David’s top ten book list (great for boys aged 10 to 15)

David is the 11-year-old son of my friend Kim. Kim, Courtney and I met when our babies (David, Easton and Sara) were around 6 months old, when we would take them to French class in Swiss Cottage (London). Right now, I’m thinking — why on earth did we feel it was important to take our tiny babies to French class? But at that moment in time, we believed baby French class was absolutely crucial for their development. Oh well, I’m thankful for the fact that we had such fun-filled days (and we got to meet such a dear friend).

Kim recently moved to Amsterdam with her family, and when I was paying her a visit the other day, and we were chatting about everything and nothing, she told me about David being such a fond reader. Pim and Sara are really into reading as well (Pim being quite new to the magic of the written word — it took a while for him to get drawn into books but now he’s hooked), so I was really interested in what David had read and loved. Kim kept recommending books to me that all sounded so awesome, I couldn’t even keep track. So I asked her if perhaps David would want to share his favourite books with us, which he was so happy (and proud) to do! Here’s what Kim says:

I have to say that David is a very good reader for an 11 year old and has a good comprehension of the English language for his age. Some books might not appeal immediately, title wise, to parents, but all were checked beforehand by us and also often recommended by his fabulous school librarian who always encourages the school (boys) to read even if that means finding books that excite them and get them drawn into the magical world of reading. This has put some weird and wonderful books on David’s reading path over the years and all these books below have been thoroughly enjoyed by him.

Here we go, not in any particular order, as David loved reading them all!

1. Death or Ice Cream?  by Gareth Jones

Larkin Mills is a town with secrets and mysteries, a place with an exquisite ice-cream parlour and an awful lot of death. A dark, but also funny and brilliantly strange novel. A breakaway from the normal children’s series is this well written and according to David compelling, but also funny alternative read.

2. The Letter for the King  and its sequel The Secrets of the Wild Wood (Letter for the King 2)  by Tonke Dragt (translated into English from Dutch)

First published in the Netherlands in 1962, this tale of the knightly quest of a 16 year old squire named Tuiri, who answers a desperate call for help and finds himself on a perilous mission to delivery a secret letter to the King who lives across the Great Mountains. A letter upon which the future of the entire realm depends. A captivating beautiful written tale of faith and chivalry.

3. Laura Marlin Mysteries  by Lauren St John

A well told book series full of excitement and adventure about the 11 year old detective Laura Marlin, which was awarded the Blue Peter Book Award in 2011. Currently there are 4 books in the series: 1. Dead Man’s Cove , 2. Kidnap in the Caribbean , 3. Kentucky Thriller  and 4. Rendezvous in Russia .

4. The Double Axe  by Phillip Womack

The first instalment in Philip Womack’s Blood and Fire series, which cleverly reworks classical myths. It is a thrilling tale of adventure in which young readers will learn more about classical mythology. David can’t wait for the next instalment!

5. Urban Outlaws series by Peter Jay Black

Page turning thrillers about 5 extraordinary kids, The Urban Outlaws, who are living in a bunker hidden deep beneath London and outsmart (with lots of gadgets) London crime gangs and hand out their dirty money through Random Acts of Kindness.
Currently there are 5 books in the series: 1. Urban Outlaws , 2. Blackout , 3. Lockdown , 4. Counterstrike , and the newest, 5. Shockwave . Shockwave David received as Christmas present and as it was the final book of the series, he read it in one day curled up in front of our fire! He said it was awesome, but was sad this was the end of a great series he thoroughly enjoyed reading.

6. The Hobbit  by JRR Tolkien

This well known classic in children’s literature. The unforgettable story of Bilbo, a peace loving Hobbit, who embarks on a strange and magical adventure. David cannot wait to be old enough to read The Lord of The Rings and has read over the last year The Hobbit twice! We have a beautiful illustrated edition by Harper Collins, which is sadly out of print (but here‘s a beautiful looking one too).

