Do you talk about sex with your children?

The other day, Courtney and I were discussing the way parents talk about sex with their children. How difficult this subject sometimes seems to be, and how easy people shy away from discussing it. Why is it, that something so beautiful and special can be so controversial at the same time?

I don’t know if it is because I’m a child of the seventies or because I was born and raised in the progressive Netherlands, but growing up, my parents never locked the bathroom door and never covered their bodies in front of me. They were absolutely no nudists, but seeing them naked in the bathroom was as normal for me as seeing them dressed in the supermarket. Also, I was used to sometimes seeing them kiss each other — my dad being all flirty and my mum being all giggly. : )

I probably knew about the way babies are made before I knew how to tie my shoelaces. I’m talking about the technicalities of it — I wasn’t interested or curious about more than that at the time. I remember that the sexual and emotional aspects of intercourse were something that didn’t become relevant until much later.

Now, with our children, Tamar and I are equally relaxed about nudity and try to be open and straightforward about sex. We sometimes talk about it as a family but also make sure to discuss sex casually with them individually — just so it is an open subject and not something that they should be ashamed about. We were talking about the way babies are made the other day over dinner, and I thought it was so sweet and interesting to see how different our kids’ knowledge and interests are at each individual age.

Casper (3) is still very little, and at this point I think it is enough that he understands the difference between boys and girls. (He is fully aware, but the other day he was pointing out my penis to me — so there is still some explaining to do!) He also knows that babies grow in the mama’s belly, and he thinks that is super cool.
Ava (6) is aware how the baby actually technically gets into that belly, and knows that that process happens with lots of kissing and cuddling. She is not interested in more at the moment, which is perfect.
In Pim’s class (he is 9 now and sex is a hot topic) the kids are all being so big and cool about it. But at the same time they are giggly, and shy and insecure, so I try to calmly talk to him and explain everything he has questions about, so there is no need for him to feel awkward about things.
Sara (11) is already beyond that giggly and shy phase. Her body is now starting to change, and with her I am starting to talk about the changes her body will be going through, about positive self esteem, sexual attraction, falling in love, etc.

I am hoping that an open conversation about the way babies are made from an early age (and shying away from euphemisms like ‘a special cuddle’) can open up an easier situation to talk about sex a bit later in childhood, naturally evolving into talking about emotional bonding and sexual attraction in the pre-teens. There should be nothing strange or embarrassing about it!

I even think that if sexual education evolves naturally this way, the awkward ‘talk’ doesn’t even have to take place at all. (Because let’s face it — it can be so uncomfortable both for the parent and the child! I still remember mine, what an awkward moment!)

So tell me — do you talk about sex with your children? Did your parents have ‘the talk’ with you?

xxx Esther

PS Drawing of papa and mama by Ava

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Polly Faber’s Top Ten Book List

We are so delighted to tell you that our Top Ten Book List is back! It’s been a time long since we last shared one with you so I’m thrilled to kick-start it by inviting Polly Faber, author of the fantastic Mango & Bambang books, to share her ten favourite children’s books. Here they are:

1. The Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse by Ursula Moray Williams

My father used to read to me every night, long past the age where I could read to myself, and this story of a toy horse trying to seek his fortune and return to his master is seared into my reading DNA. I, in turn, have read it to both my sons. It’s episodic, so a good one to read to those who are starting to want something longer than a picture book before bed- but be warned- it will take you all on a very emotional journey.

2. Bread and Jam for Frances written by Russell Hoban, illustrated by Lillian Hoban

I love all the Frances books and it’s hard to pick a favourite. Frances is a badger and the stories explore familiar issues children (and parents!) navigate with great wit and wisdom. In this one Frances decides she only likes eating bread and jam and her parents agree to give it to her for every meal. It features her best friend Albert eating literature’s finest packed lunch.

3. Peepo written by Alan Ahlberg illustrated by Janet Ahlberg

This was one of the first books my son was given as a baby and we read it to him every night as part of his bedtime routine. My husband and I became obsessed with the wartime back story being told by the illustrations; trying to date it more precisely and fretting to each other about the fate of the father as our son drifted off. It will always recall those first sleep-deprived heady months of becoming a parent for me.

4. Hooray for Fish! written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins

I’ve never met a baby or toddler who didn’t have an almost visceral reaction to this book. My second son would only sleep hugging onto his copy between the ages of 1 and 2. Glorious intense colour and bouncy text hit the sweet spot for the smallest.

