Absolutely Mama February 2019 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

Mama F E B R UA RY 2 0 1 9 • I S S U E 2 5

Be My Valentine The Magazine for Stylish Mums

Pink essentials for little love-bugs

Meet the

MAMA AWARDS Winners 2019

BABY BOOST Supercharge your child’s diet with Maddie Shaw

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Project N U R S E RY Trends to follow in the year ahead

THE MAGAZINE FOR ST YLISH MUMS 14/01/2019 15:26

the softest and most comfortable... ever We believe that every moment is worth embracing; from the sleep deprived times to the snuggles fuelled by laughter. At MORI we create products for your little ones with a gentle touch from sustainable materials, so your growing family can embrace each magical milestone.

babymori.com

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20% OFF* With code: MAMA20

*Offer expires 31.01.2019. See website for offer details.

embrace every moment

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mama WELCOME

contents FEBRUARY 2019

60 14

AGENDA What’s On

Arts and entertainment for the month ahead

New Books

February’s publishing pick

ESSENTIALS 20 Think Pink

Rose-tinted Valentines essentials

Mama Awards

Our pick of the parenting brands you need to know

MAMAHOOD 30 Insta-Mama ON THE COVER: Fornessi

Katherine Ormerod on good social media practice

32 Woman in Work

Journalist Annie Ridout talks about The Early Hour

35 Real Mum Talk

Alex Hunter faces the terrible twos

FASHION 42 Layer Cake

Stay warm but cool in Orwell & Austen’s covetable knitwear

50 Playful Prints

Marvellous motifs for babies and kids from What Mother Made

WELLNESS 63 Healthy Approach

Maddie Shaw shows us how to supercharge family meals

70 The Fourth Trimester The Motherbox team share tips for improving self-care

HOME & INTERIORS 78 Northern Comfort Founders of sustainable kitchen company, Ask & Eng

82 Project Nursery

Key interior trends for the new year

TRAVEL 90 Hidden Corners

A luxury apart-hotel in the Tuscan countryside

RESOURCES 109 Learn the Lingo

Stella Baptiste on the benefits of bilingual learning

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mama WELCOME

ESSENTIALS FOR BABY P. 20

Editor’s

LETTER FOR THE LOVE OF BOOKS P. 16

NORDIC DESIGN P. 78

great poet once wrote that April is the cruellest month – but February begs to differ. Typically, this month sees the weather at its worst and the average mama praying for the arrival of spring – if only so littles can get back to the playground and out of the soft-play centre. All of which means we need to think positive and focus on what we can still enjoy when it’s cold outside: home comforts, wholesome food and – of course – our loved ones. In this issue we sprinkle a little Valentines pink across our collection of cool brands, covetable products and clever parenting solutions. We’ve picked some rosy-hued baby essentials, given a Valentines spin to some of our style selections and have a duo of desirable getaways – one in the UK, one in beautiful Tuscany – for anyone in need of a romantic escape, now or in the summer. We’re also sending big love to the brands our readers can’t get enough of, in the form of the annual Mama Awards. We asked you which companies make your parenting life easier and now the votes are in – one more reason to be cheerful. Another is that spring is just round the corner, so stay strong! See you on the other side. .

Hel en Ba r on

NURSERY NOTES P. 74

E DITOR

@hel_bow helen.baron@zest-media.com

T h e M a g a z i n e Fo r S t y l i s h M u m s

Senior Designer: PAWEL KUBA Mid-weight Designer: REBECCA NOONAN Designer: CATHERINE PERKINS Finance Director: JERRIE KOLECI Director: ROCHELLE STREATER Managing Director: SHERIF SHALTOUT

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absolutely-mama .co.uk Group Editor: KATY GILLETT Editor UK: HELEN BARON Assistant Editor: FlORA THOMAS Social Media Editor: JESSICA SHALTOUT Specialist Manager: ZARINA KAPASI Parenting Portfolio Manager: LEAH DAY Marketing Manager: LUCIE PEARCE Art Director: PHIL COUZENS

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10 things we Absolutely

LOV E The products and brands getting our attention this month

Feel Flows

Boob Des ig n The new looks from Boob Design are in and as usual are well deserving of our attention. At the top of the wishlist for when the cold snap lifts is the Scirocco dress – fluid lines with maximum comfort for a growing bump. boobdesign.com

CLEAN SWEEP

Wilton We’re in love with this luxury detergent and fabric conditioner, which swaps nasty chemicals for natural ingredients and ersatz scentsfor essential oils of cedarwood or jasmine. London-born, completely eco-friendly and surprisingly affordable. From £6.50; wiltonlondon.co.uk

MAX OUT

Borgo de Nor When it’s finally time to banish slouchy jumpers to the back of the wardrobe, Borgo de Nor’s maxi dresses are the perfect antidote to cold-weather dressing. Thick, tailored and versatile, we love them with boots and a biker jacket. borgodenor.com

STAND & DELIVER Pa rce l Lo n d o n This homegrown brand produces some of the prettiest and best-curated gift boxes we’ve seen, some of which are tailored specifically to mamas – whether expectant, new or old hands in need of a little TLC. Dads get a look-in, too... £70; parcellondon.com

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ma m a LOVES

Love Note

LITTLE LUXURY

Katie Lea mo n Love is in the air. Whether you’re sending sweet nothings to an unsuspecting recipient, your other half or your dear old mum, Katie Leamon’s Valentine’s stationery is the way to go. Elegantly and sustainably designed and crafted. katieleamon.com

S e l f r i d g es The iconic West End department store called on an established chocolatier with a royal warrant to create this indulgent drink. Swirl yours into a generous mug of hot milk and pile on the whipped cream to ensure maximum satisfaction. £15.99; selfridges.com

or’s Editick P

TALKING POINT TO M D IXO N In typical Tom Dixon style, this abstract cushion is effortlessly cool and will add a talking point to your interiors. Inspired by urban perspective sketches, it features a tapestry-style cityscape made with hand-crafted linen-blend pile. £100; selfridges.com

CITY SLICKER

P ERF F New hybrid brand PERFF Studio looks just as stylish in the gym as it does in the city. On offer are timeless athleisure pieces manufactured with luxury fabrics and recycled materials; perff.com

EYE SPY Coat Tales

Sa int Lau rent Saint Laurent has been perfecting the pea coat since 1962 and this shrunken version epitomises the timelessness of the brand. Layer yours with one of the label’s marinière sweaters. £2,855; net-a-porter.com

Pa ra d i s e Row Favoured among the fash-pack, this Matisse-inspired bag is set to be a hero piece for emerging British leather goods brand Paradise Row. With its petroleum blue leather and gleaming gold lines we’re pairing ours with everything from denim to eveningwear. £395; youngbritishdesigners.com

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agenda JA N UA RY ’ S B E ST AC T I V I T I E S & E V E N T S p . 14 • O U R M O N T H LY R E A D I N G R O U N D - U P p . 16

Totem

• CIRQUE DU SOLEIL •

Embark on an incredible journey into the evolution of mankind. Explore the evolutionary process of species, our search for balance, and the curiosity that propels us ever further, faster and higher. Totem is an unforgettable spectacle for all ages . cirquedusoleil.com

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W H AT ’ S ON

Dancing’s on the agenda this month, along with inspirational art and comedy.

