Linen Kids
It’s getting really hot here in Italy and people have started to take out their linen clothes. To me linen is the quintessentially summery fabric — relaxed elegance at its best and when it’s most needed.
Not sure why but it is not so easy to find linen clothes for children, which is why I was so pleased to discover Linen Kids. This Lithuanian company has specialised in simple casual clothing for boys and girls made out of the best linen. They also have a range of special occasion wear, some accessories and some cute toys.
The quality of the linen is amazing, a bit thicker but also smoother than what I’m used to — apparently that’s a characteristic of Lithuanian linen. The dress we have is finished by hand, making it special and a bit old fashioned.
The prices are extremely reasonable and they ship worldwide (and it’s free to Europe).
-Michela
Like-a-bike Trailer
It was my son’s 4th birthday last weekend, and with all our family in town following the birth of our baby girl, I have to admit that his birthday crept up on us and we weren’t at all prepared. The day before his birthday we panicked as we realized we didn’t even have a present to give him! Lucky for us we discovered the LIKEaBIKE trailer in a store in Notting Hill as we were strolling around the neighborhood. I didn’t even know there was a trailer for the LIKEaBIKE, but we feel like we struck gold!
My son is completely obsessed with his LIKEaBIKE, and the trailer is the most perfect addition. It hooks on and off easily, works like a charm, and allows him to collect his sticks and stones (and other fine treasures) as he rides his bike through the park.
You should have seen the looks he received this past weekend while we were out riding in the Heath — you would have thought he drove a fancy Porche into the park!
-Courtney
Parc de la Villette
It is finally warm here in Paris and we are all loving getting out there amongst the action and not being cooped up inside. This is the first year that I have two mobile children who both want to explore the world, so I am getting to know the parks in Paris better and better.
I have just discovered the great outside play park at La Villette. La Villette is the place you can find the fantastic Science Museum for kids (I still have not been, but I need to go, so I can let you guys know my verdict on it). There are more than 10 different themed gardens at La Villette — the one my kids loved is called “Jardin des Dunes et des Vents”. (more…)
(Sham)poodle
Although my daughter baptized it her ‘bear suit’, I think with it’s part skinny and part fluffy leg it looks more like a poodle! Very cool, I think, and very comfortable too, according to my daughter. It’s a great travel outfit (just tested to the max in an 11-hour car ride to France) and also very nice for lazy summer days.
Made by the cool and conscious Swedish company Shampoodle (they claim they were about to open a dog grooming parlor in Vegas before settling for kids’ clothes in Sweden), these track suits are 100% organic cotton and can be conveniently washed at 60°C. Due to the extra long rib in the arm and leg, the garments will fit over at least three sizes!
You can find them in the new and super-cool online eco-boutique Shakshuka. Shakshuka is based in the Netherlands, but they will ship worldwide.
xxx Esther
Sydney’s little star
The synchronicity of life never ceases to amaze me. One day I’m at work chatting to our style director and he’s telling me about a cool little kid he’s just seen in the lift. Then a couple of days later I have a quick fix of The Sartorialist and low-and-behold there he is! It turns out that Iggy is the son of Shop Til You Drop editor Justine Cullen. No wonder he looks so great. Or at least I think so.
You see, as my son is fast-approaching the big ONE I’m getting more of a sense of how I want him to look. Is this a bad thing? Because I don’t like teddy bears dressed as policemen on his jumpers and I’m not crazy about Thomas the Tank Engine logos on his jacket. And yet these are gifts I’ve received for him. I don’t like them – the logos and cutesy elements. I don’t want to be ungrateful because people have spent their money to buy these gifts (and one of those people is my mother!) but little C is my son. Oh, I feel nasty even typing these thoughts. But should I just put him in these less-desired clothes when he’s just playing at home, pass them on to someone less fortunate than me, or just “suck it up” – as someone else at work likes to say?
-Natalie
The Nursery Window hooded towels
I bought the sweetest little hooded towels for my boys when they were babies, and they worked perfectly for swaddling them up and drying them after bath time. However, the problem I find with most hooded bath towels is that they’re often very small and very thin, so they don’t last long (in size and in quality)! Both my boys have had to graduate on to normal adult-sized towels.
I wish I would have known about the hooded towels from The Nursery Window. The towels are large (even big enough for big kids!), and nice and thick. Plus, they’re as cute as can be with their signature bunny print in either pink or blue. I received a pink one as a gift for my baby girl, and we love it!
The Nursery Window is a cute little shop here in London which specializes in baby bedding, furniture, blankets and bedroom accessories. We bought our moses basket from them, and I couldn’t resist their darling little bedding sets with their beautiful traditional prints. All their products are made here in the UK, and they pride themselves on fine quality and timeless pieces. And they’re now available on-line!
-Courtney
Moi et ma fille
Receiving packages in Paris is a nightmare! The post is notorious for losing most packages. The other option is private delivery companies, but the delivery times are often between 8 am and 6 pm. There is no way that I can stay in my flat for a full 10 hours, so I always miss the delivery and spend hours on the phone trying to rearrange redelivery.
