Posts by Lara in London

CELEBRATIONS
Little You : A Beautiful Board Book
In November in the United States it is Native American Heritage Month and Thanksgiving is also just around the corner. So I wanted to share a lovely board book which is very timely called, Little You written by Richard Van Camp and illustrated by Julie Flett. This is a book written and illustrated by two Indigenous ...
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FASHION
Good Work Ethic & Entrepreneurial Teenagers
When I was growing up, and as teenagers, we didn't get an allowance. We didn't get pocket money. And we didn't expect to get all the things we wanted. This may sound harsh, but it wasn't at all. It was normal to us and totally fine. We knew that we could work, we could find ...
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AUTUMN CRAFTS
Infinite creative possibilities with Conkers
Even writing about this seems to simple and easy, but I want to plant the seed and let it grow. Conkers are fun to collect as the Autumn winds blow and the leaves fall. They are shiny, they are very soothing to hold. And they live inside of these tennis ball green husks covered in ...
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HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS
Brown-Butter Maple Popcorn -- perfect for all of Autumn's parties
We have been celebrating Halloween for weeks, because, why not? First we did these super simple and very effective oversized spiderwebs, and since then we have been layering decorations. We added in our pumpkins from last year. Our children love to dress up regardless of the season, so we just decided to make some of ...
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HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONS
Oversized Kirigami Spider Webs -- a quick DIY Halloween decoration (and game too)!
Growing up, I loved Halloween so much! And I hope my children say the same same day. This year I have decided to start Halloween a bit earlier in the month, and to make up for all the things we can't do -- school Halloween discos and trick-or-treating, I have focussed on the things we ...
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TRAVEL
Life in a Lighthouse — our spectacular Scottish getaway
  Have you ever dreamed of living on your own island? An island with a lighthouse and cottager, visited by puffins and seals, surrounded by shimmering lochs extending over the horizon? Well I have. And my dream came true for one magical week in August. We travelled to Eilean Sionnach – an island off an ...
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RECIPES
Cranberry and Orange Scones -- a sugar free breakfast and tea time treat!
These Cranberry and Orange scones are an instant hit! We made them early one morning while on holiday, and the scent of the cranberry and orange baking away in the oven filled our home with happiness. Honestly, it is that warming and delicious of a scent! Great for an Autumn or Winter weekend but just ...
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OUTDOORS
SEEK (and find out amazing facts) -- the ONE app our children use!
Seek is our one and only app that our children use. It started in lockdown over the Spring, as things sprung to life, and our children would ask us 'what's that?' So my husband found the answer, which was for all of us to learn more from the world of amazing digital technology by using ...
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LONDON CITY GUIDE
Gelateria 3bis -- calling all ice cream lovers in London
Gelateria 3bis is a great way to keep summer alive as Autumn gets closer! We are so lucky (or is it so very very dangerous?) to live in walking distance to this gelateria on Portobello Road in Notting Hill. The thirty year old recipe and shop, famous on the Adriatic Coast in Rimini, Italy, is ...
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LONDON CITY GUIDE
The Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace -- visit The Queen's working stables -- A wonderful day in London
The Royal Mews is a hidden gem in the heart of London -- a working museum and home to her Majesty's horses, royal cars, carriages, and coaches. Ones that generations of royals have ridden in to processions, one which is even 260 year old. It is the perfect combination of culture, history, art, and tradition. ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
The Sweetest Flower Fairy Wings in the World -- make your own!
Oh to be a little fairy or butterfly. And oh to be one years old again! These butterfly or flower fairy wings (you choose!) are the sweetest little gift that my children made for their baby sister's first birthday. Being resourceful is always a good idea, but especially useful during lockdown, and for a first ...
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FOOD
Crab Linguine -- a weeknight win!
Often seafood suppers seem complicated, and a bit pricey. But we have perfected a Crab Linguine pasta dish this summer that we had to share with you. It is easy to make, takes less than 15 minutes, and feeds the whole family a healthy dinner. I would also love it for a big family Sunday ...
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RECIPES
Shortbread! Indulgent, irresistible, and so easy to make...
