Never Shopped Out: A Shopaholics Resource » Kids Corner

Pirates promise…Wall Poster

Never Shopped Out — Mon, 02 May 2011 10:45:23 +0000

Sick of the kids storing their toys on the floor where they were dumped at the end of playtime? We love this gorgeous Pirates Promise to stow their toys in the treasure chest poster by Australian based artist Beck Williamson, just one of many original pirate and nautical prints she’s got up for grabs.

Buy it now: Pirates Promise print, $28USD on etsy.com

Books for Children: Fashionable Reading for Mum and Bub

Kat — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 21:17:06 +0000

Style-conscious Mums the world over both rejoice and despair at the thought of shopping for their precious little tots. Imagine my shock when I discovered that the “Kids Licenced” section of Target was not actually a play-area that served the odd martini, but instead a congested nightmare of Disney branding. On the other hand, labels as we previously knew them have become impractical: Mummy can justify a Burberry trench on a cost-per-wear basis, but a little one would outgrow it in a matter of months (at $325 a pop, Daddy might not quite understand…). How then, do we spoil Bub with a bit of good old-fashioned glamour? In the most educational and beautiful way there is: with beautiful books for children!

This Little Piggy Went to Prada
The crème de la crème of fashionable books for kids is This Little Piggy Went to Prada, by Amy Allen. This hot pink collection of nursery rhymes “for the Blahnik Brigade” contains such gems as “I had a little shoe tree”; “There was a young woman who lived in her Choos”; “Pussycat Pussycat, where have you been?/I’ve been to London to visit McQueen”; and my personal favourite, “Twinkle Twinkle, Diamond Ring/In a blue box tied with string”…..the illustrations are beautiful watercolours by Eun-Kyung Kan and for every copy sold a donation is made to the Save The Children Fund. It’s fashion with a conscience, dahling!

Buy it Now: This Little Piggy Went to Prada $18.88AUD at the Book Depository

Different Like Coco
If your tot knows that C is for Chanel (and not for such pedestrian things as Cat) then Different Like Coco, by Elizabeth Matthews, is a sure-fire hit. The basic message of the book is a positive message about being yourself, with underlying themes of feminism and self-respect, as it outlines the life of one of the most iconic women of the 20th century. Little girls will love the simple and appealing illustrations, also by the author, and be inspired by the classic rags-to-riches Cinderella-story. Except with better tailoring than the original.

Buy it Now: Different like Coco, $16.77AUD at the Book Depository

M is for Metal
That’s all well and good, I hear you shout, but what if we have a cool little dude who thinks the Blahnik Brigade is a group of outer-space superheroes? How about THE most rockin’ A B C book in existence, M is for Metal, by Paul McNeil and Barry Divola? In the School of Rock, this is what they teach. Learn all about the long-haired guitar geniuses that influenced, shaped and inspired your mum and dad (and possibly grandma and grandpa too). The illustrations are hilarious (and a bit rude, so don’t show it to your Idol-loving sister), and the verses are simple and catchy: “S is for Stones, that just keep on rolling/Most of their fans have now switched to lawn bowling”. Parents might want to wait until the kids are experimental teens before trying to explain Q: “Q is for Queen, who were fruity as mangoes/Scaramouche, Scaramouche, can you do the fandango

Buy it Now: M is for Metal, $27.99AUD at Readings

Urban Babies Wear Black
Little hipsters and their ultra-cool parental units will also love the simple and highly amusing board book, Urban Babies Wear Black by Michelle Sinclair Colman.
Infantus urbanus (defn.): Young mammal raised in city environment. Infantus urbanus love nights at the opera, modern architecture, and fine cuisine. Difficult to spot at night due to their penchant for black clothing. See also URBAN BABIES.
Tots will love the bright illustrations and easy-to-handle size, and city dwelling parents will appreciate the tongue-in-cheek tone. It also comes in Country Babies Wear Plaid, Eco Babies Wear Green and Beach Babies Wear Shades. A great book to have on hand while sipping babycinos at the local coffee haunt.

Buy It Now: Urban Babies Wear Black, $6.87AUD at the Book Depository

Petit Connoisseur: Art
Arty folk will love the retro-styled (naturally) Petit Connoisseur: Art board books by Karen Salmansohn. Aimed to foster an appreciation of colour, shape, and eventually, art (ah! The title wasn’t a cryptic clue, after all), this book provides your prodigy with “the basics they need—MOMA, Dada, Dali—that will help them leap successfully from play date to gallery gala.” Top quality printing and the bold colour of illustrator Brian Stauffer work perfectly to distract hungry little artisans from gnawing at the corners. Fashionistas will also be delighted with the second book in the series, Petit Connoisseur: Fashion . Promoting “first fashion words” such as catwalk and choo-shoe train, this adorable board book should be bundled together with This Little Piggy to make sure your little princess never wants to see the inside of Kmart.

