Best In Show: Kids InStyle Sydney 2015 - Phoenix and the Fox

My favourite stand at Kids InStyle Sydney 2015 was Phoenix and the Fox, a brand new clothing label based in Sydney. Let me start by saying that I only had 4.5 hours to traverse the enormity that is the Kids InStyle and Life InStyle trade shows. Camera in hand, I zoom up and down the aisles, pausing only to catch-up with designers that I have already been following. But I literally stopped in my tracks as I passed Phoenix and Fox. Here's why:

7 of the best Australian baby blanket wraps

You asked! Lovely Belinda from Nest Design Studio is on the hunt for some cool baby blankets that "aren't yellow, aren't chevron and aren't 'spensive". This is the first of my posts answering reader questions; I have a panel of experts at the ready to solve your kids' interiors, fashion, party, gift problems. Email me!

In the meantime, I've put together seven of the best Australian-designed newborn wrap/blankets. Most of these are made from bamboo, organic cotton, or a mixture of both by amazing local companies! Here you go Bel...

Master and Miss Bugaboo promotion and hip organic clothes for kids

Bondville partner Master and Miss are making quite a stir with their stylish clothes for kids, especially these fun tees for boys (and you know I'm always looking for great designs for boys). They are 100% organic, Australian-made and available in sizes 1-6 years, RRP: $30.

The girls aren't left out with sweet tees, and these cute and comfy a-line organic jersey cotton dresses that make an impact and are super-easy to wear:

Pillow Poet organic cotton pillow cases

If you are looking for a quick and easy way to spruce up tired bedding, try a graphic pillow case. These fun, quirky pillow cases are designed and printed in Melbourne by Pillow Poet. The hardest part will be choosing one - learn to type overnight with the qwerty keyboard, go simple with a sweet pink heart, snooze with a parliament of owls or a sunshine-y beehive .... or bring on the Zzzzzzz's with a Z pillow.

Pillow Poet pillow cases are printed using water based inks on 100% organic cotton. You'll also find an A-Z of art print posters printed on 90% Bamboo & 10% Cotton rag paper - hip and educational too.

Choose these pillow cases and more from the online store.

Images: Pillow Poet

Minyaka Design organic babywear - mushroom design

My sweet neighbour asked me last week if I had any stylish gift ideas for a friend having a baby. Um, hello! I immediately thought of Bondville sponsors and Sydney locals Minyaka Design who have just released the cutest-ever collection of 100% organic cotton babywear. Featuring yellow, peach and light blue Woodland-chic mushrooms with grey marle trim, the collection is perfect for both baby boys and girls.

How cute is this little play outfit with matching bib and leggings or Cheeky-Bum patch pant.

The long-sleeved onesie and matching bear hat!...

And the softest of reversible wraps (including a hooded version) or bunny rug that will do double duty as a blanket as the little one gets older...

It's a gorgeous unisex collection that is perfect for a baby shower or gender reveal party. You can find the Minyaka Design organic babywear collection in the online store and at select stockists around Australia, Korea and Kuwait.

Images: Minyaka Design

Master and Miss super-cool organic children's clothing

Every now and then an Australian children's label pops up that just stops me in my tracks. Do you remember the grey marle and bronze wolf hoodie  in yesterday's Rustic Roots editorial on Bondville? It is part of a collection by Victorian-based Master and Miss - the brainchild of creative director Liane Shannon. Liane designs clothes for kids from newborn to age 10 that are vibrant, cool and 100% organic.

The newborn collection is hip too with geo shapes and bright colours that are perfect gifts for baby:

And this is my very favourite piece from the current collection - the sweetest limited edition Sophie teacup dress, on super-comfy organic jersery cotton. Team with contrasting leggings for the perfect outfit for afternoon tea, and play at the park afterwards. This one is hot! (and currently on sale!)

You can find Master and Miss in the online store and stockists across Australia, Singapore, Dubai and online. Watch this space for more gorgeous designs from Liane!

