Personalised plates
Aren’t these personalised plates just fabulous? My kids get a real thrill from seeing their name on things so I think they will be super excited when they receive theirs. The perfect Christmas or birthday gift for someone special — personal, functional and a lovely keepsake for when they grow out of them. What’s more, they are BPA-free, made of a lightweight yet durable melamine and are dishwasher safe. So, they tick all the boxes in my opinion! I bet they could even entice the fussiest of eaters.
You can order them from BébéOnline or, if you are local to Melbourne, from ‘Bebe Boutique’ in South Yarra.
- Sara
Small Square Design — lovely letterpress paperwork
I love letterpress prints. I love the mix between old techniques and contemporary design, and the results are always so chic and stylish!
Small Square Design caters exactly to my taste with their beautiful collection of cards, gift tags, prints and notebooks. Their designs are wonderfully simple and sweet, and are perfect for all sorts of occasions! I love the idea of the (pictured) gift tag, it definitely inspires me to say thank you in a more original way. And I think the cute organic onesies combined with a letterpress card are just perfect to send to a new baby… Not to mention the notepads and journals; they make the sweetest gifts for the holidays!! (more…)
Christmas book Advent calendar
I love Christmas! But my problem is I start getting that Bing Crosby feeling around mid-October and it is no good for my kids’ excitement levels. So, as of last year, there is now a self-imposed rule: no Christmassiness (that includes Gingerbread Lattes, Mince Pies and said Bing) until 1st December. Well Bah Humbug!
As with most rules I have been finding ways to get around it, and one way is with this Advent Calendar I have been preparing (since about mid-June) for my children.
As I was clearing out their bookshelves to make room for a particularly large Amazon delivery I decided to put the Christmas themed books away until December — we had 8, so that made some space. It occurred to me that it would be a nice idea to have a Christmas story every night of Advent… and so the Christmas Story Book Calendar was born. Of course my husband thinks I am madly excessive buying a further 16 Christmas books over the last months but this is a calendar that will come out year after year. (more…)
Hello from South London!
Hello! It’s so nice to meet you and get this chance to chat to you all. I’ve been enjoying my daily dose of Babyccino ever since Courtney told me about it nearly 2 years ago – it has been a fabulous companion to my own personal experiences of having children and has increased my spending online about three-fold (these girls just find some really great things!). So when Courtney asked me to step into her London shoes whilst she is away I was so excited. Followed by a slight sense of dread… you see Courtney’s shoes are not easy to fill — both literally (she’s a petite one) and metaphorically speaking — but I will do my best. As Courtney mentioned I’m south of the river here in London, so let’s see what we can find to play with down here!
-Mo
Introducing Mo
Next month my family and I are going to take an extended holiday to the sunny southern hemisphere. I’ll be away for exactly 100 days, swapping the entire winter season for another summer. I could not be more excited! (More about my trip later.) But we thought it would be a good idea to bring in a fellow Londoner to ‘hold down the fort’ while I’m away, to become the voice from London for the next few months.
You will have heard me mention my friend Mo numerous times on Babyccino. I wrote about her cute birthday party ideas and goodybag gifts. I’ve also raved about some of the cute little gifts she’s given us. Mo is, without a doubt, the most inspiring mum I know. She is crafty and clever, she’s fun and stylish, and she is the only person I know who is as obsessed with children’s books as I am! I have loved every suggestion she’s ever given me, and I know you will love her ideas just as much.
She’s an English girl married to a German, she’s a mother of two, and she lives in an old mill house in South London, so she’ll offer a new perspective on this enormous city. Welcome Mo!
-Courtney
I know how to cook
My absolute favourite cookbook is my copy of Ginette Mathiot’s “Je sais cuisinier“. My copy was my mom’s and it was printed in 1963. It has this fabulous photo of Ginette in a pinny with the craziest swept out hairdo I have ever seen. It is now being held together with layers of tape, but the recipes are still the best: simple, French recipes.
I was really exited to read that “”Je sais cuisiner” has finally been translated into English under the name of “I know how to cook”. The translation was done by none other than Clothilde Dusoulier, the writer of the great Parisian food blog Chocolate and Zucchini.
Honestly, get it if you enjoy basic French food. It really has everything you might want to cook — the basic sauces and basic biscuits from Madeleines to Financiers.
Hope you enjoy it!
- Emilie
Last chance to win!
Just a reminder…there’s only a few days left to win the natural mattress and bedding pack from Naturalmat. Such a cool give-away (our biggest one yet!), and from such a great company.
Naturalmat mattresses are all handmade from organic and sustainable sources of raw materials, all of which are completely biodegradable. They are breathable, non-allergenic and naturally anti-dust mite. I have their mattresses for my kids, and they are so great and so comfortable.
