Baby Book, a gorgeous baby journal by Peep’s Paper Products

A baby book is such a beautiful way to document baby’s first year. Did your mother make you one? I still have mine! It has been lovingly filled out with information like my first smile, my first teeth, and who came to visit me after I was born… There are newspaper cuttings of the day I was born and the name tag I was given in the hospital. Adorable 70’s style illustrations are used to decorate the pages, making this book a true record of that time and age, and of me! I have always loved this book growing up, and still do.

The beautiful Baby Book by Peep’s Paper Products reminds me so much of my own baby book! I can just imagine myself filling it in with as much dedication as my mum did 40 or so years ago. Perhaps our baby will look back at his or her baby book in 40 years as well, and smile at the gorgeous safari watercolour illustrations and the photos plus information I will have entered, like the first bath, first smile, and the price of gasoline in 2018.

The Baby Book is made of all natural materials: bound in Japanese asahi cloth and printed on Mohawk superfine paper. The cover is luxuriously stamped with gold ink. This book comes in a gift box and is made to last over 300 years. It surely will become a true family heirloom!

xxx Esther

PS Babyccino’s team favourite baby shower gifts!

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DIY Conker Wall Hanging

Conker season is here and this year they are out in abundance! This past weekend they were literally falling from the trees straight into our hands, in fact we collected more in five minutes than we had managed to find all of last year! So with basketfuls lying around at home I decided to have a go at making a conker wall hanging. I’m so pleased with how it turned out and with the right equipment it was actually pretty straight forward to make. Here’s how…

You will need:

Conkers, string, a large stick to hang the conkers from, some small sticks or pieces of driftwood to decorate, a long nail, hammer, large eyed needle, pair of pliers, sturdy chopping board.

Make a hole in the middle of each conker by hammering a nail through the soft part. Use a chopping board underneath to protect your table. At this point you could also paint the conkers with clear varnish to help maintain their shine.

Cut three or four pieces of string roughly equal in length. Before threading each conker onto the string tie a triple knot just below where you want the conker to sit. This will stop the conker from sliding down the thread. Using a large eyed needle pass the thread through the holes. If the needle gets stuck I found a pair of pliers useful to pull it all the way through.

Position your conkers randomly along each piece of string and attach a few pieces of driftwood or sticks in between.

Use the large stick to hang your completed conker threads from. Wind the top of each piece of string around the stick a few times and fasten with a knot. Lastly tie a single piece of thread to each end of the stick to create a hanging loop.

I’m really happy with how this conker wall hanging turned out, I think it’s quite a fun way to display our shiny fallen treasures. I especially love how they are all different shapes and sizes and how each one hangs slightly wonky.

If you’re looking for more autumn craft inspiration why not take a look at our Autumn Craft Section

Kate x

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John Lennon’s IMAGINE, Illustrated by Jean Jullien

On Thursday last week we celebrated the UN’s International Day of Peace. With Helena currently asking so many questions about the world now (both politically and environmentally), I was thrilled to see this book, Imagine, only very recently released which has really captured my girls’ hearts. Created as a collaboration with Amnesty International and with a forward from Yoko Ono Lennon, Imagine was written to “inspire a new generation to imagine a world of peace”.

The story is set alongside John Lennon’s original lyrics with the words being ever more as relevant to today’s society as they were back then in the ’70s. The story’s main character is the pigeon who’s intention is to spread the message of hope and peace across the world to as many different birds as possible.

The book is beautifully illustrated by French artist, Jean Jullien with colourful dynamic images. It’s perfect for children of all ages and the discussion it brings to the family is equally as important as the message.

Imagine can be bought directly from the publisher, Frances Lincoln here or from Amnesty International website here. There are some great activities on the Amnesty website to do with young children to encourage peace around the world. The peace bunting is super cute and perfect to hang in the girls bedrooms. We’re going to make this at the weekend. And the creators of Imagine have also produced a full trailer of the book and have shared this online here.

Vanessa x

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De Bakkerswinkel

Of the many things to love about Amsterdam, certainly one aspect that makes the city all the more enjoyabe as a young family is how child friendly it is. In the Netherlands children are not only accepted, but they are welcomed as a part of life: they are both seen and heard — and this ethos is truly reflected in the cafes and restaurants around town also.

De Bakkerswinkel is a gorgeous bakery situated along a quiet canal in the beautiful Westerpark, and – as with most places around Amsterdam – although it does not strictly cater to children, it is incredibly child-friendly. The food and drinks are simple but flavoursome and of course largely focused around the delicious baked goods which are freshly baked in-house. In addition, De Bakkerswinkel also make all their own jams, scones, quiches, soups and cakes.  Whilst there is a small selection of children’s options on the menu, most of the lovely offerings are quite child friendly anyhow so there is a lot to choose from for everyone. Inside you can also find a large container filled with toys and books to entertain your little ones while you enjoy a relaxed breakfast or lunch.

