Posts by Caroline Vandamme

PARIS CITY GUIDE
Things to do in Paris
The summer holidays are coming up, trips are being booked and some of you might be visiting this lovely city of mine. I thought it would be fun to do a write-up of my favourite things to do in Paris with kids this summer. The Pompidou Centre has a relatively new area dedicated to kids ...
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SEE
Context Travel - Tours around Paris
This weekend we went for a little adventure around Paris -- the sun was out and it was the perfect day to discover Montmartre. It is ironic how, when you live in a city, you sometimes know less about it than all the tourists who visit! We were delighted when Context Travel invited us for a ...
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SHOP
La Mercerie Parisienne
One of my favourite shops in Paris is not a shoe shop or a fancy food shop (though there are many). It is actually a beautiful, little haberdashery shop in the Marais: L'Entrée des Fournisseurs is full of ribbons, buttons, fabrics and wool, just like in the good old days. It also stocks some of my ...
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PARIS CITY GUIDE
A day trip from Paris - Versailles
Living in this lovely city of Paris is great... but it is easy to forget all the great things to do and visit just outside the city. A couple of weekends ago we jumped with some friends on a commuter train (the RER B) and within 40 minutes we had arrived in front of the stunning chateau ...
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PARIS CITY GUIDE
Paris for Teenagers
It is so nice receiving mails from readers with questions about Paris, as it gets me to discover new things about my city. It is soo easy to fall in a rut! I was recently contacted by a reader who is a German school teacher travelling to Paris with teenagers. Not at all my area ...
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PARIS CITY GUIDE
Photos from Paris
We have just come back from a fun weekend together in Paris! We went for Playtime Paris, but also managed to squeeze in some meetings, visit some museums, walk from one end of Paris to the other, and laugh so hard our bellies are still sore. We'll be sharing our re-cap of Playtime soon, but ...
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EAT
Family life in Paris
I often am asked what it is like to bring children up in Paris and what I like and don't like about it, so I thought it could be fun to write down some of my experiences! These are just random things that I have personally observed.. Playgrounds and Parks: There are not many and ...
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PLAY
Exciting new space in Paris: Place de la Republique
For once I am giving the urban planners of Paris a cautious thumbs up: this summer not one, but two new public, urban spaces opened! And, to boot, they are great for the whole family. On the right bank, after being a massive building site for a long while, the new Place de La Republique ...
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TIPS
Handy Services
Here is a list of places and services you might find helpful if you are planning a trip to Paris, especially with the whole family. Complete Paris a fabulous concierge service which will organise as much as you need. Ali, the lovely owner, has children herself so she is very aware of the needs of families ...
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PARIS CITY GUIDE
ABC Guide to Parenting in Paris
Europe is a strange little place. All the countries are so close and small and yet they are so different in so many ways. The language, the houses, the systems and food; everything changes once you drive over a (nowadays) almost invisible border. I spoke fluent French when I first moved to Paris, but even ...
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PARIS CITY GUIDE
Weekend Away: Paris
We have had so many great contributors tell us about their cities, and each of them has made me want to pack my bag and go explore the city, so I wanted to do a post about Paris. I still sometimes step out of my flat and get a little bit excited. Why? Because I ...
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PARIS CITY GUIDE
Books about.... Paris
I often get asked which are my favorite children's books about Paris. Books are such a good way to introduce this wonderful city to children before visiting it. Knowing what the Eiffel Tower looks like before seeing it, makes it so much more impressive the first time you see it! Here is a little list: ...
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PLAY
Things to do with BOYS in Paris
I have been discovering lots of BOY friendly activities here in Paris -- a far cry away from the usual shopping and coffee-drinking that you normally associate with this city. I reckon our Babyccino Boys Theme week is the perfect opportunity to share them with you... The Argonaute at the Parc de la Villette: The ...
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CHECK THESE OUT

Gallery PiccoloOriginal, affordable art for children’s rooms, set to inspire young minds
PehrSweet yet sophisticated children’s décor to fit your home
Basic Kids Co.Ethically produced clothing in basic styles and colours for 0-4s
Playhaus InteriorsStylish, contemporary interiors with a smile for the modern family home

