Native shoes in mini sizes
I am so excited… I just discovered that Little Fashion Gallery are stocking Native shoes in mini sizes! I have long been bemoaning the fact that these cool shoes didn’t come in kids sizes and…well...here they are! The perfect summer holiday shoe in my opinion — so versatile, so robust with the utility of a Croc but really so much more style! And in such delicious colors too. Made from 100% EVA, an environmentally amphibious material that makes them ultra-comfortable and all-terrain; molding perfectly to the foot. I can’t wait to get my hands on a pair (for the kids and also for myself — I am eyeing the shell white here)!
- Sara
Il Tutto: stylish baby bags
Being a new mum doesn’t always bring out the physically best. For instance, after three babies my belly looks like a cross between gelatin pudding and a hot cross bun. My hair is a constant explosion of dry and frizzy dullness (and I’m losing it as we speak) and well, now that I’m at it: my bikini line looks like a Brazilian… rain forest.
Not the best ingredients for feeling like a yummy mummy. But, help is at hand: the moment I throw my uber-glamourous, luxurious Il Tutto Layla over my shoulder I instantly convert from tired looking, un-cute mum to a cool, hip and stylish mama. Or at least I feel that way! My back automatically straightens, my hair seems to look ‘interesting’ (Tina Turner looked good too after all) and surely soon the seventies will be sexy again. (more…)
Apünktchen — very cool caps for boys
I love, love, love these hats from Apünktchen! My 3-year-old looks so cool in it, I just want to eat him up. And I’m going to get one for my big boy (= husband) too! Apünktchen is a German brand, and besides the caps they also have a very nice collection of clothes. I’ve been secretly checking the winter collection already, and I feel I will order some pieces here as they are very very special and cute… The website is in German, but it’s easy to navigate (TIP move your mouse over the bright green dots) and if you’re interested in ordering pieces just send an email to Anette, the owner and designer.
xxx Esther
Amazing Travel Tote
I don’t know what it is with me and 1980’s nostalgia brands, but for the last few years I have been completely addicted to LeSportSac. I happen to live near one of their outlet stores so I have been quite fortunate in terms of getting some amazing bags for next to nothing. The company is always rolling out new patterns so there is something that will appeal to everyone. I think this tote makes for a perfect weekend bag and is an ideal carryall for a long day out with the kids. It’s large, but not cumbersome, and it zips at the top to hide any chaos that might lurk inside. I also like that it has plenty of pockets for keys, cellphone and loose change. And most importantly, it’s machine washable! They also make a great baby bag. Visit one of the stores for a larger selection and if you can locate an outlet store — even better.
-Dina
MadeIt for unique handmade finds
Packed to the rafters with local designers and craftspeople, MadeIt is a virtual craft market containing a wealth of handmade housewares and goodies. It is my go-to source when I want something unique, affordable and hand-crafted. It is similar to Etsy but supports only local Australian talent.
What I love about the site, apart from the fact that everything is handmade and local, is that it brings you, in one spot, everything you can’t buy at your local shopping mall. It takes the legwork out of shopping for those unique, handmade goodies which I love to buy but can take me forever to look for. And of course there is something gratifying about buying a locally made gift, supporting your local economy. (more…)
Stella McCartney for GAP Kids
I am only 1 m 56 centimetres tall and have often whined about how small I am –often trying to elevate myself to the eye level of my friends by wearing ridiculously high shoes. But today I was happy to be short. Why? Because I went into GAP kids to pick up some socks for my girls and I walked out with some great little tops for me designed by Stella McCartney for GAP Kids.
The clothes are fabulous, and size 13 years fits me perfectly. I had been talking to some girls at work about how we never buy clothes for ourselves anymore, but only for our kids, so I was able to rectify that problem very swiftly.
Do check out the collection — if not for you, then for your kids. It is a great mix between GAP practicality and Stella McCartney design genius.
- Emilie
KISAN Concept Store
KISAN Concept Store is a nifty little place, just off the beaten path in Soho. The store is a collective of all things stylish and beautifully made offering nearly everything from interesting coffee table books and gadgets — to chic clothing/shoes — to handbags and jewelery — to stunning, mouth-agape children’s clothing. The owners literally comb the world over to find the lines they carry and it is the kind of stuff you won’t see anywhere else and can’t get anywhere else. The back of the store is wholly dedicated to higher-end children’s clothing as well as a small selection of internationally themed toys and books. They happen to carry one of my favorite European brands, Caramel Baby and Child (and ps: they just started selling on-line and will ship to the US).
I ain’t gonna lie – this is Soho and it ain’t cheap, but everything in this store is really special and it is a fabulous place to pick up unique gifts. If you are in need of a special outfit for a young boy or girl this is a great place to look.
