’ve been using in the kids’ rooms. And bring a little extra personality to the space to boot. Job done.

Here’s where you can pick up a few today

1. It’s got all the bells and whistles – this Ambi One-Man Band lets tots discover the joys of sound in many different ways.

2. Smart phones, smart cars and now the smart Natribottle Glass bottle that warns you when the temperature’s too hot for bub.

3. Jam a lullaby or two with the offbeat Simon the Snail musical soft toy from Emotion & Kids.

4. A Timmy Tiger Bean Bag in classic denim from Cocoon Couture. It’s where all the cool kids hang out.

5. Bathtime is good clean fun with this colourful Green Toys™ Tug Boat made from 100% recycled materials.

6. Your little star will twinkle in MTK’s Belle Sparkle Cardigan.

Looking for a great warm-up act at bedtime? Esther Schuivens has created a range of endearing little musical soft toys that’ll sing a soothing lullaby and submit to any amount of cuddling before you take centre stage.

Our favourites? Too many to mention them all – but don’t leave without taking a look at Simon the Snail, the natty Mr Morris Fox or the brilliant Blue Rocket.

The full line-up is right here.

Some toys never lose their cool. Ambi Toys make some of our favourites. Simple, brightly coloured and ingeniously designed for age-appropriate learning and development. Look at these:

1. Bubs love munching on the happy face of this cute Teddy Teether.
2. Watch the Bath Duck’s beak waggle as it bobs on the waves.
3. Get them started on a musical career with this eye-catching, two-tone Trumpet.
4. No little one can resist watching the roly-poly Magic Man cross the floor.
5. Spin the Tess & Ted Carousel and watch the teddies dance a merry jig.
6. Here’s a cheery Sunflower Rattle to spin, touch, shake.

Time to freshen up the toybox? Look here.

One baby bottle is much like another, right? Natribottle Glass Bottles will change your mind. Their amazing heat sensitive colour-changing silicone sleeve lets you know straight away if the milk or formula for bub is too hot. They’re also BPA, phthalate PVC and polycarbonate-free. We just love the tasty colour range – Apple, Berry and Citrus.

Pick up a twin pack here.

These über-cool vehicles from Green Toys™ move with the times. Made from 100% recycled materials, they’re a great way to look after the earth, as well as take care of your kid’s love affair with wheels.

1. Teach them about recycling young, while they’re rolling this Recycling Truck around the kitchen floor.
2. Start your engines with these nifty Race Cars in Pink and Blue.
3. Dump Truck lets you haul a big load and take the weight off the planet.
4. All aboard the magic yellow School Bus.
5. Emergency! This funky Fire Truck will be first on the scene.

You’ll find these and more classic toys at the Green Toys Shopping Event.

Winter’s no time for shrinking violets. Mini Treasure Kids lets you revel in all the frills, bows, sparkles and lace you secretly adore for little girls.

1. These stylish Allira Lace Leggings underpin any stylish outfit.
2. The Cream Girls Belle Top with Frill blends practical warmth and romantic charm.
3. Shimmer and shine with a pair of Gold Girls Belle Sparkle Pant with Frill.
4. Stay cosy and chic with a Belle Sparkle Cardigan in Black, Grey or Gold.
5. Add a classic touch to an ensemble with this Cream Girls Anastasia Top with Bow.
You’ll find MTK’s romantically inclined Winter 2012 Collection here.

These enchanting, vintage-style bean bags from Cocoon Couture are just the thing for kids to curl up in. Made from 100% cotton pinwale cord in kid-friendly hues, they’re machine washable and the beans have their own safety liner so you can be sure they won’t escape to drive you crazy. Choose the animal design that suits your own sweet little critter.

1. Timmy Tiger
2. Mini Monkey
3. Sleepy Owl
4. Lucky Elephant
5. Early Bird
6. Dreamy Owl

Shop the range now.

1. Corban and Blair’s clever self-assembly Zoo Mobile is a great craft project for littlies, as well as a cheerful spot of décor.

2. Solving this awesome 3D Dinosaur puzzleball® is only half the fun – showing it off afterwards is almost as good.

3. Tidying up the toys is a much better game when you can ride the Travel Toy Box afterwards – available in Blue or Pink.

4. The Paint-A-Pack Poster Paint contains a massive 4 x 250ml of red, white, yellow and blue poster paints and a big brush – that’s enough for a truckload of masterpieces.

5. With its funky shark motif, the Orange Boy’s Long Sleeve Top is a guaranteed hit with boisterous young lads.

6. Add a touch of whimsy to the kids’ room with an origami-style Zzzoolights animal.

Youngster planning a creative blitzkrieg? Here are our top picks from Crayola’s arsenal of inventive kids’ art supplies:

1. The unique rounded nib of My First Washable Markers lets little ones attack their canvas from any angle. And the ink simply rinses off skin.

2. Carry a handy weapon against boredom with the Twistables Crayons in a neat carry case.

3. Watch littlies storm the 50 Pip-Squeaks Telescoping Marker Tower – its three-tier display lets you see all 50 shades at once.

4. Budding designers now have first-strike decorating capabilities with these cool Fabric Crayons.

5. Go back to the drawing board on the no-bleed Giant Marker & Watercolour Pad.

6. Rally the troops with Paint-A-Pack Classic Colours – rich, creamy, washable poster paint that performs on colour and black paper.

7. When you’re out on a mission, these Mini Twistables Crayons should keep your little soldiers occupied.

All this and more available at the Crayola Shopping Event now.

Next time Junior has a birthday to go to that you’ve forgotten about, you’ll be covered. Here are some excellent ideas to create a present stash in the back of the cupboard, from Corban and Blair’s enchanting Zoo Collection.

1. These simple, colourful animals can be personalised to make a delightful Zoo Mobile for a little one’s bedroom.

2. Brighten up any kids’ bedroom with a cheery Small Zoo Cushion in 100% handprinted cotton – available in Blue and Pink.

3. Tuck this happy-looking of blank Zoo Cards away and you’ll never be caught short for a gift card, for girls or boys.

4. The bold designs on this handy Bathroom Bags make a great gift for a child ready for sleepovers.

5. Here’s a practical and stylish Aprons with a plastic front for easy wipe-downs – ideal for budding chefs.

6. Who doesn’t love the promise of a fresh page? The A5 Book in a Zip Bags makes a great Pass the Parcel.

Shop more on this week’s Corban and Blair Event here.

There’s nothing like a puzzle for turning on a light bulb in little brains. Improved fine motor skills, memory building, spatial and visual recognition, concentration – the list seems endless. Puzzle maestros Ravensburger adds an extra dimension of fun with their one-of-a-kind puzzleballs®.

Each perfectly crafted curved puzzle piece fits together to form a perfectly rounded sphere with no glue needed. The clever World Map will entice keen young travellers (and their parents), while budding explorers will love the Dinosaur or Jungle puzzleballs®.

Once the puzzle’s finished, mount their masterpiece on one of these ingenious Light Stands to show off their achievement to best effect.

Check out our top picks from the Ravensburger range here.

If you’re well-versed in the ways of fashion, you’ve got a sixth sense that tells you when you’re about to happen on a terrific out-of-season bargain like this one. Kids Eco Style delivers playful summer threads in soft, 100% organic, Fair Trade cotton. They’re just begging to be popped in the bottom drawer until the mercury starts travelling north again.

Start shopping your summer here.

These clever Trunki accessories will get you to Grandma’s or Great Britain with bags of fun to spare.

1. Perfect for trains, planes or automobiles, the Snoozi Hedz is a travel pal, pillow and blanket in one.

2. Hightail it to the beach with the waterproof PaddlePak backpack.

3. The ultimate travelling toybox – in go the toys, then on goes the owner.

4. Keep hydrated on trips with this handy Holster that doubles as a hand puppet to sweet-talk them into playing nice.

5. The Essentials – saddlebag, tote bag, stickers to personalise your Trunki and a purse for travel treats.

1. These funky Night Lights are an easy way to lighten up the kids’ decor.

2. Eco-nappies that complement this season’s colour palette? A brilliant idea, ones&twos.

3. Big eyes, soft, fat little bodies – the Owl and Fish Roly Poly Rattles get our vote for cutest toys this week.

4. These sporty and stylish Suede Kickers will get a great workout this winter.

5. Packed with loads of exciting things to spin, play, puzzle out and push along, the EverEarth Walker is a huge hit with toddlers.