5. Bonting written and illustrated by Shirley Hughes (from the Big Alfie Out of Doors Storybook)

With a career spanning over sixty years and still going strong, Shirley Hughes is the Queen of children’s books. Alfie is probably her most famous creation and these gentle stories entranced my children and soothed me. She brings a lump to my throat to read aloud because she gets to the essence of what it feels like to be a child. Bonting is Alfie’s pet stone, who gets a swim suit made for him and then gets lost on a trip to the seaside. It’s perfection.

6. The Serial Garden by Joan Aiken

I could probably do a top ten just from Joan Aiken’s books. Her range was astonishing from the Arabel and Mortimer books that used to make me cry with laughter to the Wolves of Willoughby Chase sequence with wonderful heroine Dido Twite. But her short stories are special and this new compendium of the weird and funny Armitage family stories is a treasure worth seeking out.

7. Mary Plain books by Gwynned Rae

I have to apologise, because these books from the 1930s and 40s are currently out of print but they were my absolute favourites when I was about seven so they had to be included. Mary Plain is a bear from the bear pits in Berne who goes on adventures with her friend the Owl Man. Her scrapes often involve a lot of delicious food which I used to linger over reading. They are also very funny indeed (if requiring of some censoring for modern sensibilities) and I am hoping that someone will bring them back into print soon…

8. Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild

Another much loved book from my own childhood; as were all Streatfeild’s stories. The adventures of talented orphans Pauline, Petrova and Posy Fossil are still in print I’m glad to say. I have probably read this book more times than any other in my life, although it’s only now I’m a grown up that I see the sense in choosing to be Petrova at the end. Re-reading as an adult one also discovers the books contains a surprising amount of detail on child employment law!

9. Asterix and the Big Fight written by Goscinny and illustrated by Uderzo

My brother had all the Asterix books and any rainy Sunday would find me curled on his bed with one or other of them. We had a few Tintins as well, and although the aesthetics of those appeal more, I still think Asterix is much funnier. I used to hunger for all comics and cycle to the library to read their stack of old Beanos and Dandys. Now our family fights to be the first to read the copy of ’The Phoenix’ when it arrives each week. It’s brilliant.

10. There are Cats in this Book written and illustrated by Viviane Schwarz

We are fortunate to live in a world where many astonishing, clever and beautiful books for children are being published every month. My selection above has been fairly ‘classic’ because these are all books that have meant something in building me (and I had to give myself some parameters or it would be a Top 1000!). But I would urge parents and grandparents to spread their wings when choosing in a bookshop and explore the new and unfamiliar. All of Viviane Schwarz’s books are brilliant but I’ll end with this one because I use it often in my work with reading charity Beanstalk and everyone finds it irresistible. Funny, engaging and respectful, it’s a book that turns children into “readers”. And hooray for that!

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Reassure Soon-to-be Siblings with a Simple Video

How do you take care of your eldest child(ren) when you are about to have a baby?

Well, I recently ran into a local mum. She is due with her second child and asked me what I experienced differently while pregnant the second time. And my answer, without even thinking twice, was that I worried more about my eldest than I worried about myself or even the new baby. I worried that my daughter, whose whole world was this family of three, would feel left out and confused by this big change in our lives. And I didn’t want the experience of a new baby in our family to start out on a bad note, the very minute I went into labour, especially if we had to quickly leave in the middle of the night (which we did), and leave without time to explain what was happening. I kept picturing our eldest waking up disoriented that her parents were gone, without her, to have a new baby and instead she would be with friends or neighbours. Abandoned, (albeit temporarily), is not a good thing to feel.

How do you prepare your eldest child for this big change? Well it is the question every family of three has…But one practical, and very useful tip to help with this transition, is… VIDEO. I decided, at 34 weeks pregnant, to prepare a short and sweet 20 second video. I made it one evening, just hanging out on the sofa. My husband videoed me on my iPhone. It was just me, unscripted, calmly explaining that we were having the baby (as we discussed so many times), and that she was in good hands with our ‘friends’ (I kept it vague in case a last minute change of help happened, which it did). And I made it clear that everything would be fine, that mama and daddy were at the hospital, and that she was finally going to be a big sister! And she would meet the baby as soon as possible.

Then I saved the video for the moment we needed it.

