You see, in France we still address each other with Madame, Monsieur and Mademoiselle — the equivalent of Sir, Madam and Miss. These terms, as far as I can tell, have completely dissapeared out of the English/American vocabulary. I really like this politeness. When I walk into a bakery I greet everyone in there with a general “Bonjour Monsieur/Dames” and when it is my turn I get told “A vous, Madame”.

There is a campaign in France to get rid of the Mademoiselle,  which makes total sense. My grandmother’s two best friends, 90 and 92 respectively, are still known as Mademoiselle as they never got married. I address them as Mademoiselle, whilst they call me Madame, and there is not a lot of logic in that. I do hope the shopkeepers will continue to call me Mademoiselle though (and not forget the wink)!

What about in your country, are women still being addressed as Senorita, Senorina or Fräulein?

- Emilie x

The illustration is of Coco Chanel, one of France’s most famous Mademoiselles, by Adrian Tomine for the New Yorker.

I love using the Velib’, but cycling around a city with kids in tow is just not possible. The arrival of the Autolib’ was announced months ago and I have been peeking down my road, to see if there were going to be any cars parked close to me. And suddenly there were 4 neatly lined up electrical cars right across the road!

I now just walk a few meters, swipe my card, unplug the car from its power socket and off I go. It’s brilliant and has already taken me all around Paris. There are not yet that many parking stations, but new ones are opening every day. For the kids, I just bring along booster seats, which are easy enough to carry.

-Emilie

P.S. Have you ever driven an electrical car? It is soo quiet!

Courtney and I spent a hilarious weekend seven years ago (pre-children) at the October Fest in Munich. It was great fun: there was a lot of beer, schnapps, bretzels, German sausages, sleeping and card playing involved. I don’t think we had ever seen so many people our age in lederhosen and dirndls. It was definitely not the kind of weekend you would have with kids.

I am pretty sure that a weekend in Munich now would be very, very different, but potentially as much fun — it is a beautiful city, very traditional but also very happening. For some local insight on what Munich has to offer for kids, Mitali, a stay-at-home mom living in Munich, has very kindly given us her tips and recommendations on what to do in the capital of Bavaria. She is a mother of two (son Nilay 6 years, daughter Nalini 7 months) and the proud owner of a crazy dog, Greta. She loves travelling and has lived all around the world, but, in the end, has always enjoyed coming home to Munich. She has some great ideas of what to do in Munich!

SEE AND PLAY:

Schloss Nymphenburg – This is a beautiful castle close to Munich’s city center. It is located within an amazing park, so if you don’t want to visit the inside of the castle, it is still worth the trip to walk around the wonderful gardens. If the weather is warm, go to Prinzengarten located close to the left entrance, where the kids can play in a little creek.

Right next to Schloss Nymphenburg is the museum Mensch und Natur. This is a great interactive museum for children with quizzes, dinosaurs and varying exhibitions.  In front of the castle begins the Nymphenburg canal. In summer many people take a walk along the water, go jogging or cycling. In winter the canal is frozen and you can go ice skating or try out bavarian curling. You can rent skates in all sizes for a small fee and little booths sell hot wine and punch for children to warm you up.  If you walk towards the end of the canal, away from the castle, make sure to stop at Gruenwaldpark, a small park with a nice playground.

Tierpark Hellabrunn -  Tierpark Hellabrunn is Munich’s zoo. Apart from all the wonderful animals you can see, it offers a huge and very creative playground, a petting zoo and pony riding for kids. Unfortunately it gets very crowded during the weekend.
The zoo is located right next to the Isar, so if the weather permits, take a walk at the Flaucher, which is what this part of the Isar is called. People hang out here in summer, bring picnics, barbeque and sunbath. The vibrant atmosphere in the evenings is enjoyed by all.

Olympiapark - The Olympiapark are the old olympic grounds of Munich. There is a huge area with a big public bath, the former soccer stadium, an ice skating rink and a lake. Climb the big hill for an awesome view or to fly kites. For an even more amazing view go up the olympic tower where there is a moving restaurant! (Definately a great spot for a romantic dinner with your loved one! Go at sun set.)
In summer, an alternative festival called Tollwood is held at the Olympiapark, offering food from all over the world, concerts and crafts. Munich’s Sealife is also located at the park and is worth a visit. You can see sharks, sea turtles and other amazing creatures of the sea.  For car lovers BMW Welt is right across the street. Especially little and big boys will enjoy the world of BMW and the museum inside the very modern building.

Marienplatz –  The Marienplatz Square the centre of Munich. The impressive new town hall is located there and you can see Munich’s famous tourist attraction, the Glockenspiel. Every day at 11am and 12pm this chiming clock recounts a royal wedding, jousting tournament and ritualisitc dance – all important in Munich´s history.
You can then walk to a church called Alter Peter (Old Pete) to climb its many stairs to the top of the church tower for an amazing view of the city. Close by is the toy museum which shows old timey toys and dolls.

Don’t forget to stop by next door at the wonderful chocolate shop, called Goetterspeise.  They sell heavenly chocolates, truffles, amazing cakes, macaroons and in summer home made ice cream. You can sit out front on small tables and tiny benches and stools (perfect for kids), enjoy a hot chocolate, home made ice tea or coffee and enjoy the pretty neighbourhood.

Cafe Freistunde - Another great little cafe in this part of town is Cafe Freistunde.They have a playroom for kids, offer delicious coffee and cake, pretzels and kids cappucinos and you can also have a coffee to go to take to the wonderful playground opposite the cafe. The river Isar also isn’t far away to go explore with a coffee and pretzel in hand.

Aroma Kaffeebar – This is a beautiful cafe and store offering delicious coffee, paninis, home made cakes and croissants, muesli, rice pudding and other wonderful dishes. The food is always arranged in the loveliest way with flowers and other cute additions and the vibe there is very laid back.