7. The Everest Files  and North Face (The Everest Files)  both by Matt Dickinson

Both books follow eighteen-year-old Ryan Hart on a thrilling journey to the dark side of Mount Everest, while on a gap year for a charity in Nepal. Beautifully written book, which emerges you into the lives of the local Sherpa’s and the mountaineers at their gruelling attempts to climb Everest. The writer Matt Dickinson is an experienced climber himself.

8. House of Secrets  Trilogy by Chris Columbus and Ned Vizzini

A trilogy about three siblings, who’s family is forced to move into a mysterious new house in San Francisco and end up embarking on a journey to retrieve a dark book of untold power, which enrols them into a roller coaster of an adventure.
The trilogy exists of 1. House of Secrets , 2. Battle of the Beasts  and final instalment of the trilogy 3. Clash of the Worlds .

9. Dragon Shield Trilogy by Charlie Fletcher

A thrilling action packed trilogy in which Will and Jo are suddenly plunged into a world where statues come to life and dragons and heroes battles. The trilogy consists of : 1. Dragon Shield , 2. The London Pride , 3. The City of Beasts .

10. Harry Potter and The Cursed Child  by JK Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany

This in our house much anticipated official script book of the original West End Production and the eighth story of Harry Potter, set in time nineteen years after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. A bit of a different read as it is in script form, but still full of all the magic of the Harry Potter series. It is crucial to have read all the books in the series of Harry Potter before starting this book script. David re-read in a period of 2 month all the Harry Potter series before reading the script. I am sure this will not be the last time he will read the magical gripping Harry Potter series.

I hope this is helpful. David and I really enjoyed putting together his top 10 reads of the past months!

Kim xxx

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Free Babes Handmade becomes Wunderkin Co. and launches a new collection of hair bows!

My girls haven’t worn hair accessories since we arrived to beachy, bohemian Byron Bay, but seeing these gorgeous photos makes me want to go back to the days where I spent a bit more time on their hair and accessorised their outfits with matching hair bows! How pretty are the colours and fabrics pictured above? I love that turquoise colour!

The lovely Hillary Denham, mum of three and founder of Free Babes Handmade, sent an email last week announcing their re-branding and new spring collection. From today the brand is now Wunderkin Co. with a new name and charming new logo. Wunderkin is the combination of German “wunderkind” (a person who achieves greatness at a young age), “wunder” (wonder) and “kin” (family). The collection of hand-crafted, heirloom bows is made with pride to embolden your child’s wunderment and sense of adventure.

The brand not only has a new name and logo, but they have just launched a beautiful new collection with classic spring colours and Liberty florals — up on the website today! So pretty.

Courtney x

This post has been sponsored by Wunderkin Co., a longtime member of our portal and a brand we love. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Babyccino. 

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Welcome Bio’s Bazar

Welcome Bio started as an organic groceries shop in 2013. The team continued by opening a little restaurant in 2014 and finally, the Bazar at the end of 2016. All three are located in the same street of the 11th arrondissement of Paris so you could enjoy a quick lunch at the restaurant, shop a few groceries and end up having coffee and shopping at the beautiful Bazar. It is a concept-store selling home decor and a few furniture pieces, toys for kids and beautiful plants, all of which are organic and/or upcycled. A small café across the entrance serves delicious cakes and coffee in delicate reclaimed dishes.

The different atmospheres of the store all blend in together, making you feel as walking through an apartment, from the kitchen to the living room and from there on to the potting shed and garden and finally the kid’s room downstairs. Welcome Bio’s Bazar offers a quite unique and relaxing shopping experience, especially when walking through all the beautiful plants at the back of the shop! It is like a small oasis in the middle of Paris’ 11th arrondissement.

The selection of ethically sourced toys and bedlinen for kids is beautiful and the Bazar offers a great choice of wool for those of you who want to start a knitting project on a bench in a Parisian park! There is even a corner of the shop dedicated to Etsy finds.