For the chance to win a custom-made mattress, click here! (The contest ends on December 1st.)
-Courtney
Get up, stand up
Sad but true, I am writing about the many accolades of a step-stool. I saw this at a friend’s place and noticed that her two-year-old could easily climb up to the sink to wash his hands. Then I saw it… a step stool — but taller than usual. Genius!!!!
Isn’t the whole point of a stool to be able to get to things out of reach? I invested in the eye-catching Baby Bjorn one and it’s like 7” tall and hoists my girls to exactly the point where they are frustrated and start screaming for me to pick them up. We also tried getting to the sink on those pretty wooden stools with the inset name in block letters but those things are deadly. I can’t tell you how many times they have toppled over.
This Ikea stool is what you need if you have a pre-schooler at home because with it they can actually reach things. It’s sturdy and does not slip, it’s over a foot tall AND it’s only $5.99 USD (which means with the exchange rate it is probably free in Europe!) Note – these are not in the Ikea Kid’s section! I found them near the check-out counter.
-Dina
Broer&Zus, cute kid’s clothes from Amsterdam
I can’t believe I only just discovered this shop! The only excuse I have is that it’s located on the other side of town…
Broer&Zus stocks a great selection of fantastic brands, which makes it irresistible to start with. But the best part for me is their own label! They have some great pieces for babies and little people, of great quality and lovely colours.
Their knitted wear is made of the softest alpaca wool, which is anti-allergic, doesn’t itch (I can still remember the worst itchy clothes from when I was a kid!) and is nice, warm and wonderful. The pieces are all made by hand in Peru in a workshop run just by women! I especially love the cardigans — they’re perfect for this time of year and have nice, vibrant colours.
The shirts, skirts and dresses are made of soft poplin cotton, so there’s no need to iron and they stay in excellent shape, and the cotton jersey pieces are lovely in their detailing, like stitching on the outside and little pockets.
Truly a brand to keep coming back to for great staples in your kids’ wardrobe! (more…)
Necklaces from Madre Perla — not just for girls!
These necklaces from Madre Perla are way cool and not at all just for girls. In fact, my son wears his sea lion necklace more than my daughter wears her bunny one! He thinks he looks really sharp, and I can only agree with him.
With Sinterklaas in in the country, these necklaces make great little presents for in the shoe (yes, shoe!), but of course they are perfect as stocking fillers too…
xxx Esther
Happy Thanksgiving!
A very happy Thanksgiving to all our American readers! We hope you are all enjoying time with your families, a cozy day of cooking in the kitchen, and a yummy feast of a meal.
(To make your own handprint turkeys, just paint your little ones’ hands for the turkey’s body. Use their little fingertips for the feet and wattle. Cute!)
-Courtney
La Cantine
I was on the phone to Courtney the other day and she was talking about getting packed lunches ready for her sons to take to school. I almost fell off my chair!
Here in France (or at least at my kids’ state-run schools) there is no way a sandwich is ever going to be introduced onto the school premises.
It seems like one of the main responsibilities that the French State has taken upon itself is to educate its masses into making every little French inhabitant a culinary expert.
My little girl has been going to the local maternelle since she was 3 years old. At lunch time she, and another 150 kids roughly her size, get taken to the cantine. They all sit down around the table and get served a 3/4 course meal. They start with a starter (salad, soup or similar), continue with a main course, then get a piece of cheese and finish off with a dessert. The weekly menu is hung outside the school for the whole neighourhood to see. And if I don’t have time to check it outside the school I can read about it on my town hall’s website! (more…)
Booties that stay on, really
I recently got a pair of these darling Kina booties for my baby, and now I’m fielding requests from my older kids that they want slippers too! It’s a good thing they also come in toddler sizes.
The Kina booties are made from 100% natural New Zealand lambskin. They have an elasticated ankle band which ensures they stay firmly in place (and I can vouch that they really do!), and they have anti-slip suede soles, which is good for kids who are walking (or crawling, even).
Plus, they’re really so cute, and the colors are all really nice. Oh, and check out their lambskin hats too.
-Courtney
Dan Zanes and Friends
I love this man. I love his hair. I love his music. My husband should seriously watch his back.
Dan Zanes sings quintessential, feel good, “family” music — each song more unique and catchy than the next. He used to be the front man for a band called the Del Fuegos and what I love is that his music is diverse, international and really appeals to parents and kids alike. My girls are obsessed with him.
