Beautiful, long lasting cashmere from Les Tricots de Margot
A little baby, dressed in cashmere — it’s hard for me to imagine anything softer or more cuddly than that! And lucky me, haha — I have it right here with me!
Les Tricots de Margot has the most beautiful collection of cashmere baby clothes, from jumpers to coats to hats and pants. The quality of the cashmere is truly amazing, and I can tell because Casper now wears the jumpsuit that Ava wore so much when she was a baby. It has been worn and washed so many times — and it still looks like new! I also adore the little booties that Pascaline from Les Tricots de Margot sent Casper as a gift — so cute and cosy to keep his feet warm. The biggest part of the collection of Les Tricots de Margot suit both boys as girls. This way, those beautiful, soft and cuddly items can be passed on and on and on.
xxx Esther
Marie Puce, clothes made in France
The new spring/summer collection at Marie Puce is cuteness overload! And I love that a large portion of it (including everything pictured above) was made in France.
I am dying over that sweet floral baby romper! I can just imagine little Marlow crawling around (!) this summer in that cute little number. Or, even just a pair of their sweet bloomers?! Isn’t that the best thing about summer? That you can just throw a pair of bloomers on your baby and off you go! So easy!
Please summer, come quickly!
x Courtney
Beautiful bedding from Caramel Baby & Child
Last week we put away the moses basket and set up the cot for Marlow. She’s 3½ months old now and too big for the moses basket (actually, if I’m honest, I’ll admit that she never really slept in there anyway! She’s always been in our bed!). So anyway… I’m determined to get her sleeping in her own bed, and I’m hoping the cot is going to do the trick!
Last week I went over to Caramel Baby and picked up some pretty new bedding for her bed. They have such a gorgeous selection that it was nearly impossible to make a decision, but in the end I chose this rosy pink cot bumper and this elegant white duvet set. I was soooo tempted by their gorgeous sleepwear too… but the reality is that everything in that store is pretty, so I have to stop somewhere. : )
x Courtney
Aden + Anais sweet swaddling blankets & sleeping bags
I am such a big fan of the sweet muslin swaddling blankets from Aden + Anais. Even I, the worst baby swaddler ever, can swaddle my baby with these blankets! We have a stack of them sitting on my dresser in my bedroom and it’s the first thing I grab when it’s time to put Marlow down to sleep.
I was so thrilled to discover they also make sleeping bags in that same cosy, soft muslin material. Marlow has graduated from the swaddle to the sleeping bags (see photo!) and it has made for a smooth transition. I also like how light-weight the sleeping bags are – perfect for the warmer months ahead.
x Courtney
Anja Schwerbrock ‘Treehouse’ collection
Fashion designer Anja Schwerbrock is originally from Germany, and after spending some years in Japan (designing for Comme des Garçons!) she moved to Antwerp with her Danish husband to established her own fashion label. Quite an international affair! I loved meeting Anja over the weekend when I was in Antwerp. She’s such a fun, clever and pretty young woman. And obviously very talented — her fashion is amazing, and I hope one day I’ll be able to squeeze myself into one of her creations.
Last year, following the birth of her little boy, Anja started a baby fashion collection called ‘Treehouse‘ which is in one word adorable. I love the simple shapes, the dark colours, the natural fabrics. Most of the pieces are made so they can be worn for a long time: sleeves can be rolled and trousers can hang low and gradually become more fitted. The little outfit Casper is wearing here is from Treehouse, and it’s just perfect! I also had a little peak at the summer collection — with linen overalls and layered dresses. Swoon!
xxx Esther
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Iron-on patches• Comment J’ai Sauvé Mon Papa
• Welcome Celina from Montreal!
Enfant Gâté baby starter kit
I remember in the days leading up to Marlow’s birth, as I sat down to prepare the hospital bag, I had the thought that it would be so great if someone just made a little ’starter kit’ of newborn baby items, so you wouldn’t have to source all the items yourself. This kit should include all the essential little pieces, perfect for the baby’s first few days/weeks: a onesie, sleeping suit, bonnet, mittens, sleeping bag, etc.