Buy it Now: Petit Connoisseur: Art, $6.97AUD at the Book Depository

This Is… series
Cultured babes should also take a peek at M. Sasek’s classic This Is… series, which captures the essence of enchanting cities around the globe. If you have ever had the travel bug and want a way to pass it on to your tot without enduring a 20-hour flight, these books are a great place to start. Whimsical illustrations and simple, informative text make reading a joy for both parents and kids. I found out about them through my daughter’s Travelling Uncle Scott, who sent back This is San Fransisco for her first Christmas (from Canada. In April. He’s pretty casual). I also know of New York, Paris and Rome, but a quick Google reveals everywhere from Edinburgh to Israel. In today’s global village, an appreciation of other places is so important. You’ll have a heart attack in 18 years time when they slug a backpack over their shoulder, pierce their nose and trot off OS, but at least you can send them prepared.

Buy it Now: This is Venice, $17.46AUD at the Book Depository

Pop Warhol’s Top
Touchy-feely books are fantastic learning devices for little ones. I stumbled upon this brilliant version that has not a fluffy duck, soft cat, or woolly lamb in sight – Pop Warhol’s Top by Julie Appel and Amy Guglielmo. Educate them about art and the principles of colour as they touch and feel their way through modern masterpieces: (from the publisher) “What could be better than pulling on the lettuce in Claes Oldenburg’s “Two Burgers with Everything”? Or stroking the fluffy eyelashes on Warhol’s pink-toned Marilyn? It’s an experience kids will never forget.”

Buy it Now: Pop Warhol’s Top, $9.92AUD at the Book Depository

Bananas in Pyjamas Do Some Washing, Dora Patronises the Spanish, and Bob the Builder’s Compensation Claim can all be pushed to the bargain bin. There are so many truly wonderful stories and learning devices out there that parents can enjoy with their children – seek (or Google) and thou shalt find….. Kat

Possum & Sweetpea Handmade Frocks

Kat — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 09:12:03 +0000

I can never pass up a frock with monkeys on it. In real life, they’re highly amusing, very clever, and a bit smelly, but on a fabric they are just too cute! So, naturally, when I discovered Possum & Sweetpea through Facebook and saw a pretty little handmade summer frock covered in grinning monkeys, I couldn’t say no. I also couldn’t say no to a sweet patchwork dress in florals and spots, and if you’re into watermelons, polka dots, owls, paisley, fruit, cupcakes or even The Wizard of Oz, the talented Kylie will have a dress/skirt/crayon roll for you! Got a little Mr? She also does shorts in the funkiest fabrics out there.

Dresses are just $25 each, which is a total steal for something which ticks all those feelgood boxes: super cute; handmade; supporting independent designers; shopping locally. Head on over to their Facebook page for a browse, and keep an eye on Possum & Sweetpea’s Madeit store when it reopens!

Will you be buying locally this season? What amazing little labels have you stumbled upon?

Hopscotch Kids Non-Toxic Nail Polish

Kat — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 09:08:46 +0000

There’s a bit of a debate amongst parents regarding little girls and makeup. I don’t mind my little one playing around with my makeup (except the time she squished my fave Chanel lippy. Oh.eM.Gee!!!) because I can vividly recall arguing with my mother to let me wear red nail polish to kindy, and getting that warm and fuzzy feeling of excitement (early signs of shopaholicism, apparently) when sorting through her piles of Nutrimetics and Avon cosmetics. It’s not about growing up too fast, it’s just about being a girl. A girly girl. Last time we were in Priceline, my daughter had her heart set on a little bottle of Rimmel nail polish in a fetching shade of bright yellow. I’ve used Rimmel and it was great, but I had that nagging, parent-of-the-noughties feeling that she might have some sort of horrible reaction to grown-up makeup. Luckily a big display of Chuppa Chups proved to be a successful distraction.

I’ve since discovered Hopscotch Kids watercolour nail polishes, specifically designed to be safely non-toxic for little hands. Free from nasty sounding chemicals like toluene, dibutyl phthalate, formaldehyde, nitrocellulose, butyl and ethyl acetates, acetone, FD&C (hands up who knows what any of those are?), they come in a gorgeous range of colours and you only need 1-2 coats for a vibrant colour. Totally loving the Chanel-inspired pale green ‘Heads Up Seven Up’ and the classic ‘Red Rover’. Girly girls will love purpley-pink ‘Bubblegum’, hipsters will head for bright blue ‘Ink a Bink a Bottle of Ink’; and you can also grab a Party Pack of 3 colours, a buffer and remover, for a cool gift idea!

