The colours are fabulous: a rich pink contrasting with a deep shade of orange — colours that instantly remind you of India. The dress is made from soft cotton and because of its full skirt it twirls and twirls endlessly (or until she gets really, really dizzy).

I have been layering it up with a long sleeved T-shirt underneath, but I cannot wait for it to be warm enough so my daughter can just slip it on and go play in the sun.

Masala Baby are kindly offering a 20% discount to Babyccino Kids readers, just use the discount code: friends.

Oh, and we are also giving away one of Masala Baby’s Pure Cotton Wrap Tunics!  Just leave a comment by Sunday, March 21st and we’ll pick a winner at random.

- Emilie

Apart from being a huge space to run around with fascinating trees, flowers and plants, there is also a dedicated indoor children’s area called Climbers and Creepers.  All the zones have an educational element relating to plants and their habitat and have been so cleverly thought out to cater for a really wide age group (quoted as age 3 – 9 but there are great touchy-feely bits too which are good for babies).

On the other side of the gardens is the Treetop walkway (designed by the architects of The London Eye) which is 18 metres up in the air and 200 metres around — giving you an opportunity to see the tops of the trees and those who inhabit them.  At ground level there is a tunnel with an exhibit giving insight to what happens under the trees (good for any bug and creepy-crawly enthusiasts!).

The duck pond in front of the Palm House (near the Victoria Gate) is great for spotting all sorts of water birds and they even have an explanation of the different species with sound-buttons to hear their different calls (fondly called the ‘quack-board’ in our house and it is always the first thing my 3-year-old wants to go and play with — our favourite is the call of the Eider).

And this is just the start of the fun, with Badger Sets, an aquarium and greenhouses* full of exotic plants, trees and plant life (The Evolution House exhibits Stromatolites, which are the oldest living organisms on the Earth and we see them as small bubble eruptions in a sandy pool of water at the entrance — coooooooooool!)

Kew is also well equipped for fuel stops with plenty of cafes and restaurants all serving good children’s options (they do those clever lunch boxes where you can pick 5 picnic-esque bits to make up a lunch, and in every box there is a pack of seeds to take home and plant).

So why has it taken me so long to write this post?  Kew has been working on a new outdoor children’s playground for outside Climbers and Creepers.  They had some issues with planning permission (it was meant to be up and running in the Autumn of last year) so I wanted to wait to be able to tell you about it and when it would be ready.  Well we went to Kew last weekend and it is well and truly underway (see pics).  It will be launched in time for the Easter holidays on 2nd April. It is called Treehouse Towers and looks a whole lot of fun for up to 300 children — a properly exciting place to let off some of that chocolate-easter-egg-energy!  We are very excited about its launch and will definitely be heading down there to try it out.

Have fun.  Mo. x

* Note the greenhouses at Kew are not your ordinary greenhouses — they are possibly the most beautiful greenhouses in the World! The Palm House has 700 panes of glass and is considered the most important Victorian glass and iron structure in the world. And The Temperate House is the largest surviving Victorian glasshouse in the World — pretty impressive stuff.

If you’re interested in the concept, please send an email to Alicia at info@bastidasolutions.com.

xxx Esther

- Natalie

I guess now, with time being what it is, those young men and women with the complicated haircuts and ironic t-shirts are getting older and having kids of their own.  And thank goodness they are because the children’s stores there are really just so darn cool!!!! If you have not been, you must go.  Make a day of it as there are so many amazing shops and little places to eat.

Mini Jake – is kind of like the Brooklyn version of the popular Giggle chain. It’s a huge space filled with all things modern and cool — strollers, cribs, bedding, feeding stuff… you name it.  In a nutshell, it is a modern parents dream as it is chock full of all those eco-fashionable brands that they go gaga for (Oeuf, Stokke, Bloom etc;). The store also has a huge selection toys (think Plan Toys and Playmobil) and a book nook with all the classics.