Cafe Netzwerk – This café is located in the “Center for Natural Birth”. The cafe is a project where women (mostly migrants) can find work after having kids. They offer breakfast and lunch from Monday to Thursday between 9am and 2.30 pm. The friendly ladies serve amazing vegetable soup and other hearty dishes. Babies are able to sleep in one of the many baby beds that can be placed next to your table and older kids can sit in the offered highchairs. You will find no tourists there as this is a spot that is only known by locals….until now

Hirschgarten - Hirschgarten (Deergarden in English) is a huge park located about 15 minutes by tram from Munich Central Station. It offeres a couple of great playgrounds, soccer fields, a water playground, in winter you can go sledding there and as the name suggests there are deers that can be watched and fed. There is a huge beergarden there, where you can either bring your own food and sit at one of its many tables or you can buy great beergarden food there like pretzels, radish, the typical bavarian cheese spread called Obadzda, grilled fish on a stick and of course bavarian beer served in the typical big glasses. If the weather isn´t good enough to sit outside there is also a bavarian restaurant.

Hans im Glück - Hans im Glück has a very creative interiour where the tables are actually build around tiny trees. The have a small shelve with kids toys and they offer food most children like: burgers and fries. Hans im Glück has beef burgers and veggie burgers and offer a great variety of fillings, like burgers with hummus spread, or an Italian burger with antipasti. You can also order salads and desserts and sit inside and outside.

Le Florida - Located in Maxvorstadt this restaurant and bar is great for the start of a night out without your little ones. You can enjoy yummy fusion food and cocktails and listen to some great tunes. The crowed consists mostly of students as this restaurant is located close to the university of munich. Other bars are close by.

Pardi - Pardi is a Turkish restaurant that is always crowded, so make sure to book a table in advance, especially if you want to go in the evening. In summer you can sit outside on their lovely terrace, blankets and heaters allow you to enjoy even a cooler night outside. Inside, Pardi is a stylish place with a fire place and a bar. The food is delicious turkish food. I can recommend the mixed cold and warm entrees and the salad with grilled goats cheese. Children are always welcome and are greeted warmly by the staff!

SHOP:

Rasselfisch - Rasselfisch sells basically all a family needs for their kids. From stylish strollers, to bike chairs for kids, baby carriers, bags, dishes, furniture, toys…This stylish store offers a wide variety of wonderful, individual and well designed things for babies, children and their parents. Check out the website!

Thierchen - Thierchen is a small shop selling handmade baby and childrens clothes, blankets and pillows. The clothes are very indivdual and creative. They sell little t-shirts with hand embroiderd pretzels on them which make great souvenirs to bring home from your trip to Munich. The shop is located in Hans-Sachs-Strasse close to “Kaiser Otto” and “Goetterspeise”. Unfortunately the shop doesn’t have a website.
Kinderzimmer – These are really two shops. One sells furniture for babies and older kids and one offers a wonderful selection of toys, stuffed animals and childrens books. One can get lost in there for hours looking at toy trains, beautiful dolls, individual kids costumes and other gorgeous things.

Lily und Milou – Lily and Milou sells up market, stylish baby and kids clothes, Barbapapa toys and books, wonderfull dolls from Blabla Kids and Anne-Claire Petit, diaper bags and other beautiful things for kids and their mamas.

Nia Pret a Porter and Nia Chaussure - Those two shops are heaven. Leave the kids with your partner or travel partner for two hours and enjoy shopping there. Nia Pret a Porter offers mostly French brands like Sessun and American Vintage. The girls who work there are geniuses in combining clothes and accessories and can help with all your fashion needs. It is my go-to shop for almost anything. The only downside is, that it isn’t cheap and one can never leave without spending way to much on their gorgoues pieces.
Same goes for Nia Chaussure which offers beautiful shoes from Bensimon, dico Copenhagen, Dolfie, Sessun and others and also sells amazing bags and the softest scarves.
Can you tell that I love love love those stores and I am NOT getting payed to say that at all!!!!!!

Leselotte - Leselotte is Munich´s greatest bookstore for kids. They only sell German childrens books but even if you cannot speak German you might want to take a peak at their great selection. The staff can recommend the best book for every age and they also offer a lot of picture books for the smallest ones and a great little selection of toys.

Servus Heimat - Servus Heimat, located in the city center, offers a wide range of really stylish souvenirs from Munich. You can buy shirts for adults and kids, snow globes, key chains, books, diaries and more. Definately go there, if you want to bring something home that isn’t as tacky as the usual tourist stuff.

STAY:

Here are a couple of recommendations of Hotels to stay in: The Laimer Hof, The Anna Hotel, The Hotel Olympic, The Cortiina and the Louis Hotel.

I love Spain — the culture, the cities, the people and the great, great food. I have not been to Madrid in years (actually decades) and had no idea if it is a good place to visit with kids.  Luckily we got some local intel from the lovely Beatriz.

Beatriz, a Spanish native, lives in Madrid with her husband, her daughter Martina and her dog. During the day, she works in communications for a Spanish Luxury Brand. During the night, she runs her blog Con Botas de Agua about things that inspire her.

Here are Beatriz’s recommendations if you happen to be in Madrid (or need an excuse to go!):

SEE

Because kids can appreciate culture too, I wanted to  suggest some cultural things to for you to get to know more about Madrid and its culture.

Madrid’s most important art museums are the Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza, and the Reina Sofía. They all offer special activities and guided visits for children. Your children will see art from a different point-of-view. In the Thyssen-Bornemisza they will be able to paint their first work of art.

The Royal Palace and surroundings are incredible places to visit, especially if you have girls that are crazy about the princesses. They will have fun thinking about how life would be like in a palace with rich interiors, long hallways, detailed ceilings and winding stairways. Boys will probably enjoy The Royal Armoury inside the Palace. It is considered one of the most significant collections of its kind. It houses a valuable collection of weapons and armors worn by the Kings of Spain and other members of the Royal Family.

