Rattled!
I just finished this book by Christine Coppa and I loved it! The book is her memoir about how her ‘Sex and the City’ lifestyle as a journalist changed when she found herself unexpectedly pregnant three months into a relationship. At 26 this is a big change in one’s life but she declares from the start that although the pregnancy was not wanted, the baby always was!
The father disappears from the picture quite soon and Christine keeps playing solo with the help of her loving family (of Italian origin) and her super cool friends. She moves out of Manhattan back to the New Jersey suburbs and sets up her nest to welcome her baby, Jack Domenec.
The book is a funny and empowering story about a girl who is about to become a mother, her fears and her doubts, and also her few certainties. I think that any mum would relate to her immediately because of the way she dissects and describes the joys and pains of motherhood. (more…)
Rubber stamps
I had the privilege of guest blogging for Molly over on My Favorite Things this week. Such a pleasure to blog for her — it was so fun to have a think about some of my favorite little things.
Of course I had to include a mention about rubber stamps. I’m obsessed! I bought a number set and a letter set a few years ago and ever since I’ve been creating my own cards for every occasion! Impress Rubber Stamps (out of my hometown of Seattle!) has the best collection I’ve ever seen. I always stop in whenever I’m home.
-Courtney
P.S. You can read more of my posts from this week here! And thank you, Molly, for inviting me to guest write!
Marché des Enfants Rouge
Courtney and her family were over in Paris visiting from London and we wandered around the North Marais, doing a bit of shopping, people watching and coffee drinking. It really reminded me about how much I love this little area. I want to write a thousand and one posts on all the lovely little places you can find around here…
I cannot believe I have not written a post about the Marché des Enfants Rouge yet. It is one of the oldest markets of Paris, founded in 1647 and has been converted into a fabulous market/food hall.
Food from all over the world is available… from Morocco, the Caribbean and Japan and it all gets consumed on big communal tables outside the food stalls. There is also a great organic fruit and vegetable stall and a beautiful flower stall. (more…)
I heart books
One lesson I learned after Little C’s recent first birthday is that from now on I’m going to ask relatives to either donate money into his bank account (which is an easy solution for those who live interstate and overseas) or for them to buy him books. And after visiting the recent Magnolia Square market in Sydney, I know exactly how they can do this. There is a great little online Australian bookshop called We heart books. They have a small but well-edited selection of children’s titles, all conveniently organized by age or separated into categories like vintage classics, board books, picture books, etc.
I’ve discovered loads of new titles, and have fallen in love with everything Eric Carle has illustrated.
-Natalie
Diapees & Wipees
As I contemplate the terrible task of packing for summer vacation, I’m making a mental checklist of all the baby necessities I’ll need to bring. One on the top on my list is my Diapees & Wipees case. I’ve had this thing for years now, and it has served me well– it holds a few diapers & a small pack of wipes. I’ve also managed to squeeze in a baggie or two for extra dirty diaper disposal and even an extra onesie for the inevitable accident, along with a disposable changing pad. Everything fits in a neat, cute, package — you have got to love the Eiffel Tower toile! (Other great fabrics are available too.) The case envelope is so compact that you can stash it easily in your purse and ditch the diaper bag. And it is great when you travel– leave hubby with the luggage, grab your Diapees & Wipees and make a quick trip to the bathroom. My daughter loves to play with it and gnaw on it when she is getting her diaper changed. If you check out the website, there is a whole list of international resellers for this super-handy mom-invented product.
xx Rebecca
Tante Ted
What do you do when you’re a cook, have been cooking for ages, get a burn-out and need to find something else, something more therapeutic to do? Right, sew. And what to do when a friend gives birth to a little boy and you want to buy the little man a set of cool bedsheets, and come to the conclusion that cool bedsheets for boys are just nowhere to be found? Right, sew cool bedsheets for boys.
Put one and one together and Tante Ted was born. Ted Nuyten (very much a guy, even though ‘Tante Ted’ means ‘Auntie Ted’) looked extremely relaxed when I met him by coincidence last week, so I suppose the sewing therapy is working. And his products are super cool as well — trendy, stylish and of truly great quality (and I’m picky when it comes to bedsheets, especially when it comes to ‘how they come out of the dryer’).
