Smocked frocks
I love the way trendy modern children dress — the layers, the leggings and the muted colors. They do look cool and even comfy most of the time, but I have to admit I’m a sucker for traditional pretty dresses. Don’t get me wrong, I know there’s a time and place for everything, but nonetheless I always stop and look at the smocked traditional dresses that abound in the posh classic children’s stores in Milan. What usually stops me from buying them is their price –very high, especially if compared with the use you are going to get from them. Given our lifestyle and my daughter’s character she is more likely to be wearing a pair of denims on a regular day.
This was until I discovered Smocked Frocks, a one-woman British company, that makes the most adorable smocked traditional dresses and for a very reasonable price. Jill lives in Devon and loves sewing, and for the last 5 years her passion has become her job. She makes to order a great variety of dresses, mostly smocked but not exclusively. She can be contacted by phone or email and she will send you fabric swatches and a little catalogue that explains all the styles. (more…)
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• How much is a push worth?• Having babies: the UK way
• Rock-a-bye baby…
• A little baby: public property?
• The magic of Witch Hazel
Sweet William
Brooklyn-based children’s boutique, Sweet William, is the kind of shop I can’t resist! It has one of the most carefully selected and unique collections of children’s clothing, toys and accessories. The collection of independent designers ranges from those you probably already know to brands you surely don’t… like designer, Angela Devine, who hand-makes all of her clothes out of her studio/home in Montana. (How cool is that?) I have a couple of her beautiful button-down henley tops for my boys, and they are most definitely my favorite pieces in their closet. (They’re currently on sale, so check them out!)
Other designers include Makie, Tuss, Talc, Finger in the Nose, Mini Rodini, and the list goes on. There’s also a lovely selection of children’s shoes, toys and furniture.
You know you’re in good hands here — the owner, Bronagh Staley, is the former fashion editor of Cookie magazine. With expertise like that, you can’t go wrong!
-Courtney
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• How much is a push worth?• Having babies: the UK way
• Rock-a-bye baby…
• A little baby: public property?
• The magic of Witch Hazel
Swinx
Even though the newest generation computer games come with all sorts of gadgets that encourage players to get physical (play tennis, golf, or plain old killing people), it still takes place inside the house and in front of a (huge) television screen.
Swinx, a new game concept by the inventors of the Bugaboo (yes Dutch, yes smart), is best described as a game console that encourages children to get active: to play together, run around, dance, compete, scream, laugh and have fun. It has a rechargeable battery and is light and waterproof, so it can easily be taken outside to the garden, the park or the beach.
Last weekend our Swinx arrived, and ideally our nephew and niece (9 & 11) were staying with us! (more…)
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Homeopathic help for speedy recovery• The Dutch way: homebirth and at-home maternity care!
• Blossom’s feeding camisole
• Swaddling
Why is the sky blue?
One of my eldest daughter’s first words was “Why?”. I think she started the “Why?” phase at the tender age of 1.5 years and now at over 3 years is still at it. The older she gets the more insistent she gets. I sometimes feel like I am being cross-examined!
The only way of stopping her, we have found, is by answering her questions in such a detailed manner that she gets bored after a while and wanders off. My father is actually the best at it. As a scientist, he can give her such a detailed, scientific description to every “Why?” question, that her eyes start glazing over while he is happily telling her about the specifics of photosynthesis or something similar.
She has become such a running joke with our friends that we were recently given a book called: Why is the Sky Blue?
- Emilie
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Homeopathic help for speedy recovery• The Dutch way: homebirth and at-home maternity care!
• Blossom’s feeding camisole
• Swaddling
Shinzi Katoh
I recently discovered Shinzi Katoh when I saw this cute zoo poster on the wall at a friend’s house. She had it framed in her son’s room, and I absolutely fell in love! She was surprised I had never heard of this famous Japanese artist before, and frankly, after a little of my own research, so am I! There is a whole world created around his work — loads of lovely products with his charming designs: cute tableware, tote bags, fabric, ribbons, home decor pieces, artwork, etc.
Am I the last person on earth to discover him? Maybe so.
I’m especially in love with this darling zoo print. I love the retro colors and the simple designs. I think it’s perfect for a child’s room. In fact, I’ve just ordered it for my boys; I think they’ll love it!
From the US you can order it here. Or else directly from his website, like I did.
-Courtney
Merci
It’s been the talk of town. Merci, Paris’ newest concept store opened its doors last week. When I visited it was so new, they were still finishing off the paintwork.
