Katy Hill's mummy product guide
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The Wool Room
Since the weather has suddenly turned, and it’s now FREEZING, I’m so into the new wool duvet I got for Akira from The Wool Room. The site sells everything wool - from bedding to cushions - you can even adopt a sheep for someone for Christmas!
I’m loving wool since it’s natural, renewable and eco-friendly and promotes sleep because it helps to regulate your temperature and comfort. And since The Wool Room makes duvets for all bed sizes - maybe it’s time to treat the family to a few extra zzzz’s! And you in the process! See what I did there! ;-) x
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Merino Kids
With the changing weather at the moment, getting your baby/toddlers temperature right at night is tough. And so many of the sleep sac options are made from cheap, synthetic fabrics that make your little person sweat!
Merino Kids make 100% natural sleeping products for kids, using New Zealand’s Merino Wool. I’ve been testing a sleep sac on Akria and it’s amazing! I love it! Merino Kids make them for two-four year olds where everyone else seems to stop at three, so the sac is long enough for him, and fitted around the body. The wool keeps the body warm in the winter and cool in the summer and, most importantly, allows the skin to breathe. There’s a genius hole so you can use the sac for naps in a car seat or pushchair and there’s even a 'duvet weight' sac for toddlers.They’re not cheap, but they are amazing. So worth it for the peace of mind that your child isn’t inhaling anything it shouldn’t be. Natural all the way baby!- Read Katy's blog on the realities of motherhood
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Petasil
From £44Having recently mentioned how hard I find it to find cool shoes and boots for the kids, I’ve been doing lots of research and recently came across the most amazing make - Petasil. They’ve been making quality shoes and boots for kids for over 20 years and all their products are leather with the softest, comfiest soles. I got the most gorgeous boots for the kids. Akira got some called Kal, and Kaya is LOVING her 'Love Boot'. She looks like the coolest little hippychick in town! So worth saving to pay the extra for comfy, happy kids! Every time she wears them I get stopped by people wanting to know where they’re from! The only problem? Akira loves his SO much he tries to walk staring down at them! Sweet! x- Read Katy's blog on the realities of motherhood
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Gro First Duvet Cover
I decided it was time to try Akira with a duvet and I’ve done lots of research and discovered the most genius first duvet cover EVER! Yet another amazing invention from the Gro team. It’s available in Cotbed or Single size and comes with a fitted sheet, duvet cover and integrated pillowcase.The clever bit about it? The duvet cover zips down the sides to attach to the fitted sheet. So it can’t get kicked off! Such a simple idea. Akira looked SO proud when I first put him to sleep in his 'big boy bed' (still in his cotbed!).Gro suggest it from age two and a half, and since there’s a single bed option too, it’s perfect for older kids who like to move around at night. No more unnecessary midnight waking for you, because they’re cold. YAY!- Read Katy's blog on the realities of motherhood
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Hippychick Waterproofs
I love the Hippychick website, and they have the best selection of waterproofs, at great prices. And lets face it, it rains A LOT in the UK, so there’s no use fighting it. No such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes. Kaya would happily stay indoors, but Akira, as a boy, needs to get out every day. So I need the right gear for both of them! I’ve ordered Akira one of the yummy all-in-ones and Kaya some new trousers and a pink jacket I know she’s gonna adore. Too excited for it to come. Just a shame they don’t do my size! ;-)
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Stella McCartney Kids
http://www.stellamccartneykids.com
Her new kids range is amazing. She has the best hoodies for boys with integrated superhero mask - which they’ll LOVE! (and you’ll love because it can be folded down!) And there’s the coolest cotton Hudson Jumpsuit I want to get for Akira. It’s delicious! I intend to keep it for always!- Read Katy's blog on the realities of motherhood
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Weber barbecues
Our old bbq packed up, so we decided to go all out and get a GREAT one that’ll last us forever! And we haven’t been disappointed! It took Trey hours to put the thing together, but all he kept going on about was the 'amazing engineering' – and helping him carry the thing, I could feel it was solid! We’ve been grilling in the garden every night since we got it. The kids are LOVING it! And for an extra treat we’ve been skewering marshmallows. Akira loves them so much he even says the word now!