Well… it was as if Enfant Gâté had read my mind! Because voilá — here it is. The perfect Starter Kit for newborn babies! The kit includes 8 essential items all handmade in Germany from the finest, softest organic cotton. Everything in that classic newborn white and featuring eight different piping styles on the sleepsuits and bonnets. Cute! (You can purchase the starter kit here.)
x Courtney
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Montessori Letter Sounds App• Fire breathing dragons
• Happy Valentine’s Day!
Baby update!
This week, Marlow turned 3 months old and Casper will be 4 months… so we thought it was worthy of a little baby update! Here goes…
Casper:
- Loves it when I carry him around and hum ‘Hey Jude’ to him
- Doesn’t like tummy time very much at all, but loves his play gym, and rolls from side to side under it.
- Loves his girlfriend Marlow, of course.
- Cuddles a muslin square to fall asleep
- Is super happy when he’s having his nappy changed (bare bums — can’t wait for summer!)
- Likes sitting in his Tummy Tub (it’s like a baby hot tub!)
- Likes to keep his feet crossed at all times
- Loves being kissed in his neck (Marlow take note!)
- Has big, strong hands. I think he’ll be a big boy.
- Is usually so calm and easy-going, quite serious, at times. and he has the sweetest, most gentle smile.
Marlow:
- Loves the bath! (Hates coming out!)
- Is a lousy sleeper (she prefers sleeping in the sling all day long and in bed with me all night)
- Is happiest in the mornings
- Loves her siblings – her face literally lights up when she sees them
- Loves playing with her little wooden play gym
- Loves the sound of the hair dryer and vacuum and the White Noise app on my iphone
- Is still a little cranky in the evenings, but is getting better!
- Is starting to show an interest in toys
- She thinks it’s hilarious when she’s done a big disastrous poo (maybe she’s hoping for a bath?!)
- Has the coolest mohawk. We call her ‘Little Mohican’
- And of course, she loves her boyfriend Casper!!!
Don’t you think they will make such a cute couple some day?!! : )
xxx Esther & Courtney
The combi-cotti sling
After our recap about the Playtime fair in Paris, we’ve been asked a few times what sort of sling we’re using in the above photo. I’ve written about it before, here and here, so I won’t go into much detail, but the combi cotti sling remains my favourite baby carrier for the first months! It can be used immediately from birth (with the baby laying in a pouch-like fold), the baby can sit up in it facing in or out, it can be used as a hip carrier for toddlers and is handy to have around as blankets or play mats. It’s so much easier to put on than the complex one piece slings I find. I love having my baby close to me (plus — the babies love to be in there as well). It’s also very comfortable to wear — the weight distibution of the jersey bands is really good. I have bought our combo-cotti slings from here, it’s a Dutch website but if you have questions you can send an email to this contact email.
xxx Esther
Indestructibles
I recently found these wonderful books for babies and toddlers called Indestructibles. Not only are they beautifully illustrated, they are also water-proof, tear-resistant, and baby-durable (I even tried to rip one myself just to see!) I have since ordered several
-Elizabeth
Miou Kids
Miou Kids is a brand I recently discovered and have fallen completely in love with. It consists of a fair trade line of gorgeous knit designs, all handmade from baby alpaca wool by artisanal women in Peru. The designs and the quality of the knitwear is amazing! Ava was wearing a Miou Kids cardigan and matching bonnet last week (see photo), when I had my five aunts over for a visit. My aunties know how to knit, so we were looking at the amazing knitwork of the Miou Kids pieces. You can see how knitting is such an important part of the Peruvian culture, and has been so for ages — we all agreed that the quality of the Miou Kids knitwear is truly something else!