The Tante Ted bedsheets are available through the Tante Ted webshop (just drop Ted an email for orders outside the Dutch territories). And they are still just for boys… Bad luck for the girls, for a change 
.
xxx Esther
Real American Pancakes
In our house Sundays are eagerly awaited. Sunday even has a new name: it is officially called pancake day. The tradition of eating pancakes every Sunday has gotten so out of control, I reckon my kids would suffer from some kind of post traumatic stress if for some reason they were given muffins instead of pancakes one Sunday!
Now ironically in Courtney’s American house they have ’skinny pancakes’, which I guess are more the European type, but we Europeans here in Paris love the American-type fluffy, smaller pancakes.
It has taken us years to perfect a recipe for the perfect American pancake here in Europe but I think we have come close to achieving it. The secret is all in the buttermilk, and I have actually now figured out how to make fake buttermilk if you cannot find it in the country you live in. Just add 2 tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice to 500 ml of normal milk and let it stand for 10 mins. It will sour up the milk and make it perfect to make the baking soda rise (another key ingredient)! Baking soda, or Soda Bicarbonate is sometimes sold in the cleaning section of some European shops, but don’t worry, it is all the same stuff…
So here’s the recipe: (more…)
Annie Rose is my Little Sister
In honor of their little sister, my boys were recently given the book, Annie Rose is My Little Sister
Although I had never heard of her before, Shirley Hughes is quite a well-known British author/illustrator who has written more than fifty children’s books. She is known for her ability to capture the ‘every day’ moments of childhood in such an idyllic way. She really makes you appreciate the (seemingly) small details that your kids notice.
There’s a whole series of books about Alfie and his little sister, Annie Rose. And in fact there’s a whole Shirley Hughes Collection
-Courtney
Do they always need a fig leaf?
The other day I read an article in an Italian newspaper about child nudity that quoted this article in the New York Times. The article discusses, with the aid of interviews and psycologists’ opinions, whether it is appropriate to let children play around in the nude, and until when. The article also discusses whether it could be appropriate at home but not in public places, and also whether the presence of unknown adults matters.
From the sheer number of comments (on the online article) I realized this topic is quite hot and controversial.
I think I have an “average” attitude toward the issue, in the sense that I typically encourage my children to have their clothes on at home (or outside of it), but do let them run around naked on the beach or in a friend’s garden if they so wish. Even at home we take a relaxed approach; I never go about doing my business in the nude but I also never hide myself when dressing or coming out of the shower. Sometimes my children point at me, after all my body is different from theirs, and sometimes they just don’t care.
Although I’m pretty sure that any child below the age of 3 should not offend anyone’s feeling if he or she is seen naked, I’m not too sure about when, and if, this freedom should stop for the comfort of the child and the people surrounding him/her. (more…)
Shirtylicious
Eduardo`s life story is classic rags to riches. Having escaped the slums of Buenos Aires, he made a fortune selling sunglasses. Disillusioned by the big bucks however, he now travels all over with his supermodel wife promoting world peace.
And he also makes a pretty funky print for a T-shirt!
Shirtylicious is a cool and conscious clothing company situated here in Amsterdam, and they come up with very interesting and intelligent characters to adorn T-shirts for your sons, daughters, husbands and not to forget, yourself!
The shirts are easy to wear and simple to wash, and are of a very good quality cotton… No ironing necessary — I like that!
xxx Esther
The best reward system
Melbourne is an enigmatic cosmopolitan city with an infectious energy. And for children it is a wonderland! There is so much to delight the young in this southern metropolis from interactive museums and galleries, fabulous beaches, bustling markets, an abundance of leafy parks, sporting and cultural events and child-friendly cafes and restaurants. Rather than reward my two children with toys or sweets for good behaviour, in our household we have devised a point-based system where we reward our children with ‘special outings’ in and around Melbourne. This works like a charm! They need to earn a certain number of combined points in order to earn a ‘special outing’ of their choice (within a defined list, of course, which we update regularly!). Some outings (the more expensive ones) are worth more points. But not all outing rewards cost us a thing! The points are pinned onto a homemade chart in our under-the-stairs cupboard. The one with most points at the end of the week gets to choose the outing. However, if less than 20 combined points are earned, there is no ‘special’ outing and points are carried over to the following week.