The video was worth its weight in gold. Since my labour was quicker than I had expected, and in the middle of the night, while Beatrice was fully asleep, we transported her to the home of our kind & helpful friends. She woke up in the morning in a new home, in her friend’s bedroom, with another family taking care of her, in a sleepy and slightly confused morning haze. The parents were able to share the video we emailed them (on our way to the birth centre). She got to see her mama’s face, hear my voice, and was reminded of the exciting news of her new sibling! It put a big smile on her face. Reassurance that all was exactly as it should be. And I’d like to think it set the right tone for the big day ahead before she met her new… (surprise)… brother!

And the video also helped me to relax. I knew that while I was in the hospital focussing on, um, giving birth, that she had a little special message from me. To see me, hear me, and know that we were thinking of her (of course). Reminded of how much we care and love her.

We are so lucky to have technology which can make it seem like you are in two places at once The video was free, easy to make, and one of the best ways to transition from one chapter to the next. And it definitely helped take away some of my worry, and probably some of hers too!

Lara. xx

ps
These photos are from Maud Fontein taken during my second trimester, with my lovely daughter. I am so happy now that I took these pregnant photos. Don’t we both look excited?

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Adult fashion from Macarons!

You know how we’re always wishing for some of the beautiful kids fashion brands we love to start making adult fashion? Well, lucky us — one of our favourite labels, the German eco fashion brand Macarons, has recently come out with a small but fabulous line of their gorgeous jumpers in adult sizing! Fabricated in their signature double-knit, 100% organic cotton, these classic pullovers are not only as eco conscious as possible, but are also super good-looking and — Tamar and I can attest! — extremely comfortable to wear.

I’ve written before how much I respect Julie and Veit for their dedication to produce 100% ecological fashion, which is always fabricated in the EU, using ultra modern production methods but also making use of the ancient old knowledge, techniques and craftsmanship which is locally available. I know the road to making their brand successful has not always been without bumps — it has been a challenge to find the right producers and to make sure the quality of their collections has been outstanding and confirming to the strict eco-conscious guidelines they set for themselves when they started their brand, keeping everything in balance with the retail prizes they have to charge to make their clothing accessible. Thankfully, they have stood strong and have kept developing, and have created such an amazing label.

In these photos, which Emilie took when she was in Amsterdam a couple weeks ago (thanks, Em!), Tamar is wearing his reversible classic pullover, I’m wearing the female version of that, and Sara is wearing the short sleeve vest (also reversible). I can’t wait to see the next adult line Macarons will launch — we are already such big fans! (I’m secretly hoping for these jacquard leggings that Sara has been wearing all winter — I love how cool they are and totally want them in my size!)

xxx Esther

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Sissonne, a beautiful new brand from Portugal

During Sara’s horse riding class and Pim’s tennis class on Monday afternoons, I always have an hour to spend with my littler two — and if the weather is nice we like to hang out at the terrace of the manege, which is located in the middle of the forest south of Amsterdam. We drink hot chocolate, throw stones and sticks in the water, and those sort of things. Nothing much. So nice.

Last week I brought my camera, because Ava and Casper were both wearing an outfit by a kids fashion brand I wanted to highlight here on the blog — a new label from Portugal called Sissonne. The brainchild of Inês and Ana, two longtime friends from Oporto, Sissonne launched their first collection this season and it is immediately so spot on and perfect that it feels they have been a long-time player on the market. Gorgeous classic silhouettes manifest that every single garment is a reinvented classic from Portugal’s cultural heritage, modernised and executed in contemporary styles, details and fabrics.

I love the natural fabrics like the shabby-chick linen/cotton brand in the blue stripe shirt that Casper is wearing, and the pretty details like the knit top part of Ava’s pink linen dress. The taupe sarouel shorts can be worn longer or rolled up for a shorter style, and are so cute.

The timeless Sissonne collection is full of items that are perfect for special occasions, but are versatile and easy enough to wear daily and during play, or for lazy afternoons at the terrace of our manege. ; )

xxx Esther

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Eenymeeny children’s shop

Eeenymeeny has long been a favourite place to find inspiration and unique gifts for my kids. The owner, Clare Jay, is an inspiring mother of three with a passion for design and a knack for tracking down the coolest toys and exciting new brands in the children’s market. I can always trust that I’ll find the perfect gift in her shop – something so unique I most likely won’t have seen it before.