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Ann Saunders Cakes, £18-£35
Mobile: 07729 848204
I wanted to get Kaya a princess cake for her birthday party and Waitrose charge £65 for a bog standard one. Are they joking?! I found the loveliest woman called Ann Saunders at my local farmers market who not only home-made it for a fraction of the cost, BUT actually copied the party dress Kaya was going to wear. When I collected it, I actually had tears in my eyes, the cake looked SO amazing and I knew Kaya would adore it! It tasted phenomenal too! Ann is my hero! Collection from High Wycombe x
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Carlton Luggage
We finally got some new cases before our hols, and it was the best thing since they’re so lightweight, which means the baggage allowance was all possessions – nothing wasted on a heavy case! For once I felt a bit stylish travelling as a family, which is no mean feat considering the amount you have to take! And the main cases ones between the four of us, which was pretty good for three weeks of America! Styish.. and practical!
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O’Neill - Reactor Youth 3/2mm Full Wetsuit, £54.95
This is the wetsuit my daughter, Kaya, wore on the beach, and it was brilliant! She called herself 'the seal' and was warm the whole time we were in the water (which was freezing!).I’ve never thought of getting them wetsuits for the summer before, but once I’d thought about it, I spotted other parents on the beach doing the same thing. It makes perfect sense and means you can enjoy your holiday, whatever the great British weather sends your way.- Read Katy's blog on the realities of motherhood
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Dream Tubes, £49.99
These are brilliant. No more moving furniture around the hotel/villa bedroom to stop your child falling out of their bed! They’ve won numerous awards, and it’s easy to see how. They’re the perfect transition from cot to bed, or just to use on holiday so you have a good nights sleep since you know nothing and nobody is going to go 'bump' in the night! For 18 months to 5 years.
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Beaba Water Bottle Top, £4.50
This is brilliant and totally cuts down on the number of sippy cups you have to take on holiday with you. This just screws onto a regular water bottle – 33 or 50 cl.
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Buggy Bag, £15
I always check our pushchair in and in the past I had a pushchair totally trashed in the hold. Since then, I’ve always used a bag to prevent it getting wrecked. There’s nothing worse than seeing your pushchair looking filthy and disrespected after being dumped in some random “outsized” section of the baggage claim area!
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Sheepskin, £69.50
My son, Akira, doesn’t need a footmuff at this time of year, but still likes to be cosy for his naps. I got this because sheepskins keep them cool in the heat, warm in the cold and comfy the whole time! Akira loves this on his pushchair and is stroking it constantly. And his pushchair naps have been a DREAM! Pardon the pun!
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Green People Organics, Organic Children - Sunscreen SPF 25 - Non Scented, £15
My daughter, Kaya, has the most sensitive skin ever and her skin swells up with most suncream (makes you wonder what’s in it?!). This is the ONLY suncream I can use on her. I love that there are no “nasties” in it, and unlike lots of organic suncream, it actually blends pretty well. The kids have never burnt with it since the protection is great – happy kids and a VERY relieved and happy mummy!
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Cuddledry - Poncho, £22.99
You might have seen the lovely Helen and Polly on Dragons Den with their amazing Cuddledry towel – two mums who are mates and came up with a great invention. They’ve now made the cutest ponchos for all our holiday needs! These ponchos use technology which deflects harmful UVA and UVB rays off the towel, providing an spf of 50. My son, Akira, LOVES his turquoise one already. I can’t wait for him to try it out n holiday.
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Totseat for Denim, £24.00 - £24.50
www.totseat.com or www.hippychick.com
This is genius! I’ve never seen such a tiny, compact high chair. I’m taking one on holiday for those moments when a high chair isn’t available, but I don’t fancy having my son, Akira, throw food all over my lap either! Also perfect for those moments when the state of the highchairs on offer leaves a lot to be desiered! Lightweight, practical and perfect to keep in your holiday bag.