6. Meet Zouf, the super-soft, 100% organic cotton hare who’s destined to be bub’s first BFF.

Who needs a lambskin when you can have your very own soft pet as a security blanket? Made by respected Dutch outfit Wallaboo, these quirky little critters are made from quality 100% absorbent lightweight cotton which actually gets softer the more you wash it, if such a thing is possible.

Meet Cerise, the pink cat, Filou, the little green sausage dog, Zouf, the blue hare, Gris, the mouse, and Lulu, the ecru rabbit. Just 2cm thick and with big floppy ears that are perfect for tiny hands to hold, they’ll soon become bub’s constant companion. Maybe get two, just in case …

Check them out here today.

This is new – nappies that actually look cool, as well as being good for the environment. ones&twos is a range of eco-friendly cloth nappies in six vibrant hues, so you can match the nappy of the hour to the outfit of the day. They come in four sizes from newborn to active little person in a trim, neat and comfy fit. Best of all, they’re as easy to use as a disposable, without the nasty environmental side-effects.

Moccasins were first invented by North American native tribes – and let’s not forget those people had to walk everywhere. Soft on the feet, practical, and amazingly versatile – no wonder it’s a style that’s endured.

Luckily, today you don’t have to stick to fawns and beiges either. We love these Pink Moc-Croc Moccasin from Mooky Shoes, which dress up a party skirt as easily as a pair of old play jeans.

We worry a lot about what goes into our kids’ mouths. So it makes sense to start early, with toys for baby that they can safely chew on – and you can machine wash.

These endearing little Roly Polie rattles are the perfect choice for sensation-hungry fingers and mouths – choose from Bee, Owl, Frog, Cow, Fish, Panda, Ladybug, Koala and Rooster. While you’re at it, don’t forget to add the matching hat. Guaranteed to give family, friends and complete strangers that gooey, “I-could-just-eat-‘em-up” feeling.

Check out the range today

We all know kids can be pretty demanding. Allison Krongard found this out when she took on a three-year-old named Max as her first client. Her career at Knoll International had given her a keen eye for design and friends were always asking her for décor advice. Max was an eye-opener. No sooner had she put together the inspiration, swatches and paint chips to suit his dinosaur obsession, than he told her he’d moved onto spaceships.

His fickleness was the spark for WallCandy. If kids’ imaginations change as fast as their shoe size, Allison decided, then why not create a decorative element that can change with them?

Fast forward a few years, and Allison has two children of her own, Lily and Brandon, as well as a flourishing business creating removable, reusable wall decals and the innovative chalkboard decals in designs that both kids and parents flip over.

Check out the full range here and enjoy up to $40 off for the next week only.

Got boys? Then you’ll know how their cars, trains, buses and diggers tend to multiply at an alarming rate. Here’s a great toy that does three in one.

The parts fit together to make a car, a digger or a dump truck, improving their dexterity and problem-solving skills – and saving on space in the toybox.

You’ll find it here along with EverEarth’s exciting range of eco-friendly toys.

Let’s face it – raising littlies isn’t all sunshine and butterfly kisses. There’s a fair amount of sheer hard work involved too. So anything that makes life a little easier gets our seal of approval.

Brother Max is devoted to doing just that. This clever crew – all parents themselves – have created simple, imaginative products that make feeding, bathing and bedtime a little more relaxed.

Like the 3 Bath Toys that encourage interactive play and learning to wash, as well as having a clever safety feature that changes colour when the water’s too hot. Or the Combi Bib with changeable cotton tops that you can reuse all day and buttons down as a carry case for cutlery. Neat.

Once you’ve tried Brother Max, we’re pretty sure you’ll have wondered how you ever did without. Shop the entire range for this week only here.

Admit it – as the nights draw in, the travel brochures come out. Bali, Vanuatu, the Whitsundays – anywhere looks appealing from underneath mounds of winter woollies, right? And once you’ve planned your winter escape, you have the best excuse ever to indulge your love of bright and breezy summer clothes for the kids. Something they can just fling on after a dip, but takes them from beach to brunch without missing a beat.

Stop looking – we’ve found just the thing. Kaftan Kids makes handcrafted feather-light cotton kaftans in exotic florals and oriental fabrics.

Frankly, if they made them bigger, we’d be first in line for the freshly squeezed Lime Zest or the flirty Paris Pink. Check out the entire range here for the next week.

Say ciao to the sandals – it’s time to rug up from top to toe. Think boots and hi-tops in warm hues. Designer Bettina Parker of local outfit chillikids has the season all laced up with her striking Autumn Winter 2012 collection.

Girls will become instant BFFs with Katy – cherry red patent leather long boots. Match them with a pair of skinny jeans or a favourite skirt and tights. For boys, nothing beats Rocky leather hitops with Velcro straps.

The hi-top canvas sneaker in denim makes a comeback this season – add some fun to an ensemble with the cheeky red floral version of Jordan . Itching to bring out the pretty frock? The lovely silver Maddie ballet with elastic strap is the perfect slipper to complete a party look. For rainy days, the Spotty gumboot will make a splash in more ways than one.

Seven days and counting – put your best foot forward here.

There are the knits that Grandma makes. Bright. Warm. Made with love. And then there’s Petit de Nimes, from renowned Melbourne-based designer Sandra Parente. Elegant, understated, with a touch of je ne sais quoi all finely made garments have. Both have their undeniable appeal. And there’s ample room for both in any kid’s wardrobe this season. Try these on for size:

The Bella Cardi in 100% soft cotton is a study in sweetness, with frill neck edge detail and gathered sleeves. Tops off a skirt or jeans with aplomb.

The Runaway Hoody blends comfort and style for boys set on outdoor adventure. While the Striped Grandpa Crew lends a cool military edge to any winter outfit.

See Petit de Nimes’ full range here for the next week only.

Available today

You don’t have to spend what feels like years at the park watching Junior learn to give up the training wheels. Balance bikes are designed to help littlies learn the hard bit of riding a bike first – balancing on it. Once they’ve done that, the theory goes, pedaling is a breeze.

Introducing the Kurve Balance Bike from Kiddimoto for ages 3 to 6. Just one look at this fab range made us wish we needed to learn to ride too. Made from 100% recycleable birch ply, they’re tested to the highest standards – CE marked and meeting the safety standard EN71. And thanks to clever adjustable seating, they’re designed to last from first wobble to final coast – not just for the first child, but their siblings too. Not to mention cousins, neighbours – maybe even the grandkids).

Our faves? We can’t go past the retro-cool Union Jack or the sweetie pie Red and White Dotty. Oh – and don’t forget to kit them out with a new Kiddimoto Helmet and Bike Gloves too. Check out the entire Kiddimoto Kurve range here– all yours for the next six days.

Love kids’ fashion as much as we do? Then you’ll love the work coming from new Melbourne designers fred & frank. Not just because their looks are fresh, funky and fun to wear, but also because they don’t just pay lip service to a quality product.

Take one of our faves from the trans-seasonal NY collection. A close look at the cute Manhattan Denim Shorts and matching Manhattan Blazer shows an attention to impeccable detail and finishes, using quality denim imported from Japan.

Other pieces on our wish list include the bold Bronx Puffer Jacket with its NY cab-yellow lining and the frilly Uptown Check Blouse Shirt in 100% cotton.

Want to see the whole shebang? Shop our Event now.

Remember those days when you could just throw a few clothes and toiletries in a bag and head for the airport with minutes to spare? These days, just getting out of the house with kids can feel as complicated as Napoleon’s march on Moscow.

Quicksmart is an Australian outfit that specialises in helping mobility-challenged parents get from A to B with the crew more easily. Their Easy Fold Stroller weighs just 7 kgs and folds up so small and so easily, you’ll be on your way in next to no time.