After closing down her shop in Tufnell Park early last year, she has re-opened in a new nearby location – on the bustling Fortess Road (right next to Ruby Violet!). The shop is stocked full of ‘goods for good kids aged 0-10yrs’. All the products are chosen for their quality, usefulness, uniqueness or sometimes just because they are super COOL.

Fortess Road has, in the past few years, been revitalised with loads of new independent shops and restaurants, making it a great destination on its own. Add eenymeeny to the mix, and you’ve got another reason to head up to this North London neighbourhood.

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Scans, surprises, and science…

Ultrasound scans are a modern tool used to give us so much more information than previous generations of pregnant women had access to… but can scans give too much information away?! I have now had two pregnancies, and I always found the ultrasound scan to be both exciting and nerve racking. It is such an emotional time, filled with great anticipation and curiosity. I have friends (my age) who actively chose not to have an ultrasound while pregnant, and they are confident with that decision, whereas, I have other friends who have had every scan, blood test, and any other medical observation available to pregnant women done. I think I am somewhere in between the two extremes. I have never wanted to know the sex of our babies before they were born, yet we have always chosen to have scans, perhaps just so we could rest easily, and also because I loved seeing the little baby parts moving around.

When my mother and my mother-in-law were pregnant, it wasn’t common to have ultrasound scans in the US or the UK. You’d find out you were pregnant, the midwives or doctors would check heartbeats, etc, and then you’d hope for the best. So when I was pregnant with Beatrice, four years ago, I asked my mother-in-law if she wanted to join us for our 20 week scan appointment. She had had three kids herself, and four grandchildren, yet this would be her first scan.

The three and a half of us went to the appointment. Husband, mother-in-law, and me with the baby bump.

What I remember from that appointment wasn’t just how exciting, emotional, and amazing it felt to see this tiny human growing inside of me. It was also how touching it was to watch my mother-in-law’s face when the baby first ‘showed up’ on the screen. She had been pregnant and yet had never experienced this moment. It captivated her. It was such a special thing to share. We were all relieved that everything went well, and we walked away clutching the sonograms in hand, smiling ear to ear.

Yet my mother in law could hardly catch her breath. She was rendered speechless by the entire experience, amazed and astonished to meet her 20 week (in utero) grandchild, and impressed by the incredible advancements in technology (and science!) in one generation since she was a pregnant mum.

Then with pregnancy number two, we completely lost track of which appointment we were going to – with busy schedules, juggling toddler child care, etc, so we brought our toddler with us. However, we had the funniest surprise at our 36 week check up. Within seconds of me laying down for the scan, the technician had located the baby and there it was, on a massive screen… a 3-D scan of our baby’s face. In an instant! Seconds after walking in the room. Perfectly clear, and detailed and so… REAL! And I have to say, it actually freaked me out a bit. I wasn’t expecting it. A face so formed, so clear, yet still unborn.

We had made great effort not to find out our baby’s sex, yet I was lying there and looking at the shape of its nose, the space between its eyes, and the slant of its lips. It was a bit bizarre, not to know the sex but to know such detail of the face structure. Incredible, and surprising. And I was reminded of my mother in law’s face when she saw our first baby. It is amazing, but almost overwhelming. It felt like the surprise had been revealed before the baby was born. It felt like a secret we weren’t supposed to know yet. Perhaps we needed a spoiler alert. : )

In the matter of three years, 3-D scans have improved significantly. I can only imagine what will happen by my grandchildren’s generation!

What did you do?… What will you do? … Did you find out what you were having? Did you want the 3-D scans? Or were you even asked if you wanted a 3-D scan? And would you ever bring the future grandparents to see the scan?

Lara. xx

p.s. – Fortunately the 3-D scan didn’t take away any of the joy or excitement when the baby was born. It was a HE! A boy. And yes, the 3-D scan didn’t lie, it did look just like him. An unexpected sneak peek.

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5 Questions with Eilidh and Katrine from Niddle Noddle

I met Eilidh and Katrine five years ago when they had just started up the Niddle Noddle online boutique. When I realised they lived quite close to me I invited them over for a cup of tea, and within minutes we were chatting about vintage children’s toys and our favourite ‘secret’ clothing brands for children. They spoke so passionately about the brands they sell (most of which were exclusive in the UK) and we soon discovered a mutual love of illustrated children’s books.

