In hopes of a stylish pregnancy
I just spent a good long time on Pinterest filling my brain with images of stylishly dressed pregnant women. Not sure if I feel better or worse! On one hand, when I look at photos of gorgeous pregnant women I feel optimistic that it’s possible to be stylish in pregnancy… but in reality, I don’t have a supermodel’s body (shame!) and I find it really tricky to be stylish and comfortable.
But… with a growing baby bump and clothes which are getting tight and uncomfortable, I spent the past week investing in a few maternity pieces which I’m hoping will help keep things somewhat fashionable around here. Here are a few good maternity pieces I found:
- I invested in a pair of Koka-Mama black leggings. They are the best! They’re nice and thick, so you feel more like you are wearing a trouser, but they’re as comfortable as a legging (I wear these practically every day).
- I also pulled out my old Séraphine secret support vests and bought myself a new white one to wear under all my tops. These are a must have (I sleep in them too!).
- I went to Topshop and got this swimsuit and these jeans, both necessary maternity items. I love Topshop jeans — they’re cheap and they fit well, even the maternity ones.
- And of course I picked up a couple pairs of these leggings (for lounging around the house 24/7). They come up over the bump, so there’s no awkward elastic anywhere near your lower belly.
- I love the look of the entire Hatch Maternity collection (pictured above)…but so far haven’t bought anything. It’s hard to spend money on maternity pieces when you know you’ll only wear it for a few months. (Although the clothes at Hatch are meant to be worn both during and after pregnancy… so maybe it’s worth the investment?!)
What about you? Do you have any must-have maternity pieces I should know about? And… are you like me — do you immediately take your jeans off the minute you walk in your door and swap for something comfortable? Or am I just a major slouch?! (I think my postman thinks I only wear leggings and a big jumper!)
x Courtney
PS – Images from Hatch.
Petitonet – iconic accessories from Spain
Petitonet is a small online boutique based in London which specialises in iconic children’s shoes and accessories from Spain. They have the most adorable selection of Spanish shoes — I just got my daughter the grey pair of canvas Mary Janes and they are so sweet with so many little details like stitching on the inside, a durable rubber sole, and a charming little buckle. I also love the velcro versions for boys. (And the price tag is quite good too!) Perfect little shoes for summertime…
x Courtney
Singing Alphabet app from Ministry of Letters
Remember this book? And how much we LOVE it? Well, the Ministry of Letters has just come out with a new (and equally great!) ipad app. It is literally… a SINGING alphabet! So much fun, and so perfect for my daughter who is now learning the sounds of the letters. The two of us are dancing in our chairs as I type this with the sounds of letters singing their letter sounds loud and clear. It’s catchy, it’s cute and it’s educational in such a marvellous way. (Available from itunes here, and they are soon to release an iphone version too.)
x Courtney
The Magic Paintbrush
We discovered The Magic Paintbrush
Apart from The Gruffalo, of course, The Magic Paintbrush
x Courtney
Olympics-Inspired Reversi-T from Green Baby
The Olympics buzz is starting to hit London, and it seems everywhere I turn these days I see hints of Olympic fever. I love these cool Olympics-inspired Reversi-Ts from Green Baby. Get this — the Reversi-T is FOUR tees in ONE! So there are four cool designs (my favourite is the giraffe wearing the gold medal), and all you have to do is fold over the top layer to reveal the next. The tees are remarkably light-weight and streamlined, and of course are made from organic cotton! I got this one for my 5-year-old and he thinks it’s the coolest thing he’s ever seen — a magic t-shirt!
x Courtney
Cushions from Yellow Velvet
We moved into our house a little over a year ago, and the project of decorating it is still an ongoing task. Walls need artwork, sofas need cushions, we still desperately need a mirror in our bathroom (the list goes on)! I only just managed to get some very much-needed hooks up in the kids’ rooms — it’s amazing how long it can take to do something as simple as putting hooks on a wall!
Anyway, in my quest to buy new cushions for our home, I have discovered the most wonderful webshop specialising only in cushions and pillows. Yellow Velvet is a stylish and well-organised site with an even more stylish selection. They have cushions for every setting: living room, bedroom, outdoor areas, children’s rooms, etc. There are so many great options, my only problem was choosing! I ended up buying a selection of these embroidered linen cushions for the yellow sofa in our living room (see below).