-Dina
Finally — affordable maternity jeans
If you live anywhere but Australia you might be thinking, “what is she talking about?!” But maternity clothes are SO expensive in Australia. I didn’t buy any maternity jeans while pregnant because I couldn’t justify forking out $200-plus. So I walked around in my regular hipster jeans with the top button undone, and I wore a long top.
Now, finally, a high-street brand has come out with a range of maternity jeans. THANK YOU Just Jeans, especially as they are going to retail for $89.95.
- Natalie
Plümo — (this one is actually for the mums)
After putting the kids to bed and sitting down with a good, warm cup of tea (you just cannot take the Irish out of a gal, even when living in Paris), I grabbed my computer to sit down and write some blog posts. I was suddenly inspired not to write yet another post about great things for kids but, for a change, something about some great things for mums!
So here is one of my latest discoveries — the lovely UK webshop Plümo full of beautiful trinkets, clothes, shoes and furniture. Whomever the person is who sources the items, they have fabulous taste and I want to get almost everything… And the best thing about it? At the moment they still have a sale going on!
You see, this is my way of thinking: if you have daughters, like I do, everything you get for yourself will have a second life in the future. The girls will steal things out of your cupboard, wear them and call them vintage. So if you shop now, all you are really doing is investing in the future…
- Emilie
Ma Mère for a Sexy Mama… even when pregnant!
The moment I found out I was pregnant, my boobs grew a full size. Crazy! (But very attractive, according to my husband…).
So my usual selection of bras was not only too tight, but since they’re all under-wired they’re not recommended for pregnancy. Under-wired bras are not advised during pregnancy because they put too much pressure on your breasts, which can result in blocked milk ducts or mastitis. They also aren’t flexible enough — apparently our boobs live their own life during pregnancy and can change shape during the day.
Good maternity bras accommodate all of these needs, but are sadly not always the most attractive ones around…
Now take a look at the selection of Ma Mère! Hello, mama! These bras are seriously super stylish and sexy!!
Seed
Well… it’s almost summer here and we all know what that means: summer clothes! I always find it exciting shopping for summer clothes – it’s the promise of hot days on the beach, long balmy evenings, lashings of sorbet, endless swimming and those delicious summer fruits…. and as much as we complain about the heat (oh, do we ever, and don’t even get me started on those pesky flies) it really is my favorite time of the year! Now, the first place I will head to is Seed.
Seed is one of those kid’s labels that you can always rely on to deliver the essential basic pieces (the plain t-shirts, the perfect pair of cargo shorts, the classic linen shirt) and then some more. No logos, no excessive detail or styling, just lovely comfortable, clean-cut classics and always with a modern directional twist… think playground chic!
Seed’s gorgeous signature stores are located throughout Australia and Hong Kong. For the rest of the world, international shipping is available online.
-Sara
Firmaman
I have been trying to travel a bit further a field, leaving my usual habitat of North-Eastern Paris, to try and discover new places for Babyccino. On one of my trips I met up with Estelle from the lovely e-shop Nordinary and she took me on a whistle-stop tour of the 17th arrondissement.
One particular shop deserves its very own Babyccino post: the fabulous maternity shop Firmaman, Paris’ first concept store for pregnant ladies.
I had been looking for a place just like this during my pregnancy in Paris and never found one. It is a lovely boutique, full of great clothes — some of which are maternity clothes, some of which are not, but all of which will look great on a pregnant woman. You can find great coats, jeans and dresses. There is also a great newborn baby section, a gift section and a lingerie section with some beautiful nursing bras. (more…)
Win a personalized silver bangle!
I met with Bianca Jones recently and she kindly opened up her jewellery box for me to browse. By the end of our meeting, I had tried every piece on, and decided I really wanted it ALL (including the box!).
Bianca Jones makes lovely jewellery, including everything from fancy diamond rings to silver necklaces and bracelets. One of my favorite pieces is her signature silver bangle with delicate little alphabet disc charms. I love the idea of getting a letter for each of my kids (kind of like a modern-day charm bracelet).
And now for the exciting bit… Bianca is graciously giving a silver bangle away to one lucky reader! The winner can choose up to THREE charms, personalizing it as you wish.
Just leave a comment below by Sunday, November 1st, and we’ll pick one winner at random. (Oh, and you must be subscribed to our daily email in order to win.)
Good luck!
Win!
I’ve already mentioned being a huge fan of the uber stylish maternity boutique, Mama-La-Mode, which sells everything from maternity basics to designer dresses for the style-conscious mums-to-be. Whether it’s a pair of trendy pregnancy jeans, a winter coat, or a maternity swimsuit, Mama-La-Mode has it all.
In fact, just recently they launched their very own label of maternity staples — a collection of core essentials made from soft jersey and intended for all 9 months of pregnancy. Think skinny strap camisoles with built-in bra support, basic fold-down black trousers, and must-have black leggings.
In honor of their launch, Mama-La-Mode is offering a pair of maternity leggings to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment below by next Wednesday, September 9th, and we’ll pick one winner at random.
