Bambino Goodies

Frida’s Tierchen felt animal masks

Lucy — Tue, 22 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I first happened upon Spanish mum Maria Salamanca’s store Frida’s Tierchen when I spotted the adorable pregnant, then babywearing doll (below) over on Pinterest – a fab way of explaining the arrival of a new sibling. But it’s the wool felt dressing up masks that I’m coveting today.

Choose from five animal faces (owl, cat, bird, fox or lion) or a snazzy, star-emblazoned superhero version. They’ll set you back €16 each, plus €5 shipping to the UK. A brilliant buy if you’re heading to a festival this summer.

Dogs & Birds piano teaching method

Lucy — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Coming from a very musical background (we’re Welsh, what can I say?) I was encouraged to take up a series of musical instruments. The violin, guitar and saxophone are gathering dust in the attic *ashamed face*, but I do have a (battered old) piano in the lounge and was keen that Alfie should learn to play, as like foreign languages, music is best learned from an early age. I was conscious that I was a bit rusty and didn’t really know where to start so was delighted to discover Dogs & Birds, a fantastic piano teaching method specifically designed for young children. It’s a beautifully simple idea – small tiles depicting animals are placed on the keys, each representing a note, so C = cat, D = dog, E = egg (there’s a chick peeping out, don’t nitpick), F = fish, G = goose, A = ant, B = bird. Then in the books, the notes have corresponding animals on them, while still being in the correct place on the stave, so not only enable small people to play simple tunes by following the animal symbols but help them to read music. I thought Alfie would be a bit young for it at three, but was proved wrong. He can now bash out Twinkle, Twinkle and is always asking to ‘do piano lessoning’. Early musical ability has been shown to result in improved memory, concentration and coordination, which has got to be a good thing. The Complete Music Set for Beginners contains everything you need to get started with your aspiring Lang Lang: two music books (one with animal notes, one with blank), parent and teacher notes, a set of animal tiles, a large printed set of staves and a manuscript book (probably more suited to older students), for £34.95 with free delivery. Carnegie Hall here we come…

iEscape With Kids

Lucy — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hurrah – holidaying en famille need no longer mean substituting little luxuries in favour of an all-inclusive package at Disneyworld, as style-setting travel site iEscape has launched a Kids Collection of hotels and self-catering properties that will positively welcome your little darlings.

Ideas range from boutique boltholes and B&Bs in Britain to far-flung animal adventures in India and South Africa. All look sooo inviting (and not just because I’m about to have another baby, thereby financially disqualifying myself from exotic holidays for a while) I defy you not to book on the spot.

My picks are hip Slovenian hotel Soncna Hisa, which boasts a cool garden toddler area, free monitors that work all over the hotel and the gorgeous Stork room for families with tots (top), Portugal’s Villas Martinhal with its cool, Magis-furnished Little Foxes kids’ club (middle), playground and arts and crafts activities and chic Hotel Esencia in Mexico which has children’s yoga and cookery classes, a children’s menu, plus kiddie chocolate spa treatments (don’t worry, the spa also caters for grown-ups). Now, where did I put my passport…

The Singing Alphabet iPad app

Lucy — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Another prime example of the best things being the simplest, the Singing Alphabet app is the latest slice of creativity to come from the clever bods over at the Ministry of Letters, the brains behind the marvellous Operation Alphabet book. It needs little explanation – each letter ‘sings’ its phonetic sound when tapped, so you can choose to either practise them individually or create words using the pen in the bottom corner. I love these characters, so it’s no surprise this is a favourite in our house. 69p, The App Store.

Lu’s fantasy baby shopping list

Lucy — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I’m on the home stretch (no pun intended) to baby no. 2 now, so thought I’d follow Kat’s lead and compile a wish list of goodies I’m hankering after – friends and family take note… Of course, Kat and I share impeccable taste, so I’ve already followed her lead on a Bednest, Aden & Anais swaddling blankets and a Stokke Tripp Trapp newborn set, but here is my unofficial lust list. Undoubtedly our most stylish purchase last time round was a Bloom Coco lounger – Alfie (and Peggy the dog) loved rocking in it and we loved the non-garish dark wood and cream palette. So I’ll be interested to see the new Coco Go, which launches in June costing £140, a flat-fold bouncer/seat with vibration unit, wooden rockers and Bloom’s signature good looks. It also comes with a travel bag, making it ideal for trips to Grandma’s house.

I didn’t have a moses basket last time around as I have a severe aversion to wicker. I am fascinated by the idea of the Moba (which we recently featured) though, as it seems such a simple concept you wonder why no one’s thought of it before. £89.99, including mattress.

Now, I love everything about my Bugaboo Cameleon, but I must admit to having my head turned by the sleek, chic lines of the Mima Xari, designed by the creator of Bloom’s iconic Fresco highchair, with its quirky armadillo hood and seat pod that zips into a carrycot. At £899 though, it won’t be mine unless I win the lottery.