Now, there is another option… which is to have your package delivered to a shop near your home so you can drop by and go pick it up. Normally that means turning up at some dodgy mobile phone shop! But I was very, very agreeably surprised the other day when I went to pick up my package at the most lovely little boutique just up the road from me: Moi et ma Fille.
It is so nice to discover little gems in your neighbourhood. Moi et ma Fille (Me and my Daughter) was started by the Taiwanese designer Yafei Tsai after the birth of her little girl. She has created some lovely pieces both for mothers and daughters, and sometimes you find a adult and a children’s version of the same design. The collections are fresh, quirky and affordable.
I am certainly not going to wait for another delivery to visit her boutique again!
- Emilie
In My Pond
In My Pond is a new toddler board book which we have recently discovered. Each page is a cut-out pond in which an orange and yellow felt fish is swimming. You can insert your finger in the back of the fish and move it while you read the book, describing what sorts of things you find near or in the pond.
The book is sweet, with a reassuring message at the end and very few words on each page, making it ideal for those toddlers whom cannot keep still and do not last through a longer book. The moving fish also proved to be quite entertaining!
The stylish illustrations are actually collages and the book is a cooperation by author and designer Sara Gillingham and famous children’s illustrator and artist Lorena Siminovich from Petit Collage.
The book is available from Amazon (UK or US).
-Michela
Cowshed for babies
I’ve been a fan of the Cowshed beauty products since my first trip to Babington House 5 years ago! So when Cowshed launched their new Baby Cow Organics collection just in time for my baby to be born, I knew I had to check them out.
The new collection, which includes a body lotion, baby oil, bottom balm and a cream, is 90% organic and is made from meadowfoam oil to suit baby’s delicate skin. (Meadowfoam oil is known to be one of the most stable vegetable oils, making it safe and long-lasting!)
I’ve been using the baby lotion and oil on my baby, and I love it! Smells much better than olive oil and is nearly just as natural!
-Courtney
La Maison des Petits at 104
I have received several emails from you guys asking if I know of a good indoor play area for toddlers… and I didn’t! There is a serious lack of them here in Paris. That is… until now. On Saturday I took my girls to the brand new play area called “la maison des enfants” in an amazing new arts centre in the 19th arrondissement of Paris called 104. Granted, it is a bit off the beaten track in a residential part of Paris, but it is worth visiting if you need your little one to get rid of some surplus energy on a rainy day.
All the equipment is brand new and fantastically well designed. There are drawing pods for older kids, a soft play area for smaller ones, dolls, tea sets… The centre is free, though they do limit the amount of kids coming in, so that it doesn’t turn into complete madness. The “maison des petits” is also planning to host ateliers lead by the artists in residence of 104.
On the same premises there is a great bookshop with a huge kid’s section and reading area, and out in the courtyard there is a pizza van and a café. As of yet, most of the centre is still empty and undeveloped but I reckon that in a few months it is going to be buzzing and full of life.
- Emilie
Bad Science
If you live in the UK and read the Guardian on Saturdays you may be acquainted with Ben Goldacre and his column. Ben is a young medical doctor trained in Oxford and London who has embarked on a mission to unveil the dodgy science behind some drug trials and health scares.
Last year he published Bad Science, the book (named after the column) where, chapter by chapter, with patience, humour and just a tiny bit of statistical technicalities, the author leads the reader into a journey that will shake his beliefs and hopefully teach him how to read newspaper articles on “science studies”.
I must admit I bought the book just to read a good summary of the whole MMR hoax that went on in the UK at the beginning of the millennium and ended up thoroughly surprised and astonished at how science is processed and offered to us by the media.
The book may be an uncomfortable read for some people — it was for me in a way, as some of what I firmly believed in was questioned. (more…)
Raz-berry teether
At 5 months, baby C was at that stage when EVERYTHING goes in the mouth– her toys, her hands, my toys, the phone, her bib, anything she could get her hands on. I happened upon this RaZberry teether by Raz-baby online when shopping for something else and thought it was too funny! It looks like a giant raspberry with green leaves and is super soothing for the gums and teeth. The little bumps seem like a great thing to gnaw on, and she even liked to turn it around and chomp on the “stem” too. It is made of BPA-free silicone and available online at Amazon. I’m almost sad that her first two teeth popped out last week, as now I’ve had to retire the Razberry!
xx Rebecca
A shot…
No, this is not the start of a crime scene investigation. Yesterday I took my 4-year-old daughter to the health centre for her last childhood immunisation (until she’s 9, that is).
At the breakfast table — thinking that going cold turkey would be slightly unfair at this age – I matter-of-factly mentioned that this afternoon we would go to the doctor to get her a shot (as if we were going to get her a new summer coat).
Oh. My!!
Apparently, the little 4-year-olds have been spreading the news — my daughter started sobbing uncontrollably!