I have so enjoyed following the journey of Niddle Noddle – from online boutique to temporary pop-up shops to a brick and mortar boutique in North London. I’m excited to give you a behind-the-scenes peek at their world. Here are five questions with Eilidh and Katrine:

1. Please tell us a little bit about yourselves, your families and where you live. 

We are Eilidh and Katrine, a Scot and a Dane who joined forces to begin Niddle Noddle, a shopping experience with a bit of a difference! We met by chance in a local park about 7 years ago when our daughters, Freya and Emmie (now 9), were still very young. We started chatting and soon discovered that we shared a real interest and love for children’s design.
At the time Eilidh was working as a professional actress having moved to London 17 years previously where she met, ironically her Danish Sound Mixer husband Martin. Katrine moved to London from Copenhagen back in 2001 when she was training to be a chef and met her partner Louis, a Cameraman.

2. Tell us about Niddle Noddle and how you came to set up your online store.

We had both reached a time in our lives where we felt that our professions were becoming increasingly difficult to combine with family life, particularly as our extended families were in different countries and not on hand to help out. So having put work on hold to concentrate on motherhood, we both felt ready to try something new. Something that could easily combine motherhood and work.

We felt that starting something together would be easier as you would have each other’s support and share the burden! As we were both passionate about children’s design and felt frustrated at the choices available to us, we decided it would be fun to start an online business of our own and bring lots of lovely pieces together in one place. It felt quite risky and slightly daunting starting up a business as neither of us had any business background. At All. But we figured we had nothing to lose and in the spring of 2009 we opened Niddle Noddle Online.

3. Last year you set up shop in north London’s Crouch End neighbourhood. Tell us about the transition from online shop to brick and mortar boutique. What is your favourite part of your job?

Running the online shop was fun but it’s actually quite hard to get established when you are only trading online, particularly when you’re not very savvy with online promotion! We really wanted an actual shop but were worried about the risk, so many shops seemed to be struggling or closing down and our families thought we were crazy!!

We started doing markets and fairs and soon got a loyal following. Pop-Up shops followed which proved very successful, giving us the confidence to take the plunge and look for a bricks and mortar shop. We live in Crouch End, North London which has a lovely small village feel despite being only half an hour from central London. We have lots of brilliant schools here and it’s a real family orientated area with leafy parks, buggy friendly cafes and restaurants and even an artisan Ice cream shop. The perfect place for our shop! So finally, with the backing and support of our families we opened the doors to Niddle Noddle – the shop in September 2013 and haven’t really looked back since.

To our relief, the locals quickly welcomed a good old-fashioned toy shop with the addition of stylish and casual clothes and importantly something to suit every budget. In fact, one of the most popular features in our shop is the long table full of pocket money toys such as wind-up tin toys, retro and wooden toys, novelties and so much more! And there is of course the slide at the back of the shop! Parents get the chance to shop while their little ones have fun!

Having a bricks and mortar shop means that we get to meet our customers in person. The shop is such a social place and it’s often hard to get any real work done as we often end up chatting away to our regulars! One of the most rewarding and enjoyable parts of our job is the sourcing of all the products we stock.

4. What is important to you when choosing the brands and products in your shop?

When we choose our clothes for example, we like to look for small labels or brands that aren’t that well known to the UK market. We love mixing classic pieces with fun prints. Parisian label Petit Lucas du Tertre is one of our favourites, we have been working with them from the start and we love their colourful prints and effortless style which they manage to make both casual and smart at the same time!

We also stock a lovely selection of the most beautifully illustrated books from authors such as Gyo Fujikawa and Elsa Beskow. Books that we hope adults will get as much pleasure from reading as children. Classics that never grow old and will stay keepsakes for generations.

For our selection of toys, we source toys from all around the world! Working directly with makers, sometimes designing exclusively for Niddle Noddle. We stock a huge range of the more well-known French toys such as Djeco, Vilac and Moulin Roty. The Djeco art sets with their imaginative illustrations are hugely popular with our customers. We also have a large selection of wind up tin toys, wooden pull alongs, little drums, vintage and nostalgic toys that most adults will remember from their childhood!

5. What is your favourite or best-selling product?

One of our current best sellers is the brilliant A-Z Magnatab. A solid plastic board with a magnetic stylus which pulls beads up to form the letters of the alphabet. Simply erase the letters again with the tip of a finger. So educational and the kids just love how tactile it is!

