ebabee likes:February 2015

Entries from February 2015

Once Upon an Alphabet

February 24, 2015

Now that Anya is six, I have been introducing quite a few longer, chapter books to her as I think she is ready to follow more involved stories. Some have been really good, others not so much. While we are experimenting with these longer books, we are definitely not ready to give up our picture books anytime soon. Anya is still young and loves looking at pictures in books especially ones where the pictures tell part of the story or add an element of humour and fun. Some picture books can be a bit babyish but there are plenty of far more sophisticated ones that are actually aimed at older kids like 6-7 year olds. Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers is definitely one of them.

You wouldn’t expect anyone to be recommending alphabet books for 6 year olds but this is no ordinary alphabet book. Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers is a collection of short stories based around the letters of the alphabet. The stories are very short and even though they appear simple, they are packed with humour, wit and unexpected twists. The words used in the book like ‘E for Enigma’ or ‘V for Victor the Vanquished’ are interesting new words and the accompanying illustrations are really fun too. One of my favourite stories is the one about ‘Danger Delilah’. It’s a book that Anya and I have read together but she has also been picking it up and reading it to herself. I’m a big fan of Oliver Jeffers and this latest book is no exception. It’s now on my list for birthday gifts too.

{top two photo’s by ebabee, bottom photo via}

Cute brogues and dotty socks!

February 23, 2015

Ever since Anya started walking, we’ve had trouble buying shoes. Her feet are very narrow which has meant regular high-street shoes have never worked for her. Instead I have had to seek out European shoes which for some reason are narrower than British shoes (I wonder why). We all know that getting a good fit with shoes is so important especially for growing feet; I’ve even been told that getting well fitted shoes for a child is as important as looking after their teeth. Because of this I never compromised on what I bought her even though it often meant spending more than I wanted to.

Recently I discovered Pisamonas shoes from Spain and I was keen to try them out as they are European shoes that are very affordable too. They generously sent me this cute pair of brogues that I love not only because you can wear them with anything – skirts, jeans, dresses – but also because they fit really well. These shoes come in a range of colours but I really like the neutral tones that can be paired with fun socks like these polka dotted ones. Anya’s also worn these shoes with the brightest pink socks and they look really cool. I’ve been putting off teaching her to tie her laces which I knew I needed to do sooner rather than later so these shoes have come in really hand for that too! She is quite happy to practice away on them.

Pisamonas have a big range of affordable kids shoes in lots of styles and colours for babies, boys and girls and have just recently launched in the UK. As part of their launch, they are offering £10 off your first purchase (of £40 or more) till 28th February 2015 and they ship worldwide. Apart from the brogues that I chose for Anya, I really like the Avarca Menorcan sandals especially in the palest pink. Those are definitely on my wish list for the Summer. You can visit Pisamonas to see more or else check out this cute video which shows a range of their shoes.

P.S. Anya insisted on jumping in a big puddle right before we took photos that is why the tips of her shoes are wet!

I’ve linked up to Mummy’s Got Style Fashion Friday.

{all photos by ebabee}

The best detangling hair brush for kids?

February 19, 2015

Hair brushing time in our home is a battle. Every single day. I only have to lift the brush and Anya starts running away screaming! One would imagine that I was wielding an axe from her reaction! But seriously, it costs time, it costs tears and it feels like such an unnecessary but yet necessary evil in our daily lives. The problem started when she was a toddler and so I bought the tangle teezer. While this helped, it didn’t nearly cure our problem but we stuck with it as I didn’t know of an alternative. Last year we lost it and have been using a normal brush – this has been an even bigger nightmare. Late for school, late for appointments, late everywhere simply because of a hair brush!

So a few weeks ago I decided to do a bit of research in to the best detangling hair brush for kids. I found this Crave Naturals brush which promised to deliver pain free hair brushing for kids. It’s only available in USA so I had my brother who lives in NYC ship it to me. It is not the miracle cure that I was hoping for as Anya still runs away at brushing time but it’s while I’m brushing that I have noticed the main difference. There have not been tears since I used this brush. It’s only a week but still it’s a really good start and she has even reluctantly conceded that it doesn’t hurt nearly as much as it used to! It’s not the best looking brush in the world and it is plastic and doesn’t feel very solid. But on wet hair it is very good and on dry hair it’s a huge improvement from anything we ever had before so I thought I would share it with you. While I continue my search for the ultimate miracle brush, this detangling brush is a great solution for now. If you know of something else, please do let me know in the comments.

