A summer holiday memento
My friend Katja has the good fortune of being married to a Danish guy. Not only does this mean that her kids are going to be very, very tall, it also means that she gets to spend her summers in the lovely Danish countryside in a little thatched cottage on the beach.
The only problem is that even though the summers in Denmark can be beautiful, there is also a lot of rain to be dealt with… so coming up with great craft projects to keep energetic kids distracted is something Katja has become very good at.
This summer she cut up an old sheet into squares and got the whole family – from the 2-year-old to the grandparents – to draw on the squares with fabric markers. They then hung up the panels along a string as bunting. She showed me the results and I loved it! Her mother-in-law is now going to make a quilt out of the panels. A great memento of a great family summer holiday, don’t you think?
-Emilie
Super bib!
There have already been quite a few discussions about bibs here on Babyccino, and Esther has already revealed that the two of us are slightly obsessed (or nerdy, whichever you prefer). All that aside, here is a bib that blows all other bibs out of the water: the Bavetton Original.
It’s a bib and also a tablecloth. It allows your messy little eater to eat as he/she pleases without spilling on the floor or making a mess of the table. With two snap fasteners, the Bavetton bib creates a pocket between the child and the table, collecting all sorts of wonderful surprises! The bib (created by a mom, of course) is a wipe-clean material and is light-weight and easy to roll up and take with you wherever you go. And, it comes in loads of cool colors — I have the fun multi-colored one.
This ‘bib expert’ gives it two thumbs up!
You can buy the Bavetton bib from SitOnDesign, or visit the website for other retailers.
-Courtney
Jack-o-lantern clementines
Halloween is definitely not an Italian tradition, but in recent years around this time of the year we do see more pumpkins and orange stuff in the grocery stores. Funnily enough the only costumes accepted are spooky ones, which I’m not too sure are very appropriate for children. Nonetheless it’s another occasion to have some fun, so I’ll jump into it too!
Pumpkin carving is still beyond my abilities, but I did make Courtney’s cupcakes, and I’ve decorated the table with these mini clementine Jack-o-Lanterns. I got the idea on Zakka Life, and they are so cute and easy. I must admit I went the easy way and used a permanent black marker, but apparently you can use less “dangerous” ones so that children can easily participate in the activity!
Happy Halloween!
-Michela
A Buzzer like no other
Now, I don’t want to come across all military or anything, because that’s definitely not my parenting style… but, sometimes things at home need a little shaking up. In a fun way of course!
You are probably familiar with the scenario where the morning routine is starting to go astray (I’m sure it can happen to even the most boot-camp style of households). As the year progresses and enthusiasm for school wanes, the children take longer to ‘get up and get going’ in the morning. Getting dressed and eating breakfast, brushing teeth and hair seems to take forever, and we are getting progressively later and later for school. The nightly routine isn’t faring any better; the kids don’t want to go upstairs for a bath, I finally get them up and they won’t get out! I guess that we are caught in a bit of a rut. And old incentives simply lose their… well… incentive! (more…)
Madison Browne does cashmere
My husband and I joke that the upside to English weather is that you never have to switch out your winter wardrobe for your summer one, and you can wear cashmere all year long! (Seriously, yes — summer is really that bad here.) Now, buying cashmere for your kids does seem a bit indulgent… but it’s just so cozy it’s hard to resist! And, if you live here in the UK it’s easier to justify.
The lovely online children’s boutique, Madison Browne, has just launched their own line of children’s cashmere… and it’s divine! The fit is nice and narrow and the styles are really sweet — stripey sweaters, cute cardigans, all-in-one babygros. And pretty reasonably priced too, considering it’s cashmere.
And what’s even better, you can receive 20% off at Madison Browne if you enter promo code BABYCCINO20 at check-out!
-Courtney
About Easop’s Fables and a Wonderful Print
Either I’m culturally behind, or Aesop’s fables are just less common in the Netherlands than in the rest of the world… But, before I laid eyes on Tara Hogan’s (from Ink+Wit) new print ‘The Hare and the Tortoise’ I had never heard of the good man Aesop!
Now that I’ve read a little more on the subject, I’m intrigued. Aesop was a slave and story-teller living in Ancient Greece around 600 BC and was known for the short, simple stories he told that all ended in great truths and morals. The timeless wisdom of Aesop’s stories outlived over 2500 centuries and are today ever as educating as they were in 500 BC…
The fable that inspired Tara for her ‘Hare and the Tortoise’ print goes as follows:
A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise. The latter, laughing, said: “Though you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race.” The Hare, deeming her assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and they agreed that the Fox should choose the course, and fix the goal. (more…)
Pop Burger
As mentioned in an earlier post, I am not a huge fan of eating out with young kids. It’s not good for the digestion. But then again, there is Pop Burger.