Images: Master and Miss

Fable Baby super-cute sustainable handmade baby clothes

Another great find at The Finders Keepers markets in Sydney on the weekend was the beautiful sustainable baby clothes from Melbourne lable Fable Baby. There were hand-screenprinted polka dot cropped sweaters and stripey leggings, farm animal prints and knottied onesies. I love the cuffed sleeves on the tees. Oh, and the knits were beyond cute (poncho with pom poms, anyone?).

1. Hand Knitted Chunky Unisex Organic Cotton Hooded Vest - Light Grey 2. Organic Cotton Long Sleeve Top - Navy Animals on Cream 3. Handmade Unisex Cotton Spot Shorts - Blue & White 4. Handmade Unisex Cropped Spot Sweater - Grey & White 5. Organic Cotton Knottie Sleep Suit Onesie - Red Spots on Cream 6. Hand Printed Organic Cotton Leggings - Navy Animals on White

Fable Baby was established exactly one year ago by cousins Phoebe Newlan and Prue Ryan with their combined backgrounds in textile and fashion design. Fable Baby uses only high quality organic and/or locally-produced fabrics. Knitted pieces are made from either organic cotton yarn from Peru or hand-dyed wool and silk from the Otways of Victoria. All garments are designed, hand-printed and handmade in Melbourne.

The current collection includes tees, knotted onesies, shorts, pants, bibs and the cutest knits you ever did see. All babywear items are thoughtfully designed with easy dressing in mind. For new Mums, that design element can make all the difference between a lovely clothing gift that sits on the shelf and one that is worn daily. With lots of unisex colours and designs, Fable Baby is a no-brainer go-to gift for a newborn or baby shower.


You can find Fable Baby in the online store as well as stockists listed on the website.

Images: Fable Baby

Huge Minyaka Design sale - 50-70% off Winter kids clothes

Sydney local kids clothes designers and Bondville sponsors Minyaka Design are having a huge, huge sale to make way for new stock. You can save from 50% to 70% off most Winter children's clothes (1-4 years) including the gorgeous hoodie top and cheeky bottom pant (as seen in Studio Bambini)...

... and my favourite bubble dress with long sleeves and organic cotton lining in gorgeous yellow (sizes 2 and 4 years), soft grey (sizes 1-4 years), and dusky pink (sizes 1-4 years):

The Little Dandy pants made from recycled hemp and organic cotton are outrageously cool:

 And the organic cotton newborn gift set (wrap, mittens and booties) is a steal at only $19:

More beautiful designs on sale now:

Get them while they are hot! Head now to the Minyaka Design online store. Last chance!

Images: Minyaka Design

Hippest ever bibs, wraps and newborn packs from Milk & Masuki

Bundanoon-based milk & masuki design gorgeous organic bibs, wraps, blankets and other goodies for the hip newborns in your life. Does your baby love geometric designs? Why, yes. Feathers? Check. Foxes? Of course. You'll find these designs and more in unisex-friendly colours from milk & masuki.

With their beautiful packaging and fashionable sensibilities, milk & masuki newborn products make the perfect baby shower gift. I'm all about the grey chevron and feather design and can only imagine the compliments that Mums all over Australia must be getting with these beautiful pieces.


You can find milk & masuki in the online store and at stockists across Australia.

Images: milk & masuki

Stylish Kids: Broken Tricycle

Sydney children's clothing designer Patricia Murphy of Broken Tricycle has aced it with this great collection of mix-and-match pieces for kids in sizes 0000 to 2 years. Made from organic cotton (no harsh dyes or chemicals) and sweat shop-free, the Winter 2013 range is comfy and cute to boot.

Did you notice the great options for boys?!? Nearly all the clothes in the collection would work well for both boys and girls - choose from yellow, blue or red stripes to mix-and-match with classic grey and a super-cute beaver print. The signature girl-with-umbrella and rainbow-with-flying-beaver illustrations are bang on-trend. Let your little ones snuggle up in style this winter - every piece in the collection is a no-brainer.

You can find Broken Tricycle in the online store as well as in stockists across Australia. Congratulations Patricia on a fabulous collection - I love it!

