Hip Products: Charity Melamine Dinner Plates

Now there is no excuse for last-minute Christmas gifts for anyone with little ones. These limited edition charity melamine dinner plates are a must buy! Created as a collaboration between favourite Australian kids fashion icons Oobi and NZ designers Minti and fantastic Australian online children's boutique Baby's Got Style, 100% of proceeds go to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. If you've ever had an unwell child or visited a children's ward, you will know how incredible the medical staff are, how brave those little ones and families are, and how important their service is to our community. Through the Style a Smile program, these great Australian kids companies are helping out in their own way and now you can too. I just adore the plate designs, and who doesn't need a whole set of melamine plates! They are fantastic even for adult-only households for outdoors entertaining and picnics. So go ahead and pick up a plate or two for you and for gifts. They are walking out the door so you'll have to be quick! You can buy the Style a Smile plates for $AUD 10.00 at Baby's Got Style online. Images: Baby's Got Style

Welcome New Sponsor A Little Bit Of Cheek

My last Bondville sponsor welcome for the year is for hip Australian children's online boutique A Little Bit of Cheek. Founder Raegan has a great eye for fashion with a rock n roll edge (as you can see!) and has put together a cool selection of children's clothes, gifts, nappy bags and accessories in the store.

Brands in stock include Amy Michelle, Baobab, BLiNK Designs, Dittany Baby, Elodie Details, Frankie Ray, Itch Designs (one of my favourites!), JettRoc, Oh Baby London, Oscar Blue, Rockabye Baby, Tommy Rocket and Two Belles.

How cute is Violet  and Noah (below) in their A Little Bit Of Cheek gear:

Welcome New Sponsor Flounce About

Pettiskirts for little girls are definitely a strong trend in the kids fashion market - those dreamy, luxurious, floating, twirly skirts that give a nod to tutus in colours you could eat. And I'd like to welcome fabulous flounce designer Flounce About to the Bondville sponsor stable. Luckily we have access to Australian-made pettiskirts - Flounce About skirts are handmade with love in Sydney.

Made for dress up and everyday, there are a wide selection of flounces to choose from to suit every occasion:
1. Princess Flounces - traditional pettiskirts with the fullest flounce.
2. Party Flounces - incorporating cotton fabric at the top of the skirts while still having lots of twirl factor. Can be made reversible in two colours.
3. Playdate Flounces - combinations of patterned cotton fabrics with a flounce around the bottom; perfect for the park or more special occasions.
4. Flowergirl Flounces - made-to-order extra special flounces for the Flowergirl to match your Bridal Party.

Flounce About also make pretty matching t-shirts, tank tops and onesies. You can find Flounce About pettiskirts in the online store, as well as at markets around Sydney. And forget Tupperware/lingerie parties - if you live in Sydney, you can get together with a group of friends to have a Flounce About party! Make sure you keep up-to-date on all Flounce About happenings on the Flounce About blog.

Images: Flounce About

Welcome New Sponsor Lollipop Baby

I'd like to extend a huge welcome to new Bondville sponsor Lollipop Baby. I wrote about Linda's great t-shirt and onesie designs back in March 2009 on Bondville Kids, and now Lollipop Baby has launched a lovely collection of personalised art prints for the nursery, featuring the loveable characters from the baby apparel range.

The wall art can be personalised with baby's details, such as name, birth date, time and location, weight and length. Finished prints are sized 8 x 10 inches and printed using archival pigment ink on premium paper and mounted on high quality mountboard.

Lollipop Baby also has a matching range of personalised t-shirts and onesies featuring your child's name and a line of cute First Birthday apparel.

You can find Lollipop Baby at the Lollipop Baby online store.

Images: Lollipop Baby

Stylish Kids: Bettsy Kingston girls clothes

One of the highlights of a recent trip to Nesting Bird Interiors was discovering the divine frilly knickers for babies from Brisbane designer Bettsy Kingston. Benita chose the name of the label in honour of the domestic goddess whose inherited sewing patterns sparked her creativity and inspired her favourite creation - the ruffled baby pants.