Sweet William – an absolutely gorgeous store carrying brands that I simply can’t find anywhere else. I am obsessed with under the radar brands like Makie and Talc and they carry both. The well edited selection caters mainly to the younger set — newborn to 5 yrs and has the type of stuff that you will hold on to for years just because it’s all too beautiful to part with.  A perfect place for gifts for a newborn.

Flying Squirrel – One word:  GENIUS.   Flying Squirrel is a consignment shop for gently used kid’s clothes, gear and toys. I bought an amazing fleece jacket here in perfect condition for $10 dollars which retails for like $100. There is a small selection of new items as well but that is not the draw here. Although you have to sift through the racks a bit, all of the clothing that they carry is “higher-end” stuff in perfect condition. When I stop hoarding all my girls’ clothing I might go here to unload.

Smoochie Baby – Another lovely modern store with a well edited selection of clothes and shoes. I was happy to find the tunic top that Emilie wrote about here and it was on sale! I also picked up an adorable dress (pictured) from an Australian line that they carry there called LittleHorn. So cute right?

-Dina

Over the years we’ve collected many of the books from the award-winning Read and Wonder series of nature storybooks, including One Tiny Turtle, Surprising Sharks, and Bat Loves the Night. The Read and Wonder storybooks are great because they merge stories with interesting facts, making them entertaining as well as educational.

These books have turned out to be perfect for our trip — we’ve seen so many of the featured animals (sharks, turtles, bats, frogs…) and so it’s fun for the kids to read about them. Plus the books are all paperback — making them much easier to lug around with us.

-Courtney

I found it amongst many other treasures in the new online shop Peanut & Pip, which is definitely worth a visit to discover some new, cool products.

xxx Esther

The collection was designed by two very clever Aussie mothers who are quick to concede that whilst their clothes are indeed ’special’ they are not ’special occasion’ wear. The materials are durable and robust, to be worn… because let’s face it, little girls may like getting ‘dressed up’ but they love getting ‘grubbed up’ too (oh, indeed they do, especially mine).

I have a feeling this is a brand to watch out for. The Winter/Autumn range (pictured) is available through stockists listed here.

-Sara

The Rev is not your usual man of the church — he used to work in A&R (artist and repertoire) for an indie record label but had a background in graphic design.  As all his mates started to have kids he found it difficult to find really cool ‘new-baby’ gifts and so started to design some t-shirts and bibs.  It grew from there and since then Nippaz has gone from strength to strength.  The designs are reminiscent of record covers but have a great sense of humour — very much from the child’s perspective but playing with references familiar to grown-ups. We’ve all heard from our parents and probably said to our kids “it will end in tears” but when that is on a kid’s t-shirt as “its gonna end in tears” it’s somehow funny — that the child knows it already themselves!

I’m not usually a fan of slogan-tees but NWA always raises a smile.  Both my children have tickled me wearing their designs (as can be seen in the pics)! As a Dylan fan (my son’s middle name is Dylan!) “Time I need a changin’” was a must for us.

I always recommend Nippaz to my guy friends who are struggling over what to buy as a new baby or birthday present for their god-son, niece or friend’s child. But I don’t think Nippaz is just for boys — it’s for anyone with a youth spent watching bands or at festivals or even anyone who just enjoys a laugh.

-Mo.x

So anyway– Soul Cycle has had a following for quite some time in other areas of the city and I was nervous as hell to go.  I had never done a “spin class” before and I was pretty confident that I was going to die on the bike and make a total scene. As I stood in the lobby waiting for class to start I tried my best to look like a pro but when I saw the sweat drenched people emerge from the prior class I started to panic.

Anyway – long story, longer… I snapped my shoes into the bike, said a prayer, jumped on and just did it.  The teacher was amazing and led the class on what felt like a 45-minute spiritual journey through the mountains.  The music was loud and excellent, the dark room and the vibe made you want to really push yourself.   It was not nearly as bad as I thought it would be and I felt like a new human being when it was over.  I am now hooked and I would highly recommend it to all the sluggish, sleep deprived moms and dads out there.  It’s a boost both physically and mentally.