Images: Broken Tricycle

Tomatoes

Brrr.... the seasons are changing. And even though we didn't get a stinking hot summer, our tomato vines still gave us some lovely bounty. These are the last of the toms that sizzled on our taste buds - acidic and full of flavour. We won the tug-of-war with the possums and birds (and yes, bush rats) mostly, with just a few tomatoes donated to our furry friends. The woody herbs are still going great guns, and the chillies are fabulous. Only six more months and we can start all over again :)

Image: Steph Bond-Hutkin

Stylish Kids: Inklet

I'm a huge fan of the Ink & Spindle eco-friendly textiles and surface art, so when the Melbourne-based girls teamed with childrenswear designer Dana from Twiglet, I knew the resulting collaboration was going to be something pretty special. Behold, Inklet eco-friendly kids clothing!

You'll find a great range of t-shirts and onesies (sizes 0-4), bibs and blankets with fun trams and bikes, ocean faring, and sweet twig motifs. All Inklet products are locally made with certified organic cotton fabrics and screen printed by hand with water-based, environmentally-friendly inks.

It's so great to see a range with a strong focus on designs that appeal to the boys as well as the girls. And if you fancy yourself handy with a sewing machine, Ink & Spindle offer the Pirates and Sea Creatures and Trams and Bicycles design on jersey by the metre (and for textiles too!).

You can find Inklet in the Ink & Spindle online store. Read more about Ink & Spindle here on Bondville. And head over to Bondville Kids Style for more great Australian-designed clothes for kids.

Images: Ink & Spindle

eco.kid organic skincare range for kids

I got that dreaded letter in my big girl's pigeon hole at preschool last week. You know the one. The one where there has been a case of Lice at preschool. With a capital 'L'.

Ever since my friend Liz from swimming classes spent 30 minutes giving me the full run-down on how to treat those nasty little critters and their eggs, I've been dreading the 'L' letter. Luckily, we escaped this round.

And then it was pure serendipity that a parcel arrived from the lovely people at eco.kid, who create beautiful organic skincare (hair, body, protection). Apart from the great packaging, Australian botanicals and eco-friendly methodology, a bunch of these products promise to help protect against Lice!

There is a Lice Bomb that aids in the removal of head lice and their eggs made from a 100% naturally derived botanical complex of pure plant oils and essences. And there is Prevent, the daily shampoo and Daily Tonic, the leave-in conditioner that make hair unattractive to Lice. This is worth a go!

There are more child-friendly hair and body skincare in the range that all contain certified organic, sulphate free, synthetic free, readily biodegradable ingredients with no artificial preservative, fragrance or colouring. In fact, eco.kid was designed specifically for preventing and treating the hair, scalp and skin issues that affect kids such as dermatitis, eczema, sensitive rashes. No nasties, and no chemical penetration through young skin.

We have tried the TLC body wash, the Prevent daily shampoo and Nourish daily conditioner and we all loved the grapefruity smell. And call me crazy, but I'm looking forward to testing the Bug-a-Bug insect repellent. Fabulous Australian products for our kids.

You can find eco.kid products in the online store and at retail stockists (call 1300 437 436 for a list).

Images: eco.kid

Stylish Kids: Little Bird, Little Bird

When I arrived home from the Sunshine Coast on Monday I was greeted with the most gorgeous lookbook in the mail for a brand new organic childrenswear label - Little Bird, Little Bird. As I flipped through to the fabric samples, I knew immediately that this was the work of Rachel Bending from sustainable design brand Bird Textiles in Byron Bay.

You'll notice the quality of the fabric straight away. The organic textiles are hand printed using water-based dyes in a range of Rachel's recognisable surface designs.

The first collection will focus on little girls to 3 years and includes a smock dress, pinafore and playsuit in olive green, inky blue and claret red on a natural base cloth. These are classy pieces in durable fabric with sweet ruffled finishes. Gosh, it's going to be hard to choose.

Little Bird, Little Bird designs will be released in small, limited edition collections and will be available exclusively on the website from 20th September 2011. But you'll have to be quick! Head over to the Little Bird, Little Bird Facebook page to get ordering information before the launch date.

Oh, and if you love the designs but want another fabric from the Bird Textiles range? Rachel will be offering a bespoke service. How great.

If you love children's fashion, head over to Bondville Kids were all the stylish kids articles are compiled. You can also read more about Bird Textiles here on Bondville.

Images: Little Bird, Little Bird