My 5 year apple chutney
Have I told you that I love Autumn? It is 100% my favourite season, the colours, the crisp air, fires, how hearty food tastes amazing, and… apples!
Do not fear, this chutney does not take 5 years to make. However it is my 5th year of making it so I think I can officially call it a family-tradition, and I love it, especially because for the last 3 years it has been made with the apples from our garden (I can’t think of anything more wholesome – lush!). This recipe is adapted from Nigella Lawson’s Spiced Apple Chutney, found in her eponymous book, How to be a Domestic Goddess: (more…)
Elias & Grace launch their own label, Miller
I just popped into Elias & Grace the other day to buy some winter shoes for the kids and was impressed with not only their new make-over (the shop was recently redecorated!), but with their beautiful new collection. So many great pieces for the upcoming colder months, many of which are from Miller — Elias & Grace’s own label launched earlier this year. The Miller ethos is a mix of subtle luxury and effortlessly cool wearable pieces. I love the understated colours and chic prints, and love that it’s all made here in the EU. I just bought this dress for Ivy and am seriously wishing it came in my size! Check out the rest of the Miller collection here.
-Courtney
Made by Joel
Courtney and Esther recently introduced me to the blog Made by Joel and I am hooked! It is the best kids craft blog I have seen, full of great projects that look both fun to make and fun to play with. Joel is a stay-at-home dad and artist and is responsible for entertaining a pair of twins… so the perfect person to come up with great ideas for crafting. Granted, some projects are very ambitious, but even those posts are fun to browse for inspiration.
I especially like the pull-along toys that Joel just designed for the great online magazine LMNOP. It is such a simple idea and I just know my kids would just love them… because which kid does not love pulling something along behind them, filled up with their favourite trinkets?
- Emilie
Photo courtesy of Made By Joel and LMNOP.
Cariboo Cribs
Are you familiar with Cariboo cribs yet? I find them really beautiful. Ava sleeps in the Natural Folding Crib, which is so plain and simple, really lovely. The design is contemporary and sleek, but at the same time timeless enough to blend in with every interior. What I possibly love most about this crib is that it can fold flat, so when you store it away to await future babies (or grandchildren!), it easily fits under a bed. You can also take it in the car when you’re traveling, so your baby will feel at home wherever you are.
The Cariboo cribs are hand-crafted somewhere on the South Island of New Zealand, under the undoubtedly spectacular Southern Alp mountain range, which I really hope to see some day. But for now I’m perfectly happy seeing my beautiful little baby sleep in her New Zealand crib…
xxx Esther
Children’s Photographer Emily Ulmer
The arrival of my children triggered an obsession with capturing every important (and not so important) moment with my digital camera. My amateur photography skills have developed, though perhaps not at the same speed as my little ones. I still haven’t quite mastered the understated photographic style I’ve always loved in my favorite design and European kids magazines.
When I saw the work of children’s photographer Emily Ulmer, I was so impressed by photographs that captured the innocence of childhood, but with the added sophistication of an editorial layout. These are no Sears Portraits– no forced smiles here. Emily’s style captures the thoughtful and pensive moments as well as the sweet and silly ones.
-Kaela
Inge Van Den Broeck at I Dream Elephants
How cute are these three outfits? They come from Belgian designer, Inge Van Den Broeck, who’s design strategy has always been not to have one. Don’t you love that? You can just tell that she has her own unique style, different from so many things you see these days. I love that yellow cardigan and the red scarf, and check out these yellow leggings!
Her collection is sold exclusively at I Dream Elephants — a newly opened online boutique for children aged 0 to 8 years. The boutique also sells many of our other favourite brands and designers. I love the way they’ve mixed and matched their pieces to style outfits for little ladies, little lads and babies.
-Courtney
WasteNot Sandwich Saks
With school now back in full swing (finally!), I must say I am quite happy to be back in the routine… and yet, on the flip side, I am not at all psyched about the part about making and packing the daily lunch. That being said, I recently stumbled upon this Etsy site the other day and thought it was such a great idea, especially for those, like me, who have relied on the plastic “baggie” for my sandwich and snack packing needs as I didn’t really know of an alternative.