This unassuming and very hip burger joint in the trendy Meatpacking district is actually one of my favorite super duper secret places to grab a special lunch with the girls. The burgers are delicious, and they come in sets of two which are perfect for teeny hands. They also have a nice selection of healthier items like a salad or an excellent chicken burger which pair nicely with a thick classic milkshake and crispy fries. (more…)
Firmaman
I have been trying to travel a bit further a field, leaving my usual habitat of North-Eastern Paris, to try and discover new places for Babyccino. On one of my trips I met up with Estelle from the lovely e-shop Nordinary and she took me on a whistle-stop tour of the 17th arrondissement.
One particular shop deserves its very own Babyccino post: the fabulous maternity shop Firmaman, Paris’ first concept store for pregnant ladies.
I had been looking for a place just like this during my pregnancy in Paris and never found one. It is a lovely boutique, full of great clothes — some of which are maternity clothes, some of which are not, but all of which will look great on a pregnant woman. You can find great coats, jeans and dresses. There is also a great newborn baby section, a gift section and a lingerie section with some beautiful nursing bras. (more…)
Fun hats from Ikea
It must be Halloween season because dress-up items are everywhere in the kid’s section at Ikea! They’ve brought out again the funny masks that Courtney wrote about a while ago (although I could not find the ladybird or the chick), and in the same Maskerade collection they have added these fun hats which can definitely be a good starting point for a simple costume. They have velcro at the back, so they should fit kids of any age and head size.
I bought a few of them for our costume basket and the children love them; my son is so funny with the viking helmet plus beard. They are not in the catalogue or on their website… but they are there, trust me!
-Michela
Last-minute DIY Halloween costumes
Thankfully my boys let me off the hook this year. The older one has decided he wants to be a ghost for Halloween (how easy is that?!) and the other one is happy to use his brother’s costume from last year. We’re set.
But… I did have a temporary freak-out last week when I realized I wasn’t prepared at all for Halloween. So I searched the web for DIY costume ideas, and of course I found it on Etsy. You have to check out these darling ideas for turning a simple sweatsuit into a costume. The kits include simple step-by-step instructions, felt and necessary fabric, and needle & thread. So brilliant! I love the shark and the lion.
I am so doing this next year.
-Courtney
Monamici
I’m always excited when I discover a new source for cute girls’ dresses, and when they have cute little boys clothes I’m even more pleased!
Monamici is such a brand. I first saw them at the Kleine Fabriek (a trade fair here in Amsterdam) and was impressed by the simplicity of the cuts, the fine fabrics and the beautiful colours of the garments. This week, Monamici has opened their web-shop, so I figured it’s the right time to share this Swedish discovery with you!
Of course we did a little road test in the meantime — my daughter has been wearing her little Charlotte dress (pictured) loads, and it’s as lovely as I imagined. I really like that simple, old-fashioned-yet-modern style…
xxx Esther
Mittens that stay up — no strings attached!
Now here is a concept I wish I would have created… mittens that stay put, really. They’re mittens with long, stretchy cuffs that reach the elbow, making sure that no matter how much your child wriggles, runs, or plays, those mittens won’t budge, and they won’t fill with snow either.
With sizes ranging from baby to 5-year-old, and with loads of different colors and styles, the Mimi TENS mittens are made with waterrepellent nylon, insulated with Thinsulate and lined with Oeko-Tek bamboo fleece for extra warmth and softness.
They’re made in Canada where they are no strangers to snow, so you know you’re in good hands, literally. Click here for retailers. And can you believe I’m thinking about snow already?
-Courtney
Family dinners
As you probably know, Italians are experts at family dinners, especially the ’special occasion’ meals. We’ll usually have three (or more) generations sitting, eating and chatting their time away. I love them, but real life is different.
In our home it seems that even two generations is one too many as it’s nearly impossible to enjoy a meal with the children. They are fussy eaters, they need total dedication, encouragement and a lot of effort. The older one never finishes his (ant-size) portions of food, and the little one cannot sit still for longer than 10 minutes. Every other minute a spoon falls on the floor, or somebody’s beaker needs refilling. Not too mention the cutting and the chopping.
Call me a bad mother, but I simply cannot enjoy my food and the company in such situations. (more…)
Alpha Baby – the most annoying thing you will ever love
I have to give credit to my Mac-obsessed husband for finding this little gem on-line. It really is such a smart idea and one that was, of course, invented by a mom.
I really do try my best to NOT be on the computer when the kids are around. It’s not so much that I am worried that they will view me as a drone who does nothing but surf celebrity gossip websites all day but well, because it’s basically impossible to even type an email without them flying over to pound on the keyboard.
Alpha Baby is a simple program that allows your child to “work” on the computer and/or allows you to leave your computer and walk away without fear of them destroying it. With each push of a button different color shapes and letters pop up on the screen allowing you the freedom to run and take a shower, return a long overdue phone call, run to another computer and check out your celebrity websites….the list goes on.