5 of the best shared kids rooms

February 17, 2015

When it comes to shared kids rooms, bunk beds are the easiest option especially when space is limited. But I’m not a fan of most bunk beds. Apart from the safety thing, with a few exceptions, I’m just not crazy about how they look. Instead I think two beds look so much nicer and often look cosier. With a little imagination and thought, you can fit them in, even in small bedrooms. I went looking for some shared room inspiration and here are my favourite finds:

This small shared kids room sounds like it was a real labour of love. The room is only 10 x 12 feet so the mum didn’t want the beds taking up the whole room. Instead she wanted them against one wall which left playing space even in this small room. As the beds needed to be shorter then regular singles, they made them and even built in storage – the top panels of the beds can be lifted and the bottom panel acts like a storage box.

This eclectic shared kids room is bursting with fun and personality. By using mismatched beds, each child’s area is effortlessly separated without looking like you have two separate areas. The quirky decor across the room brings it all together and it looks so great too. This kind of decor is so perfect for a brother and sister shared space too.

This is another small shared kids room. By placing a large rug in the room, the whole room is brought together in a cheerful and cosy way. The beds are the same but by using different colours each kid has their own side. In small space like this one, a single bedside table is another way of making the best use of the space.

This is a room shared by brothers. While it looks more spacious than some of the other rooms, the space is still maximised by putting the beds at right angles to each other. This gives a big playing space in the middle, perfect for two little boys. I like the simple decor as well ensuring that the room grows with the boys and you don’t have to redecorate every couple of years.

This has got to be one of the most fun shared kids rooms I came across. This room is shared by brothers but it could equally be a unisex shared room or even a room for sisters. Apart from the cheerful black and white decor with pops of yellow, the idea of using shelves as a headboard is great. There’s no need for bedside tables and you get a lot more storage space.

The cutest ever kids Winter coat!

February 16, 2015

Isn’t this just the cutest kids Winter coat that you ever saw? Soft and warm, Anya adores wearing it – which kid wouldn’t? Those stunning long bunny ears are so much fun. This coat is a conversation starter so much so that when I have to get somewhere in a hurry, I can’t let Anya wear it because people stop us in the street, in shops, in restaurants to admire the coat and to find out everything about it. They especially love to feel the ears and I’ve even had adults asking if they can get in their size – which they can!

This beautiful bunny coat is made by Molly, who is a mum that makes a whole range of stunning animal themed coats including a fox, lion and dinosaur coat. When Molly generously offered to send Anya a coat, for me it had to be the bunny one – those ears! I also fell for the soft champagne colour which perfectly compliments the pink cuffs and ears. There is a equally beautiful boy version of this coat where the ears and the cuffs are a pale blue instead of pink. Not only does this coat look so darn cute but it’s very warm so it has been the perfect Winter coat for Anya. But for when it gets warmer, Molly offers a lighter linen version of the same coat. Molly’s shop is called Little Goodall and it’s definitely worth a visit for some serious cuteness!

{Anya’s outfit: Luxe bunny coat, fur lined orange boots and knit skirt with attached leggings}

{all photos by ebabee}

Chic French Fashion for kids that’s always on sale

February 11, 2015

One of things instilled in me by both my parents was to always dress well. In our home, dressing well was just as important as good manners. By dressing well I don’t mean expensively or in designer gear but smart, clean, ironed clothes that always looked more than presentable. I remember my teenage years when ripped jeans and crumpled clothes were all the rage (or so I thought!) and my father looking appalled that I would be stepping out in such clothes. But he also knew better than to argue with a sulky, temperamental teenager! That phase aside, I couldn’t agree more with my parents and I hope to teach Anya the same. Apart from the importance of looking presentable, I also think a little style in everyday life makes you feel just as good as it makes you look.

I spend time and effort buying clothes for myself but equally do the same for Anya. I like her to look good every time she goes out but at the same time I don’t want to spend crazy amounts on her clothes as kids grow so fast. I’m always looking for cool style at the best prices and so I was happy to discover Tendre Deal where you get chic French fashion for kids and babies at up to 70% off. Tendre deal is a private members site so if you want to be in the know you just have to sign-up for free with your email and you’ll be told about each new sale that comes up. New sales come up pretty often and last for about a week. In the past they have sold well known French brands like Jacadi and Chupeta shoes and also many lesser known French brands all of which still offer lots of style. And occasionally they even have French toys and decor from brands like Janod and Annabel Kern.

With each sale being up to 70% off it’s hard to resist the goodies on offer so I will be keeping an eye on Tendre Deal especially to snap up of some of my favourite French designers as and when they come up. Currently they have the chic Les Petites Choses on sale with some fab bargains for both boys and girls.

{Images shown are representative of the brands and styles on offer in the past, present and future}

This post is brought to you in partnership with Tendre Deal as part of my work with Mothers & Shakers. All content, words and ideas are my own. Thank you for supporting my work with partners that support this blog.