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Next.co.uk
I have to say it, their clothes for kids are the best! Not only are they lovely looking, but they’re durable and no matter how many times I wash and dry them, they still look good. And since having Akira I’ve been shocked at what a raw deal little boys get. If you don’t want to dress them in character clothes, or stripes, it’s hard to find nice outfits. The Next boys stuff is great! We’re filming soon and I’ve been stocking up in preparation for that, and our holiday.
I also got some very cool plastic glasses and plates this week, which will be perfect for picnicking with the kids in the garden over the summer.- Read Katy's blog on the realities of motherhood
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Bumpsters, £32.50
These are amazing!! Not for ages have I been SO passionate about a product. I want to tell everyone I know who has babies!
We all want our babies to be protected from hard cot bars, but I’ve personally struggled with the concept of cot bumpers, for fear of the kids getting stuck under them. The ties, the lack of air circulating... they just make me nervous.
Step forward the GENIUS Bumpsters!
These innovative padded bumpers wrap individually around the bars of a cot. Made from 100 per cent cotton and with no dangerous ties or large expanses of fabric, Bumpsters cot bar bumpers attach securely with Velcro. They’re dead easy to attach, and come in a variety of colours, and small and large sizes. I ordered the small ones in beige and haven’t looked back. Akira is sleeping great now since the air is circulating in his room, and I’m sleeping well because I know he has no risk of rolling under the bumpers.
The simplest idea, and the best results! I LOVE THESE!
If you have any friends who are having babies, get them these. They’ll love you forever! They tick all boxes - they keep babies comfy AND safe! Win win! And if you’ve got babies SO worth the investment for peace of mind.
Available now at www.hippychick.com
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My Buggy Buddy Lock, £8.95
I’ve long been a fan of the Buggy Buddy – the genius huge clip that allows you to hook all kinds of things to your pushchair. Now they’ve gone one better – with a padlock! It’s on a combination lock – dead easy to set, and perfect for the summer,whether on days out here or abroad.
With the launch of the new Bugaboo Donkey (at over £1000(!), and parents spending more and more on their pushcihair – it makes total sense to 'lock up your wheels'.
It also enables you to padlock things TO your pushchair, should you need to. Other halves excluded! x
Available from www.hippychick.com
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Maison Boo.
I LOVE this range! The most amazing organic products for us and the kids. The range was devised by three fathers who wanted the best for their children and all the products are certified organic and free from parabens, artificial colours and preservatives, SLS, SLES and synthetic fragrances. What I love most, aside from the products being delicious, is the cost! And that was important for the guys when putting the ranges together - they wanted to make amazing products which, unlike so many organic ranges, were accessible. They’ve certainly done it.
My favourites so far are the Chamomile and Geranium Cleanser for the kids (£4.99 for 200ml) and the Organic Stretch Mark Oil for me! They even have a nipple cream (I wish I’d found that while I was breastfeeding, rather than the lanolin based ones I had to use.)
One of my frustrations as a mum has been that often products without the nasties in them don’t actually perform as well as regular products. These are the exception. They foam amazingly and actually clean the kids, and their hair!
And they smell divine. The Chamomile and Geranium cleanser seems to relax both kids ready for bed. What’s not to love about that?!
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Lascal - Buggyboard
RRP £60
Every time I see people with double buggies I’m grateful that I have three years between my two, which means I’ve never had to negotiate one of those tanks around! However, especially in the holidays when we’re out and walking lots, there are time’s Kaya’s exhausted and I’m not about to carry her the long walk back to the car! That’s why I’m LOVING the Buggyboard. Its so easy to fit on the back of my umbrella pushchair, and means that Kaya’s catered for. She calls it her ‘chariot’! I got mine from a brilliant website called www.cheekyrascals.co.uk.
There’s a Maxi and Mini version. I got the Maxi but check out which is best for your kid at: www.buggyboard.info
The most amazing website, offering discounts on TONS of stuff including Babington House, REN, This Works, OSKIA, Oliver Bonas and Cowshed; Green and Spring; Educogym; Soho Beach House Miami; Soho House Berlin; Cowley Manor; ZPM; Heidi Klein; Orlebar Brown; Miller Harris.... (!)