The WasteNot Saks are not only stylish and easy to open but are lined with water and stain-resistant nylon. On the website it says “After using, you may simply shake out the crumbs, turn the bag inside-out and wipe the liner down, or if you have a particularly goopy PB&J that day just toss it in the washing machine and line dry.” The other plus — they come in a variety of very cute and kid-friendly fabrics making lunch-time at least pleasurable for someone!
-Dina
I-Escape
I-Escape is is my absolute favourite hotel website. It has a great selections of hotels, apartments and guest houses all over the world. I love the fact that the hotels are not chosen on the basis of luxury and price, but solely on the basis of charm. Browsing through the accomodation pages makes me want to literally pack up our bags and jet off to an idylic retreat somewhere on a beach.
I especially like that there is a child-friendly search option, with great recommendations for places all over the world, be it a beautiful appartment in the centre of Paris, a farm in Portugal or a beach bungalow in Sri Lanka.
- Emilie
Gold and Gold Piece at Orfeo
I have long admired the look of Gold (the baby line) and Gold Piece (for kids 2-6), but it wasn’t until recently that I actually discovered the line in person. Gold is a Belgian brand specialising in lovely muted colours, soft cottons and stylish yet comfortable pieces. I’m loving all the layering pieces — the tights, leggings, tunic-style tops, hoodies, etc. –all so wearable and so cute.
Gold is available from the wonderful London-based online boutique, Orfeo, which has an impressive collection of designers and brands. Orfeo has carefully selected their pieces to reflect their particular sense of aesthetics and style — and I’m a big fan.
-Courtney
Tastespotting
Yesterday afternoon I was surfing the internet a bit, looking for a recipe for Strawberry Blueberry Ricotta Muffins (do you happen to have a good one??), and I came across Tastespotting. Do you know it yet? Such a great idea!! I really eat with my eyes, and this website does get me SO inspired! The heck with blueberry muffins; what do you think of Carrot Applesauce Muffins, or Honey Oat Muffins, or, why not, Squash Blossom Muffins? Ok, that’s it — I’ve got muffins to make!
xxx Esther
Melbourne’s top 10 in Caos Magazine!
Recently, wonderful Spanish magazine Caos asked Babyccino if we could compile a list of the 10 top things to do when visiting the city of Melbourne. We were very excited to oblige! Here is the list written up which was of course then translated into Spanish (and which, most will agree, makes everything sound just so much more wonderful). (more…)
Sanna Annukka prints
I have been a big fan of Sanna Annukka’s screenprints since my sister showed me her website a couple years ago. I just love her choice of colours and the magical folklore-inspired images. I’ve had my eyes on her Archipelago print for ages now (it’s at the top of my holiday wish list!), and I also love this Spirits of the North print (pictured) — I think it would be so cute in a child’s room with all those bright colours. I’m quite certain that, after renovating the house, we will not be able to afford art for quite some time… but one can dream!
-Courtney
My son’s favourite tee from Fabric Flavours
Pictured is my son’s current favourite shirt. No matter how well I hide it at the bottom of his stack of clothes (for some variety), he always seems to find it and wants to wear nothing else. I can see his point, I mean an Enormous Crocodile eating yummy little children is kind of cool! Did you know this book was Roald Dahl and Quintin Blake’s first collaboration? My kids love it! (You can get it at Amazon; UK
BTW, the shirt is from Fabric Flavours, where they have many more tees featuring cool retro characters, and it’s made of great quality cotton with luxurious embroidered details. I love the Cookie Monster t shirt too, I should get it for my son (again, for some variety).
xxx Esther
Amazing Grass Kidz Superfood
Confession. One of my daughters is completely addicted to chocolate milk. What started so innocently as a special treat is now pleaded for (multiple million times) daily by the four-year-old junkie who lives in my house. I usually cave to keep the peace. Thankfully, a while back I learned about this miracle powder made by Amazing Grass Kidz that offers a healthy, quick-mix version of chocolate milk! The powder is organic, gluten-free and packed with 31 hidden fruits and veggies and I must tell you the taste comes pretty darn close to the real thing. I weave it in a few times a week as an alternative to the “real thing” and she loves it (and trust me, she is a very tough customer). You can find the brand at health food stores, Whole Foods or on-line. It also comes in Berry flavor.