It is a win-win arrangement for all! Not only does it teach the children to co-operate and encourage one another, we have well behaved children (well, most of the time) and our family gets to enjoy activities that delight, excite and educate us all. This week we are off to the Aquarium to see the magnificent new penguin exhibit….I think I am more excited than the kids!
-Sara
Little clothes for BIG imaginations
Now here is an Australian label to fill you with pure nostalgia and delight! Melbourne mums in the know are already familiar with ‘Big’ by Fiona Scanlan. Following her success with revered Australian fashion label “Scanlan & Theodore’ Fiona’s ‘Big’ range for girls combines the concept of clothes with dress-ups — the result is whimsical, playful and most of all, just so much fun to wear! Just ask my daughter!
The new winter collection (believe me – it does get cold here) is inspired by the circus with injections of bright colour and bold stripes – yet it still retains the all important ‘pretty’ factor. Each piece has an element of ‘dress up’ to it, embracing imagination and fun from a child’s perspective. Think wizard capes, batwing cardigans, lurex leggings, stripey tutu dresses, 20’s inspired feathered sequin headpieces (irresistible) and Paddington Bear duffle coats. There are great pared down everyday pieces too and all are reasonably priced.
What really makes me drool are the gorgeous crystal beaded tutus and coloured fishnet stockings (which will look great teamed with a chunky knit cardigan)…. Oh, and the silk dresses are simply heavenly… now if only they came in my size…..hmmm, need I go on?
-Sara
Warmest greetings from Melbourne, Australia!
What could possibly be more exciting than leaving behind the manic scenes of chaos at the school gates (aka ‘morning school drop off’) sitting down to a nice cup of tea, vegemite and butter dripping on warm toasted sourdough and my daily shot of the very addictive and highly insightful Babyccino blog? Joining the Babyccino team, of course! My name is Sara and I’m so thrilled to be on board! I cannot wait to share the best my beautiful city has to offer in the world where fashion, food, style and motherhood coincide.
Now, what to know about me? I was born and raised in inner-Melbourne and prior to children I was a lawyer with a specialty in Intellectual Property Law. The only intellectual property quandary I resolve these days is who gets to suck on the mango stone. Law was a piece of cake compared to the trials and tribulations of motherhood but nothing could prepare me for the sheer joy and incredible love, and I have been a stay-at-home mum since my daughter Zoe was born almost 8 years ago. I share with the team at Babyccino a passion for art, style, interior design, fashion, good food, travel and shopping. Melbourne is a mecca for all these things but I admit, I also have plenty of expertise in trawling the shops of London, New York, Paris and beyond without leaving my couch!
Now, if only I could get on a plane and meet my co-bloggers in person….oh and do a spot of shopping while I’m over there….
ps. More on the ‘vegemite’ later.
-Sara
Sara in Melbourne
Australia is on the top of my list for places I want to visit. Perhaps it’s the sunshine, the laid-back lifestyle, the cool shops, the good food, the beach, the…. And it really seems like there are so many great Australian kid’s products and labels popping up all over the place. (Must be all that sunshine — I swear it’s good for you!) Anyway, we are all very excited to add another contributor to Babyccino, and thrilled to have another voice from Australia. Melbourne this time…
Sara is a mum of two, a native to Melbourne, she’s traveled the world, and she LOVES to shop. We’re lucky to welcome her to our team, and excited to hear all about Melbourne, cool Australian products, her parenting tips and anything else she’ll share with us!
Welcome Sara!
The wonders of tea
I have just returned from Ireland where I was visiting my family and I can promise you I don’t think I have ever had so many cups of tea.
The Irish LOVE their tea, and long may it continue as there is nothing better in life than sitting in a warm kitchen, taking a bit of time out while sipping a good cup of tea and solving the worlds problems. (I actually think that a lot of the world’s problems would be much better solved if they were being discussed over a good cup of tea in a warm Irish kitchen instead of in conference rooms of the White House and 10 Downing Street, but that is a different matter entirely…).