The atmosphere is very laid back, and there is an adjoining take-away shop for if you prefer to venture further into the Westerpark and set up your own picnic. Another fun thing you can enjoy at De Bakkerswinkel is High Tea – with both sweet and savoury options as well as the addition of bubbly if you feel so inclined!

De Bakkerswinkel is a great spot to pause and take in the beautiful and unique surroundings of the Westergasfabriek, and once you’ve filled up on delicious baked treats you can walk it all off wandering through the Wetserpark where there are many more cafes, restaurants and playgrounds to enjoy.

       

De Bakkerswinkel – Amsterdam West

Regulateurshuis 1, Polonceaukade 1
1014 DA Amsterdam
Tel.: 020- 6880632
Monday – Thursday: 08.30-17.00 hours
Friday: 08.30-18.00 hours
Saturday – Sunday: 10.00-18.00 hours

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The first trimester of your pregnancy | what essentials do you need?

The first trimester of your pregnancy is a time of excitement and giddiness, of insecurity and of physical unease. It is also a time of waiting and very often of hiding the first signs of being pregnant!

This pregnancy, I nearly entirely missed my first trimester. By the time I found out that I was expecting a baby (yay!), I was already nearly 12 weeks pregnant! This did, however, make me very much aware of the most essential things one needs in the first trimester. I thought I’d share them with you here: some things to make you feel better, healthier, and definitely more comfortable!

10 essentials you need in the first trimester

1. Multi-vitamin: If you’re not taking one already, this is the first product I recommend you get. Folic acid is important for the development of the baby in the first trimester, as well as vitamin D. Plus there are a variety of other supplements that will help you feel better. I don’t have a specific brand to recommend because I feel it’s kind of personal as to what you prefer, also with regards to how nauseous you are. If you’re suffering from iron deficiency, Floradix can help (it can help ease nausea too).
2. Comfy bra: One of the first signs of pregnancy are swollen, sensitive boobs. A soft, stretchy bra without underwire can be so soothing to wear. The organic cotton Fast Food bra by Boob Design and Seraphine’s bamboo viscose bra are both super comfortable and have a great stretch. These will get you through pregnancy and are suitable for breastfeeding too.
3. Facial cleanser: Your skin can start breaking out more than usual during the first trimester, so taking care of your face is extra important. I felt that investing in a nice, natural face wash was helpful and it definitely made me feel better.
4. Herbal tea: I’m drinking herbal tea all day long now that I’m pregnant! Ginger and lemon is always a favourite (and ginger helps with nausea too). There are also some specific pregnancy teas on the market that I enjoy drinking.
5. 9 Months book: Do you already have children and are you ready to break the news that they are going to be a big brother or sister soon? Our book ‘9 months‘ helps to explain how the baby develops and grows in your womb, and talks about how mama is feeling too. Full of fun and relevant facts and beautifully illustrated! Available from Amazon (UK and US).
6. Dental floss: I honestly am so bad with flossing, but during pregnancy it is important to take good care of your teeth and to floss regularly. Your body may not fight off plaque as easily as it normally does.
7. Comfy leggings: I feel that the first trimester is a bit too early to invest in maternity clothing, but comfy leggings are essential. If you don’t already own one, these Storq maternity leggings are a team favourite and would be a good investment.
8. Toast with avocado: Eating constantly helped me with feelings of nausea during my first trimester. I specifically loved toast with avocado, but dry crackers are great too. Whatever works!
9. Pregnancy app: I gave away all of my pregnancy books after my last pregnancy. But I love the pregnancy app I recently downloaded on my phone — a handy way to keep track of how many weeks you are (I always forget!), and with fun daily and weekly updates about your baby’s growth and your body’s wellbeing.
10. Water bottle: Being pregnant makes you incredibly thirsty! Keep a water bottle in close proximity at all times.

xxx Esther

PS Babyccino team’s favourite maternity essentials!

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Organic baby scarves (or drool catchers/bibs/burp cloths!)

Wilkie turned six months old last week, and suddenly he’s doing all sorts of new ‘tricks’ — like getting teeth (drooling a lot) and eating three meals a day (constantly making a mess of his clothes). These organic cotton baby scarves from Hauptli Haus Kids have become a wonderful staple in our house.

Not only are they pretty to look at (the colours!), but the scarves are biodegradable, made from organic and fair-trade cotton, are chemical free and safe for biological systems. They are made with 100% renewable energy and greenhouse emissions are compensated, making them the first children’s product to reach the gold level of certification through the Cradle to Cradle Innovations Institute. So cool!