They also feature loads of gorgeous baby and kids brands including Peanut and Pip; 37 degrees; Babes with Babies; Funky Moose; huddle and bliss.
VIP membership usually costs £50 but I’ve managed to wangle it for my readers for FREE! So sign up now and get shopping: www.mhoula.com/vip.
It takes 30 seconds to sign up as a member and then you can access great discounts.
HAPPY SHOPPING!!!
X
(Offers featured in photo may no longer apply as these change daily)
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The most AMAZING website selling non toxic and BPA free baby and kid accessories. BPA is a serious business and can cause neurological problems in babies and young children. It’s banned in Canada and thankfully will be so in Europe from the middle of this year in baby bottles. I ordered loads of bits from this website to keep the kids safe when it comes to their food and drink containers.
Here’s are some of the bits I loved...
Beaba Wipes Case - for me! No more ugly plastic wipes packets on display. Trust me, it’s the one thing that sent the 'yummies' stratospheric!
Oxo Tot Training Plate - the whole range is great and this bowl is brilliant for Akira as the lip means he can easily get things with his spoon, without them sliding out of the top.
Oxo Tot Training Cup - this will be perfect when his drinking advances to a cup. Minimum spillage due to the perforated lid. Genius!
Born Free Straw Cup - these are great for both kids, perfect for their water all summer long. Akira feels very grown up!
Beaba Bottle Top - Just the best invention, to transform drinking bottles into bottles when you’re out or on holiday.
Klean Kanteen - Stainless Steel Sippy Cup. Akira loves this sippy cup. And it looks very cool too!
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The Stripy Company Blankets, RRP £32.00
I’ve been a fan of all things natural for babies and kids for a long time, and recently discovered this great company who specialise in the coolest wool blankets. As a kid I remember wool blankets being itchy, but those days are long gone!
These blankets are delicious - 100 per cent lambswool and perfect for the summer since wool is temperature balancing - so warm in winter and cool in summer. I hadn’t realised it’s also naturally fire retardent. Need I say more!?
The kids love their new blanket and I think it’ll be perfect on the beach on holiday for a cosy nap x
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Ariane Poole Cosmetics' Mineral Sheer Tint Foundation, Beach Glow, £23
This time around - something for us!
If, like me, you spend approx 50 seconds on your morning make-up, this is perfect! I discovered it on a shoot when Ariane made me up, and I’ve used it ever since. I use the Beach Glow one, since it’s perfect for giving your spring face a bit of much-needed colour. It’s mineral based and moisturises the skin and has loads of yummy ingredients to treat your skin, plus an SPF20. I’m all about the SPF to stop ageing, and love this because the protection is provided by titanium dioxide and zinc oxide filters, making it suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
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Little-Life Voyager S2 Carrier, £179.95
I thought family walks were a thing of the past for us until Akira’s old enough to keep up. But I recently discovered the Little-life Voyager S2 which has brought freedom back to this family! Akira toddles for as long as he can (not very) then he gets launched skywards into his carrier and he loves it! We got this one because we wanted to go for maximum comfort - for him and us.
It’s not light with him in it, but then he’s not a light baby. And it is VERY comfortable - for everyone. The design is based on top of the range mountaineering rucksacks and you can totally tell, with its fully adjustable back system, it’s comfort all the way! This model even comes with a sunshade and raincover, insulated bottle pocket, and a removeable rucksack. And just incase I’m wondering what he’s up to, there’s even a mirror in the waistband. They’ve truly thought of everything! This would be PERFECT for all your Easter/Summer holiday needs. And a super efficient and lovely company to deal with ;-)
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Baby Bjorn Travel Cot Light (RRP £199.99)
Gone are the days when you needed three grown men to help you lug the travel cot!
The Baby Bjorn Light is exactly that - light!
Weighing only 11lbs/5 kg including carrying case, it is also compact enough to carry comfortably in one hand.