We try very hard to keep our prices at a level which is affordable to everyone so we love Saturday mornings when the children come in to spend their pocket money!

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‘The New Baby’ – an activity book for soon-to-be big brothers and sisters

This book, The New Baby: an Activity Book for Soon-to-be Big Brothers and Sisters is excellent. It brings your child along the journey as the unborn baby grows (and you grow too)! I purchased it at the last ShopUp as a stocking stuffer for my daughter. The New Baby has lovely illustrations, and sparks interesting conversations. It is a casual way to begin preparing them for this new little human being!

And it was especially useful to have an activity book that was so entertaining in my third trimester when I had run out of energy in the afternoon. Because, as I got heavier in my pregnancy, this helped me explain to my daughter how the baby was growing, and why I was beginning to slow down!

I would recommend this as a gift for any children three years or older who are about to have a baby brother or sister, (it was good for my daughter who was almost three but a bit of it was more advanced). There are activities for both trimesters and it is both informative and fun.

Some of it is also funny. I can’t wait to show this to Joseph when he is older. The drawing that Beatrice did as a ‘portrait’ of the baby may be one of the funniest things yet!

Available here in the UK or in the US.

Lara. xx

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Introducing Lara in London

A few years ago, when Casper was still a little baby boy, I visited Courtney in London and we took a baby yoga class together from Nadia Narain at our old ‘hangout’ in Primrose Hill, TriYoga. At the end of the class we started chatting to a cute fellow mum, Lara Curry, who was there with her adorable baby girl Beatrice.

Lara is an American girl who once visited London for a short break, but never left after she met the Brit of her life. She is a born and raised city dweller (New York being her home town), but loves to be surrounded by oceans, trees and flowers as well. She loves traveling, scouting flee markets, food, friends and family. We love her sweet, happy nature and her great sense of style!

Lara recently gave birth to her second baby, a little boy called Joseph who is now 13 weeks old, and we’re so happy that she agreed to blog for us about her favourite things! She’s going to share some great baby discoveries, thoughts and tips about her pregnancy, and other things she feels like sharing.

Welcome, Lara!

xxx Esther

PS Photos by our talented friend Maud Fontein, who was recently in London for one of her family shoots.

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A week in St. Ives, Cornwall

The pretty fishing town of St Ives in Cornwall is somewhere I’ve grown up holidaying since I was a small child. It holds so many special memories of long, lazy summer vacations spent with family – cousins, aunties, uncles even school friends. And it’s a place that my kids call home even though we actually live hundreds of miles away in London. When Courtney and Michael said they’d love to join us on our annual Cornwall trip, we couldn’t wait to show them around one of our favourite parts of the UK.

With little time to organize accommodation I was amazed to stumble across the perfect apartment, right on our favourite Porthmeor Beach. With unique decor, dreamy sunset views and enough beds to house our sizeable tribe, it seemed like it was meant for us. Not only that, it would turn out to be one of the driest and sunniest weeks I’ve experienced in Cornwall for a really long time. The only downside to this rare appearance of high pressure hovering over the West was the poor surf conditions that it brought. Despite daily scouring of the surf reports for both the North and South Cornish coasts, we just couldn’t catch a break (excuse the pun) and ‘flat’ was definitely the word of the week. Luckily this didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm off our surf –mad, worldly, travel companions.

St Ives Bay is a crescent of golden beaches on the north west coast of Cornwall, each with its own charm & beauty. The bay spans 4 miles, from St Ives in the west to Godrevy Head in the east. The town itself is a quaint, bustling hub comprising cobbled streets, pretty fisherman’s cottages, surf shops, art galleries and an abundance of excellent restaurants. The area has long been recognized for its rich artistic heritage, attracting painters, sculptors and artisans who often talk of the ‘special light’ here. Courtney and I enjoyed some rare time to ourselves, spent exploring the backstreets of the old fisherman’s quarter known as the Downalong area. We wandered around the galleries and working artist’s and potter’s studios often stopping to chat to the friendly owners who were keen to strike up conversation. It seems there’s something about coastal living that breeds a laid back warmth and a general willingness to slow down and interact. Or maybe it was the unexpected wall-to-wall sunshine that week, either way we both loved the friendly vibe.