In front of the Palace, there is a great playground which is very useful if there is a long line to enter the Palace — kids can play while one parent is waiting in line.

The Madrid Card gives you free access and avoid lines at the three museums, the Royal Palace and many other places, which is very nice when you go with kids.

A bit further out:

If you do not mind leaving the centre of Madrid, there are three places that I highly recommend:

FAUNIA - It is a nature-themed park, where you can find animals in their natural habitat and experience different ecosystems. There are some wonderful exotic and incredible species in this park.

MICROPOLIX – This is an innovative idea where kids and parents can share fun and education. There is a kid-sized city with typical services that you can find in a city: grocery stores, banks, a hospital, police station, communication medias and the most fun of all… they even have their own money! Children will be the main characters of their own adventure in this little city!

COSMOCAIXA – It is a place to bring science closer to kids on a very fun way. Children will enjoy the 3D Planetarium and different exhibitions where they can explore, touch, and feel science.

PLAY

EL RETIRO PARK – (Metro Retiro. Line 2) One of the best places in Madrid to go with your kids.This great park is in center of the city, easy to get to by metro, bus, or even by walking. You will find a park full of playgrounds, walking paths, and wide open green spaces where you can play ball, soccer, or whatever you want. Your kids will love the puppet shows and performances that take place during the weekends near the main lake. Don’t miss them! They are free, but you should normally give a tip. There is also a Children’s Theatre which puts on one play per day. Normally it is a puppet show put on by a professional theatre companies. In the main lake you can rent a paddle boat and get a 45 minute ride for just 4,30€. Children will love to paddle themselves and look at the fish.

Another good idea is to rent a bike and ride through the park and even part of the city if you like. If you like picnics, pack everything you need and sit on the grass with your kids to have lunch or a snack. It is a a lot of fun when the weather is nice.

THE ZOO – (Metro: Casa de Campo, Line 5 and 10. Bus lines: 33) Don’t forget to ask at the entrance for the schedule of the shows (dolphins, seals and birds of pray). The three of them are worth seeing and are included in the entrance fee. At the aquarium and the “Mysterious Nature” Pavilion, you can see insects and reptiles. The “Small Farm” is also nice for younger children because they will be able to touch farm animals. And do you know what? We have two little pandas who were born in the zoo on September 2010! They are absolutely adorable!

THE AMUSEMENT PARK – (Metro: Batán, Line 10. Bus Lines: 33, 65) It is full of fun attractions with a special area for the little ones, adapted to their age. Don’t miss the water attractions, for example the rollercoaster… especially on hot days. You can eat here but do not expect too much of the food. It is just something simple and quick (hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, etc).

EAT

BABY DELI This is a must. It is a store full of toys, books , eco-products, workshops, and a cafeteria with selected, organic and natural products, to eat while your kids play and have fun. They have also a very nice open space to enjoy if the weather is nice. This is a lovely place that you shouldn’t miss.

PIZZA JARDIN – This is an easy and nice place to eat pizza and pasta. Your kids will feel free to run and play. At the entrance, children are given a balloon, and when they leave, a little present. They also have kids menus.

REAL CAFE BERNABEU – If your kids are passionate about soccer,you definitely should take them to this restaurant. They will love eating while seeing the RealMadrid football playing field, one of the biggest fields in Europe. You can also take the Bernabeu Tour and become a soccer player, visiting the changing rooms, the benches, the field, and many other places in this gorgeous stadium.

LA GABINOTECA – Even if it’s not a place geared towards kids, I’m sure they will enjoy it. There are low chairs, low tables, and old school blackboard walls. There is also a fun and tasty menu where you will find typical Spanish food with twist. Kids will love the Juan Palomo dessert; they give you the ingredients and you can make whatever you want… so fun! It is close to the Science Museum. My tip would be to go for lunch as it get quite bust during the night and they don’t take reservations.

MERCADO DE SAN MIGUEL – In the heart of Madrid, this is a nice place to show your kids a typical Spanish market, full of fresh food, colours, people, and life. The perfect place to tapear (eat tapas). You can choose food from the many stands and eat it in one of the many bars inside the market. There is cheese, wine, fish, meat, hot dogs, fruit, juices, sweets, ice cream… whatever you want! Your kids will experience a typical Spanish way of eating. Be warned though, there is often a large crowd, but also a great athmosphere.

LIVING IN LONDON, TEA ROOM – Girls will love to have a “cup of tea” in this wonderful stylish place. Apart from their exquisite cupcakes you can also find plenty of English tea sets, toys, and things for kitchens and living rooms.

CHOCOLATERIAS VALOR and Chocolateria San Ginés – Two perfect places to drink a wonderful cup of hot chocolate with the typical Spanish “churros”.

HAPPY DAY BAKERY (Espiritu Santo, 11) – This bakery has great cupcakes and is in one of Madrid’s more lively neighborhoods, Malasaña. If you like alternative stores and life, you can take your kids to Malasaña and show them this part of the city, full of people, vintage stores, and other cute little stores. In the Happy Day Bakery there is just one little table, but you can take your cupcakes with you and eat them while you discover this great area.

SHOP

The Salamanca district is the perfect place to go shopping. You will find many nice children clothes stores in Lagasca and Claudio Coello streets. If your kids get tired of shopping you can take them to a nice Merry-Go-Round and playground placed in Serrano Street, just in the heart of the Golden Mille and at the entrance of El Corte Inglés, big Spanish Department Store.

Imaginairum on Serrano Street –  It’s the biggest Imaginarium store in the world! Your kids will love it. You can find toys for every age, a wide range of books, furniture and decor. The coolest thing is the kid’s hair salon. It is so fun finding a place where your kids can get their hair cut while they are playing. There is also a little cafe, that is perfect to get a little snack and a little market with ecological and organic food for kids.

Mi pequeño Lucas – This is a beautiful store with beautiful clothes for your kids. The clothes have contemporary esthetic designs inspired by classic designs with comfortable fabrics. All are made in Spain.