3 S H OWS FO R TH E S E A S O N On the menu: A migrating goose and a spring-cleaning Mole

The Goose Who Flew 9 February Little Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith

Goose loves playing with friends during the summer months, but soon it’s time for him to fly out for the winter. This heartfelt story is about the importance of compassion, community and understanding. lyric.co.uk

Wind in the Willows Until 17 February Polka Theatre, Wimbledon

When Mole abandons spring cleaning for the delights of the riverbank, he has no idea of the adventures that lie ahead. polkatheatre.com

Editor’s Pick

Music In

THE MED Until 14th February • Cornwall

Head to the Eden Project to make some noise during a musical experience especially designed for grandparents and toddlers. In the interactive session, you’ll learn original songs about the plant life at Eden, written by music specialist Matt Douglas. Sessions take place on the Mediterranean Biome. Booking ahead is advised. edenproject.com 14

Three Sat Under the Banyan Tree 20th-23rd February • Nationwide

In the foothills of the Himalayas, three refugees sit under a Banyan tree to read a magical book. This is the first UK stage adaptation of The Panchatantra. tara-arts.com

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EVENTS

Latino Bambino Various Dates London-wide

A fun and easy dance workout, specifically designed for new mums wearing their babies in a sling or baby carrier. The lively classes provide brilliant stimulation for your little one who can clasp a pair of maracas and kick their little feet to the pulsating latin beats, all while interacting with other babes. No previous dance experience required, it’s a great way to meet local mamas and papas. latinobambino.co.uk

BABBLE BEDFORD

Various dates The Bedford, Balham

Squish

SPACE

ED talk style events for parents. The iconic Bedford pub in Balham has teamed up with Babble Talks for all new parents looking for something to stimulate the minds, babies in tow. The Bedford is also host to Screaming With Laughter a daytime comedy club where littles are welcome. It’s a super childfriendly venue with a fantastic fast and fresh kid’s menu.

Ongoing

Barbican

or a multi sensory adventure, head to the Barbican’s Squish Space. It offers a safe environment for littles to experiment with versatile material, allowing them the freedom to redesign the space. In this curiosity-driven playground for the senses, children and their families have the chance to connect through construction play. barbican.org.uk

thebedford.com

Galleries for families

FAUSTO MELOTTI: COUNTERPOINT

G O O D G R I E F, C H A R LI E B ROW N !

RO C K ET BAC K PAC KS

A beautiful place to hang out and super easy to navigate with a buggy. Head to the Family Day on 20th for a story-telling session and learn how to make your own magical Lyre. estorickcollection.com

Enjoy interactive installations including the Snoopy Cinema, complete with bean bags on a baseball pitcher’s mound. Littles will revel in the bright colours and life-size doggy cartoons. somersethouse.org.uk

Blast off into the Tate! Designed to encourage maximum engagement with the art in the Constellations display, the rocket backpacks are jampacked full of fun props and games. tate.org.uk

Until 7 April Estorick Collection

Until 3 March Somerset House

Ongoing Tate Liverpool

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We love

BOOKS We’re all loved up this month as Valentine’s Day approaches. Plus, we’ve got cats for company.

Wo r d s F L O R A T H O M A S

COOL CATS C O L L E C T I N G C AT S By Lorna Scobie

This hilarious picture book is author/ illustrator Scobie’s debut and it’s purrrfect for cat lovers everywhere! Can anyone ever have too many cats? The answer might be yes, especially if the cats are rather large, with big teeth! £12.99;  lornascobie.com

AN ODE TO BOOKS HUG THIS BOOK By Barney Saltzberg and Fred Benaglia

Whimsical illustrations accompany the heartwarming celebration of a love of books. Embark on an imaginative journey where you are invited to read upside-down in the mirror and munch on letters of the alphabet. With echoes of Dr Seuss, adults will enjoy it as much as their children. £10.95;  phaidon.com

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BOOKS

SEA TALES

THE ONE HUNDRED YEAR OLD FISH By Lara Hawthorne

Alba the fish has spent her life collecting precious artefacts from the ocean floor. Over the years, Alba’s special finds begin to lose their sparkle and the world around her gradually fades to grey. Alba decides to leave her home to investigate. This poignant book aims to educate children about plastic in the oceans and provides ample opportunity to discuss how to protect the environment. £11.99;  templar.com

YO U N G LOV E M Y A R T B O O K O F LOV E By Shana Gozansky

AHOY MATEY

This stylish ode to love and book of beauty features 35 full-page artworks. For toddlers and young children, connecting their own experiences of love to those they see on the canvas allows them to truly engage with the material. Perfect for families with an artistic flair, or for parents who want to spark a conversation about love. £14.95;  phaidon.com

M E E T T H E P I R AT E S By James Davies

Meet the… series returns with an exciting title: Meet the Pirates. These short introductions are just the thing for inquisitive young minds. Get to know the basics with easy-to-digest, humorous text which is reminiscent of the Horrible Histories series. £9.99;  bonnierbooks.co.uk

PAIRING PERSPECTIVES BIG MEETS LITTLE By Yang Liu

Yang Liu is an award-winning graphic designer and this is the fourth instalment of her best-selling pictogram series. Big Meets Little playfully pairs the perspectives of grown-ups and children surrounding the ups and downs of family life. The book is bursting with incisive observations which encourage both big and little people to consider their counterparts’ views. £10;  taschen.com

S E A S O N A L TR E AT A Y E A R I N N AT U R E By Eleanor Taylor

A beautiful introduction to the seasons. It opens out into a delightful fourpart carousel which could serve as a permanent decorative feature in a child’s playroom. Follow a family of fox cubs as they navigate autumn, winter, spring and summer. £16.99;  laurenceking.com Februar y 2019