Welcome Bio’s Bazar has an ethical approach to shopping and consuming, making you more responsible for what you buy and encouraging you to make more yourself, to share and pass down, generation after generation. A refreshing philosophy calming down the Parisian shopping frenzy a bit!

Welcome Bio Bazar

13 Rue Boulle, 75011 Paris
Open Monday to Saturday from 11:00AM to 8:00PM
(Café open from 10:00AM to 6:00PM)

Welcome Bio (Biocoop) Grocery Shop
10 Rue Boulle, 75011 Paris
Open Monday to Saturday from 10:00AM to 8:00PM

Welcome Bio Restaurant
11 Rue Boulle, 75011 Paris
Open Mondays from 12:30PM to 2:30PM
Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30PM to 2:30PM and from 7:30PM to 10:30PM
Sundays from 12:00PM to 2:30PM

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The flap between my girls’ rooms

Renovating a flat has been a fun, if a bit stressful event in my life. I had no idea how all consuming it was going to be. I spent nights pinning on Pinterest, researching flats in every corner of the world, searching for inspiration and checking out every possible Ikea hack there was in the world of hacking. I now literally know the names of the individual Ikea shelving units by heart!!

But the changes of moving into a new flat are not only decorative – it changes the family dynamic. Up to a couple of days ago, my girls have always shared a room. They have played in their room, laughed in their room and pulled each others hair in their room. I had split the room into two levels, but it still felt like a common space.

They were both excited about each having their own personal space, but in a funny way also a bit reticent to lose the easy access to each other. So here is what we did: we installed a (small human sized) cat flat between the two rooms! It is excellent. It is going to have a door in it so that there is a feeling of separation. I know that in a couple of years time they will have outgrown the flap – but until then I guarantee that a lot of fun is going to be had. ; )

The moment I have better photos of the flat I will share! For now it is still a lived-in construction site!

Emilie

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Team Favourites : eight socks & tights for children

After months of cold weather in Europe, we decided to share one of the most essential layers that keep our babies and kids warm —  socks and tights! Despite our countdown to Spring, we are positive that there is still great need for cosy, comfy, colourful, fun, reliable, and long-lasting socks and tights. After all, you might be able to shed the scarves and hats soon (hopefully!) but the tights and socks are going to be here for awhile.

Here are our tried and tested favourites! Enjoy…

1. La Coqueta’s tights. We have numerous LaCoqueta tights every season. They are great quality, and great colours too! They last even after one child has worn out of them, and we then hand them on to friends. And this mustard colour brightens up the grayest London day, making every outfit look special! – Vanessa and Lara
2. Braveling home of Little Titans. Who wouldn’t want thunderbolt tights for girls or boys? For babies — I love the stripes and the ‘knee patches’ and the feet are lined with terry cloth and have anti-slib underneath. Both Ava as Casper wore these, so super cute. – Esther
3. Martin Pederson Tights, ribbed tights from Elias & Grace are classic colours that go with everything — they seem to last for ages, almost as if they grow with the child. – Kate
4. Monoprix socks are comfortable and cosy, the quality is great (the heel and toe areas are reinforced) and the neutral colours are lovely — the perfect basics! – Caroline
5. You Are Small socks and tights are the sweetest, each pair is hand dyed and one of a kind! We love both their socks and tights, the hardest part is choosing which colour we want from the palette. Little baby socks would be a great gift for newborns as well! – Lara
6. Caramel socks and tights come in gorgeous colours for each season. They last well and don’t shrink in the wash. – Vanessa
7. Falke socks and tights were a favourite by many of our team. They come in such pretty colours. And, these baby socks are great in the winter pulled straight up if you have the baby in a carrier / sling so their calves are covered! – Esther and Lara 
8. Etiquette baby socks were my favorite when Delia was an infant — they stayed on her feet, washed beautifully, and came in really appealing colors. They’d make a great baby gift (and an ode to the late illustrator Dick Bruna)! – Shannon

And the little picture of the baby boy wearing tights are from the trusted Collegien brand, another favourite of our Babyccino team! How do you feel about boys in tights? We think it is so super cute.