When you’ve arrived, the 3 in 1 Play Yard does overtime as a playgpen, bassinet and change mat and is ready for action in seconds. Best of all, it’s compact and flat when folded and weighs just 6.91kgs so it’s perfect for flying or visits to Grandma’s and Grandad’s.

They’ve even created a cool foldaway ride-on called the Scuttlebug, so your toddler has instant wheels no matter where you go.

Check out more of their clever travel-friendly items in this week’s Shopping Event here.

It’s one of the best moments in your day – seeing your baby genius master yet another new skill. Grasping an object, pressing a button, sorting a shape into a hole. The alchemy of play is endlessly fascinating to watch. Infantino absolutely get this. Which is why their toys and products are enduringly popular. They’ve mastered the art of creating playthings that appeal to tiny fingers and growing brains. As they say, “We spend a lot of time trying to make them more fun, more engaging and a lot less boring.”

Lucky for us parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles, Infantino exists to make baby showers and first birthdays a cinch. This week, we’ve handpicked a selection of some of Infantino’s best. The Tap and Giggle Batting Buddies is sure to raise a delighted chuckle, and the Grey Flip and Peek Fun Phone makes for loads of delicious moments as they call
to find out “when you comin’ home, Daddy?”

Head over to the Infantino Shopping Event to stock up.

Brilliant. Ingenious. Cherished. These are just a few of the words that spring to mind when we think of the products created by US outfit Melissa and Doug.

The company started over 20 years ago in Doug’s parents’ garage – but thanks to a dedicated and ever-growing customer-base, they’ve grown in leaps and bounds. Amazingly, their talented design team have created over 2,000 innovative products, from colourful puzzles that foster memory, recognition, and basic language and numeracy skills to imaginative playthings that let imaginations go wild. In a nutshell, they make the kind of toys that get a real workout from generation to generation. We’ve selected some of our favourites for the new Melissa and Doug Shopping event – check them out here

A few words spring to mind when I think about Breganwood Organics. Organic, for one. Then sustainable, eco-friendly, ethically-produced, super-soft terry towelling, cute and cuddly, and funky designs.

Breganwood Organics set up the very first GOTS (Global-Organic Textile Standard)-certified factory in China for producing its strictly organic towelling. Making towels, bathrobes and slippers for the luxury hotel industry for twenty years, the company decided to create the beautiful fabric in a healthy, sustainable way. Using their vast experience in luxury terry towelling, they’ve turned their attention to creating super soft, fun and funky terry towel items for the home, turning traditional items into fun, organic and quality masterpieces. Their range of mix-and-match animal-design towels, hooded wraps and bath mitts are super cute and cuddly.

Breganwood Organics Co-Founder and Creative Director, Laurie Lemmlie-Leung, hails from the USA. After graduating, she travelled to Asia for what was supposed to be a two-year stint as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. She ended up staying there for 10 years. During that time she met and married her husband and Breganwood Co-Founder, Tony Leung. They eventually moved to Hong Kong and took over the family business.

“When we decided to build a new factory, we wanted to make sure it reflected our ideals,” Laurie explains. “Specialising in organic cotton was important; not only is it better for the environment, but it made good business sense. I am encouraged by the increasing awareness by consumers about how products are made. Organic cotton products are slowly moving from a niche market to mainstream and we want to support this.”

“According to Organic Exchange, there are currently 253,000 hectares of land devoted to growing organic cotton, a ten-fold increase since 2002. This translates into a reduction of over 20 million kilos of chemicals that would have been used for conventional cotton. We estimate that just one of our Breganwood bath wraps, if made with conventional cotton, would require approximately 250gms of chemicals, just to grow the cotton.”

“But being organic is not enough,” says Laurie. “Customers should look at the whole supply chain; not just how the cotton is grown, but how it is processed. We welcome customers to visit the factory to see how we operate here.”

The factory specialises in unique products that require exceptional skills in weaving and cut and sew operations. Quality looms were imported from France and Italy. “We have been very fortunate in the support of experts we have met along the way,” says Laurie. The company has an expert in machine weaving working together with a design consultant who has a passion for hand looms. Together they stretch the boundaries of ‘normal’ terry production to produce unique fabrics and designs.” For Laurie, the factory is more than a building with looms and machinery that spits out fabric, it is her second home. “I have been to so many dreary factories” she says. “Some folks think I am eccentric, but my goal is to make our factory one of the most beautiful in China. I am working on the garden and I was fortunate to have the president of the Hong Kong Gardening Society come for a visit and give me advice.” The factory offers recreation facilities, the dormitories and factory are air conditioned and workers are respected and paid wages above the standard for China. “There is still a lot of work to do before I will be completely satisfied, but we are headed in the right direction.”

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Kiniki Kids Clothes are some of the funkiest kids’ clothes around. And how could they not be?

(a) They’re named Kiniki, inspired by the legendary line from Great “Hickey from Kenickie”

(b) They’re cofounder is none other than AFL champion, Shane Crawford

With a name like Kiniki you expect unconventional. And that’s what you get: boy meets tomboy clothes for kids, with a little bit of pink thrown in for good measure. Launching in March 2010, Kiniki clothes effortlessly epitomise the Australian lifestyle, with timeless, durable and versatile pieces that steer clear of superficial trends to create a brand as uninhibited and unpredictable as the kids who wear it. For Kiniki co-founder, AFL champion Shane Crawford, it’s about being best on playground.

Kiniki’s collection is perfect for mixing and matching. Denim is an all time favourite, stealing the show, and Mini Kiniki will impress with soft sueded fabrics, plaids, stripey fleece and vintage print tees. Decked out in Kiniki, your kids will be the coolest in the playground.

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Keedo hails from the sunny shores of South Africa, and what better place to be inspired by nature. Nelia Schutte is the founder and inspiration behind Keedo. After the birth of her twins, Nelia had a hard time finding clothes that were fun, comfortably shaped, colourful and soft against the skin. So she decided to create her own personalised kids clothing out of high quality materials, clothing that was good enough for her own offspring.

Two years after the birth of her gorgeous twins, Henno and Carmia, Nelia had a near fatal ski accident which made her realise that existence was to be cherished. During her recovery she began to take stock of her life, dreams, talents and goals. She knew things had to change. Shortly after, the wheels were put in motion for the first store in Cape Town which opened in October 1993. She called it Keedo after her own adorable "Keedos".

A year later, Nelia received the award for the "National Entrepreneur Business Woman of the Year" - the first in an on ongoing list of successes for the company. In 1997 she was joined by a business partner, David Robertson, and since then the Keedo brand has kept growing, just like the kids that wear their clothes.

Today, Keedo puts smiles on the faces of kids in 16 countries across the globe. They also create employment opportunities for over 200 people in their local community, not to mention the extensive social awareness projects implemented from the head office in Cape Town. It is all these things that makes Nelia a proud woman today.

THE KEEDO WAY OF THINKING

Keedo is so much more than just a business; they have a conscience and care about the world around us and the little people that live within it.

1 Letting kids be kids through our designs and the material we use. We only use cotton that is breathable and not irritating to little sensitive skins.

2 Giving back to our kids by supporting projects through our Keedo Cares project.

3 Giving back to society by striving to create local job opportunities where our work force can be close to home (to keep an eye on their own ‘keedos’!).

4 Looking after mother earth through our designs and educational tags that we hope will instill a love for nature in our kids.

Keedo clothes not only have aesthetically unique prints and styles but bring with them a belief in conservation that sprouts directly from the passion of Nelia Schutte, founder of Keedo. "We draw our inspiration from nature and view our work product as happiness rather than clothing", says Nelia.

In Keedo’s own words, “Letting kids be kids is our first priority - in our styles, designs and through our social responsibility programme. At Keedo we provide more than just a garment - we create a proudly South African product that in-turn creates local jobs and uplifts the community. Keedo is committed to supplying quality, durable, comfortable, pre-shrunk cotton garments and engages in a fair and honourable work ethic.”

"Finella" is Celtic for Fiona. ‘Finella’ was created by Sydney-sider Fiona Wedderburn, whose daughters inspired this fun and funky range of children’s dinnerware.