To experience this charming and often overlooked side of St Ives you need to explore further afield than the busy harbour front with its fish and chip shops, ice cream stalls and perilous seagulls! I advise anyone visiting to take some time to peel back the layers of this little town, venture away from the main thoroughfare and get lost amongst the narrow back streets and cobbled courtyards. You’ll discover some hidden gems, such as the lovely Plumbline Gallery on Barnoon Hill selling a beautifully curated selection of homewares, art and handmade jewellery. Then there’s Fish Pye Pottery on Back Road East. Here we got chatting with the owner Laura and watched her at work, painting a recent batch of vases and jugs, ready to be glazed. Her small but perfectly formed studio is packed to the rafters with beautiful ceramics. We couldn’t believe our luck when we stumbled across a shelf of seconds that, though in her eyes were slightly flawed, seemed even lovelier to us. Needless to say we left with a sizeable haul.

We spent much of the week being led by the surf forecasts even though most of these turned out to be largely inaccurate. Our mornings began slowly with indulgent breakfasts of Michael’s famous Buttermilk Pancakes, and Joel’s almond milk soaked, overnight oats with fresh fruit. It was often late morning before we ventured out (a hazard of staying in such a comfortable and pretty apartment) by which time the beaches were filling up fast. A word of warning – St Ives can get very busy during the school holidays and trying to park close to the town and beaches can be a frustrating process. Many people choose to leave their cars at the park and ride, located a 10 minute walk above the town.

What I think makes St Ives such a great base is it’s location in the middle of a magnificent stretch of the North Cornish coastline, surrounded by stunning scenery on either side. To the east are the beautiful, vast sand dunes of Porth Kidney- our favourite place and the site of many family barbecues. Be prepared for a bit of a walk through the dunes to get there, though the walk itself is a treat. Further round the bay are the expansive Hayle sands and The Towans including Gwithian. Gwithian is a popular area for surfers and is home to a number of pretty beach houses nestled in amongst the dunes. If the hustle and bustle of St Ives doesn’t appeal, these holiday rentals are a good alternative (though they tend to get snapped up quickly by surf enthusiasts).

Head out west from St Ives and you will encounter in my opinion one of the best scenic drives in Cornwall. The St Ives to Zennor road is well known for its atmospheric vistas across barren moors, and farmland, peppered by old disused tin mines, iron-age stone walls and rugged rocky outcrops. You can walk the coastal path from St Ives to Zennor though at 6.5 miles each way we have yet to attempt this with our kids.

The majority of our evenings were spent back at the apartment, gathered together in the huge open plan living area. We took turns preparing meals as the sun sank slowly beneath the horizon, bathing the room in a magnificent orange glow. We even braved the chilly evening temperatures one night to barbecue on the beach in true British style. There are a plethora of great restaurants in and around St Ives but being a group of 10 we favoured staying in over going out. We loved our long relaxed evening meals that often turned into late night games around the dinner table. Our kids have never enjoyed so many late nights and us in turn, so many long lie ins!

We have so many happy memories (and photos, sorry!!) from this trip, I have a feeling that my children will be recounting stories about it for years to come. Too many highlights to list them all but below are a few of our top recommendations.

TO STAY:

• We stayed in the beautiful Upper Saltings on Porthmeor Road. The location, views, layout and attention to detail were hard to beat. Our kids loved the six bed bunk room, so much so we found it hard to get them out in the morning.

TO DO:

• Walk the 20 minute coast path around ‘The Island’. The path starts just above Porthmeor Beach and takes you around the area known as The Island, past the coastguard station and finishing at the hilltop chapel above the pretty Porthgwidden beach.
• Tate St Ives On Porthmeor beach. Be sure to venture up to the café which has wonderful views across the rooftops. Note that the Tate is currently closed for refurbishment until Spring 2017.
• Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden On Barnoon Hill. Here you will find her studios and the largest collection of her works displayed throughout her beautiful, subtropical garden. A tranquil oasis and a must for any art lovers. You can buy a joint ticket for the Tate and the Hepworth Museum at a reduced price.
• Drive the St Ives to Zennor road and park up at the imposing Carn Galver Mine. Here follow the footpath down towards the sea. You’ll clamber over rocky steps, across rolling fields that slope gently down to the cliff face, over stiles and past a beautiful ruin of an old farmhouse. This is one of our favourite places and the gentle 30 minute walk is perfect for younger children.
• Kynance Cove. 1 hours drive, on the South Coast. It’s towering cliff stacks and bright turquoise waters produce spectacular views. The path down from the car park offers some great vantage points to take in the views of the cove and you might also run in to some friendly free roaming cows. There is also a good café above the beach. For a taste of untouched cornwall drive 4 miles west across the Lizard to the tiny and picturesque fishing village of Cadgwith. Here crab fishermen still pull their boats down the beach every day. You can buy freshly caught crab from the lovely little fish shop by the beach.
• St Michael’s Mount One of Cornwall’s most famous landmarks. The Castle dates back to the 14^th Century and has a fascinating history. It can be accessed by boat from Marazion or at low tide you can even walk across the medieval stone causeway, just be sure to check the tide times before setting off.
• The Camel Trail. About an hours drive back up the north coast to Padstow, the Camel Trail is a cycling route that follows an old disused railway line. The route runs through woodland, moorland and alongside the scenic Camel Estuary, it is a haven for wildlife and is mainly flat and therefore family friendly. In total the trail covers 18 miles but you can choose to ride shorter sections, Padstow to Wadebridge for example is around 5.5miles. Bike hire including tandems & child trailers is available at various towns along the route.

TO SHOP:

• The Common Wanderer on Fore Street. A very cool clothing/lifestyle shop with a focus on outdoor living. I loved everything about this shop especially their unique selection of coffee table books.
• The St Ives Bookseller This sweet little bookshop on the corner of Fore Street sells some great children’s books including speciality books written by local authors, many of which are set in the town.
• Fish Pye Pottery Hidden away on Back Road East in the Downalong area. Its one of my favourite ceramic shops in St Ives.
• Penwith Gallery An impressive gallery space on Back Road West, awash with the famous St Ives light. Here you’ll find some stunning pieces of art, sculpture and ceramics.
• Norway Stores On Back Road West. A small yet surprisingly well-stocked corner shop, invaluable for anyone staying in the ‘Downalong’ side of town. Great for picnic essentials, good wine, a selection of meats and cheeses, freshly baked scones and nestled right between the bread and pastries, a totally unexpected find. A basket of the sweetest watercolours, hand painted by a local artist on scraps of paper.
• The Allotment Deli, Fore street. Organic grocers with an enticing array of fruit and veg and a good selection of speciality products.
• The Digey Food Room On The Digey, one of St Ives’ prettiest streets. A great little deli with good coffee, breakfasts and perfect picnic treats.
• Sweet Lime StudioNew to st Ives on Wills Lane, this colourful and eclectic store sources homewares, clothing and jewellery from all over the world.
• Plumbline OnBarnoon Hill, opposite the Barbara Hepworth museum. We loved their handmade Danish rings and Brickett Davda ceramics.
• Atlantic Knitwear This charming shop on Fore street is packed with traditional, cozy fisherman’s sweaters and hats.

TO EAT:

• Porthmeor Beach Café Out on the terrace overlooking the surf is our favourite spot for lunch on a sunny day. The ‘creative tapas’ style menu is filled with so many delicious dishes its often hard to choose. I dream all year long about the Crispy Monkfish with chilli caramel and pineapple shavings and the grilled Bananas with salted caramel and clotted cream. So good!
• Porthminster Beach Café Situated right on Porthminster beach with far reaching views across the bay to St Ives harbour. Their award winning menu has a mix of Mediterranean and Asian influences. With a warm atmosphere and a good kids menu too this is one place we return to time and time again.
• The Gurnards Head Situated a few miles out of St Ives on the road to Zennor. Delicious food with a focus on seasonal and local produce. They also have rooms to stay.
• West Beach Bakery. A relatively new addition to St Ives located at the far end of Porthmeor Beach. Great for breakfasts and Sourdough Pizzas.
• Porthgwidden Beach Café Tucked away beside the pretty little Porthgwidden beach and its colourful beach huts. The simple menu here is always a big hit with our kids and the beautiful soft sandy beach is a hop, skip and a jump away from the terrace. We’ve spent many a summer evening here enjoying a jug of chilled sangria whilst watching the kids play on the beach.
• The Tinners Arms This is a lovely pub situated in the tiny village of Zennor. They serve locally sourced food and a good selection of Cornish ales.  A perfect reward for anyone attempting the demanding St Ives to Zennor costal walk.

We’d love to hear if you have any favourites to add, we’ll be back next year to try them out for sure. Thank you.

Kate x

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