Good luck!
P.S. Mama-La-Mode is also offering 10% off to all first-time customers. Just use the promo code babyccino at check-out.
P.P.S. The winner of our last give-away, the Bear Feet shoes, is Claudia from Italy!
Shirtylicious
Eduardo`s life story is classic rags to riches. Having escaped the slums of Buenos Aires, he made a fortune selling sunglasses. Disillusioned by the big bucks however, he now travels all over with his supermodel wife promoting world peace.
And he also makes a pretty funky print for a T-shirt!
Shirtylicious is a cool and conscious clothing company situated here in Amsterdam, and they come up with very interesting and intelligent characters to adorn T-shirts for your sons, daughters, husbands and not to forget, yourself!
The shirts are easy to wear and simple to wash, and are of a very good quality cotton… No ironing necessary — I like that!
xxx Esther
Saltwater sandals
Growing up in Seattle, we spent every summer on the salty, rocky beaches of the Puget Sound… running around in our Saltwater sandals! Every summer we got a new pair — I can still remember choosing the color. Saltwater sandals are made to stand up even in salt water (hence the name) — you can get them wet, and they’ll still survive. They’re made with a flexible, high grade sole, and durable leather straps. (Apparently, according to Wikipedia, they were first produced in the 1940s as an alternative to traditional children’s leather sandals as a way to cope with leather shortages in World War II. The sandals were made from scrap leather left over from making men’s shoes.)
They are so simple, yet so cute! Nothing makes me think ’summer’ more than a pair of Saltwater sandals…
The infant sandals are on sale at online children’s boutique, Sweet William. And did you know they also come in grown-up sizes? I’m thinking about getting myself a pair! (Grown-up version available here.)
-Courtney
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Magic (mess-free) markers• Restaurant bag
• Vive le café
• Bring a carrier
Bonnets for babies — vintage handkerchiefs for brides!
Having a baby girl opens up a whole new world of products and concepts… like these beautiful vintage baby bonnets by kh:W Heirloom which has created such a unique and lovely concept — a baby bonnet made from a vintage handkerchief, which will be saved for many years until her wedding day! Read below…
“I’m a little hanky as square as square can be–
but with a stitch or two they made a bonnet out of me.
I’ll be atop your baby’s head on that first spring day–
Then nicely pressed and gently packed away.
Every lucky bride, so we’ve been told–
Must add to their finery something old.
So what could be better than to find little me–
With a few stitches snipped, a wedding hanky I will be.”
Check out the website — it’s really so beautiful, all the photos and delicate details…
-Courtney
The science of shopping
I’m usually a fashion magazine reader, but lately I’ve been tempted (while stuck in line at the checkout) to grab the mags that promise easy weeknight dinners or dresses that make you look thinner, like plenty of hurried moms out there. My latest purchase was the July issue of O Magazine, in which I’ve discovered a very interesting article on shopping. I consider myself a bit of a shopping expert, or shopaholic at the least, and I’ve even managed to make a career out of it with my shopping tours in Paris. (When I was 2, someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I answered, “A shopper like my Mommy!”)
And this article, entitled 6 Common Shopping Traps, proves what I’ve known all along– shopping does something to the brain to make you feel better! That is, in some individuals, anyway — it seems that “feel good” parts of the brain are activated when they shop, and others have strong reactions in the pain centers in the brain. Think I can convince my husband that shopping is actually making me healthy? Check out the article for more info and other tips on how not to overspend. Thanks, Oprah!
xx Rebecca
ONE YEAR AGO WE WROTE ABOUT:
• Kids and Jet Lag• The perfect travel outfit
• Cash in the car
• Traveling in Italy
• Traveling with kids!
Must-read mag
About a year or so ago someone asked me to edit a new magazine for kids. It was the genesis of an idea and when the global economic meltdown struck, it was pretty much shelved. But just thinking about what I would do in my dream kid’s mag was an interesting exercise.
And I had to smile when I came across LMNOP because it’s basically an example of what I would do! It respects its readers as intelligent women and showcases gorgeous products that prioritise style and substance. At this stage it’s an online magazine, but I’d love to see it go into print one day. Fingers crossed.
-Natalie
Shabbies
I’ve had my eyes on a pair for years now and since they were on sale AND available in my size and in an amazing colour… Hey, what can a girl do.
Shabbies were originally designed in the seventies by Dutch shoe designer Fred de la Bretoniere and are comfortable, fashionable, beautiful, and the perfect mix between nonchalant and chic. Shabby chic!
The colours of the natural leather are seriously amazing, and I really like the fact that they look equally cool with skinny trousers, a skirt or a mini dress. And of course they are much easier to chase kids with than 3 inch high heels!
If you’re interested in a pair of Shabbies, I suggest emailing this shop to ask if they would ship to your country. Or, of course, come to visit the Netherlands soon!
xxx Esther
