Baby loves...Bicycling the Borough

I got baby's bike seat (£50) and helmet at Magic Bicycles on Greatorex Street. They kindly fitted it the same day for no extra charge!


http://www.bicyclemagic.com/

Baby loves....The Women's Library

Handmade Tales: Women & Domestic Crafts


The Women's Library on Old Castle Street currently has a small but very lovely exhibition - Handmade Tales: Women & Domestic Crafts.

The Women's Library
Old Castle Street
London
E1 7NT
Tel: 020 7320 2222
Email: moreinfo@thewomenslibrary.ac.uk
http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/thewomenslibrary/


I've booked for this upcoming walk/talk:

Wonderful Women of Whitechapel and Spitalfields

Sunday 6 March 2011, 11am (120 mins)
£10

To celebrate International Women's Week, visit sites associated with women who have defined Whitechapel and Spitalfields. Including Eva Luckes and Edith Cavell of The London Hospital, politics with Annie Besant, philanthropy with Mary Hughes and Miriam Moses and the modern creativity of Monica Ali and Tracey Emin.

Baby loves...Vintage Fashion Fair

Affordable Vintage fashion fair at York Hall this Sunday, 27 February 11am-4.30pm...
http://www.vintagefair.co.uk/

The next Vintage Furniture Flea at York Hall is 27 March
http://www.vintagefurnitureflea.co.uk




Tot is 1.5 years old....

Baby loves....Nixie Clothing

Nixie hat, watching the ducks in Victoria Park



I discovered Chatsworth Road in Clapton the other day - its a brilliant stretch, topped and tailed by Homerton Hospital and Hackney Marshes.

In between there's a smattering of nice delicatessens and coffee shops, a creperie and Nixie Clothing shop/showroom selling the most gorgeous baby/kids clothes made from old silk scarves and textiles.
www.nixieclothing.com/

I bought my tot a cool hat with scarf attachment (£16) - a handy design that ensures warm ears and neck (I also splurged on a nice ivory silk, short sleeved shirt from the small selection of adult vintage - shh!).

The clothes are divine, but aren't cheap - Nixie is stocked by Harvey Nichols - but I totally agreed with the ethos of the place & was very inspired.

After joining a Wednesday evening crafting circle my do it yourself confidence has grown & I've been cutting up old clothes & whizzing up dresses, cardigans, jumpers & cute little dungarees for my tot.

Lovely stuff....

p.s. the links menu had an interesting blog: http://www.mumsrock.com/



Tot at 1 and 1/2 years.....

Baby loves....France in London

Ooh la la....

3.00pm | £5, conc. £3 (except 26 feb & 26 mar: £7, conc. £5) | in English and French

http://www.institut-francais.org.uk/kids-and-teens/blog

http://www.franceinlondon.co.uk/en-Article-browse-by-categories-16-children.html

http://www.londonmacadam.com/index.php?page=kids

http://www.ici-londres.com/en/4/pa.html

Baby loves....vintage Disney cartoons

Fantasia

The BFI's policy is if the child can sit in its own seat, you can bring them into a screening.

So with my finger's crossed, I'll be taking my tot down to the Southbank for some vintage Disney films...they'll be running all year. Matinee times on Saturdays.

I can't wait to see the Little Mermaid & Beauty and the Beast again!

www.bfi.org.uk



Tot at 1 year and 4 months....

Baby loves....the perfect diaper bag

The Cambridge Satchel Company's 'batchel' (£113)
www.cambridgesatchel.co.uk


the traditional trunks (from £83) would be fab for storing toys & dressing up clothes...

Baby loves...Four Seasons hotels

The Canadian hotel group have launched a new family friendly travel blog - Have Family, Will Travel http://family.fourseasons.com

Some good tips...from an entry:

Here are my Top 10 Tips for Flying with Kids:

1. Be ready for fluctuating temperatures – Dress your kids in layers. Some planes are warm, some cold, and some both at different times – dress in layers and be prepared for all temperatures.

2. Give your kids some travel responsibility – They see all the responsibility we carry on this day, so let them handle a part of it, too. (Might include: minding their backpack, suitcase, etc.) Throw a couple of surprise toys in their backpack, too. Just don’t hand them the tickets!

3. Prepare for cleanups – Bring napkins/paper towels and baby wipes – snacking on a plane can be a messy exercise and napkins can be hard to come by.

4. Actively hope for nap time – Bring or buy a blanket and pillow. They are worth carrying if your child has a favorite that you can bring along. Otherwise, purchase the disposables on-board. Hey, if they want to sleep, let them sleep.

5. Pack some gadgets – Bring an iPad, laptop, etc., along with a selection of movies and games – this can be the secret charm to occupying their attention. If you don’t already have one of these, it’s well worth the investment.

6. Bring food with you – Buy meals and snacks at the terminal, as what the airlines sell on-board is limited and not always the healthiest array of edibles. This allows you to feed your kids what you want to feed them. Stick to low-sugar options and food that won’t spoil quickly.

7. Keep things clean – Wipe down the tray and armrest with sani-wipes when seated (easy way to reduce germs).

8. Stay away from sugar – Ask that fruit juice be diluted with water (reducing your kids’ sugar intake can make things a lot easier on a long flight).

9. Watch for flying limbs – Keep your kids’ hands and legs off the seat in front (we’ve all been the recipient of kicks to our chair – not fun).

10. Build margin into your travel timeline - Always allow extra time – things happen, and if you happen to be early it just means you have time for a long, tiring, nap-inducing walk around the terminal before the flight.

Baby loves....Google art project

Mosaic floor in the State Hermitage Museum on Google Art Project


The Sleeping Gypsy, Henri Rousseau in the MoMA seciton on Google Art Project


Now that seeing exhibitions is getting a little more challenging with baby more of a toddler Google Art Project is a fantastic resource...

www.googleartproject.com/



Tot at 1 year and 4 months....

February gallery

Martin Creed


Maria Rivans


Kristof Vrancken


Audrey Flack


Adham Faramawy


www.reedandradar.com

Baby loves....clowns

Pierrot


Cindy Sherman

When did clowns get a bad rep? Some people have a really visceral reaction to them...in any case, at yesterdays Chiswick car boot sale (first Sunday of every month) I bought some Columbine and Harlequin dolls for baby to play with. She immediately took to them!



Tot at one year, four months....

Baby loves....mother and baby paintings by Jan Gossart

Baby loves...homemade mobiles

Lovely artwork by Alexander Calder will inspire the next homemade mobile.