As a toddler, Fiona’s daughter was affectionately known as “Demolition Doris”. Together with her other child, their playfulness formed the inspiration for ‘finella’ dinnerware. Each product has been sampled and tested by little experts (is there any other way?) to bring you quality products that your kids will love.

Finella has a fun, playful approach to the everyday. Finella’s dinnerware collection, designed by Fiona, features fun illustrations. They are made of high gloss 100% melamine, BPA free, are shatterproof and meet with the strict standards and requirements set by US Food and Drug Administration. Perfect for snack time, dinner time and the ever important tea parties.

Finella's products are perfect as gifts for girls and boys and the mum-to-be and can be used for everyday use.

If your little girl loves frills, ruffles and all things girly, ZaliZoo is the designer for you! Specialising in children’s wear, ZaliZoo creates gorgeous feminine and fun designs for girls sized 000-2. On-trend and innovative, ZaliZoo’s extensive collection of clothing is manufactured using fabrics designed by their graphic artist and printed in their production house. So rest assured that they are original and exclusive to ZaliZoo.

ZaliZoo’s ever expanding range includes sun hats, bloomers, tights, swing tops, tee shirts, dresses, skirts, jackets, pants and long sleeved tee shirts. Their mission is to provide unique, original products that can be purchased for an affordable price.

ZaliZoo is also committed to helping out as much as possible. They recently successfully ran an auction event which raised over $2600 for victims of the 2011 Queensland floods, and also continually donate (whether it be product or monetary values) to auctions and fundraisers.

They also donate material and products (that don't pass their extensive quality control checks) to local village children in Indonesia who aren't fortunate enough to purchase clothing. Seamstresses then turn these donated products and material into beautiful dresses for the village girls to wear. If you need that little bit of extra help please email sales@zalizoo.com and they will do their very best to help you out :)

If you’ve ever seen your child slip into your over-sized adult shoes and try to walk, you’ll understand the benefits of dress up and role play. Fancy dress takes it to a whole new level! Children can explore and pretend to be whoever they want to be, real or imagined. A pixie, a superhero, a fairy, a mermaid, a ballet dancer... fancy dress costumes allow your child to use their imagination and explore a world outside their own - not to mention developing any latent acting talents!

Fairy Girls is a wholesaler of costumes and accessories. They stock hundreds of products in their costume range, and we have a wonderful selection to share with you. This is your chance to order direct from the wholesaler!

Fancy dress costumes are a way for kids to establish a connection between their own personalities and the characters they want to emulate, both real and imagined. Dress up play has been a great favourite of children for many years because it allows them to safely test the limits of their imagination, and the world they live in. Dressing up in costumes builds confidence but it also creates many learning situations for children of all ages. There are many kids that create wonderful, fantastic adventures in their minds. Some of the information for these adventures is gleaned from books and movies, but much of it is simply their own imaginations at work. What child has not wanted to be a super hero? Or a fairy? Or a pixie?

Fairy Girls has Australia's largest range of beautiful dress up costumes including fairy dresses, tops and skirts. Dancing tutus, ballerinas, angels, princesses, mermaids, beetles and butterflies. Accessories include headbands, tiaras, wands, bags, capes, halos, shoes and wings.

We’ve carefully chosen a selection of these products to bring to you. We hope you enjoy our Fairy Girl Shopping Event.

It's funny how such a simple thing can lead to so much. It all began with a messy toddler bathtub. Designer Rebecca Finell's wheels started turning and the Frog Pod was born.

But the problem solving didn't stop there. She had lots of ideas for other parenting innovations so she sought out a partner, Ryan Fernandez—who could create a successful business—and together they founded Boon Inc. Today Boon offers a wide range of products that help parents all over the world.

Boon are committed to creating nothing but the most innovative gear—and keeping it affordable. Their design studio is always in motion, tackling one parenting challenge after another, and they’re committed to quality and safety.

So how did the name ‘Boon’ come about? The dictionary will tell you that ‘boon’ is a noun; a benefit bestowed to somebody, especially one given in response to a request. Boon prides itself on the fact that all Boon products are, in fact, a boon to both parents and children alike.

Boon’s designs are borne out of problem solving and ingenuity, with simple yet effective design being their driving force. Passionate about design, Boon is a leading innovator, designer and manufacturer of infant and baby products. They’re driven by a strong desire to create modern products that help simplify parent’s lives whilst retaining their personal style.

Boon is big on colour. They’ve consulted colour experts, trend reports, done sample testing. They use every tool in the trade to get strategic about colour... yet at its hear, colour is about feeling. And Boon’s feeling is that bold, beautiful colour makes people feel alive and happy. At the heart of Boon’s products are playful, passionate colours - juicier, more vibrant, and better than ever.

(KEY•MO•CHEE) Means “Feeling” in Japanese.

Kimochis® are plush, educational toys designed to help kids identify, understand and manage their feelings in a fun, comfortable way.

Excited. Shy. Brave. Happy. Scared. Or all of these combined. The social and emotional roller coaster of day-to-day experiences can be overwhelming for kids... and their parents!

Voted Most Innovative Toy 2011, Best New Educational Toy in 2010, and loved by celebrity mums Jennifer Garner and Gwen Stefani, the multi-award winning educational Kimochis...Toys with Feelings Inside!® help children learn about, understand and manage their feelings in a fun, comfortable way, and provide appropriate feelings-driven behaviours around emotions, conflict resolution and social interaction in the classroom, playground and at home.

Kimochis® are designed to get children talking, promoting stronger connections between parent-child, teacher-child, and between children. Kimochis® teach children to manage and express their feelings, whether they be mad, sad, left out, brave, uncomfortable, jealous, frustrated, silly and beyond.

“Teaching toddlers to tweens (2 to 10 year olds) how to manage challenging social situations with skill, character and confidence, give children the emotional vocabulary, skills and attitudes they need to recognise and manage their emotions, demonstrate caring and concern for others, establish positive relationships, make responsible decisions and handle challenging situations constructively is what we all want for our children”, says Jennie Douglas, Educational Director for Kimochis® in Australia.

Loved and trusted by parents and kids for their colour, charm, character and the life lessons they teach, there are seven Kimochis® characters for children to identify, connect and relate to and 29 different feelings to collect. Meet moody Cloud who teaches it’s okay to be mad or sad but never okay to be mean, Bug who is afraid of change and tucks his wings behind him when feeling left out, Huggtopus who is overly friendly and needs a little help with personal boundaries, the curious but somewhat bossy Cat, caring Lovey Dove with her baby Turtle Dove, sensitive Bella Rose who can feel a little insecure, and unlucky yet optimistic Clover with his lucky ladybird Howard who teaches kids never to give up.

The unique range of Kimochis® characters with their loveable personalities of strengths and challenges, their expressive feelings pillows and new picture books teach valuable lessons as they help children find the words to share and connect with others.

Well they say you learn something new everyday, and today I learnt what “applique” means. According to Wikipedia, ‘applique’ comes from the French appliquer which means to "put on". In applique, one layer of fabric is placed over another layer of fabric and is sewn in place. Appliqué was first discovered when clothes ripped and needed fixing so they used to sew over the top of the rip patches of different material otherwise known as patchwork.

Well there’s nothing ‘patchwork’ about Urchin’s range of long-sleeve tees, which use the ‘applique’ technique to create gorgeous designs. Each super-cute applique design is hand finished, and made in Australia.

Urchin's ambitions are simple - to create great children's clothes everyone will love, especially kids! “We hope your children have as much fun wearing our products as we do designing and making them.”

Urchin’s philosophy is the antithesis of mass production; each garment is hand finished with carefully selected materials, which means each item has Urchin’s personal touch. Urchin's philosophy of providing quality means that all Urchin t-shirts are Australian made. Less distance also means less impact on our environment.

Sometimes the best ideas come when we move from somewhere we know well to a brand new environment. When things we’ve taken for granted are no longer available, that’s when we realise their true value. When Raegan Moya-Jones, founder of aden + anais, moved from her native Australia to the US and started a family, she brought with her many traditions of motherhood. Passed down from mother to daughter for generations, these traditions bound the women in her family and her culture together.