Even if you are just in Paris for an afternoon, it is worth checking it out. A huge loft style space houses a florist, an eclectic bookstore, a wonderful vintage collection, designer clothes at a discount, homeware and a great kid’s clothing and accessories area. It is the kind of place you can pick up a delicate Isabel Marant necklace for 20 euros or spend several thousand euros on a sofa. (more…)
Marucho
This cool merino sweater (albeit in black, but no good picture was available) is one of the latest additions to my son’s wardrobe. The quality of the wool is fantastic, smooth and soft — really something that should not end up making loads of puff-balls. I particularly love the design — simple and very trendy. The collar and the asymmetric position of the zipper are my favourite features.
It is made by Marucho, a French company that produces high-quality clothing for children 0-10 years. It all started only two years ago with a winter knitwear collection and it quickly grew to include jeans, jersey and accessories.
Check the company website for past winter collections at very discounted prices, but they also retail online at Madame Chacha and at Little Fashion Gallery, which always offers you the latest trends in children’s fashion!
-Michela
Little Packrats
These little backpacks called Little Packrats are seriously adorable! They come in 10 or more cool designs, all of them featuring 3D details, like floppy ears or tails. They are made from screen-printed vinyl, so they’re very functionally weather- (and milk-) resistant!
I just ordered Milo for my little boy, I’m pretty sure he will be his new best friend…
xxx Esther
Jamie Oliver
I’ve already admitted to not being very innovative in the kitchen. I’m pretty good with simple recipes, and I’m even better with clear instructions, but I’m not great with throwing things into a pot and creating dinner on a whim.
This is why I love Jamie. He makes cooking seem easy. In both his television programs and in his cookbooks, he talks to you like he’s talking to a friend in his kitchen. He makes it look totally obvious. He’ll say things like…’throw whatever ‘veg’ you want in the pot — it doesn’t matter, or ‘it doesn’t matter if it doesn’t look perfect, it’s about the taste’, ‘throw a handful of this on that, add a good slug of olive oil, a nob of butter’, etc.
Nothing too fancy. Good, hearty and wholesome meals. Simple and easy.
I’ve just added to my collection of Jamie Oliver cookbooks with his latest one, Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life
-Courtney
Talking my language
I always like to check out companies that sell organic baby products. After all, I think we all want to do the best by our little ones and help the environment. But all too often it comes at a very high price tag, which can put many people off. So I was thrilled when I checked out Mudd Kids‘ website. Their tag is – “organic, fair trade products that don’t cost the earth”. So I checked out a range of their products — from toys to T-shirts and, you know what, they’re telling the truth. Bravo!
Natalie
Goûter
After recently spending a week in the UK my kids were very confused. In France one of the highlights of a child’s day is the “goûter”, a sweet snack at 4 pm. Usually it is a Nutella or jam sandwich with a glass of milk, or a sweet bread called a ‘pain au lait’ with a yogurt or a fuit compote (the French have never taken to the idea of rice cakes). It ties kids over until dinner time which is often given to them after their bath around 6.30 or 7.00pm. The day normally wraps up at 8pm.
In the UK dinner normally seems to be at 5pm and kids are in bed by 7pm sharp. So of course my daughter was very confused by not getting her customary goûter. I guess kids really are creatures of habit….
I’m interested to know what happens in other countries. Do you have the tradition of an afternoon goûter, or is the goûter just a French thing?
- Emilie
Popje
Popje means ‘Little Doll’ in Dutch, and that is exactly what these cute little creatures by Kidsonroof are. Or… not?
Popje is a girl or a rabbit, a doll, or a smiling cat that came from India.
Maybe she is Russian, or maybe she’s you.
And likes salads a lot (or not).
This little verse on the Kidsonroof website perfectly indicates that Popje can be whatever you want her to be! Creative play, so to speak. But you don’t have to explain that to your children — they get that sort of stuff.
I really like the way the Kidsonroof toys are thought out; they acknowledge the creativity kids have by nature. They basically set the scene, without writing the story.
Popje comes in a beautiful floral box which makes a perfect bed (or table, wardrobe or spaceship). And my son likes playing with his rabbit as much as my daughter with her cat (or beautyqueen, warrior or Indian princess).
Popje is made from the finest knitted cotton and available from the Kidsonroof website.
xxx Esther
Where’s that …?
Where’s That Fish?Cat?Monkey?Duck? is a series of children’s books written and illustrated by British born Dan Crisp. The cardboard pages are filled to the brim with colourful, funny images and cut-out parts that play nice illusion tricks. Just when you think you have found the hidden animal in question, you turn the page and realize that what you thought was the animal is actually a part of another scene in the book. You obviously find the right animal at the end.
We own “Where’s that fish?” and both my children have been truly fascinated with it. Somehow it ended up at my parents’ place a while ago, and they were so happy to have such a powerful entertainment source in their hands they never wanted to give it back! (more…)
Lizzie Allen’s ‘London’ wallpapers
I’ve never really been one to use wallpaper in my house, possibly because the options are endless and it is too difficult to choose, but also because I just like the look of a simple wall lined with cute paintings and prints.