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Chair Lift • STOKKE •

The Tripp Trapp high chair is an iconic design and great for babies that can sit unaided, but this newborn set makes it a practical choice from day one. The clip-on seat features a comfy, washable cushion with five-point harness and optional toy hanger – so baby is sure to enjoy it as much as you do. £60; stokke.com

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Loved Up Get pretty in pink just in time for Valentine’s Day Wo r d s H E L E N BA RO N

Love Bug BAMBINO MIO

The year ahead is already shaping up to be a good one from a sustainability perspective, with more of us eschewing plastics and going green. Bambino Mio’s latest range of Earth-friendly reusable nappies should be popular, then, not least because it features cute insect prints including ladybirds and grasshoppers. From £10.99; bambinomio.com

Editor’s Pick

Horse Around MERI MERI

If your little one is the proud owner of a Meri Meri doll, this dress-up kit makes the perfect addition. Comprising a pink jumpsuit, tassel tail and sparkly horn headdress, it costumes your companion as a sweet little unicorn. Magical. £20.50; merimeri.co.uk 20

KIND WORDS ORGANIC ZOO

We’re all about empowerment, and how better to encourage positive development than with statement style like this? Made from organic cotton that’s kinder to farmers, the environment and your little one’s skin, this sweatshirt practises what it preaches. £28; organic-zoo.com

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essen t i a ls KIDS

HatsOff GR AY LABEL

The ‘Miniature Collection’ from cult brand Gray Label includes some darling styles for the dinkiest of littles, not least sleeveless bodysuits and classic hats with ties in organic cotton fleece. Like all Gray Label garb, the latest releases are sure to sell fast, so don’t hang about... thelittlenaturalco.co.uk

HOT LIPS BIB S

If your little one uses a pacifier, make it a stylish one – Danish brand BIBS creates cool dummies with breastmimicking teats in 100% natural rubber. The colour range is on point, with natural and earth tones predominating. £4; thelittlenaturalco.co.uk

THINK PINK FUB

We prefer our pinks gently understated, and this rose-hued bodysuit fits the bill. Crafted in softest cotton, the perforations add textural interest while the style itself is dainty without becoming too sweet. £45; lunaandcurious.com

Softly Does It PIO PIO LONDON

Little clothes don’t get more luxe than this: a newborn gift set in the softest, most tactile cashmere, featuring a blanket, cardigan, overalls, hat and booties. Certainly not inexpensive, but the snuggles are priceless. £450; lovepiopio.com

Happy Feet NAUSENI

Young toes will never be cosier than in these wool felt slippers, handmade by Nepalese artisans and available in kids’ sizes 7-13. They also do an adult version, just in case you suffer from footwear envy. £39; nauseni.org Februar y 2019

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AWA R DS 

2 01 8 

Thank you to everyone that voted in our first ever Absolutely Mama Awards.

e’re a readerled magazine and your input is incredibly important to us. Absolutely Mama exists to inspire and provoke conversation among savvy, stylish modern mamas – a diverse bunch of women united in their desire to make the most of their parenting journey – be it exhilarating, puzzling or downright exhausting. As such, our awards aren’t just a celebration of the products you love; they’re a way of giving you a voice so that the brands who are meeting your needs can see where and how they’re getting it right. From pregnancy to the early years, from parenting essentials to kidswear, from household name brands to new start-ups, our nominees are leading the way in the parenting world – making the parenting experience easier, more sustainable, more enjoyable or simply more beautiful in their own unique way. So thanks again to everyone who took part: we appreciate every vote. Now read on to discover more on our nominees and our winners...

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essentials M A M A

JO JO MAMAN BEBE

Fashion M AT E R N I T Y W E A R

Winner: Seraphine Seraphine is a leading European retailer, providing stylish maternity clothes to fashionable mamas-to-be. Loved by fashion editors, bloggers and celebrities, this is a brand offering covetable maternity clothes for every stage of pregnancy. seraphine.com Runner up: Isabella Oliver Third place: Nine in the Mirror

design. Not just a fashion retailer, their collections include nursery products, furniture, gifts and toys. www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk Runner up: Fred and Noah Third place: Bebe BomBom

consumers at the click of a button. alexandalexa.com Runner up: Frugi Third place: Children Salon

KIDS’ DESIGNER FA S H I O N

Winner: Jo Jo Maman Bebe JoJo Maman Bebe have you covered when it comes to wrapping up warm with beautiful hats, scaves and gloves. The nautical-inspired designers also produce cosy sleeping bags for babies of all sizes, so you can rest assured that your little one sleeps in comfort. jojomamanbebe.co.uk Runner up: My 1st Years Third place: Nibbling

Winner: Alex and Alexa From classic and traditional clothing to playful and cuttingedge designs, Alex and Alexa carries an exciting and diverse range of international fashion and sportswear brands, alongside homewares and toys. Alex and Alexa aims to bring “The World’s Best Kids’ Brands” to discerning

FA S H I O N AC C E S S O R I E S

“JOIE KNOW EXACTLY WHAT PARENTS DESIRE , THEIR INTELLIGENTLY DESIGNED PRODUCTS ARE A JOY TO USE”

C H I L D R E N ’ S FA S H I O N Winner: JoJo Maman Bebe JoJo Maman Bebe offers everything you need from pregnancy to pre-school; inspired by French nautical style combined with quirky British

AWARDS

JO JO MAMAN BEBE

ALEX AND ALEXA

SERAPHINE

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COT S

Winner: Snuz Snuzpod Snuz design products that are designed to make sleep happier, better, easier, and intertwined into everyday family life. The Snuzpod crib boasts a stunning new look and brand new features, including a reflux incline, a wider and lighter lift-off bassinet and dual-view breathable mesh sides. snuz.co.uk Runner up: Silver Cross Third place: Boori

BUGABOO FOX

TIBA + MARL

BREAST PUMPS CHILDS FARM

LITTLE FREDDIE

PUSHCHAIRS

Winner: Bugaboo Fox At home or on the go, the Bugaboo Fox is designed to fit your lifestyle. Going about your day, shopping, travelling and exploring the outdoors have never been easier thanks to the smoothest ride, the lightest push and Bugaboo’s best driving performance yet. bugaboo.com Runner up: Uppa Baby Third place: Micralite

