My next Christmas 2011 gift list is here and today it’s all about gifts for newborns and little babies.  While newborns don’t need much more than milk and their mama’s, it’s always so nice to spoil and indulge them and Christmas is the best excuse.  There are some wonderful goodies out there for babies, so I searched the web and found you some of the absolutely best little toys, gifts and clothes for the newest arrivals in your life.  Here’s the lovely list (almost making me want a newborn again!):

1.  Beautiful liberty print bib and booties gift set by the gorgeous French label Eponime.

2.  Soft and so cuddly is this floppy little sheep by Les Petites Emplettes.  From Smallable.com

3.  Cute little body with a simple bunny drawing by WoWo.

4.  A quirky royal blue elephant musical toy by the colourful Clemence G boutique.

5.  A book full of bold black and white images – perfect eye candy for little babies.  Called Mesmerised it’s by Katey Love.

6.  Soft and beautiful are these gorgeous cotton quilts by Ketiketa.  From Smallable.com

7.  Gorgeous ruby red booties by the stylish Album Di Famiglia. From Little Fashion Gallery

8.  Soft and pretty cloth blocks for decoration or to play with by Mimilou. From Orfeo Design.

9.  Gorgeous little hanging musical toy for the pram, car seat or cot.  Made by one of my favourite stores – Esthex.

10.  What an adorable little vest sweater with a mustache on it.  Love it.  This is one you’ll have to knit yourself but you’ll find the pattern here.  Lucky for me, my mother in law is a fab knitter so I’m definitely getting one of these.*

You can also browse the rest of our 2011 Christmas gift guide which includes book ideas and soft toys for kids… but there’s lots more to come this week.

* Via Mimi’s blog

I recently came across Petra Boase’s creations and I very much liked what I saw.  Amongst her offerings are these super cute 100% organic cotton baby onesies, tee’s and bibs.  They’re all adorned with sweet and colourful illustrations of animals including owls, elephants, lions and snails.  The drawings have got a retro feel but with a modern twist which adds to their huge appeal.  If not for your own bambino, a bib and bodysuit set would make a cool gift.  The bibs cost £6 and the bodysuits and tee’s cost £14 a piece all at Petra Boase’s online store.

P.S. Have a look at these bold and bright organic onesies by Manny and Simon. They’re different but they’re equally wantable.

*Via Modern Shows

I’m starting something new on my blog today.  On the 4th Friday of each month I will bring you an online kids shop that is exceptional and unique.  I’ve called this series ‘Beautiful Boutiques’ as that’s exactly what they are.  To start, I can’t think of a better shop than Sisters Guild.  Sisters Guild is the vision of 2 sisters who really embrace beauty and creativity in everything they do.   They offer kids clothes, toys, decor, party stuff and even stuff for mama’s.  Many of their goodies are vintage inspired; some that will feel familiar from your own childhood, others that will be a new take on an old favourite and yet others that will be completely new ideas.

All the pieces are hand picked by the 2 sisters and are chosen for their appealing looks, their design and their ability to inspire.  You’ll find beautifully made toys that you’ll want to keep forever, timeless clothes that can be handed down from one child to another, pretty little things for yourself or for a good friend and covetable pieces to brighten up your home.  This store is special and that’s why it’s absolutely perfect to set the tone for the ‘Beautiful Boutiques’ series.  Check out Sisters Guild and while you’re there don’t miss their blog… it’s seriously good.

The Frenchies have done it again.  This time it’s a shop called Cocon filled with the most beautiful objects.  Little things like mobiles, cloud coasters and even a handmade linen and wool beanstalk adorn the shelves of Cocon.  Beautiful, delightful and charming are the best words to describe this shop.  Cocon is owned by Masami Akatsuka who hand makes all the objects of desire herself.  She’s a designer, a stylist and an artist who clearly has an eye for exquisite things.

I love all her products; there’s an innate beauty that radiates from all.  But I especially love the little jade plants, the cloud coasters and the balloon mobile.  Perfect little decorative objects that would add a touch of beautiful style to any nursery or to any part of your home.  Visit Cocon to see more and do have a look at Rosemary and Emma, 2 decorative dolls with the dreamiest of outfits.  Prices range from around €10 to €140 and shipping is worldwide. UK shipping costs around €8.  Cocon is truly a rare diamond.