Stay warm, until the season changes.

Lara xx

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Cotton Twist’s cute customisable invites

Birthdays are such highlights for children — the anticipation of the weeks (months!) ahead, the days leading up to it… Thinking of which presents to ask, what party theme to choose, which friends to invite, preparing the invites for the big day. It is all so exciting and makes children feel so very special.

We already know Cotton Twist for their offering of beautiful mini craft kits: made of simple, nostalgic materials and designed to spark learning and play in a fun and imaginative way — they provide the perfect entertainments for birthday parties and make the sweetest party favours. (But they are equally ideal as rainy day activities or for traveling, or to take to restaurants for example.) To compliment their offering, now Cotton Twist has launched a collection of the most adorable paper birthday invites too!

There’s an array of themes available, ranging from superhero to space and from unicorn to pirate. The fun and colourful designs are all so pretty! Extra cool is that each set comes with a few stickers to personalise the invites with name, date and RSVP information. How clever of Cotton Twist to use stickers to customise the invites — it not only makes the price point of the invites so agreeable, but it is also such a fun pre-party activity!

xxx Esther

This post is sponsored by Cotton Twist, a member of our shopping portal and a brand we love!

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My favourite brands from Byron Bay

There are roughly 9,000 people who live here in Byron Bay — just over 30,000 if you include all the surrounding towns that make up all of Byron Shire. It is tiny! And yet, this little town is brimming with creative talent and beautiful brands. From designer furniture to stylish sandals, beach umbrellas to bikinis, and a whole host of children’s products, this town is home to some of the most beautiful and well-crafted products. In my short time here I have made friends with many of the designers and makers, and feel so lucky to be surrounded by so much talent and inspiration. I thought it would be fun to share some of my favourite local Byron brands — to give you a little glimpse of the beauty that comes from here.

From top left going clockwise… 1. Pampa — started by my Argentinian friend Vicky, who sources the most beautiful handmade rugs and sells her own gorgeous photographs of horses taken on her family farm in Argentina (my birthday is in April and all I want is one of her beautiful photographs!!). 2. Millk — a new brand of simple, practical cotton clothing for babies started by my talented friend, Amelia Fullarton and her business partner. 3. Pop & Scott — a stunning furniture brand from Melbourne which is now based here in Byron. I would like one of everything from their showroom.  4. St. Agni — a husband and wife brand with the most covetable shoes in Byron! (Literally every stylish woman I know has a pair of their sandals.)

1. Little Winnie — founded by my dear friend Aimee (fellow mum of four!), they have a collection of sweet, organic pyjamas and simple summery dresses.  2. Zulu & Zephyr — with a collection of easy, breezy summery clothing and quality, flattering swimwear. (I bought my bikini from them!) 3. Worn Store — an eco-conscious brand of clothing and furniture where every item is made to order, made by hand and made locally. (I really love the bassinet! Isn’t it gorgeous?) 4. The Beach People — founded by two sisters who have gained global admiration for their collection of round beach towels and pretty seaside essentials.

1. Deiji Studios — founded by a local mama and friend who has created the prettiest collection of linen bedding (the salmon and mustard colours are so good!). 2. Yoli & Otis — a brand of timeless children’s wear, pretty womenswear, and organic baby carriers and accessories, which I’ve mentioned before here. 3. Sunday Supply Co. — the very best, quality beach umbrellas which fold into a handy, matching carry bag. I don’t know what we would do without ours!  4. Taninaka — founded by my good friends (and sisters), Mia and Hana Taninaka, I love this brand of organic, hand-dyed blankets and muslin wraps.

Happy browsing (shopping!),

Courtney x

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