Así - It is a unique and wonderful house of dolls. Asi is a family-owned store that has been making their own dolls since 1942. They have incredible and beautiful toys and dolls with a classical touch that make them very special.

Copperpot (Espiritu Santo, 28. Entrance by San Andrés street) –  It is one of my favourite stores. This is a very little dreamy and cute store that you and your kids will adore. It is place to find unique toys with a lot of personality and charm. They also offer their own line of products that are great and made with love. It is located in Malasaña and very close to Happy Day Bakery.

SLEEP

One thing with ethically made goods is that they are always a bit pricer than high street brands, but the Veja tennis shoes are super well made and will last. I am really trying to buy quality over quantity (not always successfully….). You can find a list of stockist on the Veja website.

Below is a photo of the fab mural outside the Lilli Bulle shop we got to colour in!

]]> http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2011/09/23/veja/feed/ 2 http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2011/08/17/marche-de-st-ouen/ http://babyccinokids.com/blog/2011/08/17/marche-de-st-ouen/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 05:12:59 +0000 Emilie in Paris http://babyccinokids.com/blog/?p=23631
Courtney and her lovely sister were over in Paris a while ago and they persuaded me to expand my horizon a little bit and make the journey with them to Porte de Clignancourt and the famed Marché de St Ouen, otherwise known as les Puces (the Fleas or Flea Market).

I don’t think I had visited this market in 10 years but I have totally fallen back in love with this place. Yes, it is not what it used to be. Yes, things are not dirt cheap and it is hard to find a real bargain. BUT, I love the mazes of little streets full of fabulous things and the sellers who often have a story to tell about each of their wares. I headed back there today and discovered yet another part of the market that I had no idea existed!

Note: This is not a great day out with a hoard of small kids… It is perfect if your child is small enough to sit in a stroller or big enough to enjoy looking at things, but not touching everything. If you are in Paris though and have some time on your own for a bit of a stroll, the “Puces” is a lot of fun. Check out the description of how to get there which Jordan at Oh Happy Day put together — it’s super helpful.

Sara Hignite, our guest blogger, has put her master’s degree in art history to good use as a museum professional, first in St. Louis and now in Dallas. She has also published Comic Art Magazine and in her most recent side project, she helped launch Chakra Design Studio, a boho children’s clothing line. She lives in Dallas with her husband and their 4-year-old daughter, Ava, and is currently looking for her next project. Here are Sara’s insider tips on a weekend away in Dallas:

The cosmopolitan, sprawling city of Dallas boasts great restaurants, family-friendly activities, world-class shopping, and a rapidly expanding cultural scene. As an added bonus, Fort Worth, Big D’s totally charming and lovely neighbor to the west, is little more than an hour away by car. (And, believe it or not my European friends, there’s also convenient rail service between the two cities via the Trinity Railway Express.) Realistically, even though the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system can get you around town, with kids I would probably suggest renting a car. Dallas is rather spread out, and you will be able to see more of the city with the freedom an automobile provides!

While there are a number of obvious family attractions in the Dallas area, such as Six Flags Over Texas, below I offer more of an insider’s perspective, from someone who’s transitioned over the last few years from curious tourist to in-the-know resident. Enjoy!

SEE & PLAY:

THE DALLAS ARTS DISTRICT, the largest urban arts district in the U.S., has developed into the city’s downtown cultural epicenter, and is home to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Crow Collection of Asian Art, the Winspear Opera House, and more. Each of the museums in the area offers numerous kid-friendly exhibits and activities, so check their websites for details. A brand-new offshoot of the current Museum of Nature and Science will be opening in the neighborhood in 2013. Also in the works is an incredible green space, a much-needed addition to our cityscape!

WHITE ROCK LAKE, an urban oasis on the east side of town, offers sailing and fishing as well as wonderful trails for biking, jogging, hiking, etc. The Dallas Arboretum is set on the banks of the lake, and is truly a lovely place for a leisurely stroll amidst gardens and fountains. (Tips for the Arb: You may want to consider renting one of their cute wagons to cart all of your stuff – especially if your kids aren’t into strollers! Also note that last time I took my daughter to the Arboretum’s sit-down eatery, Restaurant Degolyer, they did not offer high chairs; however, there are several other food service options on site and you may also bring in your own picnic food. Lastly, if the weather is hot, which is likely, take the kids to the frog fountains to cool off!)

FAIR PARK – If you’re lucky enough to be in Dallas between late September and late October, you MUST schedule a day to experience the Texas State Fair, which completely takes over Fair Park, a Dallas landmark that boasts several great museums housed in a wonderful array of Art Deco buildings from the 1930s. Word to the wise: go on a weekday or Sunday morning to avoid the crowds and be sure to bring your strollers or baby slings.
Aside from the typical carnival games, rides, and exhibits, the Fair is all about food. While there is a wide array of culinary options, fried food is king at the Fair – specifically corny dogs. I’ve been told that if you’re a vegetarian (like we are) you can bring in a veggie dog and the Fletcher’s vendors will corny it for you – you can bet I’ll be trying that this year! NB: The Fair is VERY pricey, so be prepared to spend some dough. My daughter and I went last year without my husband (am I crazy?) and we spent around $150 between admission, parking, food, rides, games, etc.

DALLAS ZOO – The Dallas Zoo recently opened a huge new exhibit, Giants of the Savanna, which gives the Fort Worth Zoo (world-famous and definitely also worth a visit if you are in FW) a run for its money. If you are staying near a DART train stop, you may want to consider riding the red line to the Zoo. The train spits you out right at the front entrance! Be sure to check out the wonderful Lacerte Family Children’s Zoo, which has a manmade stream running through it – perfect for some summer splashing.

SIXTH FLOOR MUSEUM – No visit to Dallas would be complete without a tour of the Sixth Floor Museum, housed in the infamous Texas School Book Depository from which Lee Harvey Oswald fatally shot President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Located in the city’s West End, this museum really is fascinating (although perhaps not appropriate for very young children).