But, of course, a lot had changed. Cloth diapers were replaced with disposable ones. Home-sterilized glass bottles were now dishwasher-safe plastic. Strollers had gone from buggy-sized to nearly the size of an SUV. What surprised Raegan most about the traditions she was taught wasn’t what changed, however. It was what hadn’t. For as long her mother or her grandmother could remember, mothers in Australia swaddled their babies. And they did it in pure cotton muslin.

No matter how hot it got in Australia, babies always seemed comfortable and cool during the summer months. And no matter how chilly the night air became in the evenings, muslin swaddling always seemed to protect babies from ever noticing the chill.

When Raegan started her own family, she knew that swaddling in muslin would be a part of her traditions as a mother. But when she tried to find a swaddle like the ones she remembered from home, she couldn’t. Those that she did find were too small; too thick and heavy; too restrictive; too unattractive.

So, she did what any mother would: she made sure her children could have the very best by rolling up her sleeves and getting to work. And that’s why she started aden + anais.

Raegan designed a swaddle large enough to be truly useful to mothers-- and not just for swaddling but as a stroller cover, nursing shield, tummy time blanket, or a burping cloth. She found the softest, gentlest muslin she could to fashion them out of. And she started creating colorful, modern prints that would transform this simple tool of motherhood into something stylish and fun for both baby and mom.

Now, she's a ‘Mum on a Mission’... bringing the benefits of swaddling and the world's best baby products to mothers around the world through aden + anais. Today, aden + anais, has brought the legacy of muslin together with fashion forward design to create a line of products that are as stylish as they are useful; and as simple as they are beautiful. “We believe in muslin-- the way it looks, the way it feels, the way it works-- to improve the lives of babies and their mothers no matter who they are or where they live. The proof is in every product we make.”

Every once in a while a product comes along that makes you smile. Re-Play’s range of tableware and utensils is that product for me. Re-Play’s products are fun and brightly coloured - they’re orange, pink, turquoise, but best of all, they’re green. They’re a ‘green’ product because they’re made from recycled plastic! It’s also green because it will last; it’s rugged and durable.

Ever wondered what happens to all those drink containers and milk jugs that you put in your recycling every week? Well RePlay has taken these and turned them into brand new products! Of course, every product has met strict FDA food contact requirements, and as well as being good for the environment, they’re good for you and your children; they’re BPA-free, Phthalate-free, and PVC-free. It’s one of the easiest plastics to recycle, and can be recycled again and again!

Just in case you’re interested in finding out more about how the Re-Play products are made, here’s a quick summary. Re-Play is made in the USA. All the recycling is sourced locally, and the end products are manufactured, assembled, packaged and tested locally, reducing their carbon footprint. After the recycler hauls away empty milk bottles and other recycling items, they are flattened and sorted. Re-Play’s supplier carefully sorts and selects appropriate containers, grinds them up into flakes, which are thoroughly cleaned, dried and colour-sorted. Then the little flakes are melted and made into pellets, which are then moulded into new products. Voila!

We love Babu™, because Babu™’s range of products has been designed with babies in mind. Babu™ uses fabric made from the softest natural fibres to create contemporary baby bed wear, linen and accessories in classic neutral colours. Their products and gift sets suit a baby’s every need – bedtime, bathtime, mealtime and playtime.

In 2002, Alison Hui decided to launch a range of baby products that would solve all the problems she’d come across as a new mother. It all started when Ali couldn’t find the right sheets for her baby, Jack, so she hunted out the fabric she wanted, added fitted corners impossible for a baby to pull off, and went from there.

Having specialised in asthma and allergies as a nurse, Ali wanted to create bed wear products that wouldn’t be harmful or abrasive to babies’ delicate skin. That’s why she designed all the Babu products from the best natural fabrics to ensure ultimate comfort and importantly, functionality. It’s all about attention to detail during every stage of the process, from design to manufacturing. And of course, what’s best for babies.

In fact, Babu™ is committed to environmental sustainability. In Alison’s own words: “What we really mean is that we want to play our part in ensuring our children will grow up in a safer, cleaner and happier world.” Wherever possible, Babu™’s packaging and advertising utilises recycled materials and their PVA packaging is water soluble and totally biodegradable.

Let’s give a shout out to our friends across the Tasman. Babu™ is proudly New Zealand owned and run.

Ever wondered where the idea for the baby sling came from?

Since the beginning of time, carrying scarves (SlenDang) have been used in non-Western cultures to carry and transport babies and children. In recent years Western cultures have had a growing understanding of baby's need to be close by his parent or caregiver.

Minimonkey supports this development by offering a hip, modern alternative to the SlenDang carrying scarf.

Minimonkey is a Dutch label selling baby products that are simple and smart, and perfect for parent and baby. Minimonkey’s product philosophy is about making life easier for parents and children alike and all their products strive to meet the following criteria: Simple & Smart, Practical, Affordable.

Meet Lindy Klim, founder of Milk Baby - a natural skincare range for young families. Lindy’s heart and soul has gone into Milk Baby, and every product is made using the highest quality natural ingredients.

“Hi, my name is Lindy Klim and this is my story... I am an Australian born to a Tasmanian mother and a Balinese father, I began my early life in Bali surrounded by my extensive Balinese family and traditional, therapeutic and ceremonial life. I grew up in Tasmania with its clean, green and organic lifestyle and my love of all things natural has certainly been influenced by the Tasmanian environment. When my husband, Michael, was developing his range of Milk skincare products for men I was a new mum to our eldest child and pregnant with our second. I could not find a skincare range for babies that I felt confident enough to use on my very young family. I decided to develop my own range, based on natural ingredients, and hence, Milk Baby was born. I wanted to create a product that was affordable, looked good in the home and that was beneficial to the enhancement of wellbeing.”

We’re excited to introduce Australian label (minimink).

Have you ever felt faux fur so soft that snuggling up in it feels like you’re being cuddled by a big bear? You’ll love (minimink)’s range of designer faux fur rugs, throws, wraps, hats, and teddy bears.

How long has (minimink) been around?

(minimink) is now in its 8th year of business. It all started with one product - the rug/throw/wrap. This product continues to be the best seller as it is such a versatile, luxurious and useful piece. When (minimink) owner Ally first created the rug/wrap/throw for her baby, Emery, she not only wanted something that looked gorgeous but that was entirely functional. The continual positive feedback demonstrates again and again just what Ally found herself - that you only need to take this one rug out to keep baby warm, wrap him/her in, use as a play rug, a wrap and a throw, and wash it again and again while maintaining the same beautiful quality. AND, there is nothing better than having every second person admire your rug (and of course your baby)!

What exactly is faux fur?

The faux fur (also called ecological fur as no animal has been harmed) is manufactured specifically for the (minimink) label which means that the high quality standards are maintained. The softness of the faux fur has to be felt to be believed and it is this quality that has now established (minimink) as a high quality label world-wide.

What else is in the range?

Following the success of the first product, the range has continued to grow and new products are continually added. All products need to meet the same criteria as the first product - to be useful, unique and unisex. The (minimink) products are not just for babies but there is something for everyone - from newborn to 99 years!

A little more about (minimink)

There has been an extraordinary response to (minimink)® products and they are now available in stores throughout Australia and around the world. The (minimink) company supports two causes they are passionate about - CHILDREN via the forget me not childrens home based in Nepal (www.forgetmenotchildrenshome.org.au) and ANIMALS via the WWF (World Wildlife Foundation).

This story is for those of you out there who have ever had a dream. Maybe your dream was to travel the world. Maybe it was to start a family. Maybe it was to own your own company. Maybe it was to create something amazing. This is a story about following your heart; about having the guts to live your dream and to pursue something you’re really passionate about. So here’s Suz’s story, the story behind Billie shoes.

Girl graduates, girl practices law, girl has a change of heart, designer follows her dream. This is the story behind Billie: unisex footwear for the streets that first hit the scene in 2007.

Billie fuse “classic casual” with “effortless edge” to bring you on-trend footwear at an accessible price point for guys, gals and littlies. From the modest beginnings of the CRUISER design, Billie now boasts a comprehensive range of classic and fashion-forward footwear that has made it the brand of choice for the style conscious and trend setters of today. The Billie footwear range includes men’s, women’s and, of course, kid’s and babies’ shoes.