Now, I have always known how good tea is to drink but I had no idea that you could also use the leaves for all sorts of things. On the flight from Paris to Dublin my toddler had a gunky eye and the lovely (Irish) air hostess suggested that I wipe it out with a cold tea bag. I have no scientific understanding of the medicinal value of the common black tea bag but I thought it was worth a try. I tried it and her eye cleaned up instantly! Now it might have been getting better on its own anyway, but I reckon the tea bag trick cannot do any damage and certainly is much nicer than squirting antibiotics into her eyes…
- Emilie
Once Upon a potty
The time has come — my little guy has done his first wee-wees on the potty. It involved some persuasion (we showed him pictures of his little friend Quin, Courtney’s son, proudly using the potty), and we read to him the little book that was also read endlessly to his big sister: Alona Frankel’s Once Upon a Potty.
Ms. Frankel wrote and illustrated the first copy of the book for her son Michael in 1975, the year in which I was most probably being potty trained myself. (My mum used to say that I really potty-trained myself; I don’t remember a thing though). After writing the book, all of Ms. Frankel’s friends wanted copies for their own children. A girl’s version was written, the books were published by a local publisher who took them to a book fair, and before long ‘Once Upon a Potty’ was selling in numerous countries.
Once Upon a Potty is a very sweet book with wonderfully simple illustrations which, in a very natural way, tell the story of a little boy (or girl) whose grandma brings him a potty. The book sweetly discusses the body of the child (it’s just like everybody else’s!), the purpose of the potty (For flowers? A hat?), and the fact that the whole process may very well take a LOT of patience. But patience perseveres and before long we can wave the wee-wee and poo-poo goodbye…
I don’t think there’s a better potty training book around! Available from our Babyccino Bookshops.
xxx Esther
Be different by Gizmoroo
It’s the peak of the summer, the sun is shining and I’m finding myself choosing more colorful clothes for my children!
My latest choice was this cute and funny t-shirt by Gizmoroo, a young UK company started by a mom with a passion for design and music.
The cotton is organic and the message is one that I really like.
Ideal for playing outdoors!
Gizmoroo have a well designed small online shop, in 4 languages, and they’ll ship worldwide!
-Michela
Vintage children’s music
There’s something about vintage children’s music that is so refreshing. Perhaps it’s the innocence of the songs or the slightly quirky melodies, or even the charming old accents of the artists who sang them. Or maybe, more simply, it’s just nice to get a break from ‘The Wheels on the Bus’ and ‘Old Macdonald’.
We have the Vintage Children’s Favourites CD in our car right now and it is so much fun to listen to and sing along. The songs date from the ’20s to the ’50s, and while some of them I recognized, many of them were new to me. But I have to admit that after only a few days I was singing along to all of them.
Like Emilie mentioned, I’m totally into the retro-revival these days!
-Courtney
L’Isle-Adam
I have always wanted to live by the beach but have actually never succeeded. I think I am destined to beach holiday destinations as opposed to being able to live close to it.
My kids seem to love the beach as much as I do, so we were all very, very excited to discover a beach about one hour away from Paris in the middle of the country!
The river beach in the picturesque little town of Ville d’Adam actually doubles up as the local community pool and is a perfect escape from a hot and sticky day in Paris. You can jump on a direct train from the gare du Nord and be in the water approx. 50 mins later, as the beach is about a 5 minute walk from the station.
The girls had a ball — there is a pretty big sandy area, and we put our towels down by a massive kid’s paddling pool. There is a huge Olympic sized swimming pool built in the ’20s for more ambitious parents, but, for my part, I was very happy building sand castles and splashing around in the shallow pool. If your kids do get bored of playing in the sand, there is a huge bouncy castle area for all ages and two big water slides. (more…)
Carry it good
Akua-Ba is a well fitting pregnancy top made out of thick and stretchy, fair trade cotton. Which is nice to start with.
To make it special, it is complemented with an original, small wooden Akua-Ba doll that you can attach to the strings at the back of the shirt. An old African legend says that ‘the doll brings luck and helps the mother to give birth to a beautiful child, not only in appearance but also in character’.
To make it extra special (and I love this part), for each top sold Akua-Ba gives a mosquito net to a pregnant woman in Burkina Faso (West-Africa).
A pregnant woman is 4 times more likely to get malaria. In Africa 3,000 children die of this disease every day… A mosquito net protects the mother and her child against malaria, both during her pregnancy and after.
Check the Akua-Ba website for retailers (Shak-shuka ships internationally).
xxx Esther