BISHOP ARTS DISTRICT – This hip, eclectic area is home to art galleries, shops, and some fantastic restaurants (see EAT). While here, take your kids to the super-cool arts and crafts studio Oil and Cotton for some DIY magic.

EAT:

I’m of the mind that nearly any restaurant can be family friendly if you get there by 5:30pm! Here are some options that we’ve tried and can vouch for:

TILLMAN’S ROAD HOUSE – Located in the Bishop Arts District, you cannot eat at this restaurant unless you indulge in the tableside gourmet s’mores. This is definitely a place to indulge, so be prepared to start with truffle popcorn and warm peanuts, move on to the trio of fries, and proceed from there. Tillman’s offers an adorable coloring book for the kiddos as well.

RESTAURANTS IN NORTHPARK CENTER – If you’re indulging in some retail therapy at this Dallas shopping dreamland (see SHOP), take a break and enjoy a leisurely lunch on the patio overlooking a lovely green space (the kids run around, you have another cocktail) at either Cibus for Italian or La Duni for Latin American fare. If you’re on-the-go, grab a quick bite at the healthy and delicious Snappy Salads or grab some Tex Mex at Tin Star, both in the upstairs food court.

TACO DINER – There are several locations of this popular taco restaurant around town. We like the West Village location, as it’s set in an outdoor shopping district with cute boutiques and an indy movie theater. The kids will love the Agua Fresca soft drinks (although, beware – they are sweet and enormous!).

ATOMIC PIE – For delicious thin-crust pizza, head up to our neighborhood, Lake Highlands (north of White Rock Lake). Their sauce has just a little kick, which we can’t get enough of!

SHOP:

LITTLE BEAN – This hip children’s shop south of Lakewood is wonderfully curated by Christine Visneau and showcases a lovely selection of small, chic children’s labels as well as gifts and, most recently, a few gorgeous pieces for mom.

THE TOY MAVEN -My favorite toy store in North Dallas offers a wide selection of interesting and educational children’s toys, books, games, and a smidgen of apparel, with a sweet, knowledgeable staff ready to assist. Next door you’ll find Kid’s Cooking Company, an adorable culinary school for kiddos. (If you’re in the area, also hit The Purple Cow diner for burgers, fries, and delicious shakes or warm apple pie à la mode.)

ORIGINAL NEIMAN MARCUS – If you love shopping, you can’t miss the original Neiman Marcus store downtown. During the holiday season, their store-front windows are beyond magical (recently they’ve offered interactive displays for your children to climb through like guinea pigs!).

NORTHPARK CENTER – I truly believe this is one of the best shopping centers anywhere. Incredible department stores (Neiman’s, Nordstrom, Barney’s, Saks, oh my!) are punctuated by a slew of designer boutiques as well as more reasonable staples such as Anthropologie, American Apparel, and, coming very soon, H & M! Northpark also offers a lovely center courtyard where children romp when the weather cooperates. You can also take the kids to a movie or to Bookmarks, an adorable children’s branch of the Dallas Public Library – right there in the mall. Pure genius.

STAY:

Beyond the usual suspects and a remarkable number of über-fancy luxury hotels, Dallas also has a few little gems, which are well-appointed, family friendly, and fun…while also keeping your vacation budget in check.

MAGNOLIA HOTEL - This affordable boutique hotel is located downtown and is near the Dallas World Aquarium, Dallas, Zoo, and Neiman Marcus. The kids will love their complimentary bedtime buffet featuring cookies and milk. Breakfast is also complimentary.

THE BELMONT – Reasonably priced as well, this cool historic hotel is located in the hip Bishop Arts District just south of downtown. In the summer, you can enjoy sunrise yoga, pool parties, and concerts, or kick back on a float for the Dive in Movies they offer pool-side.

GREAT WOLF LODGE – if you can muster up the courage, your children will love you for booking a night at this water park/lodge, where every detail has been designed with families in mind. Located in Grapevine, TX, close to DFW airport.

Lucky me. I just spent the past week in New York City with my husband and without our kids!! Such fun! (Seriously, NYC in the summertime is such a young, hip, sexy city… and it was so fun to spend a week with my husband pretending to be young, hip and sexy again!)

We were both there for a bit of work as well as play… and it just so happened that the Playtime NYC children’s trade show fell at the end of our stay. I attended the show on Saturday and I’m going to be bold here and say that it was the best trade show I’ve ever attended. Set in a cool venue in Soho, the intimate space and impressive selection of designers made for a lovely, lovely show. If you happen to be in NYC, today is the last day of the show and it’s definitely worth checking out!

x Courtney

p.s. I’ll be spending the next couple weeks filling you in on my favourite finds from Playtime so stay tuned…

I am definitely picking up City Walks with Kids in Paris. Though I live in this city, I have never used a travel guide to explore it with my kids, and it will be a fun thing to do this summer! City Walks with Kids in Paris and City Walks with Kids in London are available from Smallable. The other Cirty Walks with Kids (Washington, San Francisco and New York) are available from the Chronicle Books website.