Essentials NAPPIES

Winner: Pampers The household name of Pampers make products for babies of all ages. From premature babes, to precious crawlers to pottytraining toddlers, Pampers offer delicate protection for newborns aged between 0-3 months, dry days and nights for growing little ones aged between 3-12 months and flexible comfort for walkers and crawlers aged 12 months up. pampers.co.uk Runner up: Aldi Third place: Bamboo Nature

C A R S E AT S

Winner: Joie Joie know what parents need and what they want, which is why their products have the adaptability and versatility to reflect the unique desires of mums and dads everywhere. Thei products are intelligently designed with unique parentfriendly features. The versatility of Joie’s collection of car seats focuses on safety, security and that perfect fit for growing little riders. Plus, their extensive collection means there’s something to suit all tastes. joiebaby.com Runner up: Britax Third place: Cosatto

Winner: Medela Medela’s products and educational resources are driven by the commitment to enhance mother and baby health through the life-giving benefits of breast milk. It is Medela’s goal to support mothers to feed breast milk as long as possible, and to provide in-depth information to empower mums to make informed decisions. medela.co.uk Runner up: Nuby Third place: Elvie

SNUZ SNUZPOD

WEANING PRODUCTS

Winner: Kiddylicious Kiddylicious is a global, awardwinning, tasty snacks and meals brand for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. It is sold in every major UK supermarket and worldwide in over 27 countries, with two Kiddylicious snacks now being enjoyed every second around the world. kiddylicious.com Runner up: Hipp Organic Third place: Babease

MEDELA

BA BY FO O D

Winner: Little Freddie Little Freddie was born when founders, husband and wife team Piers and Taslim, started their family and discovered the food on offer at the time fell short of what they wished for. They started making their own high-quality

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essentials M A M A

PAMPERS

baby food that was nutritious, high quality and didn’t compromise on taste and launched in 2014. www.littlefreddie.com Runner up: Piccolo Third place: Babease

KIDS FOOD JOIE

Winner: Ella’s Kitchen Ella’s Kitchen offers organic foods made for tiny tummies which improve the lives of young children through evolving healthy relationships with food. Alongside products that are tasty for all tiny taste buds, Ella’s Kitchen is also involved in projects and campaigns that help bring Ella’s mission of the new generation exploring healthy foods to life. ellaskitchen.co.uk Runner up: Organix Third place: Annabel Karmel

KIDDYLICIOUS

AWARDS

“MEDELA’S AMAZING PRODUCTS AND EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES ENHANCE MOTHER AND BABY HEALTH”

B AT H P R O D U C T S

Winner: Childs Farm Childs Farm uses the best naturally derived ingredients, moisturisers and essential oils to produce a range of skincare products for newborns, babies and children. Child Farm’s products cater to all skin types from normal to sensitive to even skin that is prone to eczema. Child’s Farm is one of the only baby skin products that are dermatologist and paediatrician approved, a range that can be used to make your baby’s skin feel happy! childsfarm.com Runner up: Mustela Third place: Fifi & Friends

C H A N G I N G B AG S

Winner: Tiba + Marl Tiba + Marl is a new parent changing bag company based in London, established by two mothers Anna Tizard and Lydia Barron. The designs of Tiba +

ELLA’S KITCHEN

Marl redefine the noble tradition of baby changing bags by blending modern graphic prints, premium high tech materials and stylish but practical designs. Street-style inspired, Tiba + Marl collection exhibits a cool alternative for modern parents who are after unisex designs that are one-of-a-kind. tibaandmarl.com Runner up: Jem & Bea Third place: Kerikit

Interiors & Home INTERIORS BRAND Winner: Dreams on the Wall Dreams on the Wall recreates children’s wallpaper from a wall cover option to the essential decor item for a nursery, child’s bedroom or play space. Dreams on the Wall products offer a range of beautiful patterned walls to personalised bedrooms - they are designed to bring imaginative and creative thinking and play for children. dreamsonthewall.com Runner up: Nubie Third place: Boori

INTERIORS PRODUCT Winner: Scandiborn Originated from a passion for Scandinavian cherished design, Scandiborn offers the very best Scandinavian

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and equipment suitable for all ages. Lamaze products include baby playmats and rattles and floor toys, bath toys, books and educational toys as well as play and grow toys, and music and lights toys. lamazetoys.co.uk Runner up: My 1st Years Third place: Mama & Belle LITTLE DREAMERS PHOTOGRAPHY

inspired children’s interiors, clothing and accessories. From beautiful, sustainable wooden nursery furniture to home-decor accessories, Scandiborn brings all the baby essentials you’ll need from meal-times to bath-time, bed-time and play time. scandiborn.co.uk Runner up: Toddlekind Third place: Hibou Home

P H OTO G RA P H Y

Winner: Little Dreamers Photography Halina Norvaise is the creative eye behind the lense at Little Dreamers Photography. The professional photography studio specialises in newborn portaiture, milestone markers and family shots. You can trust Little Dreamers to capture the most precious first moments of life, and to produce pictures you’ll cherish forever. littledreamersphotography.co.uk Runner up: Ribbon and Pearl Third place: Helen Bartlett Photography

C H I L D R E N ’ S TOY S

Winner: Smartrike Smartrike offers the utmost ride on trike for you and your baby. They also produce comfortable, safe and easy-to-navigate scooters, little balance bikes and even trampolines that your toddler will love when exploring and playing outdoors. Smartrike also produce changing bags. www.smartrike.co.uk Runner up: Le Toy Van Third place: Tractor Ted

BABY APPS

Winner: Annabel Karmel

Travel & Adventure FA M I LY T R AV E L C O M PA N Y

Winner: Tots to Travel Tots to Travel provide family friendly holidays for those with children under-five. A unique combination of fun, play, and safety at a stress free level. In developing their own specialist resorts and holiday places to stay, Tots to Travel deliver families with babies and small children the assurance to go on holiday by offering everything they need for an easy, safe and fun holiday experience. totstot ravel.co.uk Runner up: Holiday Tots Third place: Away with the

MY.HAIRCARE

LAMAZE

SCANDIBORN

Annabel Karmel is an expert and best-selling author who supports families with delicious and nutritious meal options on the go, from Organic Baby Purees to tasty Chilled Toddler Meals. Annabel Karmel’s awardwinning toddler feeding app is ideal and suited for all mothers and their baby for planning meals on the go. annabelkarmel.com Runner up: Let’s Mush Third place: Baby Connect

ANNABEL KARMEL

Toys & Apps B A B Y T OY S

Winner: Lamaze Lamaze Toys is a baby toys and equipment online shop that offers a broad range of baby toys