Apart from the diaper/nappy covers, you'll also find a range of pinnies, dresses, skirts and matching ruffled brooches in delicious colours and fabrics from size 000 to 2. I'm so taken with the whole range and almost wish my daughter would stay this age forever so I can dress her top-to-toe in Bettsy Kingston.

You can find Bettsy Kingston in the Bettsy Kingston Etsy store online. For the clever clogs, Benita also offers sewing patterns of her products in her Etsy sewing store. Check out the Bettsy Kingston blog for all the latest news behind the label including giveaways and tutorials.

Images: Bettsy Kingston

Drool-worthy Design: Smallprints stationery

Sydney-based Mum and Art Director Alex McCarthy wrote to me recently to see if I thought her new stationery designs under the Smallprints label were drool-worthy. The answer is a resounding YES! The Smallprints line of modern stationery for kids are super stylish and an exciting addition to the Aussie stationery scene.

The product range includes invitations, baby announcements, contact cards, Christmas cards and thank you cards for events including birthday parties, baptisms/christenings/naming ceremonies, and baby showers. There are both photo and text cards and text-only options available in a whole range of colours.

You can find Sydney-based Smallprints products at the online shop where you choose a colour, design and wording and let Alex do all the hard work for you. You can also purchase a gift certificate which would be the perfect baby shower gift. Spread the word.

You can also shop online for kids products from great stores in the Australian Online Kids and Baby Store Directory.

Images: Smallprints

Welcome New Sponsor Millie Molly Moo

I'd like to extend a huge sponsor welcome to the wonderfully hip world of online children's boutique Millie Molly Moo. You'll find an extensive range of adorable clothes, accessories and toys for the sweetest boys and girls in your life.

Millie Molly Moo stocks amazing children's brands, including lots of Australian designers such as Nanny Pickle, PaperWings, Three Little Trees, Eeeni Meeni Miini Moh, Tea Princess, Wild Things of Noosa and the incredible experiential kits of New Zealand's Seedling.

Some of my favourite pieces from the current range in stock include (clockwise from top):

• Tayla-Lu St Tropez off the shoulder swimwear
• Princess Ratbag baby pink and raspberry pettiskirt
• Frankie Ray Chester black sunglasses
• Seedling paint your own Russian dolls kit
• Monstar Kids denim crochet jeans
  

Millie Molly Moo provides free gift wrapping and delivers internationally. Please stop by the Millie Molly Moo online store to check out the range. You'll also find new releases and behind-the-scenes info on the Millie Molly Moo blog.

Images: Millie Molly Moo

Stylish Kids: Czarque Baby Shoes

I'm always looking out for cool shoes for babies and toddlers, especially those made in Australia. Czarque creates soft leather-soled baby shoes in the chicest of styles.

Czarque shoes are designed for newborns through to confident walking toddlers and feature brushed suede soles made in Sydney from high quality Australian leather. There are a variety of slip-on styles available for boys and girls, as well as a range of Christening shoes.

And if cute, Aussie-made baby shoes are not enough, Czarque is also committed to donating a percentage of profits to a charity that is working towards the eradication of world poverty.

You can find Czarque shoes at stockists across Australia and online (and soon on the Czarque website store). Totally irresistible, and great for gifts!

For more great Australian kids fashion, check out Bondville Kids. And shop online for kids fashion from great stores in the Australian Online Kids and Baby Store Directory.

Images: Czarque

Stylish Kids: Chari-Tees by Eeni Meeni Miini Moh

In association with Variery (the Children's Charity, QLD), a group of nine Australian fashion designers has created a limited edition range of Chari-Tee t-shirts to raise money for disadvantaged children.

2009 is the first year that children's t-shirts are on offer, and I particularly love these two designs from award-winning children's wear label Eeni Meeni Miini Moh. See the whole catalogue here on the Variety Website.

To order your Chari-tee before stocks run out, phone (07) 3367 6999 or email your name and phone number to info@varietyqld.org.au along with the style and size you wish to order.

Oh, and while you are at it, take a sneak peak at the incredible new Eeni Meeni Miini Moh summer range on the website. The new Pirouette skirt and dress and butterfly wings are just lovely!