For more information and to buy online, visit www.babybjorn.co.uk
Purple Crocodile, Bobux Shoes
This week I’m taking Akira to get some new shoes - great excitement! I wanted to mention the amazing Bobux shoes he’s been living in! I got them because I heard they’re the closest thing to being barefoot for kids - which is the best way for them to learn to walk, and avoid damaging their feet. With so many 'fashion' shoes around it’s tempting just to get some that look right, but it’s so important to get their feet properly measured.
Feet aren’t fully developed until around the age of four, so make sure you’re looking after those little toes! Bobux stay on (amazing!) and have four ranges right from the pram to walking. He’s trying to walk now, so I’m moving him up to the next range!
This is how I get to indulge these days - my love of shoes knows no bounds! ;-)
Petite Star Zukoo Pushchair, £124.99
I’ve had umbrella pushchairs before, but this is the best! And perfect for the summer - with holidays and travelling looming - since it weights only 7kgs!
Akira loves the padded seat (which you can lie flat) and I love that it comes with ALL the accessories so you don’t have to buy a thing! Fleece lined footmuff, raincover and matching change bag that attaches to the handles.
It’s easy to fold and has a handle for those public transport moments. I got it in black but you can get Fuchsia (pictured) or Lagoon (blue).
It’s a GREAT pushchair - you won’t regret it!
Check it out - plus stockists - at: www.petitestar.com or 01923 663344
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Malmaison Hotel, Oxford
Right next to the castle, the Malmaison Oxford is converted from an old prison. It’s so cool! It’s where they filmed the prison scenes in the original Italian Job. The whole place feels quite decadent, and very grown up - perfect for a cheeky night away! The staff were amazing, and the manager Andrew is great and really knows how to run a place.
There’s a very cool private bar upstairs and the brasserie does the best dinners. One of the hotels would be the perfect place for a Valentines Dinner if you haven’t planned it yet. Very stylish, and as far away from your life as a parent as you can imagine. The perfect adult indulgence!
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Togz.uk.com
The most AMAZING waterproofs for your kids. They sell everything. The clothes are UK designed, fully breathable yet totally waterproof - AND machine washable! Gotta love them already! And they’re SUCH great quality. Totally worth every penny for warm, happy kids who’ll be begging to go out in the cold!
I got Akira an all-in-one Waterproof Warm & Dry suit which is SO cosy - it’s got reinforced knees and I love the fact that it secures around the wrists and ankles because it actually holds on his mittens and wellies! Plus it’s adjustable round the waist so it’s nice and snug. It’s fleece lined so cosy too. Akira’s also got the mittens which are great. I’ve found it SO hard to find waterproof mittens for him this year. They also make 'over booties' for babies, which are a great find.
Kaya’s got the Warm & Dry jacket and Warm & Dry Dungarees, and she wasn’t cold once in the snow. She uses the jacket for school too, and I love that it’s got reflective strips on it. Perfect for gloomy afternoons.
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Count-On-It Food Labels
Whoever thought something so small could be SO useful!
As with all the best things in life ;-) the count-on-it labels were designed by mummypreneur Lyndsey Young - who’s as passionate about feeding kids good food as I am!
The labels are scratch-off and can tell you if food is still fresh enough to eat. So simple, yet so effective! Of course they HAD to be designed by a parent. And think of all the food you won’t waste? I don’t know about you, but I’m always throwing out food since I always play it on the safe side. Now I know whether I can still use it. You simply use the scratch-off number wheel to mark the date the food was prepared, the labels have sticky backs so you just pop it onto the box/bag/container and voila!
And what’s great about the labels is that I can cook the kids so much more fresh food at home, since I’m not worried about the shelf life. The box can stay in the fridge, and Kaya loves doing the scratching bit for me!
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Summer Infant: Babyzoom, £129.99; Secure Sleep, £99.99
When Kaya was born in 2006 we were beyond excited to get one of the first ever video monitors by Summer Baby. We were the envy of all our mates with this newfangled piece of equipment! And when Akira was born we used the same monitor, still working perfectly well. Until we got Summer Baby’s two newest monitors and realised how far things have come in four years. Size-wise, it’s like comparing an 80‘s 'brick' mobile phone with one of todays slimline options!