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essentials M A M A

AWARDS

DREAMS ON THE WALL

FA M I LY DAY O U T

PEPPA PIG WORLD

SMARTRIKE

Winner: Peppa Pig World Part of the Paultons Family Theme Park, Peppa Pig World is nestled in the New Forest in Hampshire. The theme park is based on our favoutire character from the award winning children’s television series character, Peppa Pig. It’s bursting with exciting rides, a large indoor playzone and even muddy puddle to jump and play in. Also, you and your littles get the chance to meet and greet Peppa and friends. paultonspark.co.uk Runner up: Flip Out Third place: Kidzania

Health & Lifestyle B E S T M AT E R N I T Y P R OV I D E R TOTS TO TRAVEL

THE LINDO WING

Winner: The Lindo Wing The Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Cathedral offers care and advice from a team of dedicated midwives. The Lindo Wing Maternity creates a safe, personalised care plan that suits you and your baby during your pregnancy and birth, whilst having the space, security and privacy you need to enjoy moments as a family. Upgraded room facilities of deluxe or suite rooms and a supervised nursery are also offered for a pleasant experience. imperialprivatehealthcare.co.uk Runner up: The Portland Hospital Third place: The Kensington Wing

G I F T I N G FO R BA BY

Winner: Baby Mori Sustainably sourced, Baby Mori uses the softest and highestquality products for their sleep and bath sets. Sleep sets, baby towels and accessories are all crafted from organic cotton

and bamboo, a fabric that is perfectly soft on a baby’s delicate skin. Baby Mori products are breathable and sustainable, suited for all seasons to dress your baby in. babymori.com Runner up: Prezzy Box Third place: Foreo Issa Mikro

BABY MORI

B E AU T Y

Winner: My.Haircare My.Haircare is a vegan, silicone, paraben, and sulphates free hair care brand that offers a colour infusing shampoo range. my-haircare.com Runner up: Skin 689 Third place: The Perfect V

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Word Perfect • IN THIS SECTION •

This month’s inspirational mamas are charting their own path through careers and motherhood. Katherine Ormerod opens up about social media, jeweller Laura Rowan tells us how she switched careers and Annie Ridout (pictured) talks about founding and evolving her online magazine, The Early Hour. Enjoy...

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~ “I WANTED TO

MAKE SURE THERE WAS SOMEWHERE TO BE HAVING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE NOTSO-GREAT THINGS”

INSTA MA M A Katherine Ormerod on healthier ways to use social media

@mamalovesgrey • @katherine_ormerod

Q Why did you set up your ‘antiperfectionism project’, workworkwork.co? What do you hope to achieve with it? A Really I just started to feel uncomfortable with the message I was putting out there on social media personally - that life is all rewards without the hard work that goes into achieving success. I’ve always worked in aspirational industries, but there’s something so much more convincing - and total - to social media perfection and I just wanted to make sure that there was somewhere to still be having conversations about the not-sogreat things life has in store for all of us. By featuring women who have huge followings on social media or who work in really glossy professions, I wanted to make the point that no matter what it looks like from the outside, everyone has stuff to deal with in life. Q What prompted you to write your book ‘Why Social Media is Ruining Your Life’? A The same themes kept cropping up in every single one of my interviews. Feeling insecure, comparing our lives to others, having a poor view of body image, struggling with identity and feeling that everyone else has it better. And this is from women who really do look like they’ve got it all figured out. I also really started to analyse how bad social media had made me feel; how it had, at times, made me view my clearly privileged life as lonely, poor and unsuccessful. As a woman in her mid-30s who really knows how things work behind

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mama h ood Q & A

the scenes, if it can impact me, it can impact anyone. At this point I started to see a huge problem and something that wasn’t really being addressed by anyone who was actually on social media. I wanted to use my influence for something more than directing people to nice shoes (although there is nothing wrong with that obviously). Q Do you think it’s possible for a majority of social media users to use the various platforms critically and without negative impacts on their sense of self etc? Or is that wishful thinking? Do you have tips you can share with us on how to use social media? A I think like everything we have a propensity to become addicted to, it’s all about mindful, conscious consumption. As soon as your eyes are opened to some of the worst consequences of overuse of social media, you approach it with a different attitude. I look at everyone’s content as curated and the exclusive, top 1% of their life - not as representative of anything more than that. And I never take my phone into the bedroom - at rise and sleep times we are most vulnerable to messages and scrolling in bed can be terribly lonely. Far better to get a good night’s sleep, wake with an alarm, then go and get your phone after you’ve showered. It completely broke the cycle I’d developed of looking every few minutes at Instagram.

Q You’re a self-confessed ‘healthaholic’? How has your health impacted your life and has your attitude to it changed since becoming a mother? A I was very healthy - or at least very fit before I had a baby. But I had a really tough pregnancy and went from exercising five times a week to not being able to walk for weeks – and I’ve found it really hard to regain my strength. My baby weighed over 4kg, so I had to take it massively easy for the first months as my recovery was really slow. I don’t take care of myself very well at all at the moment, but I guess over the past nine months I’ve had my first baby, written a book and kept my relationship together, so something had to give! Q Do you know of any other reference points similar to your site - people and/or websites adopting the same honest approach and seeking to demystify the representation of lifestyle/aspiration/motherhood etc? AI love reading Lucy Sheridan’s work she’s a comparison coach and has so many incredible, insightful things to say about life full stop. I haven’t ever read another site like mine exclusively devoted to the topic, but of course there is some wonderful content out there - The Guardian consistently covers social media culture and Refinery 29 has some great pieces which draw back the veil.