Image: Eeni Meeni Miini Moh and Variety

Stylish Kids: Pram Rock tshirts

If your little ones are more Skate Brat than crochet and lace, Lennox Head label Pram Rock may be just what you are looking for. Pram Rock is dedicated to providing babies and toddlers with street style with their range of tshirts that are very rock, funk, and break in sizes 00 to 2.

I'm quite partial to the Happy Staffy design (of the course the pet of all rock kids), and the God Saved the Gene tee is just too funny.

Danielle Parmenter and her husband started the business using their combined graphic design and web design skills along with experience in the surf industry. All t-shirts are screen-printed by hand on the Far North Coast of NSW (just near Byron Bay).

You can find Pram Rock t-shirts in the online store. Check out upcoming designs and news on the Pram Rock blog.

For more great kids clothes, check out Bondville Kids: Australian Designer Baby Clothes.

Images: Pram Rock

Stylish Kids: Moobear Designs eco-friendly t-shirts

Moobear Designs is a brand new Australian children's clothing brand on the block, with a passion for the arts and crafts, sustainable living and the environment. And the designs are super-hip to boot!

The lovely Stephanie and Carlos from Moobear Designs have created a cool line of t-shirts based on images drawn by their daughter Moo (that's the clever Moo pictured above in the fantastic green earth tee with cute-as-a-button Bear). Each item is handmade and unique, using recycled fabrics appliqued onto ethically-made and environmentally-friendly t-shirts. There are six original designs available with more to come soon.

You can buy Moobear Designs clothing from the online store, and join the fun on the Moobear Designs blog where you'll learn all about the origins of the different designs. I dare you not to be caught up in Stephanie and Carlos' infectious enthusiasm and zest for life!

For more Australian children's clothes check out Bondville Kids: Australian Designer Baby Clothes. And shop online for kids fashion from great stores in the Australian Online Kids and Baby Store Directory.

Images: Moobear Designs

Welcome New Sponsor Little Styles

Little Styles is a gorgeous new online children's boutique and I'm so happy to welcome them as sponsors of Bondville. This store has an incredible range of children's products from Australia and around the world including much-loved labels Bebe, Big by Fiona Scanlan, Infancy, Purebaby and more.

Here are a few items that I can't resist:
1. Meg On The Moon by Helen Nicholls and Jan Pienkowski. I was so excited to find this book; the Meg, Mog and Owl series were favourites of mine as a child and they look gorgeous today.
2. Muddy Cloud Balob Doll from the US - hip, bright and cuddly.
3. Elodie Details Stroller Bag in Cherry blossom bird to keep baby warm and stylish on the go.

And for the month of April, express post shipping is free for Little Style orders over $50. Please pop by check out the gorgeous baby gifts, clothes and products available for stylish little people.

Images: Little Style

Stylish Kids: Itch Designs

Welcome to the edgy-cool world of children's clothes that is Itch Designs. Jodi from Itch creates punchy graphic tees and clothes featuring kawaii* characters to stimulate the imagination of our little ones. They are definitely clothes to have fun with. I love love love the hooot owl design shorts and dress. I'm hoping Jodi will make an adult version? Itch Designs has also expanded into a range of hip homewares for tots including bedding and tableware that you just have to check out. You can find Itch Design at specialty boutiques across Australia, Japan, US, Europe, China, New Zealand and online stores, and other stockists listed on the website. You can also find out more about the Itch Design world on the blog.  

* kawaii is Japanese for 'cute' 

 Image: Itch Design

Stylish Kids: OUCH childrens clothing

Are you ready for your kids to look hipper than you do? Enter Victorian children's clothing label OUCH. Now you can take some fashion cues from your little ones.

Launched by Donna Schneider in 2003, OUCH is a delightful children's clothing brand inspired by Donna's life and travels. The look is cool and the feel is soft with the range made from cotton and knits.

As well as children's clothes, you'll also find OUCH knee high and ankle socks, knit toys, pyjamas and throws.

For OUCH stockist info, contact Michelle at OUCH.  

Image: OUCH

Stylish Kids: Wild Bear clothes for little girls

I'm constantly receiving compliments about my daughter's Wild Bear dress. It's beautifully made, simple, features lovely detail, and she can climb anything in it. It's timeless, and is a dress that will be passed on.