• The Pompidou Centre has a relatively new area dedicated to kids — a great way to introduce children to modern art.
• Do look out for the merry-go-rounds that are spread all round the city; you will find anything from flamboyant 2-story constructions looking like a rococco folie to retro seventies space capsules held together with tape.
• Check out the Anish Kapoor exhibit at the Grand Palais. A) because it is a cool building, built for the universal exhibition in 1900 and never taken down. B) because the exhibit is fascinating for children and parents alike.
• The Jardin des Plantes is a sure hit with all children. If it is raining the Galerie de l’Evolution is a great natural history museum. It is not as big as in other cities but it is very well laid out and entertaining. If the sun is shining the Menagerie is a lovely, old-fashioned city zoo.
• If you are looking for some nature, Paris has two woods accessible by metro, otherwise known as the lungs of Paris. The bois de Vincennes is on the eastern side of the city and the bois de Boulogne on the western side of Paris. The Bois de Boulogne plays host to the Jardin d’Acclimatation, a place I drag every single one of my visitors to.
• A bit off the beaten track, but worth visiting, is the huge metal merry-go-round in the 104, an arts centre in the north-east of Paris (Paris is, by the way, relatively small, so do not compare the distances to London or New York). It is a massive welded structure and looks amazing. It is also really fun for kids to have a ride on.
• Buses are frequent and easy to get on with pushchairs (there is a dedicated push chair area in the centre of the bus). It is possibly the easiest way to get around, if you are travelling with small kids.
• Do try the crazy syrups that French kids drink in cafés. One favourite is Grenadine (pomegranate) which makes the drink blood red and the other is Menthe (mint) which makes it taste like sweet toothpaste — kids love it over here.

Voila, just a couple of ideas. Hope you enjoy your visit if you are planning to come…

Maybe for most Parisiennes these tips are self evident. As a non-Parisienne, this type of vital information was not handed down to me from generation to generation, so I need the rules written down in hardcopy! I have not yet achieved the dizzying heights of effortless Parisian chic (especially not on the school run) but I am hoping with a bit more study one day, I might be able to make a pass for a local. The book is available from Amazon (UK and US).

-Emilie

Morley is the brand new label by Anouk Robyn, the former designer of cult childrenswear label, Quincy, and is launching this season with lovely, understated pieces for children aged 6 months to 12 years. I’m loving the washed-out cottons and summery pastel colours — it is all so effortlessly cute, so easy to wear (I suppose you would expect nothing else from the woman who spent more than ten years designing for Quincy!).

All of the pieces above (and more!) are available from Couverture, one of my favourite London-based boutiques. Have a look at the rest of the childrens collection — all SO cute! And then… if you can stand the temptation, take a look at their womens and homewear collection as well — flawless.

-Courtney

Kuala Lumpur is one of my top ten favourite cities. One of my closest friends lives over there, and so, before kids, I used to visit almost once a year. Kuala Lumpur is such a great mix between a modern metropolitan city and an ethnically diverse melting pot, full of history and buzzing with energy.
We are very lucky to have Vivien, a mom of two and a KL local, do a write up  for us of her favourite child-friendly places in and around Kuala Lumpur. Vivien works with Irene Hoofs on one of our favourite blogs Bloesem Kids. She lives with her two daughters and husband in KL. Do let us know if you have other great ideas of things to do in KL.

EAT:
Most eating-places in Kuala Lumpur are child-friendly so if you are traveling with young children, don’t hesitate to ask for a high chair. Restaurants will indicate if they are ‘halal’ (kosher) as Malaysia’s population is largely Muslim so don’t be perplexed when you see this sign on restaurant doors! Eating out is very popular in Malaysia and there is a wide range of cuisine, and is generally inexpensive.

Annalakshmi – Temple of Fine Arts, 116 Jalan Berhala, Brickfields – This Indian buffet restaurant is located in what is now known as the second Little India and serves exceptional South Indian vegetarian food and is run by the charitable Temple of Fine Arts. Shorts are not allowed, but a piece of fabric will be lent to you to wear like a sarong, if you do arrive in shorts. You pay what you think your meal was worth! The proceeds help fund the work of the foundation.

DELICIOUS – Located on Jalan Tun Razak across from the American Embassy, Delicious started off as a cozy little tearoom but now is known for its consistently delicious (excuse the pun) range of local and western favorites. It has a kid’s menu and yummy cakes and desserts for the indulgent. It’s also open for breakfast (but I would recommend a ‘roti canai’ at local restaurants dotted all over the city). On the lower floor is Dish, which is Delicious’ fine(r) dining restaurant. The Sunday champagne brunch is amazing value for money and though your kids may not appreciate the champagne as much as you do, they do enjoy the live music upstairs.

SOO KEE MEE 14 JALAN Imbi, Kuala Lumpur – Located in the heart of the Golden Triangle, this restaurant has been here for ages and kind of looks like its been here for ages. But don’t be put off by its lack of interior styling: head here for something local. English is spoken and in fact, don’t be surprised by a Caucasion man serving you (he is married to one of the owners). This is a typical casual Chinese restaurant. The kitchen is open and is at the very front of the restaurant. ‘Tai Chau’ which literally means ‘Big Fry’ in Cantonese is the style of cooking using big woks and even bigger roaring fires. The specialty here is the beef noodles. Order the paper-wrapped chicken too. Satay is also available from a separate vendor. As a child, satay (coal-barbecued chicken or beef skewers served with peanut sauce or sans) was always a treat when going out to eat.

OLD CHINA CAFÉ – This restaurant serves Peranakan or Nonya cuisine unique to Malaysia (Peranakan cuisine is a combination of immigrant Chinese and local Malay cuisine influences), and located in Chinatown, this little find is a place you will remember not only for the food but for the atmosphere and its very old world charm. There is also an antique gallery upstairs.

PETER HOE BEYOND 145 Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, second floor – Okay, this is not a restaurant but it is a store, and a very special one too! But it has a small café within it. My daughters learnt to eat their carrots here and the white chocolate cheesecake is their ultimate favorite dessert. It is parallel to Petaling Street or Chinatown and is a wonderful escape after your bargaining sessions at Chinatown or your visits to the Chinese and Indian temples on the same street. The menu is small but the salads and quiches have never known to disappoint. The cakes neither!!

FOOD COURTS
You want chicken rice, he wants sushi, junior wants noodles… what do you do? A food court is the answer. They are inexpensive and a dime a dozen and can be found everywhere, especially in shopping malls. Each vendor sells something different and it is self-service.

My children’s top favorite eating-places: sushi bars (plenty everywhere) and Peter Hoe Beyond.