Miou Kids is owned by Christine Dubin, a mother of 5 (!) who’s originally from France but is now living near Vancouver in Canada. Her designs are just adorable, so sweet, and practical, and the alpaca wool it is made from is ever so warm, soft and luxurious. For instance, these pants that I have for baby Casper close high up over the belly, which looks so cute but is also so warm and comfy. These tall booties can be worn high up or folded over, have anti-slip soles and are felted for extra warmth and can be machine washed without a problem. What else can I say about Miou Kids? Oh yes — the colours. Gorgeous.
xxx Esther
PS Christine is very kindly offering a 20% (!) discount to Babyccino Kids readers until March 8th — please check our shopping portal for details.
The onesie trick
It was only when I had my third baby (Ava) and was struggling with one of those typical nappy explosions, that someone shared with me a little secret. Something so simple, I couldn’t believe I’d never been told this before or that I never thought of this myself.
As all new mothers of all new babies know: nappies don’t always do the job properly. I will spare you the details, but baby poo can seriously end up in their necks at times. (In our case this happens multiple times a day.) Which makes nappy changing a messy affair!
So here’s the trick: onesies can also be pulled down, over the shoulders. Instead of taking them off over the head, you can take them off over the bum. Which makes a huge, huge difference! I can’t believe I didn’t know about this trick for my first two children. Did you?
xxx Esther
PS Casper is demonstrating the trick with a super cool onesie from Hello Apparel!
Marlow, 10 weeks old
My baby girl is 10 weeks old already! I can’t believe how quickly ten weeks has passed. I spent the weekend looking at old photos (I’m hoping to make a Bob Books photo book for 2012) and came across all the photos of Marlow’s birth and the first weeks of her life. Those magical, blissful weeks. I can’t believe they’re so far in the past now!
No longer a tiny new baby, we’re now getting smiles and interaction, baby babbles, an adorable mohawk, double chins, chunky little legs, and a hint of a daily routine. (I am the least organised mother when it comes to routines! I’m still feeding on demand, letting her sleep whenever and wherever, and I spend my days walking around carrying her in the sling, doing whatever it takes to keep up with it all.) It’s a bit tiring at times… but I know that another ten weeks will go by and I’ll miss these wonderful days as well.
Anyway, I just wanted to share some photos of my sweet baby girl. Thank you for indulging me. : )
x Courtney
p.s. Marlow is lying on the adorable new Harlequin baby quilt from Olli Ella.
Tamé
Tamé is a Montreal based label and they just recently launched their baby collection. I’ve been a fan of their kid’s leggings and woman’s jewelry for a while now, but these new baby designs are adorable. Some basics for everyday use with simple cuts, however the color choices are great and the added hand painted geometric shapes makes these items that much more special. Oh, and you won’t believe the price point! So check out their little Etsy shop and they ship worldwide.
-Celina
Alpaca Pie, children’s knitwear made with love in Peru
After recently discovering the adorable Alpaca Pie range of knitwear, I very quickly scooped up this gorgeous Knotty Dotty cardigan for baby Marlow (pictured above). Isn’t it so beautiful? I am so in love with it, I’m tempted to also get the matching little booties (pictured below).
The Alpaca Pie knitwear is made from the soft, warm and natural yarn of Peruvian alpacas, and is available in the most gorgeous colour palettes inspired by the Peruvian landscape and traditional clothing. Everything is made by hand by a small Peruvian family-run workshop. The designs have a very vintage feeling to them as well as a bit of British quirkiness.
I think the ‘Knotty Dotty‘ designs might be my favourite, but they also have a beautiful collection for boys (gorgeous jumpers!) and a colourful selection of toys & accessories. Seriously, how cute is this knitted serpent?!!!
x Courtney
Hop & Peck, handmade wooden toys and gifts
Hop & Peck is an English company with an adorable range of wooden gifts and goodies. The products are all lovingly handmade and hand-finished in Essex, England and made with solid, sustainable oak and child-friendly paints. I love the little tractor, and the sweet rolling elephant.