-Dina

Noonies are the original idea and design of Lala Pequenos, designer, mum, and co-owner of a rainforest (indeed). They’re made out of a 100% cotton shell in an array of colours and patterns, and have a lining so soft you wish you could squeeze yourself in. Organic choices are also available.

Now if you’ll excuse me — I’ll have to look dreamily at this picture again.  Sigh.

xxx Esther

P.S. Noonies are not intended for un-supervised sleeping.

After stockpiling these little tubes to take back to London with me, I discovered you can actually buy it in London (the creator was, in fact, British)! Dr. Lucas formulated the papaw ointment more than 100 years ago in Australia after leaving London for a warmer climate. Its natural antiseptic quality is great for preventing infection in wounds, it’s totally safe to use on babies and children, and it is so natural it can also be taken internally to aid digestion. It also smells nice — an added bonus!

-Courtney

But Melrose & Morgan is not just for Christmas, their fantastic home-cooked meals are perfect to take home, heat up and make you look like a domestic goddess.  Sadly my better-half isn’t easily fooled – Melrose & Morgan’s food is just that bit too delicious for him to believe it was made by me whilst I had 2 children hanging off my arms.

Each day the kitchen prepares a different menu using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients.  Additionally they have a range of staples including their home-made pies, freshly baked bread, mouth-wateringly delicious cheeses and sweet treats for every occasion.  I keep one of their pies and some of their home-made ice cream in my freezer for those “its 6.45pm, there’s nothing to eat in the house and the kids are going crazy” evenings (of which we tend to have 4 a week).

I’m not big on branded merchandise but my one exception is Melrose & Morgan’s mugs, aprons and my favourite canvas shopping bags with their simple red font spelling evocative foodie words such as ‘picnic’, ‘cheese’ and ‘custard’ (I love that one in particular!).

Melrose and Morgan is at 42 Gloucester Avenue, London, NW1 8JD.  Nearest tube Chalk Farm or Camden.

-Mo. x

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

The book is created using uncoated paper, a great surface to sketch on and is staple bound so the pages open flat. It is printed in Australia on 100% recycled paper. It isn’t too long or too short — just perfect to capture their little attention spans.

Available through weheartbooks for local and international shipment.

- Sara

The design and quality of the clothes is great, but above all they’re functional: they’re playful clothes made for playful children.  I really like the originality of the pieces and the easiness to wear, without becoming grungy or cheap.
And I really LOVE the little baby dresses — let the baby come and the summer begin (another 10 weeks to go)!

xxx Esther

Kidding Around is a toy store in Chelsea that I really love as it does a great job stocking toys which are both parent savvy and ones that your kids will love. The website is in dire need of a makeover but if you visit the store in person you will be extremely pleased with what you find inside. Not only is it huge but it has everything that a child could want from birth through the teen years — all of which is thoughtfully edited and categorized.  It is my go-to place for amazing birthday gifts and I always stumble upon something new when I go.

I have my sights set on this little red accordian to buy as a gift for someone who bought my girls two recorders last month.   Payback time!

-Dina

We drove north to Kiama and paid a visit to the famous blowhole. When the water swells and the pressure builds in the rocks below, a giant spray of water shoots high into the air! It’s a good place to get good views of the coast as well.

We spent a day at the Seven Mile Beach, which is just that — seven miles of sand and surf. I think we were the only people on the beach that day so we had plenty of space to play frisbee!

We went out to the Illawara Rainforest Tree Top Walk which includes a 25 meter high elevated walkway to explore the rainforest from the very tippy top. We saw loads of colourful birds and got amazing views of the valley below.

We drove down to Jervis Bay to do some snorkeling in the marine sanctuary off Murrays Beach, but when we got there the whole beach was covered in these ‘Blue Bottles’ (also known as Portuguese Man O’ War jellyfish). I’ve never seen anything like it. Needless to say, we didn’t do any snorkeling…

This area is so, so green — it’s so different from how I imagined this country to be. I think this is what has surprised me most about Australia — just how lush it is (or at least the parts we’ve seen).