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Join us for this year’s festive fun in two weeks! More info in link and on @theshopup! Amazing brands including @nelliequats @lotsoflovelyart @f.a.u.n.e @almaformula @vali_and_co @apolina_kids @manifestowoman @folpetto_swim @bonordic @catkinkids @littleborn @sisiandseb @binibamba @thesimplefolkco @kittyclogssweden @belhonore @elhee_france @71bis @smartmatkids @maisonjuli @intemporels.baby.knits @minilamode @cutecouturelondon @ollie_jays @risurisuparis @_deuxlapins_ @tilian.kids @thenatty.co @tajinebanane @omibianatural @igrowco @laustineyourdreams @annafielondon @shoppretago @princessandthecake @atticusandgilda @katewoodscrafts @kamsokids @luna.and.river @rainerandbear @finandzee @at.london @marlonandlittlefriends @cherry_bandits @nousetpaname @baininbaby @beabondworld @bulb_london #theshopup #london #londonmarkets #chelsea #oldtownhallchelsea #kidsshopping #shopindependent #shoplocal #supportthemakers
55 minutes ago
Time for some baking? Head to stories and choose a delicious Autumnal recipe from our top fifteen! #babyccinokids #babyccinoeats #bakingwithchildren
9 hours ago
Conker spiderwebs! This is an oldie but a goodie, perfect for a weekend craft, manageable for little hands but also extremely entertaining for bigger ones. And it’s quite an addictive thing to do! You’ll need : Conkers Wooden skewers Any sharp tool like pointy scissors to make a little hole in the conkers Yarn Scissors Make 5 evenly spread out holes in the conkers. Push the skewers in the holes so they are tightly inserted. Choose a yarn to start with. With a flat knot, secure the yarn around one of the skewers. Start weaving by twisting around each skewer before you go to the next one. If you want to start a new colour, just knot the yarn around a skewer to secure it, and tie the new colour to the next skewer. Keep going until you’re happy. Lovely idea from @estherbabyccino #conkers #babyccinocrafts #babyccinokids
1 day ago
Check out our giveaway a few posts back with the stylish & functional @hauptlihauskids. So many uses, and #cradletocradle approved too! Only a few hours left so act soon.
2 days ago
About a year ago, Courtney shared a selection of Wilkie’s favourite picture books, many of which are still on rotation as his favourite bedtime reads. But he’s beginning to enjoy the slightly longer stories now. She snapped a photo of his current go-to books, most of them he can pretty much read to himself because he’s read them at least 100 times! What are your favourite kid books for nearly two year olds? @courtneyadamo
2 days ago
We love open-ended, evergreen and heirloom toys here at Babyccino. Shannon recommends these beautifully made wooden vehicles from @faguswoodentoys which her children love. They are sturdy, clever, and so pretty to look at. More on our blog! @slcorlis #babyccinokids #babyccinoplays #evergreentoys
3 days ago
Giveway! To celebrate the new @hauptlihauskids collection, we are giving away a pack of FIVE new Nuscheli (one of each beautiful colour!) to one lucky winner! To enter, please follow @babyccinokids and @hauptlihauskids and tag a friend in the comments. Multiple entries are allowed, so tag ALL of your friends (one comment per tag please)! We absolutely LOVE these Nuscheli for our kids, they are so versatile: bibs, wipes, bandanas, handkerchiefs, travel cloths.. we use them for anything! This giveaway is open worldwide and will end on Nov. 15th at 5PM GMT. The winner will be announced in the comments on the 16th of September. Good luck!!! This giveaway is not sponsored by Instagram. You must be 18 years or older to enter. #babyccinokids #babyccinoboutiques #hauptlihauskids #nuscheli #familyessentials
4 days ago
Don’t miss it!! The ShopUp is in less than three weeks (Dec 1 & 2!) and we have amazing activities and brands lined up. It is going to be AWESOME! Pop over to @theshopup to follow all of the lovely shops joining us this year and the activities we’re lining up! Fun for the entire family, and find gifts for babies and children but for mamas too!! @hungermama @estherbabyccino #theshopup #babyccinokids @nelliequats @lotsoflovelyart @vali_and_co @folpetto_swim @bonordic @catkinkids @littleborne @manifestowoman @f.a.u.n.e @sisiandseb @binibamba @apolina_kids @thesimplefolkco @kittyclogssweden @almaformula @belhonore @elhee_france @71bis @smartmatkids @maisonjuli @intemporels.baby.knits @minilamode @cutecouturelondon @ollie_jays @risurisuparis @_deuxlapins_ @tilian.kids @thenatty.co @tajinebanane @omibianatural @igrowco @laustineyourdreams @annafielondon @shoppretago @princessandthecake @atticusandgilda @katewoodscrafts @kamsokids @luna.and.river @rainerandbear @finandzee @at.london @marlonandlittlefriends @cherry_bandits @nousetpaname @baininbaby
5 days ago
Have you ever made ‘stained glass’ with your children? Lara is showing us how to create this beautiful art and make it seasonal using fall leaves. So pretty! Check out the link in our profile to see the (easy!) how to. @laraoflondon #babyccinokids #babyccinocrafts
6 days ago
Read the amazing, beautiful story of Maya of @playinchoc on our blog today! ️ We love the deliciously creamy @playinchoc chocolates (entirely vegan and allergy free) — children LOVE to collect the little surprises that come with the chocolates. There’s a fun advent calendar too! (And all of the packaging is fully recycled and recyclable / compostable, and entirely plastic free.) #babyccinokids #babyccinoboutiques #babyccinointerviews
1 week ago
Here’s a video of our latest ShopUp in East London (shot and edited by our lovely and talented friend Nadine Brandt). It encapsulates the ShopUp atmosphere really, really well, and it makes us so excited for the next one!
1 year ago
Our beautiful new book, '9 months: A month by month guide to pregnancy' for the family to share, is AVAILABLE NOW! You can order it here: UK: http://amzn.to/2n6eCT7 / US: http://amzn.to/2nVWOZo / AUS: http://bit.ly/2nDYggy
2 years ago
Check out our new book! 9 months: A month by month guide to pregnancy for the family to share. PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY HERE: UK: http://amzn.to/2n6eCT7 / US: http://amzn.to/2nVWOZo / AUS: http://bit.ly/2nDYggy
2 years ago
Check out the cool vibes of our Shop Up event in London in December!
2 years ago
Our 2nd live shopping event in Brooklyn was amazing! Great shopping, delicious treats, tons of kids activities and a super cool family photo booth!
2 years ago
Esther shows us her recipe for delicious mint syrup.
3 years ago
Our live shopping event in London at Chelsea Old Town Hall in 2015 was a big success and so much fun.
3 years ago
Here we show you how to harvest rhubarb from the garden, and make it into a delicious compote. If you make oatmeal at the same time, you have made a delicious and nutritious breakfast that your family will love! (Ours do!)
3 years ago
This gym bag is such a fun and easy project, also for beginners this is a nice sewing project. Esther, Emilie and the kids had so much fun going to the market choosing all the supplies. The fabrics from Little Cube are the cutest!
3 years ago
Our first live shopping event in Brooklyn was a great success. We loved seeing the best boutiques under one roof, combined with great food and fun activities...and some dancing! Hope to see everyone this year again on September 18th & 19th at 501 Union, 501 Union Street in Brooklyn.
3 years ago