They also have a selection of wooden egg cups which are so cute. I think the bunny ears egg cup would make such a cute gift for Easter (I know I’m jumping way ahead… but I’m already dreaming of springtime!).
The Hop & Peck products are available from the cute shop, Rain Starts Play.
x Courtney
Macarons, warm, cute, cosy and clever
Last year I met Veit and Julie from Macarons for the first time here in Amsterdam, and I loved getting to know them, their team and there beautiful, innovative products. They developed the double-faced IQ-Fabric, which is made of organic virgin merino wool outside and organic cotton inside, permanently knit in one fabric. It is boiled afterwards, which results in a thick wool felt outside and soft rippled cotton inside — making it breathable inside, and keeping the baby warm and dry outside.
Julie sent a Macarons baby overall for Casper and he’s been wearing it so much. I love how easy it is to put on, how cute and cosy it looks on him, and how practical it really is! The integrated covers keep his little hands and feet warm, and the large and soft scarf collar wraps around his neck and ears and is perfectly snug in this cold weather. It is also really beautifully made, and the IQ-fabric is soft, warm, stretchy and cosy — exactly as was promised.
xxx Esther
Moon! And Sparrow
Over the month of December, I had a chance to go to a few craft fairs in my hometown of Montreal and I thought it would be nice to share with you some of my favorite Montreal designers and illustrators in the coming weeks. Today, I’d like to introduce you to Moon! And Sparrow – custom designs and illustrations for children and other silly people. I have fallen in love with Sandra Dumais’ illustrations and I just think they work so nicely on so many of the products she has to offer. The pirate wolf has to be my favourite; I think my son would keep him close at all time for some extra protection. Her little Etsy shop is filled with lovely prints, cards, plushes, some of tees, even cute wall decals and so much more. You can check out the Moon! And Sparrow website for lots more details or just shop directly on Etsy.
-Celina
On Ivy’s Christmas wish list…
Last week I popped into the gorgeous Couverture boutique to do a bit of Christmas shopping, and ended up finding so many great things for nearly everyone on my list. Total success! While there, Ivy spotted this adorable little Petitcollin baby doll and it was love at first site! Something about the little doll’s outfit really appealed to her. She came home that afternoon and wrote a letter to santa. It said “Dear Santa, for Christmas I would like a baby doll dressed in a sheep’s costume and a little bed for my babies”.
Apparently Santa is going to have to pay another visit to Couverture. (And I ordered a sweet little doll’s moses basket from Little Citizens.) That’s Ivy’s Christmas present sorted!
xx Courtney
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Tripp Trapp Newborn Set• Win! A signed copy of Operation Alphabet!
• Hands and Feet Reindeer
Baby toys by Mastro Geppetto
The lovely Jenny from LMNOP Magazine sent the sweetest little gifts for baby Marlow, all beautifully wrapped and washi taped. One of the gifts was this little wooden heart-shaped teether by the Japanese brand, Mastro Geppetto. It’s amazing how beautiful something so little can be. A baby teether, but really a gorgeously crafted little piece of art. So sweet!
The Mastro Geppetto toys are available at ePloof.
x Courtney
La Langerie, a delicate collection for newborns
The lovely ladies at La Langerie sent one of their gorgeous swaddle blankets for baby Marlow and it’s become one of our favourite blankets. I love the soft, gauze-like material, and the fact that it’s so generously sized — perfect for swaddling and breast feeding and snuggling and all sorts of other things (I read on their website that it can also be used as a towel, and I believe it because it’s such a nice thick material!). La Langerie also sells pacifier clips, bibs and lovely fragrances. So gorgeous and so French!
x Courtney
PS – See below, a photo of Marlow wrapped up in her ‘La Lange’ swaddle blanket. (She’s clearly very content in it!) xx
