CHIC LITTLE BABY

Showing posts with label Gift Ideas. Show all posts

CLB ♥ What Mother Made X Emma Yarlett

How happy-making are these jolly bird print dungarees? One of our favourite East London-based label, What Mother Made, has teamed up with award-winning children's author and illustrator, Emma Yarlett, to create this charming range inspired by the Cornish coast. Designer and expert seamstress, Charlotte Denn, founded What Mother Made in 2012, spurred on by the desire to create handmade kids' clothing from beautiful fabrics (read more here). A Cornish girl herself, she was delighted to incorporate Truro-based Yarlett's sunny illustrations into her designs. 'I read Emma's book to my children and I loved her illustrations. I contacted her and we soon realised we had the Cornish connection and the concept for the collection was born.' Sure to brighten-up the dark winter days, these jolly pieces will make great gifts for the little ones in your life.

From £50 at www.whatmothermade.co.uk

Unisex balloon trousers, £45

Pleated dungaree, £55

CLB had the pleasure of meeting designer Oyuna Tserendorj at the luxury kidswear show Plusher recently and checking out her inspiring new kids' range Oyu Moyu. Tserendorj, who already has a successful global cashmere line for adults, has turned her attentions to 0-8 year olds, inspired by her three-year-old son. It works perfectly – cashmere was originally only used for young children – and with her playful designs, some of them subtly educational (like the jumpers with one arm blue and one yellow to show together they make green) it makes perfect sense. Each piece is accompanied by an exquisite illustrated story. From £12 for socks, £72 for a pullover at www.oyumoyu.com

1. Cute shoes, £89, Brit Chic Signature

Little Prince George of Cambridge is getting baptised today so CLB thought it only right to round-up some stylish Christening gift and outfit ideas. The trick is to go classic without being too stuffy. So, here you go: ten steps to a stylish special day for your wee one...

2. Fabulous flowers. We heart the Prince George Christening Bouquet from Wild at Heart

3. Cool personalised e-vites, from a selection at Paperless Post

4. A classic Christening outfit with a twist, £79, from Trumpets & Tiaras

5. A glittery bow. Why not? £10.99 at BoboBows

6. An original gift. baby Lapin & Me lamp, £60, The Pippa and Ike Show

7. A personalised framed picture, £24.95, Not on the High Street

8. A traditional gift. Mother and child pendent, £68, Tales from the Earth, John Lewis

9. Something for mother and babe: hip (Royal) muslins, £48.95, Aden + Anais at Babes With Babies

10. Push along cart with bricks, £65, Silver Cross

We can't get enough of Slugs and Snails' delightful printed tights for boys. Kathleen Redmond and her husband had the idea shortly after the birth of their son, Noah, now nearly five. Living on windy west coast of Ireland, they thought it was logical to dress him in cosy tights but could only find girls' styles. Slugs and Snails was soon born. A few years on, with another Redmond baby about to arrive, the bold and bright designs which include toad stalls, rainbows and spiders have proved a big hit with girls too. Look out for the equally collectible new winter styles which include squirrels, elephants and trucks. Can't wait to order some for my girls. Talk about the perfect stocking filler.

From £12 at burp!boutique, Funky Little Organics and Zebra Kids. Check the website for more details.

Gooey apple and blackberry cake is a hit with the little ones

The nights are drawing in, there are apples on the trees. Time for some autumnal comfort food. I have already made this cake a few times this year and it's been a huge hit with family and friends - the girls love it. It's a great way of using up apples from the garden and couldn't be easier. It's also a great cake to take to a loved one and works as a dessert (it goes really well with an expensive creamy organic vanilla ice-cream). So, here you go...

Ingredients

130g butter, softened
120g caster sugar
3 large eggs, beaten
75g ground almonds
100g self-raising flour
3 large ripe apples of your choice, peeled and each cut into 10 segments
100g blackberries

Method

1. Heat the over to 160c. Butter a 20cm (ish) cake tin.

2. Make a fluffy paste by beating the caster sugar and butter.

3. Pour in the eggs, adding a little flour here and there.

4. Add the ground almonds.

5. Add the rest of the flour and stir everything together.

6. Fold in the apples and blackberries to the cake mixture

7. Put the mixture into the tin, sprinkle with some butter shavings.

8. Bake for just under an hour - until a skewer comes out clean and it's golden brown on the outside.

9. Ta-dah! Your cake is ready.

Clara Button is back in the second V&A book by author and fashion academic Amy de lay Haye. The series is based on a little girl called Clara, with talent for design, who lives with her mum and brother Ollie. In the first story 'Clara and the Magical Hat Day' Clara discovers the delights of the V&A, and endeavors to get her favourite hat - a floppy straw design belonging to her late grandma - repaired. The second story takes takes us on Clara's creative journey in as she sets about making an outfit after being invited to an Indian wedding. Sutton's illustrations are packed with beautiful detail – your eyes linger on the page long after reading the words. Evie, a massive fan of Clara, enjoyed poring over the tiny deatils on every spread and was thrilled by Clara’s slightly disastrous, yet ultimately triumphant outfit. Her only criticism? ‘It’s too short.’

Clara Button and the Wedding Day Surprise, £11.99, V&A Publishing is out in Oct and available at the V&A shop (www.vandashop.com).

The toy market is flooded with landfill-clogging plastic monstrosities (kids love ‘em, parents loathe ‘em) but there is always room for a new brand that delivers beautiful hand-crafted wooden toys. Maya Organic Wooden Toys include charming pull-along trains, spinning tops and rattles made from sustainable Hale wood trees which are not felled so they are able to grow back. How lovely is that? Produced in Channapatna, India, using traditional handicraft techniques and natural dyes such as turmeric and indigo, these toys are the kind you’ll be wanting to keep in the family for generations.

From £14 at Bob and Blossom, Igloo Kids and Kidsen.

www.mayaorganic.com