We went to Scotland for a week long holiday which I will share more about soon! But within a few days of being there I immediately craved Scottish shortbread. I mean, are we even in Scotland if we don't have shortbread? So on our first rainy day, we made the very best of the weather ...
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PICTURE BOOKS
From Tiny Seeds: The Amazing Story of How Plants Travel is a fascinating book
From Tiny Seeds... the amazing story of how plants travel by Émilie Vast is a truly beautiful book. This book is visual poetry, combined with fascinating facts. Émilie Vast is a talented author and illustrator. And I personally adore every page so much I could easily frame them to admire the graphic yet gentle patterns ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
Floral Monograms -- collect the best of summer memories in this DIY artwork
The upside to lockdown for us was time. We used the time to be more resourceful, more experimental, and a bit more considerate with what we had and how we used things. I remember the one small container of glue we treated as if it was gold, knowing I could get more, but not as ...
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CRAFTS AND DIY
A DIY salt dough mobile -- so simple but so sweet and stylish!
The versatility of salt dough is a wonderful thing. Normally I associate it with seasonal decorations, but really, it deserves more! And normally I think of it as a 'kids' material, but it has the same beauty as fine porcelain ceramic art -- without the need for kiln firing. It can be simple yet stylish ...
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FOOD
Wild Garlic Pesto -- foraging for a delicious meal!
Welcome to another recipe using yummy foraged finds! Making sure they are very safe to eat, from a healthy, clean place is the first rule for foraging of course. But we loved finding this food from the wild and made a very large batch of wild garlic pesto. We have had numerous meals -- adding ...
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FOOD
Dandelion Honey - an abundant flower honey that is vegan friendly, foraging fun and very easy to make
Foraging is fun! And this is a delightful and easy recipe that the talented Emily Hogarth shared recently on Instagram and inspired us with. Dandelion Honey -- vegan friendly, easy to make, inexpensive to make, and fun to collect. It is a super lovely way to add to yoghurt or dress up French Toast or pancakes! All ...
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RECIPES
Rainbow Pasta! Such a fun family activity.
Pasta and comfort food go hand-in-hand... so why not bring smiles to faces and make a day out of this delicious family meal. Have a great big pasta making party! We had a 4th birthday and pasta making party with Pasta 'n Play for my son (before London's lockdown) and it was an enormous hit. ...
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OUTDOORS
A Den Kit that will make memories!
This is the outdoor den of childhood memories. The den you can imagine a grandfather finding in the corner of his garden shed and reminiscing about the time that him and one of his buddies once slept outdoors in it, watched the stars, then snuck back inside to raid the cookie jar. But this den, ...
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RECIPES
Blueberry Dump Cake -- satisfyingly simple
Ready for this recipe which is easy as pie, and makes a delicious cake? :) Then make room in your day for this Blueberry Dump Cake. It is literally made with ingredients dumped into a bowl, then dumped into a greased skillet, and then baked in the oven. It takes about five minutes to make ...
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SHOP
Specialty Ribbon Store -- V V Rouleaux in London
V V Rouleaux was started in 1990 and quickly became the destination for designers and decorators, lovers of colour, and texture and anyone looking for inspiration. They supply over 5000 luxury ribbons, tassels, braids, flowers, feathers, cords, and other trimmings in 100 colours. It is no wonder why it is one of London's favourite specialty ...
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VALENTINE'S DAY CRAFTS
Love Heart Chain -- you just need paper and a stapler!
This is a Valentine's Day craft at its finest -- simple, sweet, and fun. It requires only strips of paper and a stapler and can quickly be made. You can choose to make a really long paper chain, and hang it across the room. Or hang it so it falls vertically. But you can make ...
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CHECK THESE OUT

Choulala KidsA special and unique collection of curated pieces by Canadian and US indie brands.