SHOP:
PETER HOE BEYOND 145 Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, second floor – This is my favorite one-stop store when I am looking for gifts to bring abroad when visiting friends. Granted, most things in the store are not made in Malaysia but come from all over Asia. But it is still one of the most interesting stores in KL, with an explosion of colors and abundant gift ideas… from jewelry to lamps to cutlery and napkins.
Young budding designer Justine Yap also has his atelier here but if you’re on a short visit, you may not have time to have him design something for you. You may be able to only find some items off the rack, which is not a bad option!

CHINATOWN – I don’t like to promote counterfeit goods and there are lots of those in Chinatown, but it is worth a visit anyway. Traders sell everything from fake Gucci bags and perfumes to roast duck and fresh lycees. Be sure to hunt down the old Chinese medicine halls and haberdashery found behind the bustling stalls. Also a good place to sample (paying of course) tropical fruits like rambutans, mangosteens, lychees, and if you’re really adventurous, durians. Locals revere it as the king of fruits, but foreigners avoid it for its overpowering (read offensive) smell. So offensive it is banned from hotels and public transportations…

LITTLE INDIA – A walking distance from Chinatown, Little India also has interesting wares to offer. Sequined shiny outfits for children will add lots of Bollywood glamour to any dress up box. Add bangles, anklets, hair accessories, henna, colorful fabrics.

Malls are plenty in Kuala Lumpur, and in the city centre, Suria KLCC (where the Petronas twin towers are) and the Pavilion are amongst the best ones. For a bit of madness, visit Sungai Wang Plaza.

SEE:
BATU CAVES -  is a limestone hill and takes 272 steps to reach. It has a series of caves and cave temples. Located 13km north of Kuala Lumpur, the cave is a popular Hindu shrine and attracts more than a million devotees each year during the Thaipusam festival, where pilgrims young and old pay homage to Lord Muruga, carrying heavy Kavadis or have spikes through their cheeks or hooks on their backs.

ROYAL SELANGOR PEWTER FACTORY – The Visitors’ Centre and the School of Hard Knocks at the world’s largest pewter (an alloy of tin and antimony) factory are fun and educational for children and adults alike. Kuala Lumpur prospered in the old days from tin mining, and although it no longer is the world’s largest producer of tin, Royal Selangor continues to be known as the world’s finest pewter makers.

ISLAMIC ARTS MUSEUM – Housing one of the best collections of Islamic art in the world, the Islamic Arts Museum is a beautiful building of striking Islamic architectural details. Its proximity to the National Mosque and the Lake Gardens, Bird Park and Butterfly farm in the surroundings could make a full day out.

KL TOWER and BUKIT NANAS FOREST RESERVE – Visit the 421m KL Tower first which stands atop this jungle in the middle of the city. There is a series of nature trails and there is an interesting array of plans and animals commonly found in lowland forests. Free-guided tours leave from the base of the KL Tower.

PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS – Iconic and impressive, the Petronas Twin Towers houses the headquarters of the national oil and gas company. The towers are the focal point on the enormous Kuala Lumpur City Centre development which includes a world class concert hall (check for kids-friendly Family Fun Day concerts usually on weekends), a huge park with splash pools, an aquarium, a fantastic science centre and of course, a shopping mall. They may no longer be the tallest buildings in the world, but they sure remain stunning. Visitors can go up to the 41st floor Skybridge – get your free pass before 9 am as they run out very quickly!

STAY:
Hotels are relatively inexpensive in this part of the world. There are plenty of choices and it’s hard to narrow them down!!

KL HILTON – Conveniently located near the Sentral train station, the KL Hilton is an easy choice for quick stopovers in the city. The fast train from the airport takes 25 minutes and takes you almost to the hotel doorstep.

TERASEK BRICKHOUSE – 42A, Jalan Terasek, Bangsar Baru., Kuala Lumpur
This house provides a cozy home stay in a convenient location for a very affordable price. The minimalist back-to-nature concept of landscape architect Ng Sek San is evident here (as with his other properties). The rustic simplicity of the Terasek Brickhouse and its location in a local neighborhood makes it a nice change from your chain hotels.

- Sara

Such a fun chance to meet up with people, see how brands have developed and discover new and exciting labels. And there is always a great space to take your children to play, and a place to meet up for coffee. Let me know if you are going to be there!

-Emilie

As children are starting to break up from nurseries, kindergartens and schools for the Christmas holidays, a typical London holiday attraction to visit is Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. We went last weekend and whilst crazy busy I was really impressed with the fairground — lots of really beautiful old-fashioned fairground rides, mixed up with more crazy modern ones.  Also there is Zippo’s circus and an ice-rink and of course a German Christmas Market to browse around.

Jamie Oliver even has a presence there (for those of you who don’t know Jamie — he is the UK’s culinary cheeky chappy).  He has taken over the band stand to offer some proper outdoor winter cuisine — Jamie’s Fabulous Feasts offers hot pork rolls, polenta chips and much much more, all of which looked delicious.

But the best bit of Jamie’s presence was the ‘decorate your own gingerbread man’ bit, set up for children.  For £5 my son and I gave it a go.  We got a naked man and tree and an egg box filled with various decorations — dolly mixture sweets, white and milk chocolate buttons, cranberries, apricots, dessicated coconut  and an icing tube (to act as glue).  We had a lot of fun jazzing our biscuits up and I have to admit, when we finally felt we had admired them enough, they tasted pretty good too.

Winter Wonderland is open in London’s Hyde Park until the 4th January.

One of my very favorite children’s shops from Brooklyn recently opened in Nolita last month — dangerously close to where I live (uh oh).   I have always admired Sweet William as it is a store that gets it just right.  The space is adorable and the clothes are incredibly well edited, wearable and unique.  I assure you,  you will want it all.  I am especially drawn to the store as a great source for newborn gifts — the teeny tiny outfits from the likes of Ketiketa and Tuss are criminal they are so cute.