But there is something about Lizzie Allen’s beautiful hand-screen-printed wallpapers that have really caught my attention. I especially love this ‘red buses and black cabs’ design from her ‘London Collection’. I love the 1950s style ‘routemaster’ buses and black cabs. And how cool is this life-size London telephone box? Or the city gents design? Really, really cool…
I love the idea of lining a small accent wall with one of these iconic London scenes, or as I spotted in Bobo Kids last week, sticking a square of wallpaper onto a canvas and hanging that on a wall.
-Courtney
Conguitos
Spring is approaching (it is, it is!) and even though the weather is still pretty miserable here in Amsterdam, I can just smell it out there. I’ve already had a couple of serious cleaning attacks, and I’ve been risking a flu, opening my windows constantly. I have even contemplated ditching those boring winter clothes in one of the canals! I’m SO done with winter!
How delighted I was when a box arrived this morning with two pairs of gorgeous, vintage-style canvas summer shoes by Spanish brand Conguitos. White ones for my son (who is convinced I bought him ballet shoes like his big sister has and is proudly tip-toeing around the house with them), and red ones for my daughter. They are extremely cute, cool and comfortable. Perfect to combine with jeans, shorts, or a summer dress!
These shoes might seriously be my new favourite kiddies summer shoe. (I’m being careful because the season hasn’t even started yet). So hip, so stylish and yet so understated. Love them. Bring on the spring!!
If you’re interested in purchasing, just call the Conguitos office at +34 966 63 24 00…
xxx Esther
A tutu for you
Last week my girlfriend Gill and I took our girls for a week away to the English countryside — Wiltshire to be precise — for half term. I never thought I would enjoy running around in cold, old England in February but it turned out to be a great holiday. I guess kids don’t care about the cold once they are warmly wrapped up. The big advantage was that we were the only people who actually thought that a holiday in England in February was a good idea, so we never stood in a single queue and had huge arboritums and manor houses all to ourselves. We stayed in a great little cottage and the kids were so exhausted by 7 that Gill and I had great evenings, drinking wine and catching up on every single person we know.
Being dedicated moms and industrious woman we decided that we should make something during the evenings for our oldest girls. So before heading off to old blighty, I went to the Marché St Pierre to purchase tulle to make the girls a tutu. (more…)
Save the date – Mother’s Day 2009
It’s all a bit complicated from an international point of view, so here are the dates. I recommend forwarding this link to your boyfriend/husband/father-of-your-children, so there is no confusion possible. And if your children have their own email address, it’s best to email them too.
If they are in doubt about the correct date, I suggest advising them to celebrate twice. It’s always better to be safe than sorry…
xxx Esther
Little Ant BIG Thinker
There is something about discovering a great new kid’s book that makes me totally giddy… like I have a secret I’m bursting to tell! Especially when the book is really good, like Little Ant Big Thinker
A little ant has a big thought: why can’t I see the end of the ocean? He gets really overwhelmed because he’s so small and can’t see very far, so he enlists the help of a large elephant. But even together they can’t find it. Finally a fish tells them that they’re actually standing in front of the end of the ocean. But then they want to know — where does the ocean begin?
It’s a very charming story with lovely illustrations, which will tickle the curiosity in us all!
Available from our bookshop (US and UK).
-Courtney
Dress to impress (yourself)
A few days ago a friend of mine sent me the link to this article on the FT (also featured on the Irish Times) which was commenting on a post in one of the NYTimes blogs. This post generated a lot of discussion because of the suggestion on what to wear when you know you’re going to be fired. In their opinion it should be something that makes you look professional and (still) employable but clearly not your favourite outfit for it would be forever linked to bitter memories.
The FT journalist, after a funny introduction about socks’ etiquette, ends up agreeing with the colleagues at the NYT that in rough times un-essentials become more important. Dressing up and looking the part lifts the spirit, she says. (more…)
Le Marchand D’Etoiles
There is something really wholesome and comforting about putting your kids to bed in a nice, clean, and comfy-looking pyjama. I like to think it might help them get a restful night…
The French label Marchand d’Etoiles (literally translated: the Merchant of Stars) is the champion of lovely, comfortable kid’s nightclothes. And so they should be, as the whole label is dedicated solely to making the perfect bedtime attire. They only use the softest material: brushed cotton, velvet or thick luxurious jersey.
Their clothes are so lovely that I actually hesitate putting my daughters in her nighties to sleep; but then who says that night clothes need to be ugly?!
You can either visit one of the lovely shops in Paris, check out the international stockists or check out their (French) website.
- Emilie