There is so much to do and see in this area and we’re really happy we ended up here. But mostly we are enjoying not having a schedule and just being able to spend time as a family. After the campervan trip it’s nice to just sit still.  Honestly, having nothing to do has never felt so good!

xoxo Courtney

Yes, it’s true.  I’ve been having a secret affair with a man called Roger.  It started shortly after my son was born 3 years ago and my husband doesn’t know about it … yet.  I got caught up with this guy when I bought a book called The Happy Lion for my son (A Babyccino favourite as Courtney wrote about here).  He illustrated the book written by his wife Louise Fatio.  We both (my son and I) immediately fell in love with the story and accompanying pictures and wanted to learn more about this French Lion.  So we set about buying some more of the stories in the Happy Lion series.  But we could only get ‘The Happy Lion Roars‘ direct from Amazon — all the others seemed out of print and only available through the Amazon Market Place.  Over the last couple of years we have gradually bought them up when they have been for sale at a sensible price.  We fell so much in love with this Lion that we grew to want more from his creators.

Ms. Fatio also wrote about a delightful penguin and his lady-love: Hector and Christina (but you have to keep your eyes peeled on e-bay or Amazon to find copies of them, which is definitely worth doing).  But Mr. Duvoisin (Roger when you know him like I do) has a library to start collecting — he illustrated a number of books written by Alvin Tresselt including White Snow, Bright Snow and Hide and Seek Fog (which are still in print) and The Beaver Pond (which you can usually find a pretty cheap second-hand copy of). But I love the books he has both written and illustrated:  The Petunia Goose stories, the Veronica Hippopotomus stories (and the stories where those two meet, as in Veronica on Petunia’s Farm — a hippo and a goose — brilliant!).  His writing has an old-fashioned tone but I’m a sucker for his illustrations.

He is really worth looking out for in second-hand bookstores and you can often find a real bargain. At the time of going to press one of my favourite titles; ‘Mr and Mrs Button’s Wonderful Watchdogs’ was on Amazon for £0.01 (+ £2.75 postage) – a whole lot of story fun for under £3!  I love that the books have been owned and loved by children from generations gone by –you can see their scribbles and the much-thumbed pages and imagine that children then and now are similar in many ways.  I also like seeing the contrast of these old books in my children’s room next to all their new shiny toys and books. It’s nice to see that to them, at such a young age, there’s no difference.

My Duvoisin recommendations (other than the aforementioned) are The House of Four Seasons (a book about colours), The Crocodile in the Tree, Donkey Donkey and Petunia’s Christmas.

I set myself some rules when buying second-hand books on e-bay or Amazon (so as not to go too overboard). They are:

1.  Have a limit of what you’re prepared to spend — mine is usually £10.  If the title costs more, wait it out. My experience says that one week it could cost you over £50 and the next under £10 (I bought Petunia’s Christmas for a couple of pounds back in July last year but nearer Christmas it was reaching over £100!).

2. Decide what condition you are prepared to accept — often online marketplaces have condition categories (like new, very good, good, acceptable etc). I don’t mind scribbles and worn edges but want a good binding so that it doesn’t fall apart when a child reads it (that is usually classed as good or above — even though I always read the description of acceptable as one person’s good is another’s acceptable). If you want a like new standard for old books you are going to have to pay for it.

3.  When you find an author or illustrator that you like then search for their other titles, they rarely disappoint.

Happy reading.

-Mo. x

Rebecca (who used to write for us from Washington and who has, luckily for me, moved back to Paris) and I went to the opening and had a blast. The Prosecco was flowing, there was a huge counter full of hams and cheeses and little sandwiches. It was a great way of discovering the shop and the new Bonton summer collection.

Oh, did I mention that they also have one of those old-fashioned photo booths with a bucket full of dressing up hats in front of it? We also took advantage of that, though we were the only grown-ups queueing up for it in a huge line of kids…

- Emilie

BONTON
5 boulevard Filles Du Calvaire
75003 Paris
Open: Monday – Saturday 10:00 – 19:00