~ “I THINK LIKE

EVERYTHING WE HAVE A PROPENSITY TO BECOME ADDICTED TO, IT’S ABOUT CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION”

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woman in

WORK Annie Ridoult, journalist and founder of The Early Hour Inter view HELEN BARON

Q What prompted the start of the Early Hour, how long does it take to build a digital platform and how has it evolved over time? A After the birth of my daughter, I was writing the odd freelance article but my full-time copywriting contract had been terminated. It wasn’t until much later that I realised this was maternity discrimination. I decided I’d like to build a proper freelance career that would allow me to earn money while still caring for my daughter. When she was one, I came up with the idea for a digital parenting magazine that published articles daily at 5am, for parents up early in the morning with young kids. I wanted to speak honestly about parenting, to cut through the gloss, and to give a voice to the parents we don’t usually hear from in mainstream media (surrogate mothers; parents from different race, religious, class backgrounds; gay parents; IVF parents; parents who have lost a child or those who struggled to conceive). After a few months of planning, researching, designing (someone else, following my brief), writing, commissioning and editing, I launched The Early Hour. I had to create enough content to fill the website 32

and to keep putting out daily articles for at least the first month. I probably wrote and gathered around 40 articles before launching. It was a lot of work, and all done while my daughter was napping. Thankfully, she’s always been a very good sleeper. In the first month after launch, the site was visited over 10,000 times. I was delighted. But this was mostly because friends and family kindly spread the word online. Month two dipped, as did month three, which felt disheartening, but then I started to find the same people coming back again and again, and so a loyal readership began to develop. Alongside the content, I was growing the social media channels – Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. I found Instagram was the best platform for reaching new and expectant mothers. Initially, I wanted The Early Hour to be for both mums and dads but I soon found that 90% of my readers were female so I adjusted my expectations and went with this. Three years in, I no longer publish daily articles. For a while, The Early Hour was my main job. I made money through sponsored content and brand partnerships. But I didn’t want to be a saleswoman, l wanted to write, so I started using it as a springboard. It has led to me writing freelance articles for the Guardian, Stylist, Red, Grazia – and to securing a book deal. ‘The Freelance Mum: A flexible career guide for better work-life balance’ is in bookshops and available to order on Amazon now. I also work as a consultant, helping other freelance mums with their career direction. Q What’s your approach to sourcing content for the platform? A Initially, I called in favours from all my journalist friends and they very generously wrote free content. I’ve been through periods of paying for content. Often, people ask to write guest posts, as it will promote their websites. But the most successful pieces are my own opinion pieces, or opinion/real-life articles that other people write, without an agenda (i.e. without something to sell). Now that I’m publishing less, I’m really selective.

“ I WAN T E D TO S PEAK H O N EST LY AB OU T PAR E N T I N G, TO CU T T H R O U GH THE GLOS S”

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Q&A

“ W I T H A N EWB ORN, I T ’S FAI R LY EASY. IT ’S W H E N T H EY B ECOME M O R E WAK EF U L THAT I T GE TS TRICKY”

liberated. A few people emailed saying they were disappointed, as they relied on those 5am articles each day but most of my readers were really supportive and totally understood. Q What challenges did book-writing pose? A As writing is my thing, it wasn’t too hard. I wrote the bulk of the content in a few weeks but then spent longer interviewing people (there are 50 freelance mums in the book). It needed to offer a wide array of freelance mum experiences; not just mine. Once the book was written, there were a few edits and now we’re doing all the PR, but I have a publicist who’s fab so she takes charge and just tells me what I’m doing and when. It takes up time but I can fit it in between my other work. And I’ve become quite used to writing quickly and working efficiently, because I never have a huge amount of time. To be honest, I get a lot more done with two children than I ever did pre-kids. I know what people want to read, so I publish content that will do well or articles that won’t necessarily do well but that are important – for instance, supporting a good cause or tackling an issue that other publications won’t touch. Q You’re a freelance writer – how have you kept up with everything, especially when you had a newborn to look after? A With a newborn, it’s fairly easy. They sleep all the time, so you can work. It’s when they become more wakeful that it gets tricky. When my son was about three months old, I was looking after him full-time and my toddler-aged daughter every day of the week but two (when she was at nursery) and I was so stressed. I couldn’t work out how to lighten my load. A few months later, I stopped putting out daily content on The Early Hour and a huge weight was lifted. Now, I was only writing freelance articles that would pay, and putting out enough content to keep the platform going. I felt utterly

Q Do you ever miss office life? A Initially, I felt quite isolated when I was setting up The Early Hour. But if it got too much, I’d get out to a networking event locally or somewhere else in London. I found that my kids going to nursery and school has widened my social group so I now have freelance pals who I can meet for a quick coffee before I get started, which makes the day feel less long and lonely. But I also collaborate. I’m co-founder of Clementine App, which helps women to feel calmer and more confident. My partner, Kim, and I get on really well so often WhatsApp and chat on the phone throughout the week – and I really relish this. We plan to start working together a lot more, in an office, so I’m looking forward to that. A bit of both is ideal, I think – I love the quiet of my home and need to be alone to write, but some company is vital. theearlyhour.com Februar y 2019

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“HE THREW HIS CEREAL ALL OVER HIMSELF AND THE FLOOR. THE DOG WAS IN HEAVEN”

real mum talk...

Telling it Like it is

Alexandra Hunter on coming up against the Terrible Twos

know I’m terribly lucky to be able to count the tantrums Sebby, now two and a half, has had on one hand. His speech is very advanced, so reasoning with him and his comprehension of the world normally allows logic to prevail. I decided early on that, whenever possible, I’d offer him a choice of two options, either of which I’m happy with. Porridge or shredded wheat? The dinosaur or fire engine jumper? Museum or soft play? Burglar Bill or Postman Pat (for the twentieth time in a row)? I think the fact he feels he has a choice makes him feel more in control, most of the time. I told him off for something minor last week and he told me he was going to sit on the naughty step and have a think about things – and he

did! I have never suggested a naughty step, he’s not really naughty and I find discussing things more productive. I’m sure at some point I will have to introduce a naughty step, but not yet. Being a single parent means sadly you only see and know about half the story, half of your child’s life. He’s clearly already familiar with the naughty step and I do sometimes wonder what he gets up to on the ‘other side’. On Thursday morning I lifted Sebby out of his cot and asked him if he’d had a lovely sleep. His normal response is ‘Yes Mama, I’ve had a lovely sleep’, followed by a kiss. But his reply on Thursday was ‘No. I’m not going to nursery today. I stay here!’ And so it began: a morning like no other. He refused to have a new nappy put on and refused to go on the potty.