-Dina
Non-toxic chalkboard paint
Yesterday I was at a friend’s house for dinner with my kids. The kids were playing really nicely, especially my 2.5-year-old. While my friend and I were indulging in a glass or two of red wine, the toddler was nowhere to be seen, playing quietly (so we thought) in another room. No whining, no screaming, no fighting — the perfect two-year-old (again – so I thought). When we left, she happily trotted out of the room, happily put on her coat and went back home to bed. The next day all was revealed: while I had been congratulating myself on my ideal child, she had been happily drawing all over my friend’s wall with a big, fat felt-tip pen. Not so ideal after all.
Now, while I am not condoning this, I do understand the attraction of drawing on walls — such a wide, blank canvas! Which is why love the idea of painting a whole wall with chalk board paint. I saw this lovely looking paint on the great Hong Kong based e-shop Hocusadabra. It comes in great colours and is non-toxic. I am not saying that this is going to stop kids from expressing themselves artistically on whatever surface they decide upon, but it might minimise the damage.
-Emilie
Caramel Apples
I had to bring a treat into my son’s school last week for a bake sale and so I decided, with apples being in season, to make caramel apples. As you can imagine, they were a HUGE hit with the five-year-olds… and actually really easy to make. The only downside is that my kids are now requesting caramel with every apple they eat. But… who can blame them? Here’s the recipe: (more…)
London shopping guide for Small Magazine
I recently had the great pleasure of contributing a travel piece to the autumn issue of Small Magazine. If you aren’t already familiar with this super stylish online magazine, then I can’t recommend it more. It’s filled with the most beautiful images, trendy children’s fashion, talented designers, craft ideas, etc. I was so thrilled to be asked to contribute and even more psyched about the topic — shopping in London! You can check out my selection here (page 146).
p.s. For daily inspiration in addition to their magazine, you can read the Small Magazine blog (one of my favourites)!
-Courtney
Cute, cool and practical. The DRIA cover.
OK, technically I’m not pregnant anymore, but I still love to wear my stripy DRIA top! Made of a high quality thin, silky-like jersey, this poncho t-shirt really looks very trendy and elegant over leggings or skinny jeans. It also works wonders as a nursing cover — it really hides it all, and still looks great! I think this poncho will stay a much loved clothing item; I can imagine it would be great on the beach as well, to quickly throw over a bikini. But that’s for the future — first, there’s winter (and second, there’s the question of whether I ever dare to wear a bikini again)!
Oh, the DRIA also doubles up as a car seat cover (the neck opening provides easy access to the carrying handle). I would say this poncho/cover is almost annoyingly perfect. A very good investment if you’re pregnant!
xxx Esther
Win a girl’s outfit from Castlebox!
Castlebox Melbourne is giving away this darling girl’s outfit to one lucky Babyccino Kids reader! Up for grabs is the Matilda floral blouse (in red or blue) and the Lucie pleated skirt, both in sizes 3-10 year. If you live in the northern hemisphere where the weather is getting chilly, you can layer this skirt over tights and pair it with boots. Or… if you’re lucky enough to be on the brink of summer, throw a pair of sandals on and out she goes!
To win, just leave a comment below by Sunday, September 26th, and we’ll pick one winner at random. Good luck!
P.S. All Babyccino Kids readers are entitled to a 30% discount at Castlebox. Just enter promo code: Babyccino at check-out.
Shinzi Katoh Disney
My daughter finally got to go to Euro-Disney and had the best time ever. You see, we live in the Eastern part of Paris, and Disneyland is only 30 mins away from us. Many families in this area of Paris even have annual passes. Hilariously, when I asked her if she knew what Disneyland was, she shrugged her shoulders — all that she knew was that it was GREAT, whatever it was. So off she went, and of course she came back with the biggest pink princess obsession.
Now all my friends are going to cringe when they read this, as they think that I should just give into the kitsch and the pink, but I just cannot deal with the whole plastic, princess thing. I know I should, as my kids love it, but I am not yet at the point where I think that battery operated, twirling princesses on sticks are acceptable. So this is my alternative: Shinzi Katoh’s take on Mickey Mouse. Don’t you think they are lovely? He also has a series of Snow White designs.
I am not sure if my daughter is going to accept this as an alternative to her Disney princess obsession, but I can but try. After all… it is all in the name of design.
- Emilie