We keep a stack in our kitchen and use them mostly as bibs. I love how easy they are to quickly tie on, and they serve as a soft cloth to wipe up messy hands and faces after each meal. The perfect bib in my opinion!

Courtney x

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Team Favourites: Twenty Four of the Best Baby & Toddler Books

What is your absolute, number one, favourite book to read to a baby or toddler? A few years ago Courtney wrote a post about Marlow’s favourite books from 0-3, which I found super helpful as a first time mama. Now, we have compiled the entire Babyccino team’s most read and loved books for babies and toddlers. We had so many favourites in fact that we have two dozen books to share!

The very best baby and toddler books are the ones that are read over and over and never lose their captive audience. I sometimes think I can hear the pages of ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear’ in my head as I fall asleep these days! And I recently wrote about Jospeh’s obsession of Guess What? books, which he must read about a dozen times a day.

Hopefully our favourites inspire you to update your own child’s library, or perhaps these ideas can become future newborn baby gifts, (see our other Team Favourite Newborn Baby Gift Ideas too). Whether you gift them, or keep them for your own family collection, you simply can’t go wrong with any of these fabulous titles!

Best 24 Baby & Toddler Books :

1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown — This was a favourite for all of my children. I’m pretty sure they could each recite the entire book by heart if I asked them. – Courtney 
2. Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell — My kids all loved this one as well. The lift-the-flap element makes it extra fun for kids. – Courtney
3. Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino — A charming book that seems to grow with your child. We enjoy it as much now at nearly three years old as we did when my daughter was an infant. – Shannon
4. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox — Such a sweet book by one of Australia’s most loved authors (see other favourite Mem Fox titles here). – Courtney 
5. Peepo! by Allan and Janet Ahlberg — Also known as Peek-a-Boo! in the US, this book is super sweet, ‘Here’s a little baby, one, two, three, … what does he see?’ And the cut out window allows a game of Peepo on each page. So super sweet. — Lara in London
6. Brown Bear, Brown Bear by Eric Carle — This is the first book that really seemed to captivate my daughter and hold her attention. The bright illustrations and cadence are lovely. — Shannon 
7. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell — With beautiful illustrations in a nighttime forest, it is an unusual setting, but a lovely one. The story always pulls at my heartstrings. — Lara in London 
8. Time for Bed by Mem Fox — The perfect book to make a part of your bedtime ritual. — Shannon
9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle — This was a favourite for both of my girls. We also have this book in Dutch. Such a classic and fun read. — Vanessa
10. The Noisy Book  by Soledad Bravi — Our favourite baby book ever! Each page features the description of a noise, next to a bright, colourful illustration. I’ve read it millions of time to each of my girls, they would never get tired of it (the kiss page! the sneezing! mimicking the snail!) It’s super engaging from the youngest age and it gets even more fun when toddlers try to do these noises! Also available in French. – Caroline
11. Where’s Spot by Eric Hill — Both of my children have loved the classic Spot lift-the-flap books, which are simple and easy to read together. Any book filled with lots of animal friends is always a hit with the little ones. — Vicky
12. The Soft Book by Wee Gallery — I put this book up to the sides of the playpen and they loved staring at it in their earliest months – Esther 
13. Animals by Ingela P. Arrhenius —  It’s a colorful, big, beautifully illustrated book about animals. Oscar loves the bright colors and simple design. – Lara in Paris  
14. Taro Gomi Boxed Set — This boxed set contains three Taro Gomi classics is a great introduction to his work. We read all three books countless times. – Shannon 
15. Counting by Aina-Maija Metsola — Orla’s current favourite, a stunning lift the flap book that she hasn’t managed to destroy! Great from very early and interesting enough for years to come. — Helen
16. Pat The Bunny by Dorothy Kunhardt — A touch and feel book that is sweet, nostalgic, and slightly vintage in it’s style. – Lara in London 
17. The Baby’s Catalogue by Allan Ahlberg — Florence loves anything to do with babies and this was a delight for her to look through. – Vanessa 
18. Peek -a-Who? boxed set by Nina Laden — Simple and small each one is good to keep a baby entertained, and we often took on car journeys and to restaurants with us for entertainment! – Lara in London 
19. Baby’s Very First Faces by Jo Lodge — Both girls loved the black and white series in books. This fabric book was great attached to the side of their bugaboo. – Vanessa
20. How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers — Such a sweet story and beautiful illustrations. – Kate 
21. Egon the Elephant Book by Haba — Oscar loves playing with it, especially with the detachable super soft and cute baby elephant. – Lara in Paris 
22. Fox’s Socks by Julia Donaldson — A great book with a sense of humour. – Helen
23. Animals Mini Wooden Book — This is the sweetest little book, with lovely illustrations, and without words. Great for telling stories, practicing animal noises, and sparking imaginations. — Lara in London
24. Possum Magic by Mem Fox — I love this beautiful and captivating classic Australian children’s book by Mem Fox. It was my daughter’s first favourite book that she would be able to recite from beginning to end! And the illustrations are simply gorgeous. — Vicky 

We hope you enjoy these books as much as we do, and if you want to know more about who’s behind these recommendations from our team, find out more here.