And now I’m super tempted to buy some cushions for the kids’ rooms. There is no end to decoration it seems! Do check out Yellow Velvet if you’re also in a decorating mood…
x Courtney
Livly Clothing
Livly is a new and exciting brand from Stockholm. I love how they take a classic piece and give it a contemporary feel. Every one of their pieces has a detail which makes it unlike anything else… whether it’s a bright and funky colour, a bold zipper, lace detailing, ruffles on the shoulders, or modern silhouettes. It’s clothing your kids could safely wear to a party or a playground. And of course, being Swedish, it’s all about exceptional quality just as much as distinct design. Livly Clothing is now available for the first time in the UK at the wonderful Scandinavian Minimall. (I just got the Essmiralda Dress for Ivy, and it is adorable. Such a fun green colour!)
x Courtney
Love it Love it Love it
When it comes to buying clothes for my kids, I usually go for subtle colours — lots of greys, navy blues, browns, etc. Which means that when my kids spot a bit of colour in their wardrobe, that item then becomes their favourite thing to wear. I am especially having a rather head-strong battle with my daughter who wants to wear only pinks and purples (and the brighter the better for her). It goes to show that kids really do love the brighter, happier types of clothing.
Love It Love It Love It is a UK webshop which fully embraces the bright and colourful. You can find romper suits in every colour, bright and happy tees (like the ones pictured above), and plenty of playful accessories. Not a single grey in sight… and I must admit, it is quite fun!
x Courtney
Hometown Tulips
Happy May Day! I know I shared tulip photos last year, but couldn’t resist sharing some new ones from this year. Once again, my dad and his girlfriend climbed to the top of their house and took photos of the surrounding fields. So pretty! I grew up in that house surrounded by tulip fields. I used to ride my horse up and down those fields. I even got married in the muddy tulip fields! Such a special part of my childhood.
Anyway, just wanted to share. (Thank you to my dad’s girlfriend, Suze Jungeman, for the photos!) And don’t you love the chicken tip-toeing through the tulips?!
x Courtney
Tube Toys!
So cool and so innovative and so eco-friendly! These clever Tube Toys are a series of vehicles to assemble (car, tractor, fire engine, train) where the packaging (the tube) becomes the toy. Using the packaging considerably reduces the amount of material you throw away after buying it and the extra cost that traditional packaging involves. Each Tube Toy comes with components like stickers and wheels inside the cardboard tube with pre-cut slots for easy assembly. And all the pieces are recycled or recyclable — so smart! I think they make really cute gifts. (Available from the always stylish and always eco E-Side boutique).
x Courtney
Soor Ploom Clothier
Don’t these images evoke the wonderful simplicity of summer? The sort of days when all your little one needs to wear is a little floral bloomer, running around barefoot on dry green grass?! Oh I can’t wait! I am absolutely in love with this new clothing brand from NYC — everything is so beautifully simple and understated. Soor Ploom offers a range of clothing for babies and toddlers up to age 3. Find gorgeous tops, tunics, rompers, and bloomers, all available in the most lovely fabrics (fine floral cottons, soft linens, etc.) and the sweetest little flowing shapes. Perfect for simple summer days to come…
x Courtney
Looney Tunes Love
Remember these guys?! We had friends over for dinner the other night — a friend from Korea and a friend from France, and we were all remembering fondly how we watched (and loved) Looney Tunes when we were young! Isn’t that crazy how people all over the world are united by a cartoon character?! Anyway… I’ve already mentioned how I don’t let my kids watch real TV (the commercials!), but I’m okay with the occasional DVD.
We recently discovered the Looney Tunes Box Set
x Courtney
(Image found here)
Puff, The Magic Dragon
For accommodation on our recent trip to Australia, we managed to arrange a house swap with a lovely family in Melbourne (have you ever done a house swap before? it was our first time and we LOVED it!). One of the best things about doing a house swap is you get to stay in a family home with toys and books for the kids! So nice! (They even had a trampoline in their backyard. Constant entertainment for the kids!)