He refused to get dressed and when I’d finally got his trousers on, he took them off, screaming, while I was looking for socks. A tiny bundle of rage torpedoed around my house. It was as though a Dementor had sucked the soul out of my beautiful, loving, calm little boy and replaced it with that of a raging, furious, angry dwarf. He threw his cereal all over himself and the floor (the dog was in heaven). I didn’t even attempt the toothbrush for fear of losing a finger. I finally got him in the car, having prised his clinging fingers from the front doorframe, and felt I should be handed a stiff gin at 7.50am as a reward for finally managing to strap him into his car-seat. We were pulling out of our village (he was still in his pyjamas, without shoes) when Sebby announced he needed teddy. Teddy had been put in the car but had been thrown out in anger at some point along the way. I value every minute I have with Sebby, he’s an absolute joy, but that morning I was relieved to hand him over to the professionals along with a bag containing the clothes and shoes I had failed to get on him – and his puddlesoaked teddy. I have no idea what triggered his temporary personality transplant – at times like those, all logic goes out the window (along with teddies and breakfast). His previous tantrum was four months ago, so I’m praying it’s another four months until the next one. Oh, and don’t make the mistake I did and laugh at the fury, however tempting. It only serves to amplify it! Februar y 2019

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I School of

ROCK Mama meets Laura Rowan, founder of jewellery brand Harry Rocks

Wo r d s PE N D L E H A R T E

LAURA ROWAN

t's an increasingly well-trodden path. Woman has baby, tries to return to her existing job and manage motherhood alongside the nine-to-five, but finds it overwhelming and instead sets up on her own. And often these are stories of success, both personally and professionally. When Laura Rowan went back to work as a designer after having her son Harry, things had changed and the high street fashion brand she was working for wanted her to spend at least a week out of every month in China working with factories. Pre-kids she had travelled probably once a quarter, and the new regularity was too much for her as a mother. Her background was in graphic design and she had worked in jewellery design for companies including Accessorize, Next and Marks and Spencer – so launching her own jewellery brand was a natural move. 'I'm kind of doing it backwards,' she tells me over coffee. Laura is a friendly and approachable woman with a natural sense of what women like. Her jewellery is simple and stylish yet it has longevity. She set out to create a small brand and to make everything in the UK – and at the start, her experience was exclusively in designing and not in making. That's what she means by backwards – when she went to evening classes in jewellery making at Central Saint Martins, she had already been putting her own designs into production for a long time, even though she knew nothing about the actual craft. 'I wasn't very patient and it takes me a long time!' she says. Making jewellery is painstaking work, involving precision and magnifying glasses. Laura works at a bench in Hatton Garden once a week, where she loves being able to learn from the experts. 'I've been hammering bangles and for the new collection I am casting coins. It's really exciting.' Harry Rocks was named partly after her son Harry and partly after the Old Harry Rocks in Dorset, where Laura spent her summers as a child. 'It's a magical place and when I started I didn't want to use my own name so I chose that,' she says. The brand took off very quickly, partly due to a chance meeting with someone who bought some earrings and wore them that evening to an event where someone noticed them and liked them – who happened to be a buyer for Harvey Nichols. The next day she put in an

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FASHION • INTERVIEW

fash io n INTERVIEW

“ THE BRAND TOOK OFF VERY QUICKLY, PARTLY DUE TO A CHANCE MEETING”

order and for the next three years Harry Rocks had a lovely relationship. 'That was a great start,' says Laura. Her collection is both on-trend and timeless, with its stars, moons, lightning bolts and coins as well as lots of personalised pieces. The best-seller is the Entwined collection, a lovely idea whereby clients commission between two and five letters to be drawn in a linked design by Laura and then engraved in nine carat gold. These are completely bespoke and come in a range of sizes and finishes. 'Every single one is different and I'm really proud of them,' says Laura. She's also proud of her ingenious butterfly backs that come with charms hanging from chains, designed to fit on the back of any stud. 'They take a bit of explaining but they're proving popular,' she explains. They're sold singly without a stud, because the

MINI HOOP WITH BOLT EARRINGS, £45

idea is to mix and match. As part of a focus on longevity and waste avoidance, Harry Rocks sells hoop earrings that are designed to be worn with a variety of compatible charms – so you buy one pair of earrings, then add charms separately. 'They're not throwaway like high street pieces. That's important to me.' she says. She wants to know where everything comes from and to keep things as local and friendly as possible.

Laura went on to have a daughter, Maisie, who inevitably became outraged that her mother's business seemed to be all about her brother and not about her. 'So I had to start a children's range for her really. She's six and not very girly but Maisie Bee is named after her'. This collection comprises cute mini hugs and kisses bracelets, dinky personalised charms and birthstone necklaces as well as christening necklaces. Last Christmas, a pound from each Maisie Bee sale went to the Team Margot, a child cancer charity set up for a girl local to Laura in southwest London. Laura loves selling at local fairs and meeting her customers – she's keen to keep her prices accessible even though her margins are small. 'I suppose I should really put my prices up,' she smiles – and since she's been going for almost ten years now, it must be about time. harryrocks.com Februar y 2019

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Spinning a yarn • NONNA LIETTA•

A brand to bookmark, Nonna Lietta hails from Greece and is named for the founder’s Italian gran. Specialising in wool knits for women and kids, the designs channel contemporary cool and boho nostalgia for a European dream of a collection. Think Joni Mitchell in a Greek fishing village in the Sixties and you won’t be far off. nonnalietta.com

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mama

ST Y L E NOTES

February’s best brands, collaborations and collections

DAT E NIGHT ISABELLA OLIVER

If the girl next door grew up and had children of her own, she’d wear Isabella Oliver – not least the ‘Lydia’ polka dot maternity dress in a Valentines-appropriate crimson. We love the preppy, sophisticated styling and flattering cut. £109; isabellaoliver.com

we love BRIGHT SIDE GANNI

One of the most reliably onpoint (and solidly wearable) brands in the business has produced yet another collection you could build an entire wardrobe around. We’re talking about Ganni, of course, and we’re currently loving the luxe knits and outerwear in playful, juicy hues. net-a-porter.com

Pyjama Party SLEEPY DOE

The mini-me trend isn’t going away, and while many of us like to get a little matchy-matchy in daylight hours, real pros continue the theme after dark. Our tip? Bag some of these beautiful collared pyjamas from Bath-based Sleepy Doe. The clementine print is an instant pick-me-up, and they’re sustainably made to boot. sleepydoe.com

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MAMA

nd Bra us Foc

Mother, May I MOTHER ROSE

This British brand creates refreshingly directional maternitywear inspired by classic tailoring, so the designs transform with your body. We love the luxe dresses with concealed popper fastening for breastfeeding access. Parachute dress, £375; Oxford bags trousers, £275; Scalloped shirt, £275; mother-rose.co.uk

BAUKJEN

TREASURE CHEST BEIJA

Every woman’s body is unique, so why do most bras follow a single formula? This British start-up seeks to enhance comfort and celebrate difference with its unique approach to lingerie, which centres on distinct designs for different cup sizes. €115; beija.london

