Here at Baby Friendly Boltholes we love a good bargain but even the thought of hustling through the sales rails leave us feeling exhausted. So, in the interest of starting 2011 stress free, here’s our essential guide to the best sales for baby and kids gear.

Little Luxuries

Combine warmth and luxury with knits from Bonnie Baby. Masses on sale including 50% off Bonnie Bloomsbury collection. The star motif onesie (pictured) is now reduced to just £23.50.

Caramel Baby & Child

One of the chicest shops for kids on the high street, with up to 40% off, now is the time to pick up discounted cashmere and winter basics.

50% off Alex and Alexa

Hot picks include designer shoes for tots and the latest range for winter sun getaways.

High Street Picks

Jo Jo Maman Bebe

Grab bargains from the lovely clothing and accessories range. Save up to 80% on dresses, tights, shirts and more all heavily discounted

Zara Kids – online and on sale

Stock up on basics and Winter coats including duffle coats and sweet blazers that are all on sale.

Jigsaw Junior

Just for girls  up to 40% off the new range of Jigsaw Junior. Red Moleskin Peacoat (pictured) with military detail, now reduced to £68.

French Connection Kids

High street fashion label has a small but stylish range of clothes for kids. All on sale now.

Gap

With free UK standard delivery, the new online store makes shopping at Gap easier than ever. Sign up for Gap newsletter and receive a 15% discount voucher

Fashion

Bibaloo

The French fashion store is offering up to 50% off best sellers. Stock up on designer French clothes at bargain prices.

Dandy Star

Dandy Star recently collaborated with home ware giant Cath Kidston. Pick up soft, hip retro cotton t shirts and sweatshirts all discounted this month. 50% off clothing until 30th January.

Cath Kidston

Deductions on Kids ranges including clothes, pencil cases and accessories.

Furniture

Aspace

Looking to redecorate the playroom or nursery? Make Aspace one of your first stops for picking up practical, colourful furniture and accessories. Up to 40% off.

Habitat

Up to 70% off in Habitat and they are currently holding back the VAT rise.

Practical Gear

50% off Muddy Puddles, the place to buy practical waterproof gear perfect for English holidays.

The new collection of kidswear from Stella McCartney lives up to expectation – you will want all of it!

BFB recommends you get online and check out Stella McCartney’s new collection of kidswear. The range hit the stores on Wednesday and there’s no doubt it will sell out fast.

Our favourites include the deliciously cosy organic onesies and cashmere leggings for babies. For boys choose the the chunky knits and cashmere sweats, teamed with the cool cotton quilted jackets. Hot picks for girls and boys are the unisex skinny jeans and military jackets which are sure to be strutting their way into the bags of fashionable minis. And if only we could squeeze into the Cosmo cashmere hoodies for girls!

http://www.stellamccartneykids.co.uk

(Image from Stella McCartney/ Facebook)

I’m just back from a whirlwind trip to New York. As big, bold and beautiful as ever New York was positively steaming in the heat and buzzing with summer city life. I was staying over the river in the achingly cool suburb Williamsburg, Brooklyn, known for its vibrant art and edgy music scene but also a family friendly area to live. So tucked side-by-side with galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and bars were two great baby and kids shops.

Maybe it’s the spacious lay-out of the ultra-modern store Mini Jake or the super-friendly staff, but even the baby and kids stuff in New York seems shinier, cooler and more exciting than in London. Mini Jake is packed with everything you could possibly need for your baby’s first year and beyond. It stocks all the great eco-fashionable brands such as Oeuf, Stokke, Bloom, Stokke, Bugaboo plus toys by Plan, Bobles and Playmobil along with a book corner, clothes and gifts.
New York is famous for skyscrapers and yellow cabs, but the city’s women are renowned for their big bags. So it was no surprise that the choice of diaper bags was overwhelming fabulous. Skip Hop is popular out there and I spotted the stunning – Studio Diaper Hop which works as a baby change bag and stylish mum’s bag and all very well priced at under $100. You’d be hard pushed to find a fashionable change bag at that price here in the UK. We really need to up our game!
I heaped my basket with fun and educational re-usable sticker books for the boys by Mudpuppy design and stocked up with the snack bowls and eating & drinking products by Boon – a funky range of BpA-free ergonomic designs. Even the sippy cups are more exciting in New York. Also in the bag was a Squirt baby dispensing spoon – a hilarious looking squeezy spoon gadget perfect for weaning on the go.
Mini Jake also runs morning music and movement classes so you can combine shopping with action for the kids.
Mini Jake, 178 North. 9th Street, Williamsburg.

Just around the corner was the stunning boutique children’s clothes shop Sweet William stocking an eclectic and hand-picked selection of high quality independent designers. I picked up a baby bean vintage play suit for my neice. ($54). Sweet William, 112 North 6th Street, Williamsburg.

For yourself don’t miss Beacon’s Closet (88 North 11th Street, Williamsburg) – retro buy and sell emporium. My fashion-obsessed friend hailed it the best place to buy vintage wear in the city. After all the spending, recharge your batteries with a coffee at Verb Coffee Shop, Bedford Ave. Great for hanging out and people watching.

BFB is looking for suggestions on stylish yet family-friendly places to stay, so let us know if you have any. Meantime, we hear www.kimptonhotels.com offer cots, highchairs, safety kits, welcome gift and babysitting… we just need to convince someone to pay for us to check them out!

Little Lunalu is BFB’s new favourite shop. It’s all about trendy, stylish fashion for babies and kids. The store has sourced over forty hip brands, stocking previously hard to find labels such as Saltwater Sandals, Acoustic Kid, Bamboo Baby and Mini Rodini – all now just one click away on this easy to use shopping website.  Parents can also happily shop with the knowledge that 5% of the sale goes towards the Lunalu non profit foundation, which provides support to charitable organisations for children worldwide.

Top sellers on Little Lunalu:

Mini Rodini Panda T-Shirt, £20 (pictured above)

This funky 100% cotton t-shirt from Swedish brand Mini Rodini fits both boys and girls.

Martin Pant from Acoustic, £42

For boys or girls the ‘jegging’ for kids. Stylish, comfortable, it has a skinny leg shape and looks great with tees or tunics. 100% french terry cotton.

BFB loves:

Popupshop Leopard tights, £12

From the cool Swedish brand Popupshop these leopard print tights are perfect for little fashionistas. Team with a grey or black cotton dress.

Girls love Tutus, £15

Find me a toddler that wouldn’t love dressing up in this tutu. Available in four colours.

Blabla bubbles hand knit dolls, £25

These quirky, hand knit woollen dolls are perfect for the bedroom or as a gift. Collect the whole family.

Little Lunalu