The company founder “Suz” has long been inspired by the streets of London, New York, Milan, Tokyo (and of course, Sydney), “it’s the eclectic mix of style, colour and energy of the people that has lead me to believe that shoes can attract as much, if not more attention then the clothes they accompany”.

Innovative fabrics and a never ending colour palette has become Billie’s signature and these shoes have earned their place as a wardrobe staple. From rummaging in flea markets, searching through vintage boutiques and endless travel adventures, Billie scours the globe for to up-to-the minute footwear that will take you from the beach to the streets to the club.

Billie can now be seen in more then 400 doors Australia-wide and recently made waves in the New Zealand Footwear Industry when it was launched in mid 2010.

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Kids love to get their hands dirty, whether it’s in the garden or the kitchen. Despite the mess that’s left at the end of the day, it’s nice to have some quality time, and to get the kids involved. As a bonus, they’re also more likely to eat food that they have helped prepare!

Miniamo is an award winning, striking collection of children’s kitchen and dining items, specifically designed for little ones to learn and have fun baking and cooking in the kitchen. The cleverly co-ordinated range features designs for boys and girls and includes gift and starter sets that encourage creativity and play.

The Miniamo range will give children the opportunity to learn about cooking while at the same time they can enjoy the independence of having their own utensils.

Miniamo is a highly innnovative range of children's products from award winning Australian designer, Alex Liddy.

There’s something about Gypsy Kids’ clothing that makes you feel like you’re on a holiday. Could it be their stunning range of kids’ clothing inspired by global cultures? Possibly. Quite likely, in fact.

Gypsy Kids clothing has influences from around the globe - Indian Kaftans, Chinese Cheongsams, Japanese Kimonos. You could even call it a kaleidoscope of cultural influences, all coming together to with a bit of Aussie ingenuity to create a new kind of global fashion for tiny tots.

All of the clothing is made from 100% natural cotton and each item was carefully designed for comfort, ease-of-use, ease-of-care and easy-wear. The range for boys and girls is geared towards mixing and matching, with each printed fabric design developed here in Australia, and exclusive to Gypsy Kids.

Gypsy Kids has been developed by husband and wife team, Melanie and Murray Quirk, inspired by the newest addition to the Quirk family, Zac Henry. Both Melanie and Murray have a background in textile design, manufacturing, importing, sales, wholesaling and retailing, and Melanie has also been involved in fashion and publishing for a number of years. After the birth of Zac in early 2008, Melanie discovered a collection of baby clothing ideas, print designs and fabrics that she had collected on her travels around the world during her career and her overseas holidays.

A true Gypsy at heart, Melanie has travelled extensively to romantic destinations, holiday hotspots and remote getaways, always on the look out for design inspiration. She found much of this inspiration during working trips to England, Italy, France, Denmark, Sweden, Spain and the USA, as well as during her Sub-continent and Asian adventures to India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and China.

All of these influences came together to create the Gypsy Kids range of baby clothing - mixing and matching cultural styles, ethnic colours and traditional techniques. This global vision is the essence of the Gypsy, a member of a wandering race and a person with a nomadic lifestyle - whatever their race or origin. Through clothing, Gypsy Kids wants children to understand the diversity and richness of cultures from around the world and to see that we can all enjoy each other’s unique and individual sense of style, culture, colour and tradition.

The children’s play wear label, Betty & Al, was created by sisters Rochelle and Juliana. Betty & Al produce a range of 100% organic Egyptian cotton play wear, for babies and children, which was created with 100% love and commitment. Their clothes are fun, dynamic and brights, and most of all, comfortable. Their goal was to design clothing for children to play in and to sleep in. It’s versatile, easy to wear and has gorgeous designs that stand out from the crowd.

There’s a common theme in their designs - a sense of spiritual awareness. All of their clothing comes dressed with an image and a message: A bird - be free just like me, An owl - be wise like me, A heart - love is all around. Creating the motto was very important to Rochelle and Juliana. It’s all about spreading positivity to the world.

Welcome to Kid U Not’s new look blog. As the weeks go by, we’ll keep you informed of what’s happening in our community, from tips on fave buys to behind-the-scenes stories from some of our top designers, stylists and brand gurus. Feel free to share your top picks and advice with us in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you.

Of course, big news this week is that we’re unveiling our first Shopping Events. If you’ve read your email, you know the drill – every day we’re delivering a new Event to your inbox, and then you’ve got just seven days to shop the Event before it disappears. First in is best dressed – and stock is limited.

Today’s Event has got us pretty excited – six big names delivering a range of must-have goodies from cool threads to delicious skincare. Here’s a quick look at the brands on offer:

(minimink)® – As winter approaches, this Australian label makes such blissfully soft faux-fur products you actually look forward to the cold. Luxuriate in their line of rugs, throws, hats, blankets and teddy bears, with items to tempt everyone from newborns to adults.

Milk Baby – Tasmanian-born mumpreneur Lindy Klim has developed a natural range of scrumptious products that not only cares for bub’s sensitive skin, but the environment too. Our favourites? The delightfully named “snotty grotty room spray” and the “fairy detangler”.

Miniamo – Nurturing a Junior Masterchef in your house? Award-winning Miniamo’s cool and colourful range of bakeware and tableware will inspire even the most reluctant L-plated cooks.

Betty and Al – Comfy, organic playwear that’s button-cute! Not to mention ingeniously practical. Like the clever sleeping bag that doubles as a change mat. Everything’s in 100% organic Egyptian cotton and designed to dress little ones in style easily.

Gypsy Kids –Inspired by a kaleidoscope of cultural influences, from Japanese kimonos and Indian kaftans, then mixed with British flair and Aussie ingenuity, Gypsy Kids brings global fashion to tiny tots. 100% natural cotton-made, each item gets full marks for being easy-to-wear and easy-to-wash.

Billie Kids – For stylish kids’ kicks, Billie is the business. Fusing classically casual with effortless edge, Billie Kids is on-trend footwear at an accessible price point. Innovative fabrics and an ever-changing colour palette has become Billie’s signature.

Remember, the Event starts Monday 16 April and closes at midnight on Sunday 22 April. Don’t be late for the fun!

There's always a lot of discussion when this topic arises. Some of that discussion can be heated.

Mothers and mothers to be go head to head in a battle of opinions, that, let's face it, no one can win.

Which items do you splurge on? And which should you save?

A few weeks ago I found myself a group catch up with a friend who was in town briefly from overseas. With her new baby. What a gorgeous, smiley, little ten week old bundle of joy that baby was. Well, IS.

"I can't believe how much people spend on prams in this country! Over two thousand dollars! What a waste of money," she griped, out of nowhere.

Awkward silence.

All of the other mums own aforementioned prams.

I was still stuck on the fact that my friend had travelled for twenty something hours with a baby who was so small. I wouldn't have thought leaving the house for milk was an option at that stage.

And so began the debate. On that particular item.

We didn't get started on cots, changing tables, cloth or disposable nappies, car seats, plastic or wooden toys, slings, baby carrying wraps, slings or harnesses. Thank goodness we went nowhere near breastfeeding and how long, baby food or the optimal time to start swimming lessons.

A few of the mothers present talked about splurging on the items you'll use most. Anything you'll use multiple times a day.

Isn't that EVERYTHING with a baby? You use the cot several times a day. The pram all the time. And change probably twice as much as the cot and the pram combined.

I think what a lot of them were talking about the items other people might see the most.

The debate raged on. And it probably always will.

Where did you save, and where did you splurge?

Love,

Kid U Not

Goodness gracious this is a tough one.

Taming tantrums.

Yikes.

As we all know, or may be soon to find out, a tantrum can strike at any moment. Often there no indicators that one is approaching. Or that it’s slowly building under the surface and waiting to take launch itself out with full force at the most inconvenient of times.

We know they’re there, but when and where they’ll strike is completely out of our hands.

There are a few locations in my day to day life where I tend to be actively on the lookout. The supermarket checkout is an absolute winner for tantrum hunters, as is any other retail outlet with confectionary at eye level. Or more precisely, knee level.