PAPA LOBSTER100% cashmere clothing with colour
KARIOKASVibrant wallpaper, bed linen and accessories featuring tropical prints
Cute CoutureTimeless hand-smocked dresses & clothes for girls 6 months to 6 years

FOLLOW US

Happy 1st December! Are you feeling festive yet? Ready for cosy evenings, tree decorating and reading favourite stories for this time of year? On the blog today our contributor Nomi shares the best Swedish gingerbread recipe to really get us into the spirit! Her gingerbread people are SO cute (swipe!) Link in our bio for the recipe @mrsnomi #babyccinoeats
16 hours ago
Looking for last minute Advent calendar options? Create this gorgeous activity calendar that’s been a van de Paal tradition for 6 years running. See the link in our bio to recreate this simply and beautifully at home (with printables too). Share yours if you do recreate using #babyccinoactivityadvent @estherbabyccino
1 day ago
We tried to hold off until December 1st, but we could not! Simple yet beautiful clay ornaments and decorations by our @courtneyadamo and family. A perfect craft with which to get into the Christmas spirit! We have lots more Christmas inspiration to share with you over the festive period so be sure to check back! To have a go these, check the link in our bio. #babyccinocrafts
2 days ago
Cosy at home Happy Saturday, we hope you are all having cosy ones. We’ve compiled a product guide of the cosiest, most comfortable items for you and your home. From loungewear to linen, pyjamas to prints, including these beautiful ones from @choulalakids. Discover via the link in our bio #babyccinoboutiques
3 days ago
“This is a book written and illustrated by two Indigenous artists. And it opens our eyes to books by and about Indigenous people. It celebrates the beauty of a culture, which is more important than ever to teach alongside the more antiquated aspects of Thanksgiving.” On the blog this week, our contributor Lara shares her family’s favourite book for Thanksgiving, and some others, as part of Native American Heritage Month. Discover via the link in our bio @laraoflondon #babyccinoreads
4 days ago
Wishing all our American readers and friends a very happy Thanksgiving! How beautiful is this Thanksgiving table by our contributor Lara, with place-setting leaves! @laraoflondon @thestyledwritingco #babyccinocrafts
5 days ago
On the blog last week our contributor Sydney shared this homemade cardboard spa set she made to play with her daughter! Link in the bio for how she made it all, including nail colour swatches too! Who will be giving this a go? @sydney.piercey #babyccinocrafts
6 days ago
CLOSED GLOBAL GIVEAWAY! We have teamed up with @magiccatpublishing for a giveaway in honour of their beautiful latest book The Dragon Ark. The lucky winner will receive an ORIGINAL (!!), hand-drawn artwork by Croatian artist Tomislav Tomic, the illustrator of The Dragon Ark *PLUS* a The Dragon Ark jigsaw puzzle *AND* of course a copy of the beautiful book! What an amazing, unique prize! To enter: 1. Follow @magiccatpublishing and @babyccinokids 2. Tag a friend in the below comments (Tag as many friends as you like in separate comments! Each tag is an extra entry!) 3. Share this give-away in your stories for another extra entry! This giveaway is open worldwide. Giveaway ‪ends on Nov. 27th at 11.59pm PST. Good luck! #thedragonark #magiccatpublishing #babyccinokids #babyccinoboutiques #giveaway This giveaway is not associated by @instagram. You must be 18 years or older to enter.
1 week ago
Get reading with @storytimemag! Today on the blog, our contributor @mrsnomi and her three children review Storytime Magazine. “Reading alone or together is such a key activity for growing children, and I love how Storytime Magazine really makes an effort (and succeeds!) to appeal to all genders, so we can all read together and learn something too.” Click the link in our bio for the full post and a discount code on your first four issues! #sponsored #storytimemagazine #babyccinoreads
1 week ago
Sunday best courtesy of @bellevieparis Get holiday season ready with the beautiful selection of perfect party wear in our product guide. Discover via the link in our bio. #babyccinoboutiques
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!
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
3 years 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
3 years ago
Check out the cool vibes of our Shop Up event in London in December!
3 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!
4 years ago
Esther shows us her recipe for delicious mint syrup.
4 years ago
Our live shopping event in London at Chelsea Old Town Hall in 2015 was a big success and so much fun.
4 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!)
4 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!
4 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.
4 years ago