-Dina

I really don’t want to become boring with my posts (you’d tell me wouldn’t you?) but I just keep finding great ideas for posters for kids rooms.  My latest finds are these fabulous vintage ‘Trooping the Colour’ posters from the (quite brilliant I must say) London Transport Museum.  I have long known about the wonderful archive of posters held by London Transport (I personally love this poster advertising the ‘Summer Sales‘) but I came about these in a funny way.  I spotted 4 different Trooping the Colour prints used on a gift-box of espresso cups and immediately thought that posters of the same would look great on my son’s bedroom wall, so I looked them up on the London Transport Museum poster website.

This poster from 1923 is my absolute favourite but I also love this one from 1922 and this one from 1930 — they’d make a great set together.

The archive is worth a browse around for any train-loving boy (does anyone know one who isn’t?) and if the Queen’s guards are not your cup-of-tea there are plenty of other great ideas.  My favourite things to put in the search box for boys are trains and if you type in park or shopping you get some beautiful prints that would look great in a girl’s room (uh-oh I’m being all gender-specific again). And if you live in London it is worth typing in your area to the search-engine — I found some great posters from around our area, which I also like as an idea.  I’m seriously going to run out of wall-space!

If you haven’t already been, the London transport Museum is definitely worth checking out with kids, see our London city guide review for more info.

-Mo. x

-Kaela

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).

Hailed as one of the world’s most liveable cities, it doesn’t take long for visitors to see why this is so! Melbourne is lively and dynamic with style and soul and so much to do and see — not to mention a dearth of hidden treasures! And, with its extensive transport network, it is so easy to get around. Here is my ‘must do’ top 10 things to do and see in Melbourne:

Explore the Yarra Promenade:

Grab some coffee from one of the fabulous cafes along the riverfront (you’ll be spoilt for choice) and linger on! Watch people wandering by, the cyclists on their way home, groups of kids doing their thing, buskers, street artists and families walking their dogs.  You’ll discover some great boutiques, some of Melbourne’s best restaurants and incredible architecture and art. And as you do, you’ll be treated to the most beautiful views in Melbourne, especially if you ‘hang around’ until sunset. www.thatsmelbourne.com.au

Go Beachside in St Kilda:

St Kilda is Melbourne’s beachside hub — beaches, cafes, shops, pubs, live music and nightlife. A bit bohemian, a bit shabby around the edges but with sleek and sophisticated elements too! Treat yourself to a slice or two of cake with a perfect coffee brew from one of the many continental cake shops along Acland Street, Melbourne’s most historic café strip. Think big city bustle, village style!  But whatever the weather (and it is notoriously unpredictable in Melbourne) a walk along the historic St Kilda pier is a must. The views are like no other.

Wander the city’s laneways:

Getting lost was never so much fun! Narrow cobbled alleys and dead-end streets hide graffiti and street art, galleries, gorgeous boutiques, quiet café’s and really cool bars. Take note — the best bars are found down the dark alleys, past the bins and through the little doorways! Sometimes it can be a bit of a climb up the old wooden stairways, but the bars are so worth it!

The Royal Botanic Gardens:

Fill a hamper and head to Melbourne’s biggest and best park, the Botanical Gardens. Established in 1846 it is home to about 12,000 plant species from all over the world. Discover the Ornamental Lake or the Australian Rainforest Walk. To explore the indigenous history take a guided tour! During the summer the gardens hosts the ‘Moonlight Cinema’ — an outdoor cinema with twilight screenings of classic and cult movies. Perfect for a summer picnic! Don’t forget the Children’s Garden if you are with the kids – they will have a ball! www.rbg.vic.gov.au

Ride a rattling tram:

Whether it’s one of the classic old green rattlers, trundling through Melbourne streets since the 1930s or a slick streamlined newer model – a tram is the best way of seeing the different faces of Melbourne as well as for rubbing shoulders with the locals. There is even a restaurant tram that glides down to the beach and back up to the city a few times a night. Be sure to look out for the burgundy-coloured City Circle tram – these ones are free and stop at all the major city attractions.

Cheer at an AFL (Australian Football League) game:

You may need help deciphering the rules of this uniquely Australian football code (hey, even I do and I’m a local) but the atmosphere at the MCG or Etihad Stadium is nothing short of ‘electric’. Melbournians are passionate about their footy. Best plan is to adopt a team quick smart! And don’t forget to have a hot meat pie at the footy – it’s a Melbourne tradition!

Head to the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) Galleries:

The Ian Potter Centre, (NGV) Australia at Federation Square: Dedicated purely to Australian art, showcasing works from colonial times to the present day, as well as indigenous art. This one is not to be missed. After this, cross the road and check out the international big names of art at the The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) International. The building itself is a masterpiece! Take note, lying flat on your back on the floor is not only accepted but it is the best way to view the wonderful stained glass ceiling in the Great Hall, created by Melbourne artist Leonard French! www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Walk or jog ‘the Tan’:

In my opinion one of the best things to do in Melbourne is to lace up your shoes and hit the ‘tan’. This 3.8km path runs around Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens – it loops around the perimeter of the gardens and is a popular haunt for joggers, dog-walkers, sports professionals and parents with prams. A beautiful way to see Melbourne. When you are done, stop for another coffee  – after all, you are in the coffee capital of Australia!

Gain some altitude at the Eureka Skydeck 88:

One of the best views in Melbourne is not for the faint hearted! From 285m above ground (that’s 88 storeys) you get a 360 –degree view of the city. And if you really are game, step onto ‘The Edge’, a huge moving glass cube that will carry you out over the tower’s east side! www.eurekatower.com.au

Experience the old Melbourne Gaol:

A spooky collection of death masks, a gallows, clanging cell doors – hey, what’s not to love about this creepy place?!  This is where infamous bushranger Ned Kelly was hanged. You can get locked up in the former City Watch House next door, or take part in a mock court in the old Magistrates’ Court! Great for both kids and adults!  www.oldmelbournegaol.com.au