Get organised: A fun entrance hall storage idea

February 10, 2015

I came across this fun entrance hall storage idea a while ago and have been meaning to share ever since. This is such a colourful and fun way to get your kids organised. Everyone has stuff they need to pick up on the way out or dump on the way in so instead of messily piling everything up on a bench or table you can make these really easy storage spaces simply separated by blocks of colour. Of course you don’t have to stop at the kids but each person in your home could have their own space.

In this entrance hall created by small fry, I love the bold colours they’ve used and the painted stools that match the walls. But if stools don’t provide enough storage for you then you could do the same with shelves or small storage cabinets. And you can of course choose colours according to each persons favourite. It looks so striking and will encourage the kids and even you to be neat! This simple idea can also work in a shared kids room or any room where each person needs their own little space. You’ll find all the how to’s over at small fry.

Free Valentines card printable

February 9, 2015

Do you celebrate Valentines day? I don’t like the whole commercial side of it but I do like the sentiment behind the day. And now with a child in the mix too, it’s more a day to celebrate love not just between a couple but all kinds of love. That sounds a bit cheesy I know, but you get what I mean right? I especially like the act of giving a simple card to loved ones so I asked the very talented Lucy Monkman who is a designer and illustrator to come up with a Valentines card printable for all of you. Lucy has designed a super cute fairy scattering hearts which you can print out and the kids can simply colour in or you can make it in to a Valentines card to give out to whomever you like.

This cute free Valentines card printable is available to download in two sizes – A4 and A5. To download just click the PDF in the size you want and print it out, ideally on to card. For the A5 one you will have to choose A5 as the paper size on your printer settings before hitting print. We have printed loads and Anya wants to give them out to all her besties at school. A big thank you to Lucy Monkman for making this card exclusively for my readers.

Coloured-with-Love-A4

Coloured-with-Love-A5

Friday chat: Motherhood moments

February 6, 2015

Yesterday I posted an instagram picture of Anya at three months (for throw back Thursday) and it just got me thinking about how time has flown. I cannot believe how quickly these last six years have gone but on the other hand I feel like Anya has been a part of my life for as long as I have lived. I started thinking about what a mix of things motherhood is and how each ordinary day is filled with so many extraordinary moments – from happy ones to sad ones and pretty much everything in between. No two days are alike, yet each day brings so many little moments that we don’t always take the time to appreciate – I know I don’t always. I can’t think of any other phase in my life where the little moments have been so many and mattered so much. And besides, it’s moments that make up your memories, not whole days. So I thought I would share some of my favourite motherhood moments today just so that I remember to appreciate them even more because sometime we take these for granted:

That moment when she climbs in to our bed each morning asking for a cuddle (this can also happen at 3am when it’s not quite so special a moment!)

That moment when she’s trying desperately to be a big brave girl but her face tells a completely different story. Seconds later the tears come and she is a crumpled heap in my arms.

That moment when she steals a glance at me with a glint in her eye when she is about to do something she fully knows she isn’t supposed to, but does it anyway.

That moment when she (finally) goes to bed and we can hear a soft singing voice coming from the bedroom. Even that moment when she belts out ‘let it go’ completely out of tune, looking so pleased with herself (ok, maybe not so much this one!)

That moment when she does something naughty but oh so funny. I know I should be telling her off but sometimes I can’t help but burst out laughing!

That moment when you have to be the responsible parent and encourage her to do something you know she really doesn’t want to but it’s in her best interest, so you do it while you maybe crying a little inside.

That moment where I pretend to be a dog, a cat, a dragon or a monster and I actually think it’s completely normal!

That moment when you can literally feel your heart swelling with pride when someone else says takes a moment to say wonderful things about your child.

What are some of your favourite motherhood moments?

Happy weekend all and enjoy those extraordinary moments in each ordinary day – nomita x

{photo by Abigail Fahey photography for ebabee}

The prettiest printed skirts {on sale too}

February 5, 2015

Today it’s all about skirt love. These are a few of my favourite skirts from the ebabee shop. And in even better news, they’re all on sale. All can be worn with boots or ballerina flats, with tights or without. I love mixing and matching patterns, colours and prints and love that all these skirts are versatile enough to do just that with. The feather skirt would look great with a simple striped top, the floral one with a contrasting solid coloured top and the bear one with a polka dot top. I can’t choose a favourite but Anya’s been eyeing the bear skirt and asking for it since Christmas so I know which one she favours. Do you have a favourite?

Skirts featured: feather print skirt | benslily floral skirt | bear print skirt

{all photo’s by ebabee}