Anyway, my favourite find from their shelves of children’s books was this beautiful copy of Puff, the Magic Dragon
x Courtney
Ten of the best Kid-Friendly Hotels in Europe from i-escape
I recently had the pleasure of meeting up with the lovely team from i-escape which happens to be one of our very favourite travel sites for boutique accommodation. They have recently launched a new kids collection which features over 700 kid-friendly hotels and self-catering properties around the world — hotels which warmly welcome children and yet still offer the wow factor for parents. Their new collection offers everything from city apartments where you can live like a local to far-flung beach retreats with babysitting options. To narrow down some hotel options, we asked them to suggest ten of their favourite kid-friendly hotels in Europe. Here is their inspiring list (which is your favourite?):
We all know that choosing family holidays is tricky; you want to relax but the kids need to be entertained, and trying to find somewhere that achieves both can seem impossible. Which is why we’ve done the hard work for you, and selected the best of our Family Collection in Europe! With endless outdoor activities, beautiful beaches and kids’ clubs for all ages, these boutique offerings might just be that nirvana you’ve been searching for…
Ammos Hotel, Crete, Greece:
You’ll find style with a big smile at this chic beachfront hotel. With sheltered, shallow waters, a sandy beach and a kids’ pool, it’s particularly suited to babies and toddlers, and there’s a kids’ room with a climbing frame and drawing equipment. Parents can enjoy delicious food and panoramic views on the gorgeous dining terrace, and each room has a kitchenette so you can whip up meals for little’uns. Best of all, it’s not too expensive. (more…)
MozartKugel, a wooden musical ball
This stunning Mozartkugel wooden musical ball is made of solid beech wood and plays Mozart melodies whether it’s sitting on a shelf or rolling across the floor. You simply wind the ball, remove the key and let it amuse (or soothe) your baby. Such a unique baby gift I think! (Available from Toyella.)
x Courtney
Teething Toys from NiHaMa
I saw these adorable crochet teething toys on the LMNOP blog the other day, and instantly ordered a few for baby gifts (if you’re a friend of mine and you’ve just had a new baby, please don’t be surprised when one of these arrives on your doorstep!). Aren’t they so sweet? I just love the mix of colours with the natural wood. All handmade and crocheted with organic cotton yarn, so they’re perfectly safe for your baby to nibble on. Available from the NiHaMa Etsy shop.
x Courtney
Ten Handy Products for Travelling with Kids
We recently compiled a list of ten handy kiddie travel products for our friends over at i-escape. Check out our list here, and while you’re there make sure to have a look at their newly launched Kids Collection offering more than 700 amazing, family-friendly holiday accommodations.
x Courtney
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• The perfect Easter dress from Baby Barn• Win!! Amazing kite from Gray Label!
• Nettle quiche
Lately Lily Tees for girls
Lately Lily is a cute range of girl’s t-shirts which celebrate childhood and worldly adventures. They’re designed and made in Southern California, and have that sunny, daydreamy feeling to each of them. I got Ivy the Zeborah tee (featured above) and it’s so cute! I love the poppy red colour and it has a nice, narrow fit with sweet little sleeves.
The tees are available online from the Lately Lily shop.
x Courtney
Pale Cloud Raincoat, Tested and Loved
My daughter, Ivy, finally outgrew her treasured Talc raincoat, and it was time for a new one. So, after hearing all the fuss about the ‘famous’ Pale Cloud Raincoat, I decided this could be the answer. And indeed it is! The soft nylon outer shell is flexible and easy to wear. And the cosy cotton inner layer means that it’s comfortable on the inside. Plus, it has little details like a yellow drawstring, which when you pull creates a pear-shaped silhouette. And the pale pink colour is pretty without being too girlie (these days my daughter and I are in the ‘pink war’, fighting over which types of pinks are doable!). Anyway, I really recommend the raincoat, and it’s available online from the fantastic Italian boutique, Brebí.
x Courtney
Avarcas USA
Anyone who is from Spain, has family from Spain, or has been to Spain will be familiar with Avarca sandals. I lived in Spain for a bit when I was a teenager on a study abroad program and everyone I knew wore these sandals. I ended up buying a couple pairs and bringing them home to America… to envious friends and family members!
Noelia Pahissa and her husband, both originally from Barcelona but currently living in California, have decided to start a company importing and selling the treasured avarcas in the USA. They launched AvarcaUSA where you can now buy avarcas in any size and style, all originally hand-crafted in Spain. How cute are the kiddie sizes? And they come in such fun colours! (I got the saffron colour for Ivy and they are ADORABLE!).
x Courtney