Please share your favourite baby and toddler books with us too, because we would love to hear.

Lara x

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An Ancient Egyptian Birthday Party Fit for a Pharaoh

There’s something so special about a homemade birthday party. I love setting up the decorations, blowing balloons and organising party games. It always gives me such a lovely feeling of nostalgia. We just celebrated Sophie’s birthday in our new home surrounded by her classmates, all 25 of them! I’m still recovering from that but I thought I’d share with you one of our all time favourite themed parties from a few years back – Sophie’s Ancient Egyptian birthday party.

Somehow we always strike it lucky with the weather in September but each of the games involved here can also be carried out indoors. In fact even if you don’t have the excuse of a party these fun crafts make perfect rainy day activities too.

Decorative Egyptian Collars and Cuffs

You will need; Gold paper doilies, sticky backed gemstones, colourful shape stickers, cardboard toilet roll tubes and gold paint.

Prepare the Egyptian collars by cutting a slit into one side of the doily then cut a neck sized circle out of the centre. Let the kids go to town covering the collar with stickers and jewels, the brighter the better. It’s so simple that even younger kids can get involved and the results are amazing. For the cuffs cut a standard toilet roll tube into two equal pieces then cut a slit down one side. Paint with gold paint, leave to dry and cover with more colourful gems.

We also printed out some fantastic colouring in pharaoh headpieces onto plain card. You can download the free template here. I was so pleased to see all the kids really enjoying these activities. I think they found the sparkly gems irresistible and it provided a lovely calm start to the party.

The Mummy Game

If you’ve never heard of the Mummy Game then I urge you to try this with your kids. It is easily the most fun you can have with a toilet roll and leaves even the most sensible of our friends in fits of giggles.

Split into teams, three people per team works well. Nominate one person to be the mummy and the rest as bandage wrappers. Each group are given two toilet rolls and three minutes to wrap their mummy from head to toe. At the end of the three minutes each mummy is made to run around the garden or room. The mummy with the most bandages left in tact is the winner. You’ll be picking up toilet paper for days after but I promise this game is always a huge hit with kids!

For going home gifts I filled simple gold paper bags with these excellent hieroglyphic alphabet rulers from the British Museum, a gold balloon and Egyptian colouring pencil tubes.

Although there was a bit of preparation involved this was one of the most fun and successful parties we’ve ever thrown and our little Cleopatra loved every minute. For more great birthday party ideas check out these previous posts:

A Flower Party for Ava

A Stick Birthday Party

Ivy’s Colouring Party

Kate x

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A recap of our recent NYC ShopUp!

We might sound like a broken record but the New York ShopUp was again so, so good. We had such a great group of shops and so many wonderful people visiting us — we are honestly so honoured to be part of such a great community.

First off, we want to thank our amazing shop members for being there and making this event such a huge success. It is so nice to catch up with old friends, see how businesses evolve, and to work with so many talented people.

The venue at 501 Union was incredible as usual. Artifact Uprising was there taking great photos of families and kids and presenting their new “The Story of You” baby book. (For everyone who had their photo taken, they will be sending out an email by the end of this week with the photos in it.)

Our skin was hydrated by True Botanicals. We hope you got a chance to test out their incredible products — we could not get enough of the facial spray! If you like them, do use the BABYCCINO code and get 20$ off your first purchase over 40$.

Our friends from Tula brought their beautiful carriers and were on hand helping the carriers to be fitted. We also had the lovely sitters from Chime onsite at the event helping in the activity center with Art Bar and Mischievous Goddess. Do use this promo link for $50 in Chime credits for new users.

We had yummy samples from Happy Family and Wonder+Well and lotions from Mustela for all of our guests to take home. Chorus Beans were on hand for a much needed coffee pick-me-up. Little Red Kitchen Bake Shop had some of the best cookies we have ever eaten  (we could not stop eating them), and the food truck Stuf’d served up yummy lunches.

 

Thank you again all for making this such a success!

Emilie and Esther xx

PS. Little tip:  if you’re starting to plan your holiday vacations, check out our friends Powder Byrne for the ultimate family skiing experiences in Europe and more!

All photos taken by Lauren Kallen. 

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