Just launched! Happy Socks x Toca Boca

Any parent in possession of a tablet will be familiar with the brilliantly inventive kid-occupying apps by Toca Boca which have totaled 50 million downloads worldwide to date. Fellow Swedish brand Happy Socks, known for their quirky colourful foot attire, have teamed-up with the digital app creator in its first ever collaboration for children. 'Toca Boca has been a loved brand in App Stores for several years now. And due to popular demand, we have decided to start transferring the brand to physical products too – this is a great first step,' explains Björn Jeffery, co-founder and CEO of Toca Boca. They will certainly stand out when sorting out the weekly sock mountain.

£14 for a pack of two at www.happysocks.com

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JUST LAUNCHED: MAYA ORGANIC WOODEN TOYS

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

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Little Punk stick-on T-shirts launch

Toddlers aren't always at their most compliant when getting dressed. Miss E, for example, has VERY strong ideas about what she WILL and WON'T wear right now. At the moment anything with a pocket is IN and anything with stripes is firmly OUT. Helen Keenan, mum to a three-year-old thought a solution around the problem might be to incorporate stickers into the routine. Every kid loves stickers after all. She developed a range of T-shirt range with velcro and fabric stickers so children might actually enjoy the process of getting dressed and has just launched her label, Little Punk London. We love the idea but are yet to try them with Miss E though....it's either going to be a case of LOVE or HATE. We'll keep you posted. From £26.99 each at wwww.littlepunklondon.com

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CLB ♥ aden + anais Hello Kitty collaboration

Aden + Anais - Hello Kitty bibs

Oh LOOK, two of our favourite brands just got together. Aden + anais, makers of the cult printed muslins that any self respecting 10 month old can't live without, has paired up with world mega-brand Hello Kitty. The limited edition pieces include Hello Kitty printed swaddle packs, £40, blankets, £49.95 and bibs, £25. We can't think of a better new baby girl gift this spring. Available from April 1 at www.adenandanais.co.uk

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CLB ♥ Ruby Red natural beauty products

Ruby Red's Soothing Shea Skin Cream, £18 for 60ml

There are zillions of beauty products on the market but it's not often that CLB comes across one that we truly LOVE. Ruby Red is a UK brand, founded by Martine and Mike Ruby, who were inspired to create the range after a trip to South-East Asia where plants are usedin women's beauty regimes. The Rubys, who like to call their products 'botanical', rather than 'natural', have also made sure they are free from nasty chemicals, SLS, parabens, sulphates, petrochemicals, synthetic perfumes and dyes and are not tested on animals. Brownie points. The CLB family has been testing the Reviving Body Cleanser, which bursts with zingy lime and red mandarin and includes lovely cedarwood to boost circulation. Scrummy and refreshing! Shower-time just got a little bit more fragrant. www.rubyredcosmetics.co.uk

Ruby Red's Reviving Body Cleanser, £32 for a bumper 500ml bottle

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CLB ♥ A Little Something

Romper, was £20, now £12

Something, one of London's loveliest independent gift shops has recently relocated online. While we miss the airy Bloomsbury store, it's fab to have access to Toni Hornton's wonderful mix of accessories, homewares and childrens clothing at the click of a URL. Horton has also recently launched her own exquisite range of baby and kidswear, A Little Something, which includes charming merino/cashmere knits. Little Lola has been wearing the above top, £55, off and on all year - a great all-year-around piece. While your there have a look at the other labels (Hucklebones and I Love Gorgeous included) for boys, girls and babies, many of them currently on sale. www.something-shop.com

A Little Something merino/cashmere dress, £55

A Little Something merino/cashmere cardigan, £60

Bag, £18

I Love Gorgeous outfit, was £51, now £28

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CLB ♥ Seven Smooches recycled puppets

How charming are these handmade puppets by innovative Chicago-based label Seven Smooches? Each one is totally unique and environmentally friendly - they are all hand-crafted in recycled wool and cashmere. Can't think of a more original baby present. £28 at Molly Meg.

 

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Three fab raincoats

Rain mac, £112.50, Hucklebones

April is certainly living up to its rainy reputation (how can there still be a drought?) There is a silver lining however: it's the perfect excuse to invest in a new raincoat for your wee one. Here are three modern classics CLB loves...

Flannel-lined parka, £47, American Apparel

Unisex mac, £76, Petit Bateau at Little Liberty

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Mask Animo: recycled cardboard masks

How much fun are these graphic animal masks? Made from recycled cardboard by French company Mask Animo, each one is cut out ready to paint in the colour of your choice before being assembled with tabs. Easy peasy!


We're just not sure who will have more fun, mummy or child? Set of eight masks, £12.50 at Eside.co.uk

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Perfect presents for two year olds

Vilac wooden piano, £49, The Conran Shop

With Evie and a cluster of her little friend's turning two, I have been asked numerous times for gift ideas for two year olds. Trickier than it sounds. At this age, learning is accelerating fast and suddenly all those baby toys look very babyish indeed. Evie has suddenly developed a passion for role play and as a result adores the baby doll and buggy her Granny bought her - I am hoping this is good prep for when her little sis arrives in less than two months time. But she also loves tinkering on the little wooden piano her Grandpa bought her, pretending to make food (hello play stove) and the Win Green cloth playhouse from mummy and daddy. I have a few ideas below for boys but would welcome more suggestions. I have found that for safety reasons most manufacturers will print '3 years and above' on toys that may well be perfectly suitable for 2 year olds - just use your discretion.

Automoblox car S9R sports, £24, Funkymoose QUOTE: CLB at checkout for 10% off

Making stuff for Kids, £16.99, V&A Museum of Childhood shop

Brio stove, £39.99, Just Gorgeous

Gypsy caravan basket by Rice, £34.80, Sisters Guild

Mini Mello stool, £46.90. Eside.co.uk

Mandrill sweater by Mini Rodini, €41, Shak-Shuka.com

 

Wooden magnetic numbers, £15.98, Toyella.com

Slippers for papa and son, from €22, Collegien

Crazy animal magnets, £13.99, Olive Loves Alfie

Win Green Toy shop play house, from £160, at Cotton George

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