… with a little help of course.  Check out these quirky little beasts by the French la Sardine.  You get a complete soft toy making kit with a pattern, the fabric, instructions and even the stuffing.   If sewing isn’t your thing, I bet you can still give this a go.  And after you’re done, you can proudly shout that you actually made a soft toy for your bambino.  Impressive!  On offer are a range of creatures, all with quirky but cool looks.  My fave has got to be the black chicken type thing but they’re all pretty darn cool.  Wondering if I should put my non-existent sewing skills to the test?  Visit Zap-Store who have a range for around £24 a creature plus €7.50 delivery.  Otherwise try La Sardine who of course have the entire range of these soft toy kits, given that they make them and all.

Esthex is a shop that oozes style from every pixel it occupies.  Seriously hot style.  I have talked about Esthex goodies before but I often find myself coming back for more.  And today I bring you this simply stunning dummy holder.  Childish without being cutesy, designed without being over-designed, simple yet stylish, that’s what this dummy holder is all about.  Esthex is the brainchild of Esther, a mama of 3 from the Netherlands who creates soft toys, rattles, cloth books, pram toys and more.  All of which have one thing in common:  style so hot I could cry! This Esthex dummy holder costs €8.95 with shipping at €3.95 and you can check it out (along with all the other goodies on offer) at the Esthex online store.

Ooh… the Frenchies have done it again.  This time in the guise of a shop called Clemence G.  Bursting with goodies in colours so bright, you might need to don a pair of sunnys!  It’s a space filled with bambino bedding, nursery decor, soft toys,  t-shirts, wrapping paper and more.  All in hot, bold colours teamed with quirky graphics and funky prints.  I’m lovin’ it.  And in even hotter news, there’s more than a bit of a sale on with stuff up to 60% off and free delivery on sale stuff even to the UK!  So if you’re a colour mad mama, now would be a good time to strike.  And while you’re there do check out the chicken carpet… quirkylicious and cool at it’s best!  The site’s in French but very easy to navigate around (despite my non-existent knowledge of French) or else just click the translate button on google and job done (google’s quite clever like that). Check out Clemence G… it’s seriously funky!  (So much that I’ve just ordered a tee).

Is it newborn week? Seems to be at the house of ebabee as I have another treat for the new arrivals.  These colour-tastic beads are an eye-catchingly super alternative to traditional rattles.  Made of eco-friendly rubberwood they’re coated in colours free of nasty toxins so babies can chew away! With their elastic cord, these beads can be pulled and pushed, twisted and twirled, stretched and un-stretched… you get the idea.  Call them a rattle or a teething toy but I’m thinking mama toy too… I fancy a play!  These baby beads by Manhattan Toy cost £8.48 with free delivery and are for bambinos who’ve been around for 3 months or more.

Checkout ebabee, the baby auction site

These colourful little backpacks by dabbawalla* are just the ticket for pre-schoolers.  They measure 12 inches long x 11 inches wide and can be used to carry around all manner of stuff… lunch, toys, clothes, books.  I’m hearting them all but if I had to pick a fave, well it’s just got to be the elephant one.  They’re made of a material that I can’t spell (so i won’t try) but I do know that it’s exactly the same material as wetsuits.  Which thankfully means that you can stick them in the washing machine.  They’re available for £29.99 from funkythistle who don’t yet have online ordering, but you can ring, email and even fax them (how 1990′s, how sweet!).

*dabbawalla – the indian term for lunchbox (dabba) + man (walla)

Don’t forget to checkout ebabee, our little auction site where you’ll find some lovely bargains.

That’s what these dolls are made for, so say Sophie & Lili, their creators.  I’m not the worlds biggest doll fan but when I saw these I instantly became one.  They’re super cute, handmade, one of a kind dolls from America.  They come in blonde, brunette or red-head and I’m so loving the back of each doll which is covered in a different funky fabric to complement the dolls dress.  You can even have your name sewn on to the back, just let them know the name when you order.

These dollies are available from the Sophie & Lili website and cost $25 each plus $5 for shipping across the pond.  They’re perfect as cuddly, huggable toys for toddlers and would make an oh so sweet and girly gift.  They’re also available as minis and I’m thinking perfect pram buddy for a newbee.