Wild Bear is created by Di Leeson who hand crafts lovely dresses and ruffled bloomers for little girls. Based on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Di infuses an inherent beach style into her designs with just a touch of nostalgia. These clothes are great for everyday and beautiful for special occasions too.

You can find Wild Bear designs on the online store and at the Eumundi Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

You can find more Aussie kids clothes at Australian Designer Baby Clothes. Shop online for kids fashion from great stores in the Australian Online Kids and Baby Store Directory.

Image: Wild Bear

Hip Products: Lark ethical children's gifts

Based in country Victoria, Allison Jones designs, develops and sells delightful ethical children's products under the Lark label.

Lark aims to make products that are not only beautiful and well-made, but also socially and environmentally responsible. The knitted and embroidered products are made by a Fair Trade partner organisation in Bangladesh. And all products on the site are marked "organic", "handmade", "recycled", "fair-trade" and/or "sweat-shop free". Kudos!

The hand-knitted cupcake, doughnut and vegetable rattles are now baby gift classics. I also love the adorable vintage-themed children's products including Bambi soaps and activity kits. Check out the Website and you'll also find a great range of party goods, paper products, handmade accessories, books, craft kits, and gifts for grown-ups too (including a range of very popular Keep Calm and Carry On products).

You can find Lark products at stockists across Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Ireland, France and the US. You can also buy Lark products online at the Australian Lark Website, and the UK and World Lark Website. And while you are there, why not read about the goings-on behind-the-scenes on the Lark blog.

Image: Lark

Hip Products: Blink Designs for home, women and kids

The folks at Blink Designs are incredibly clever at taking cool designs and turning them into even cooler products for women, home and kids.

Cushions, Apparel, tea towels, toys, clocks, lighting, bags, jewellery and wall decor are all handprinted in Melbourne by the talented team. The designs are modern and very much in-the-now to add a dash of currency to your wardrobe/home/life.

You can find Blink Designs products at stockists across Australia and New Zealand and you can order online from Blink Designs directly.

Images: Blink Designs

Welcome New Sponsor La Toriana

Happy Australia Day! And what better day to welcome new Bondville sponsor La Toriana. Australian design is very close to my heart, and Elizabeth from La Toriana shares my vision for promoting Aussie artists and designers. Her online store for children carries some of my favourite labels including Wild Things Of Noosa, Nanny Pickle, Oobi Baby,

You'll also find accessories at the shop, as well as toys, gifts for parents, and a great range for premature babies. I absolutely adore these cute Russian matroyshka dolls filled with lavender - so calming. And shipping is only $7.50 Australia-wide.

Please stop by La Toriana to check out the goodies for your baby shower gifts, or something special for your little one. You can sign up for a newsletter, and keep up with trends at the La Toriana blog.

Images: top left - Oobi Baby, bottom left - Alimrose, bottom right - Tea Princess; all via La Toriana

Stylish Kids: Anna & Sally new range of kids clothes

One my favourite kids' clothing designers, Anna & Sally, have just released a new selection of beach-inspired kidswear. While all the other labels are bringing out the cooler-weather clothes, the girls have designed more delicious co-ordinates in Summery gelato colours. You can find the Gelato range on the Anna & Sally website, at various stockists. 

Image: Anna & Sally

Stylish Kids: Little Gypsies kids store

I find lots of things online that I love, but sometimes you find a site, a product, or a concept that blows you away. That is the case for me with the divine multicultural products and vision of Little Gypsies.

Based in Sydney, Little Gypsies is an online boutique of beautiful clothes and products for kids from far-flung places. Think colourful Mexican embroidered dresses, sweet outfits from a Vietnamese hill tribe, fair-trade dolls, Indian hanging mobiles and more to expand your little one's cultural education.

Little Gypsies was founded by urban gypsy Casey Arnaud whose vision is to bring to you "beautifully made, culturally inspired and ethically sourced" products from around the world. All products on the site fall under one or more of the six core values - Ethical, Eco-Friendly Charitable, Traditional, Educational and Collectible - making this site more than worthy of supporting in my opinion.

Thank you to Natalie for her post on Babyccino about this delightful store.

Image: Vietnamese Hill Tribe Dress from Little Gypsies