It should be illegal to have such displays. They make life so much harder when all you want is two litres of milk.

Perhaps there should be a Parent lane at the checkout. Instead of lollies and chocolates they could have the baby wipes and other things you may have forgotten just trying to make it to the refrigerated section and out again alive.

Any café scenario also brings out the sceptic in me. You can be fairly certain that if it’s not the child you’ve brought in with you, it’s the one at the next table.

Domino effect, anyone?

Needless to say, I find myself indulging in take away coffee these days. At coffee themed places that make it quickly. Very quickly.

The speed of light is preferable.

Obviously we can better manage these situations at home. Sometimes.

And that’s where I lose my head. And composure.

I know every child is different, but what’s the best way to try and navigate through these mini tornadoes?

I’ve witness the naughty chair or cushion working with great results. The swift enforcing of time alone in the bedroom until a calmer state can be reached also seems to be a winner.

How did you navigate the tantrum stage?

Love,

Kid U Not

To be completely honest, I’m smack bang in the middle of two camps at the moment. 

The one where people wonder, “Wow, the school holidays are almost over! Where did the time go?!”

And the other – “Thank goodness school holidays are nearly over!”

It’s the time in your life where you make long, long lists and hope to tick everything off it before the bell rings on the first day.

One thing hasn’t made it to the list yet, and this is mainly because I’m still trying to work it out, is what to put in lunchboxes.

What am I going to fill them with everyday that’s actually going to get eaten?

I don’t want to find a mouldy apple at the bottom of a school bag at the end of the term. I suppose I could check the bottoms of bags regularly for apples and mandarin skin. 

A piece of fruit is mandatory, in my opinion. An apple, a little container of grapes, a quartered orange, a banana – they’ve got to be a part of the medley.

Are treats allowed? Like a small packet of chips or pretzels on occasion?

Healthy food is important to me. It’s fuel for the body. But I also love a treat. I have to be open and honest about that.

I’m sure there are plenty of Mums and Dads out there who are preparing lunch boxes for school and kindy for the first time this year. It’s a scary thing. 

Even more scary than choosing school shoes, but that’s a whole different conversation.

Are you an experienced lunch box chef?

Any tips for new players in the game? 

Or fail safe items that always get eaten?

Love, 

Kid U Not 

xx

Sharing. It’s a big issue in families who have more than one child.

Come to think of it, it’s an issue for all families, no matter how many children they have.

It’s a tough one, because as adults, we don’t necessarily like sharing either.

I certainly don’t like sharing the last piece of chocolate with my husband, or my dessert. I wouldn’t even consider sharing my coffee.

Don’t get me started on the time I “shared” my new dress with my sister. It came back with holes in the back of it!

So, what’s the best way to start? At the start, I suppose.

As parents, do we have to lead by example and share that last piece of delicious dark chocolate with Daddy?

Or just let them know how happy it makes their little sister to be able to play with that dump truck - even if she is filling it up with glittery beads and an assortment of small stuffed toys.

I’m no super hero, and I’ll admit to using bribes on the odd occasion.

Is it wrong to use an ice block as a great reason to take it in turns on the scooter?

Or do we need two of everything?!

How did you get your children to share?

Love,
Kid U Not

Here we are. It’s happened again.

It’s a new year.

Happy New Year.

I hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations were full of love and joy and that you’ve made more progress on your ham than we have. Otherwise, bin it. Please.

Christmas seems to be a time for thought and reflection. But a fresh, shiny and new year on the horizon brings fresh, shiny, new hopes, prayers and projected achievements.

After many, many years of resolutions and just as many years of sticking to them for a good two weeks at best, this year I’m going to make a different type of resolution.

Ha! Take that, 2012! Go on.

What’s your resolution? Did you make one?

Rather than trying to lose five kilos, or ten kilos, renovate your house, buy a new car or a new house, clean out your linen cupboard, reupholster that old sofa, paint the fence or wash the dog more regularly, maybe consider doing something that’s going to give you a bit more satisfaction?

Unless you need a new car because you’re having triplets or your dog hasn’t been washed in a while and is trapped under some old sheets inside the linen cupboard, just let it go.

Let it go.

It’s no big deal.

Life won’t fall into place because your fence looks good.

Do something for yourself. Make yourself a cup of tea. You deserve it.

I’m going to.

And after that, I’m not going to feel guilty about it.

Will you give it a try?

Love,

Kid U Not

xxxx

The presents are unwrapped, the ham is nearly gone, we’ve lost half the decorations off the tree one way or another and the cricket has set in.

Christmas is over, whether we like it or not.

Which brings me to my next point, which can be even more stressful than the whole Christmas experience – what’s the protocol with on-gifting.

Is there a protocol?

How many tubes of hand cream can one person go through in a year?

For me, it’s about half a tube.

But I somehow manage to get eleven of them from various people throughout the year.

Some people feel the same about candles. I would like to organise a swap.

But is on-gifting allowed? Is it worse to on-gift something or to leave it in the back of the cupboard gathering dust? Worse still, finding it in two years and throwing it out.

I know it’s the thought that counts, but can you use your own thoughtfulness to on-gift it to someone who might appreciate it more?

Obviously there needs to be a few degrees of separation between giver, receiver and then the new receiver.

Luckily for me, it might just be my friends and family who are dealing with the “On-Gifting Guilt Blues” because I feel I’ve escaped it this year.

Did you receive and on-giftable things this year? Are you for or against the ongifting movement?

Hope you had a great Christmas. Looking forward to sharing a fabulous new year.

Love,

Kid U Not

I know I keep saying this, but it’s nearly Christmas. And this time it really is. 

Santa is about to come down that chimney – if you have one – and Turkeys around the word are going to be roasted on mass.

Other than putting reindeer ears on your car, wrapping masses of gifts and trying to work out how you’re going to get all the food out on time, and keep it warm with the size of your oven and the number of guests, it’s a great time for reflection.

Let’s face it. We’re staring down the barrel of a new year, a new beginning, a new school, a new haircut, a new diet, a new year’s resolution.

We decide on all the things we want to make happen next year. We are hopeful about our coming achievements and carefully orchestrated action plans.

But what about the year we’re still in?

How was that? Did you fly through with shining colours? Was it a bit of a crummy one? What did you do? What did you learn? And did you do it well?

It’s such a joyous time of year to spend with our families and children. It’s Summer holidays, Santa comes and the weather is warmer.

So other than all that reflection on what we did and didn’t do, I like to think about all the things I’m thankful for. 

Sometimes they’re the smallest things like a year of no parking fines. Unfortunately that’s a far cry from what happened this year.

But mainly, and consistently every year, it’s family. Where would we be without them?

They’re our husbands, wives, beautiful children, Mums, Dads and grandparents. Our dear, dear friends we adore like sisters and brothers and who become real family to those of us who live far away.

Who and what makes you thankful at this time of year?

Merry Christmas.

Love,

Kid U Not
xxxx

Every family has their own wacky traditions.

Maybe it’s Auntie Wendy’s rum laced pudding or that Cousin Tim, since turning vegetarian, seems to eat all the potatoes.

But in each family, the “wacky” is really the norm. It’s what we do and have always done. And hopefully will continue to do.

Christmas is a time when all of these things come out into the open. One of my dear friends puts up their family Christmas tree on December 6. Every year. December 6.

Why?

I have no idea. And neither does she. It’s something she always did as a child and now does with her three children. What a lovely idea to create another special day on the calendar.

Other friends celebrate on Christmas Eve. Which I can imagine sets a beautiful mood for food and festivities, especially on those gorgeous Summer evenings.

One tradition that I’ve heard about from a friend and particularly adore, is when the time comes to hang the Christmas stockings, there’s one small gift at the bottom of each stocking which was “forgotten” the previous year.

I really love hearing all the unique traditions, both new and old. Some of them are so funny and really make you think about the amazing memories Christmas brought as a child.

We are a modern family of Christmas alternations. Our parents live in different states, so in an effort to be fair, we take it in turns to spend it with each of our families. Can I call that a tradition?