It really is a brilliant little idea and if you have a mac – check it out…it’s free!
-Dina
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Baby Disco• The American Museum of Natural History
• A real submarine
• Bugs, Frogs and Fish at the London Zoo…
• Het Huis van Aristoteles
A Babyccino Party!
We’re having a party and we would love for you to come!! The five of us are meeting in London for the weekend and we thought it would be the perfect excuse to throw a party, meet and mingle with our readers, drink champagne, eat fancy canapés… and shop! We’re teaming up with the cool children’s boutique, Elias&Grace, and the uber hip Milk Magazine for a fun get-together. Enjoy a 20% discount at Elias&Grace for the evening, and pick up the latest copy of Milk.
So, if you live in London (or you need an excuse to travel here) we would love for you to join us! Please meet us at Elias&Grace in Primrose Hill on Friday, November 6th from 7-9:30pm. Click here for official invitation.
We’re so excited to meet/see you all!
xoxo, The girls at Babyccino
P.S. Please RSVP (just so we know how much champagne to buy!)
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Luukie/Xsmall• Fungo Matto
• Elias and Grace
• Sons & Daughters
• Lilli Bulle
My Neighour Totoro
I think that film addiction must be genetic — my kids love movies as much as I do. We have started a tradition of Friday Family Film Night – to celebrate the end of the week – complete with popcorn and a glass of juice.
Now the challenge is finding movies that a 2-year-old and a 30-something-year-old will both enjoy. The greatest success we have had was the Japanese Kids Animated Classic My Neighbour Totoro, a lovely story of two sisters who move to an old country house with their dad while their mum is in hospital. In the countryside the girls encounter friendly spirits, namely the Totoros, the Keeper of the Forests. ‘My Neighbour Totoro’ was directed by Hayao Miyazaki and won him international acclaim all over the world.
The animation and designs are stunning and the Totoro character is just enchanting. I could definitely watch this movie again and again. And if I can, you can bet that my kids can too! They are addicted!
I would love to hear if you have any other suggestions for great family movies. Happy Friday!
- Emilie
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Luukie/Xsmall• Fungo Matto
• Elias and Grace
• Sons & Daughters
• Lilli Bulle
Are these shoes made for walking?
I’m curious to hear your thoughts. A couple of months ago I bought my son a pair of Converse sneakers. My mum rolled her eyes and told me that the soles were too flat and not good for his feet. But they look so good! She tried to buy him a pair of Clarks sandals but his feet were too wide for them and so she had to return them (which I was secretly glad of because they were soooo old fashioned). Soon I’m going to have to buy him another pair of shoes and while I’d happily buy him another pair of Converse I do wonder if they’re perhaps not the best thing for him. But I want something stylish. I know many Australians love the Walnut brand, which Sara has written about here, but I wonder if they’re too “flat” as well. Another friend has a pair of Birkenstocks for her little boy – but all the ones I’ve seen have been close to $100 each, which seems a lot of money for something that Little C will probably grow out of in 2-3 months. Would love to know what you think — and if you can recommend any cool kids (supportive) shoes.
-Natalie
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Hampstead Heath• Luxembourg Gardens
• Central Park Carousel
• Macrobiotic goat farm Ridammerhoeve
• Park and aperitivo
Personalised gift bags for babies
Need a unique baby gift? There’s nothing like a little personalisation and embroidery to make a gift special. Izzy and Floyd’s personalised baby bundle bags come with the baby’s name and birth date embroidered on the front. You can either fill the bags with Izzy and Floyd’s selection of babywear and toys, or you can simply buy the bags to wrap a gift you already have.
I received a bag for my daughter and it’s darling. They’re handmade in Wales using a natural calico, a choice of gingham trim and a big wooden button. I’m planning on filling the bag with Ivy’s little treasures and hanging it in her room.
-Courtney
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Hampstead Heath• Luxembourg Gardens
• Central Park Carousel
• Macrobiotic goat farm Ridammerhoeve
• Park and aperitivo
Dinner. Ten Minutes. Done.
I adapted this recipe from Nigella Lawson and tweaked it a bit to my liking. It certainly is a bit of a caloric indulgence but I turn a blind eye noting that it represents all the major food groups….meat, dairy, grain and veggies! It’s even better the next day heated up for lunch and it’s something that the whole family can enjoy. I would recommend playing around with it a bit to suit your tastes. I tend to add a lot of cheese at the end.
Here’s the recipe: (more…)
Very portable kid’s desk
I just love it when people come up with different ways of using an object; it’s nearly like inventing something new!
Apparently the Ikea Bekvam step stool is quite prone to being reinvented. I particularly like this idea from lovelydesign to use it as a children’s desk. It’s great for small flats but also as a portable back-up desk.
You can take it in the kitchen while you cook or in the living room while you read the papers (do you still have time for them?).
-Michela