First off is the BabyZoom...
With this one, you can remotely zoom the camera in the nursery from the portable parent unit. It’s perfect for my wriggly little man who moves around his cot all night!
Then there’s the Secure Sleep...
This one has a colour changing temperature indicator so it glows different colours depending on the temperature in Kaya’s room. I love this one because we’ve got an old house, so the rooms can get cold. This way I can monitor her room, without going in and risking her waking.
AND the pictures are perfect - with no interference. Loving the new monitors!
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Hands Free Brolly, £18.49
I met the lovely Carole and Peter Henry at the baby show and ADORE their design. Parents with a problem - and they solved it! PERFECT in this snow/drizzle but also genius in the sun. I’ve been testing the Hands Free Brolly for the last few months and it’s truly brilliant. I got the beige one and thought I might feel a bit silly with it clipped to the pushchair, but believe me, you don’t when you’re dry and smug!
The brolly is strong, since the frame is fibreglass, so it doesn’t blow inside out. It’s bigger than a regular brolly so gives you great coverage, and fits all prams and pushchairs, and stays put - no sliding around. I love this product! Comes in six colours, UPF 50+ and you can use it attached or as a brolly on its own. And it’s light enough for your changing bag. Enough said!
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Easy Car Seat, £56.99
Totally genius, and perfect for the holidays - the inflatable child car seat for children over three years old. The answer to all your travel nightmares! Fully complies with EU and US Safety Standards for car seats and it’s great.
It blows up in a matter of seconds and it’s perfect for travelling. My mum has an orange one permanently in her car for Kaya, which she adores! Easily her favourite carseat ever! Great for travelling light, childcare, whatever! Inflates in only 7 puffs! PLUS... If you put in the code 'Xmas' when you buy yours, you’ll get 15 per cent off the online prices. Happy Shopping!
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Buggysnuggle, from £35
GORGEOUS! And lets face it, you SO need this right now! I swear - if they made these for adults I’d be the first in line!
I saw the Buggysnuggle about two months ago and literally chased a poor mother down to find out where she got her uber cool cow print furry pram footmuff! So divine, I had to have one!
I love that the company is run by two working mums - Jo and Sarah and they’ve been going for 13 years. They’re really hands on. I love that they’re made in Europe and great quality. The best bit? The buggysnuggles are all washable and now available as Dinkysnuggle which can be used in car seats. They also do blankets, babysnuggles and hats. They’re SO cosy as well. Akira’s been loving his.
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Babes with Babies - Birthstone Pendant, £145
This week I got THE MOST STUNNING necklace. Truly - it's DIVINE! I haven't taken it off. It's a personalised pendant in brushed sterling silver, with 'Kaya' and 'Akira' on tags, plus their birthstones. Everyone's been asking me about it because it's so gorgeous and exclusive to Bb London, one of my FAVOURITE mummy websites.
The necklace would make a great present for a special mum in your life.
The pendants are hand finished in Devon and feature a mini and maxi tag charm (which can both be personalised) and a silver heart charm. All clustered together with a rose quartz faceted heart and the birthstones of your choice.
Then again of course, there's nothing wrong with getting a pressie for YOURSELF! ;-)
- Follow Katy Hill's mummy blog
- Follow Katharine Merry's Pregnancy Diary
- Is your child ready for potty training? Take the quiz to find out
Simply Noise
The most amazing website for people with young kids! It plays three different kinds of white noise, to block out any background noise that might ruin your kids' sleep. My fave is the brown noise - I sound like I’m by the beach. Well... a girl can dream!
- Read Katy's blog on the realities of motherhood
- Get advice on products and equipment from other mums on the message boards
- Keep the kids entertained and your sanity in tact with the Parenting newsletter
- Check out the hot new fitness video blog with iVillage's resident trainer Matt Whitmore
Next Up: Help your child get to sleep
Children need lots of sleep, so help them wind down after a busy day.
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