Buy Hopscotch Kids Products in Aus from The Tribe Store and My Messy Room. RRP$15 each.

Love Mae Spring Dress Up Dolls

Never Shopped Out — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:53:41 +0000

If you’re looking for some wall stickers with a difference, check out Love Mae’s Etsy store. Made from adhesive fabric, the Spring Dress Up dolls are totally reusable, turning the bedroom wall into a decorative play area. The stickers can be scrunched up, thrown around and reused and will still stick to the wall. They’re even made from eco friendly, non toxic inks, and won’t damage the walls

Buy it Now: Love Mae Spring Dress Up Doll Resuable Fabric Wall Decals, $40US from Etsy (ships from Australia)

BabyBaby Decor-Friendly Feeding Pillows

Kat — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:05:33 +0000

Those folks across the ditch are quietly creating some of the most covetable baby products around. There are so many gorgeous bits & pieces popping up from the land of the long white cloud, and it’s not all merino. I’ve just been introduced to BabyBaby‘s range of feeding pillows, which are not only hugely practical, but also look amazing decor-wise. You could easily leave these laying around the loungeroom when they’re not in use!

Creator Jodee Reid says these pillows are definitely “all about Mum”. Rather then focussing on something to simply put baby on when feeding, they’re more about positioning your baby a little higher, and wrapping around your waist in order to help you assume a comfortable and less strained position – no more leaning over! They’re also handily designed to easily accommodate feeding twins.

Available in a range of colours and patterns in machine-washable, pre-shrunk 100% cotton, they retail for NZ$89 each – and trust me, that’s a teeny price to pay for a product which can have such long-term health benefits for you and your bub! You can also nab a standard polar fleece version, in lime or pink, for just $69.

BabyBaby ship to Australia from NZ$12. Shipping around NZ starts at NZ$7, and is free for orders over $60.

Witchery Kids Launches

Never Shopped Out — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 10:07:12 +0000

Last Friday, Witchery launched their latest effort, Witchery Kids, a seasonal range for kids between 2 and 9 years. Currently only available at Witchery Chadstone, come September it will also be available online on the Witchery Website, and at 18 other stores in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and New Zealand.

Visit Witchery Kids

Never Miss A Market with Market Angel!

Kat — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 11:28:00 +0000

To market, to market, to buy something cute…home again, home again – because you got the dates wrong! Market Angel is a new site that lists every children’s market around the country, searchable by state, and you can also sign up to receive weekly email notifications of markets in your area. Handy, no?

It’s not just for savvy shoppers either – do you lovingly create your own goodies and need to know where you can sell them? There are loads of new markets popping up all over the place, as consumer demand for ethical, handmade, and unique products continues to grow – just choose your dates and area and Market Angel will tell you where to go (in the politest possible terms, of course!).

You can also keep an eye on the Market Angel blog for all the latest news of upcoming markets around the country. Bargain hunters, rejoice!

25% Off at Eco-Friendly Avidiva

Kat — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:30:59 +0000

There’s a new kid on the eco-friendly block – Avidiva, an online store created with love and stocking all things organic, from clothes and accessories to feeding, skincare, decor and gifts. The range is impressive, as is owner Cassie’s dedication to providing gentle, sweatshop-free products that she’s happy to use on her own little people! Brands include the gorgeous Kicky Pants for basics, Milk Baby and Buds Cherised Organics skincare, Zuny and No3No4 toys, Lelby’s bean chairs (these rock!), Weil Baby feeding accessories, as well as Avidiva’s own range of handcrafted onesies and singlets, which can also be personalised.

Just for you lucky NSO readers, Cassie’s generously extended the 25% off store wide discount code until next Wednesday 21st July – just enter the code ‘Hip Hooray’ at checkout to receive your discount! See you there…

Avidiva accepts PayPal and Direct Deposit payments. Shipping starts at $8 within Australia, and can be arranged worldwide.

IOU Cards For Very Lovely Children

Kat — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:58:09 +0000

It’s a small miracle in our house when dinnertime is completed with no tears, tantrums or wheeling and dealing (“5 more mouthfuls and you can have dessert…3?…Pleeeeeeeease…?” However, very occasionally (usually on spag bol night), I get presented with a clean plate and food-smeared grin. It’s nights like these that I almost can’t express my delight, such is it’s vastness. Luckily, this nifty box of IOU cards would work very well as a good behaviour bribe reward in such circumstances. For example, if they tidy their toys away properly, you can present them with a “stay in your pyjamas all day” card, to be used at their discretion. (Note: probably save that one for the weekend).

Two Little Boys IOU Cards, $19.95 per set from Larkmade