As a child, and even now as an adult on the alternating year with my family, we always have a mango for breakfast. It’s the least Christmas themed tradition, but something my sister and I found to be the most exciting breakfast of the year.

We were also allowed to open one gift on Christmas Eve right after we set Santa up with a plate of biscuits and a glass of milk. He would have needed a snack with all his deliveries, we thought.

And carrots for the reindeer were not to be forgotten.

Do people still do that one?

What are your traditions? Old or new?

Love ,

Kid U Not

We’ve talked about vegetable hide and seek, making lists and checking them twice, beach essentials and parenting tips. We’re old friends now.

And we’re at the business end of the deal.

Things are getting serious.

It’s Christmas.

Yikes.

This is the time of year that we most rely on our lists and super human multi tasking skills. We need them. Desperately.

There are presents to be wrapped, cards to be written, people to be caught up with, salads to be made and bottles of wine to be remembered. Try saying that in one breath!

You know what I mean.

So, with all these catch ups, barbeques and Christmas drinks, how do we keep our sanity and manage to tick all the boxes on our carefully prepared lists?

I have been known to buy more pretty scented candles than I care to mention and keep them on standby in the present cupboard. The candles share a shelf with five hundred metres worth of assorted ribbons and a large amount of sticky tape.

And when asked to bring a plate? Roasted pumpkin and beetroot salad gets me through. Sounds jazzy. But I assure you it’s a simple “roast and stir” number. You can also roast ahead of time or in large batches and refrigerate. Bingo!

What are your go-to, fail safe Christmas saviours?

Lots of love and Christmas cheer,

Kid U Not

I'm not talking about good boys and girls, Santa Claus, or Christmas.
I'm talking about organization. And in my case, lists.

Lots of lists.

One for the supermarket.
One for household things.
Kids things.
And another of miscellaneous things I need to remember to get done.

At certain times of the year I need a list to keep up to date on my lists - Christmas, Easter, June. There are a lot of birthdays in our family in June. Actually, August is thick and fast too.

My point is that I rely on my list. Heavily. I really, really need it. Or them.

Could it be the act of writing thing down that makes me remember them? Or is it the physical piece of paper with things to proudly cross off as each is completed?
I'm not 100% sure. I'll have to see what's on the list. Sorry, terrible joke.

I've found myself out and about lately, list free. Some outings have been more efficient and successful than others. But at least now I've tried it the other way.

Are you an organised person? How do you keep track of everything  And everyone? Do you use lists? Or can you wing it?

Am I a lone list writer?

Love,

Kid U Not

We all know parenting is a journey, and a lot of the time, an absolute joy. But the joy we experience, is often not without its struggles.

There’s sleeping through the night, sleeping in their own beds, toilet training and sharing with others.

And then there’s the mother of all challenges – vegetables consumption.

It’s an every day thing. Which is what makes it the hardest.

I’ve often witnessed my friends children snacking away on a carrot stick, some cucumber or a handful of snow peas. They’ve wowed me with their ability to eat tofu, olives and eggplant. They’ve had me speechless with their excitement towards felafels, mushrooms and zucchini.

Something I’ll never forget was seeing a bright-eyed toddler happily chomping on a piece of raw broccoli. Wow.

All of the above are sights I’m yet to behold in my own home.

Had I not seen it with my own eyes, I would have filed it under “Urban Myth” and been done with it.

 On the other hand, I’ve witnessed many cases of successful bribery where vegetables are concerned. Ice cream, cake or chocolate seem to be the biggest ticket items.

Hiding veges in Lasagne or Bolognese is a breeze. But my other games of vegetable hide and seek have proven less fruitful.

Even with my husband.

How do you get your kids to eat their vegetables?

Do you hide?

Do you bribe?

Do you bother?

Love,

Kid U Not

Hello, Sunshine!

We’re approaching that time of year it seems. The sunny days have started coming thick and fast, we’ve settled in to daylight savings and we know Christmas is heading towards us like a speeding bullet. Yikes.

I had some rare alone time over the weekend. Everything at home felt very organised, and I set out for some long overdue “Me” time. But “Me” time wasn’t as luxurious as it sounds - I walked the dog. It was only half an hour, but goodness gracious it felt good!

It was later that afternoon that I realised I don’t always practice what I preach. Shock horror. I got sunburnt.

As I said before, it was only half an hour!

It goes to show under our harsh Aussie sun, we really do need to do all the slipping, slopping, slapping and staying in the shade we can.

I stayed well under the beach umbrella for the rest of the weekend and covered myself  in a lightweight cotton top with long sleeves – trying to make up for my unknowingly naughty behaviour the day before.

Looking around the beach, I saw a multitude of different bits and pieces that aim to do the same thing as my shirt and beach umbrella.

Hats, rash vests, beach umbrellas and tents were in use, and 30+ Sunscreen was being regularly applied.

Some parents were even pulling frozen watermelon from carefully packed eskies. And I thought I was organised!

We are firm beach umbrella types. We always take two. I like the fact that there’s access for the breeze to make it’s way through your camp and I find it’s easier to get in and out of.
My sister in law is firmly in the tent camp. Pardon the pun.
Each to their own, I say.

The tent is much easier to carry, and has it’s jazzy folding abilities. But when you find yourself carrying what seems like a tonne of beach equipment down the sand, it leaves you wondering what you could do without.

If you could only choose three things to take to the beach, what would they be?

Love,
Kid U Not

Last week was just one of those weeks.

You know the kind I mean? Crazy. From start to finish.

The end of last week marked the anniversary of my Grandmother’s passing. A truly amazing woman, and I’m sure you feel the same way about your Grandmother. And Mum too, for that matter.

Sometimes these moments of reflection make you think of the best moments you shared. And this year got me thinking about the funny things my Grandmother used to say when I was a little girl.
“Don’t play with your belly button because your arms and legs will fall off,” springs to mind.

In this age of political correctness, I wouldn’t dare mention a lot of the moments I think are the funniest. There are plenty more where that came from and as in every family, the ones we find the most side splittingly funny, just don’t translate for others.

Don’t worry. I’m getting to the point. I promise.

With all this reflection and advice that I’d been unknowingly saving for later, I starting thinking of all the advice I’ve received from my own Mum.

Not every suggestion from Mum has worked. We have experience to prove this point. Sometimes we try something with our fingers and toes crossed and end up thinking, “Was my Mum crazy, suggesting this?!”

Sometimes sheer desperation leads us to try another sliver of advice and it works brilliantly.

And we don’t know why we didn’t think of it earlier.

The advice that my Mum reiterated the most - and I can remember it being doled our many times over the years – was if you get desperate, put your child in the car and start driving. Sooner or later, they’ll fall asleep.

There’s always the possibility you’ll end up crossing the border into a neighbouring state, but as the saying goes: I’ll try anything twice.

There’s no tip or trick that works for everyone, but this is the one I think is a saviour.

A friend swears by a little bit of chamomile tea in her kid’s milk if they wake at night.

Teething beads.

A sweet treat.

What was the best advice your Mum gave you?

Or what’s the go-to tip you would offer any new Mum to keep in her bag of tricks?

Love,
Kid U Not

Welcome, welcome, welcome to Kid U Not.

This is our first blog post and we're so happy to have you here reading along with us.

We're fun, we're cheeky and we want to offer you great deals, discounts and very special offers.

But that's just the start!

Really.

We're not kidding. We Kid U Not!

Before you hold that one bad joke against us, there's more where that came from... And that's no joke.

While we clearly offer all of the above, we're also an online community. You can get together with other mums to share experiences, offer advice, and most importantly, have a laugh.

Have your kids ever painted your dog, or given him a high fashion haircut during a rainy school holiday?

Has your baby ever sprayed the living room sofa with carrot puree?

You'd be surprised how many of you have this in common. Looking around the office, there are a couple of us who have this story to share.

Of course, you love a good deal and a special offer, but we also want to know what else you like. Feel free to "Like" a particular post on Facebook and feel even freer to comment. What was your experience? Did your kids like it? Did you like it? Or how did you do it?

What we love is to know what you love. Get me? I knew we were on the same page.

That way we can make sure we have more of what you love.

Keep us posted.

Love,
Kid U Not