Only after the promise of a huge ice cream did she calm down a bit and we went on with our usual daily affairs. (more…)
Mamascarf
I have to admit that I am not the most modest breast-feeder. I normally don’t think twice about breastfeeding in public — it’s perfectly natural and normal, right? And I don’t think there’s anything to hide, or to be ashamed about. BUT… I’ll admit there are circumstances where a little modesty is necessary… moments where a Mamascarf comes in really handy!
Mamascarf is a breastfeeding scarf designed specifically for feeding in public. It allows you to breastfeed discretely while also providing a bit of extra support as it cradles your baby in place. My favorite part about it is that it’s actually a stylish scarf you might wear even if you weren’t breastfeeding. It’s simple, lightweight and easy to wear. Perfect for the summer weather!
-Courtney
My Little Paris
This is one for us, girls. I have lately become a regular reader of the great blog MyLittleParis. I eagerly await the bi-weekly emails with the top tips on all that is Paris! The best way I can describe it is as a Babyccino for grown-ups.
It has great tips of what’s new, what to do, where to eat, where to stay and where to shop. The great thing is that they have just started an English language version and so even non-French speakers can get a piece of the action.
I especially love the fact that they always seem to be in the know about private sales of some of my favourite labels like Sandro, Maje and Paul and Joe where the clothes are up to 50% off. I do always love a bargain….
- Emilie
WIN a maxi-micro scooter!
We’ve all raved about the mini-micro scooter more than once before. Now the great news is that micro has come out with the follow-up version to their best-selling kid’s scooter. The maxi-micro is stable and maneuverable like the mini but is a bit more sturdy, to cater for children from 5 years old.
The board is just a little bit longer and wider and it has two wheels at the back (but very close to each other, so working as just one wheel), and the joystick steer has adjustable height. The look and colour is definitely more grown up, appealing to those children needing an upgrade from the mini.
For added safety you can pair it up with one of their helmets — which look so cool you will be able to convince the most reluctant kid.
The maxi-micro is on sale now worldwide, although in the US it’s marketed as the maxi kick scooter.
Now for the exciting news… Babyccino has one maxi-micro scooter in black and one micro helmet to give away to one of our readers!! Just leave a comment below by Sunday, June 28th, 2009 and we’ll pick one winner at random.
Good luck!
-Michela
This give-away is now closed!
I am a little giraffe.
I hate to be one to judge a book by its cover, but sometimes there are books that you just know will be good even before you open them. Perhaps it’s the feel of the hardback cover, or the illustrations, or the author’s name…
We received I Am a Little Giraffe
“I am a little giraffe” is part of a larger ‘I am’ series of books about animals. Each book depicts a day in the life of the animal and is written from the animal’s point of view. The simple language and endearing illustrations make the stories perfect for little readers. Great for a 2-year-old, but also great for young kids learning to read!
-Courtney
Bobinette
Yesterday my husband, daughter and son were sitting on the sofa together and I realized checks must be in high fashion: they were all three wearing a gingham shirt!! Today I’m wearing mine — fashionably late, I suppose…
My husband and I got our shirts from Fenwick in London. My daughter’s shirt came from H&M (I love H&M). My son’s shirt is from Bobinette.
Now, if you’re blessed with sons and feel that finding fashionable, funky outfits can be hard at times, I suggest you check out this brand. Great stuff for boys!
I’m very happy with my son’s gingham shirt, and I already saw a red one in the new winter collection that I know I won’t be able to resist later this year. And, Bobinette just added an organic layette collection. Those cute jumpsuits, vests and carrying bags are to-die-for! Shopping for boys is becoming better and better. Bring on the boys!
xxx Esther
Talking my language
I’m a talker. Always have been. Always will be. And so I can’t wait to hear something a little more constructive from my little one’s mouth than “ah-da”, “da-da-da-da” and “ma-ma-ma” (less frequently, I might add). Well, I’m pretty thrilled to get my hands on a copy of Baby Hands — a book and DVD that are going to (hopefully) get some sort of language happening between me and my baby. I’m confident that it’s going to work because a while back I caught up with a friend whose daughter was 18 months old and she was “signing” the word for baby when she saw my then newborn. Too cute!
-Natalie
Finns Finds
Kids do have a tendency to get overly excited, bless them, and run away in a blink of an eye. I was sitting in the park yesterday and noticed that, for once, it was incredibly easy to spot my daughter in a sea of children. Why? Because she was dressed in a fabulous bright yellow dress.
Jennyka from Finns Finds sent me the most beautiful bright yellow jersey dress by the Danish company Milibe the other day and it has been a fantastic find! The dress is lovely to wear — it is so comfortable and sunny. Finns Finds specializes in easy-to-wear, well designed children clothes. They source their collection from all over the world, from Scandinavia to Australia.
My little girl is very lucky that she is not my size yet, as I would be raiding her wardrobe for this little yellow number!
- Emilie