Much more within my budget is the fabulous Stokke MyCarrier that we posted about a while back. Because it lasts from birth to three years and has three different carry positions, £139 seems like a total bargain. I’m loving the red version, although I suspect Harry would prefer the less-conspicuous brown or navy.

I’ll also be going back to the tried and tested Baba Sling, probably our most-used bit of baby kit when Alfie was tiny. It was the one place he was guaranteed to sleep, so, needless to say, it got daily use.The new limited-edition prints and breathable Lite version for summer are genius. From £39.99.

Decent (attractive) nursing lingerie is always hard to come buy, so I was pleased to clap eyes on Mammae lingerie from Belgium. Discreet and chic, the glam bras come with matching washable nursing pads and in sizes 34B to 42H. From £76.99 (ouch, but also what price style and comfort?).

I never really found the perfect breastfeeding pillow – one was too hard, another too soft, but this Simply Good Compact Nursing Pillow looks just right and comes in appropriately cheery colours. £24.95, White Step.

I do love a jolly playmat (Alfie had a bright green Ubang Babblechat one that now serves as a floor covering in his tipi), so I’m totally coveting the new KidsOnRoof designs, especially this hot-air balloon print on 100% organic cotton. €62, Shak-Shuka.

Having a baby is always a good excuse to buy a new bag – how divine is this changing bag by Lisa Stickley? Made from practical, wipe-clean coated cotton it has all the requisite compartments and a matching changing mat. Yes, it’s £96, but this is my fantasy.

Talking of which, this really does verge on the realms of the ridiculous, but wow, is it gorgeous. Designed by Spanish company Micuna, the Ovo is pricey (€398 with a cushion from KidsLoveDesign), but does boast longevity (you can convert it into a child’s desk chair when they outgrow the highchair), and some of the best packaging I’ve ever seen. If money were no object…

Hot! Cocosa Kids

Lucy — Fri, 18 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Oooooh – this is one seriously fab shopping opportunity. Designer sales gurus Cocosa have launched a childrenswear category. Initial labels are Fluke, Caramel, Bonnie Baby, Ash Kids and Emma Levine, but things are selling out fast, so swoop quickly.

I love these Ash hi-tops, £34 (reduced from £70), top, and Emma Levine bird skirt, £12 (was £25), above – fab for summer. I look forward to seeing which brands they secure in the future.

Homemade Slime Recipe

Kat — Thu, 17 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

In my quest for the perfect budget children’s party favour the idea of slime entered my head (potentially because Kate suggested it). Having been mildly obsessed with it as a child I thought it could be a cool take-home from a party.

My hunting for a recipe led me to this homemade slime post and the cool picture sealed the deal. The recipe calls for Elmer’s Glue-All and borax both of which can be bought from Amazon and probably your local hardware store. Check out Lindsay’s post for full instructions.

What do you think? Too messy or party gold?

Hot Preview: H&M Children’s Home Collection

Kat — Thu, 17 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Feast your eyes on this! Spotted last night as I was mooching around Pinterest (this totally counts as work, ok?), this collection of children’s homewares is from H&M’s Autumn Home Collection. For so long they have been a staple of nice design in children’s clothing and I am excited to see them add bedding, soft furnishings and storage to their range.

The debut collection features stars, bears and animal prints alongside coordinating toys. We will be keeping an eye on their press site for details of the UK release (please let it be coming to the UK) which we are predicting for late Summer.

As seen on Le Petit Bird Told Me via Cloud Cuckoo.

Clare Nicolson prints

Lucy — Wed, 16 May 2012 13:00:00 +0000

I like pretty things and I like a bargain – these lovely digital prints from Clare Nicolson tick both boxes. There are eight retro-styled designs to choose from – my favourites are the Lovey Dovey pair of birds and the cheery big-faced sunflower. Prints are £10 for A4 and £15 for A3 sizes and you’ll also discover matching cushions and cards on the site.

Bargain! Tiger Stores Teepee for a Tenner

Natalie — Wed, 16 May 2012 09:00:00 +0000

Looking for a pretend play tent that won’t break the bank? Look no further than Danish cool spot Tiger Stores teepee, which is a very cool £10! A tenner! Let’s be real, normally if you see a tent at this price it’s either ugly, covered in TV characters, or from Ikea, so it’s nice to see an alternative! They’re a decent size as well, which was part of the reason I couldn’t slip one home as it wouldn’t go unnoticed…

Sadly Tiger don’t sell online, but they do have stores dotted around London, Surrey, Hampshire, Kent etc (basically the south), but it’s worthwhile hustling a mate to pick one up for you if need be. I spotted the teepee at the Croydon store literally as soon as you walk in. Brilliant indoors or out (if it’s stops bloomin’ raining), it’s also fair to say that you’d be getting major brownie points if you rocked up with one of these as a gift.

Bambino Goodies

Frida’s Tierchen felt animal masks

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Dogs & Birds piano teaching method

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iEscape With Kids

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Bargain! Tiger Stores Teepee for a Tenner

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