While I had my requisite Wiggles phase, just like the rest of the world, I just got so tired of the silly songs and the turtlenecks and that ridiculous “Fruit Salad” song. Dan Zanes songs prove that kid-friendly music doesn’t have to be about gumdrops and unicorns. We sing along to him in the car all the time…. even when it’s not in the CD player (scary!). We also love watching the DVD which is basically the band, playing their instruments and having a good time. I suggest starting with his first DVD
-Dina
Beautiful dress-up nightwear from Ce Que Je Voeu…
Are you looking for a sweet present for your kids… Something cute, something original, something magical, dreamy and creative? Check out Ce que je voeu!
The concept may be simple: dress-up nightwear. But given these pajamas are created by a French company, we’re speaking of highly original, cute, and well-designed pajamas of excellent quality!!
The details are lovely, the fabrics are 100% natural and all the designs come with a little accessory that allows your little adventurers to play — and dream — to the max!
There’s a pirate, a princess, a superhero and a fairy; I like them all. And hurray… I finally have an excuse to leave my children in their pajamas for most of the day!!
xxx Esther
P.S. Use discount code babyccino15 for an exclusive 15% discount!
Aesop — an Aussie classic!
I thrash my hands. Hot water, cleaning products, using my fingernails as tools… you name it… most mothers will understand! As a result, my hands are often flaky and dry — not unlike sandpaper. Over the years I have tried dozens of hand lotions, but none have worked their magic like a potion from Australian skin care range Aesop. The lotion is called Aesop Ressurection Aromatique Hand Balm and I honestly think it is the holy grail of all hand creams.
I first discovered Aesop several years ago in the restroom of a local Melbourne restaurant. It smelled and felt so intoxicatingly good that I kept going back for more (really!), and I have been hooked ever since. It soaks in, leaving no greasy residue and you can literally smell the botanical and fruity ingredients permeating your skin (rosemary, mandarin and cedarwood……delicious). In our dry Australian climate it’s no wonder this product has become somewhat of an Aussie cult favorite.
The hand cream can be purchased online but Aesop also have lovely signature stores in London, Paris, Zurich, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and across Australia and these are definitely worth a visit.
- Sara
Holiday cards — ’tis the season
It’s that time of year again — to start thinking about holiday cards! I’ve just ordered mine from Jane Press, a lovely online personal stationery boutique based here in the UK. I opted for a really simple flat card with a personalized letterpress message, but they have all sorts of nice holiday cards, including some exclusive Petite Alma designs.
I paid a visit to their London studio last week to take a peek at all the options, and I was so impressed with their attention to detail. The quality of the paper is superb, their engravers are top of the line, the color options are great, and the packaging is lovely. Plus, they have an in-house designer who can help you create your desired cards, so you have the peace of mind that your order is being looked after.
From now until midnight November 30th, Jane Press is offering Babyccino readers a 20% discount on all orders over £50. Just enter promo code BABYNOV at check-out!
-Courtney
Some of my favourite cooking blogs
While I have loads of cookbooks stacked on my shelves, they have all started to collect dust. I have started using the internet more and more to discover new recipes — I get really inspired when I am looking for a recipe, discover a new site and then stumble over great new ideas! There are some fab sites out there which are regularly updated with new recipes.
I wanted to list some of my favourites, and would love to hear which ones you guys read and salivate over! (By the way, writing this post has taken hours because as soon as I checked one of the sites I liked, I linked to one they liked and so on and so on…. So I have been sitting in front of my computer screen looking at food, which is not the most constructive thing. It is better to make it and eat it!) Here’s a list of some of my favourite cooking sites… (more…)
Make your own lovely holiday angels!!
I remember making these angels when I was little; they’re so simple and so lovely. You can use them as table decoration (place settings?), or make a little perforation in the back, pull some thread through the hole and hang them in your tree. You can of course also make loads of them to give as gifts. My little girl loves making them — as long as we use tons of glitter!
Here’s the free download of the pattern. When you’re finished decorating, just cut along all the black lines, and tuck the left side of the arc into the right side.
Have fun!
xxx Esther
Non-toxic baby products from VUPbaby
Over the past five years since the time my first baby was born so much has been learned about the dangers of toxic plastics. It is now an undeniable fact that BPA, PVC and other like chemicals are dangerous for our babies. In fact, just this past Monday, the BBC reported another study which highlights the dangers of plastic chemicals. Scary!
Thankfully, the newly launched UK website, VUPbaby has come to the rescue of the growing population of concerned parents. VUPbaby is entirely dedicated to providing parents with non toxic baby products from around the world. Whether it’s bottles, soothers, toys, or utensils, everything is non toxic and carefully vetted, many of which are exclusive here in the UK.
Now, instead of trekking half way across London to find the BornFree baby bottles, I can easily order them. And they even sell the cool Foogoo Thermos that Dina raved about a while ago.
To receive 10% off your first order at VUPbaby, just enter promo code CCINO at check-out!
-Courtney