5 of t he b e st AN K L E B O OT S ROSEANNA Tucson boot, £401; smallable.com

GANNI Alma boot, £240; ganni.com

MONCLER Leather biker boots, £480; harveynichols.com

ISABEL MARANT Lemsey embellished leather boot, £705; net-a-porter.com

PROENZA SCHOULER Cotton-canvas boot, £450; net-a-porter.com

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ondon-based Baukjen is quite the success story. Launched in 2012 off the back of sister brand Isabella Oliver, the Big Idea was to provide luxury clothing for women more interested in timeless style than shortlived trends. Isabella Oliver had already played a significant part in revolutionising maternitywear, becoming a favourite of style insiders the world over. In the words of founding husband-and-wife team Baukjen and Geoff, ‘We realised we could have a longer relationship [with Isabella Oliver customers] than nine months’ – and so Baukjen was born. The label has gone from strength to strength, thanks to a focus on versatile styles, masterful fits and a sustainable production process. The brand creates key pieces that can easily become lifetime go-tos, Instagram-ready outerwear longlasting knits. Yet despite the designer cuts and classic styling, price points remain resolutely affordable – this isn’t disposable fashion, but as a digital native with a disruptive mentality, Baukjen has managed to keep costs from spiralling. Our advice? Check Baukjen out if you haven’t already. If you love what you see, right now they’re offering a chance to help crowdfund their next phase of expansion – with rewards for investors including 30% off for life. Prepare to be tempted... baukjen.com

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L AY E R CAKE

This time of year calls for clever layering. Make a statement in lightweight cashmere from Orwell & Austen

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kid s

FA S H I O N NOTES Carly Glendinning rounds up the month’s best styles, looks and launches

N AT U R A L BEAUTY MONKIND

we love

Ask the husband and wife duo behind Berlin-based brand MONKIND what inspired them to launch their own clothing label and they’ll tell you that they wanted to prove that sustainability can be stylish. Mostly made from GOTS certified organic cotton, we love the simple shapes, muted colour palette and design-led prints. monkind.com

TEE TIME MAISON LABICHE

In true Parisian style, the perfect hand-embroidered t-shirt is at the heart of the Maison Labiche brand. The collection at AlexandAlexa includes exclusive designs created in collaboration with the childrenswear retailer, embroidered with the words ‘future hero’. alexandalexa.com

Fairytale Florals CARAMEL

Caramel has become known for a dreamy aesthetic and the brand’s current collection doesn’t disappoint. Inspired by a magical forest-scape (imagined from Russian and European folklore), think intricate embroidery, mismatched textures and floral prints. caramel-shop.co.uk

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We Are Family

KIDS

nd Bra us Foc

COLCHIK

Playing with the idea that kids love to dress like their parents, Colchik’s collection comes in both grown-up and mini sizes. The vintage workwear-inspired pieces are made from the softest organic cotton, in a vivid colour palette of Baltic blue, indigo, rose and rust. lunandcurious.com

CLAUDE & CO

British brand Claude & Co is reinventing unisex clothing for kids

SWEET STEPS

A M Y & I VO R

The award winning Amy & Ivor collection of shoes from Hedley Field is so beautifully made, it’s hard to resist the urge to display them on a shelf long after their first steps. Each pair is handstitched in the brand’s UK-based studio from chrome-free, ecofriendly leather. hedleyfield.com

5 of t he b e st H E ARTS A N D ROS E S GLITTER HEART BAG, Meri Meri, £20.50; merimeri.co.uk PIERROT SWEATER, Belle Enfant, from £74; belleenfant-boutique.com

MARY JANE SHOES, Angulus, £80; scandimini.com

LONG VELVET BOW PONIES, Rockahula Kids, £5 (set of two); rockahulakids.com

CLARA PINAFORE, lillu, £62; liilu.de

bi Dakin had her lightbulb moment while working as a buyer for a wellknown high street retailer. The very gender-specific collections left her feeling that there was a real need for a unisex childrenswear brand that broke away from ‘expected shades’ (such as white for newborns). In 2017, she took the plunge and launched her own clothing range for ‘little individuals’ aged 0-4 years. Built on simple shapes, playful prints and earthy tones, every piece really does work just as well for boys as it does for girls. Abi’s online store Claude & Co also stocks a beautifully curated selection of accessories, interiors items and gifts from other independent brands, such as Olli Ella, Tiny Cottons and Konges Sløjd. And as if that wasn’t reason enough to fall in love with Claude & Co, Abi has recently created a charity sweatshirt in aid of a very special cause. Following the heartbreaking loss of her niece Phoebe, the design aims to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation – who do vital research into the development of a cure for the disease. claudeandco.co.uk

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P L AY F U L PRINTS Floral flourishes, charming checks and adorable onesies for babies and kids whatmothermade.co.uk

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Baby care the natural way

Reclaim motherhood as a positive, stress-free experience

Through our online training with local consultants,Babyopathy can help nurture more babies from conception, through pregnancy, birth and throughout babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first years. for more information visit

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S U P E R C H A R G E D N U T R I T I O N W I T H M A D D I E S H AW p .6 0 • TO P T I P S FO R AVO I D I N G F LU p .6 6 S E LF - C A R E I N T H E FO U R T H T R I M E ST E R p .70

Winterproof • PUREARTH •

Purearth’s juices, nut mylks, kefirs and tonics are certified organic, wild-crafted and freshly-pressed to guarantee optimal nutrition. They use adaptogenic herbs and purifying superfoods to allow for healing at a deep level. So if your New Year resolutions have gone awry, it’s not too late to for a seasonal broth cleanse. purearth.co.uk

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HE ALTH

SQUEAKY CLEAN N U D DY

Nuddy soap bars are vegan-friendly and free from the nasties found in other beauty products. We love the British brand’s colourful packaging, which is 100% plastic-free and emblazoned with witty phrases – guaranteed to start your day with a smile. nuddy.co.uk

mama’s

WELLNESS NOTES Healthy snacks and solutions for mums and munchkins

GUM BALL GUMI

Little ones shouldn’t have all the fun with vitamins, popping fruity chews while their parents swallow stale-tasting pills - which is why Gumi produces vitaminpacked gummies for adults as well as infants. gumivit.com

HAPPY E AT E R S CINK

CINK’s stylish dinnerware for little ones is made from organic bamboo (recycled from the waste created in chopstick production), so it’s eco-friendly and non-toxic. cinkshop.com

Easy Eats

E L L A’ S K I T C H E N The new Ella’s Kitchen range is aimed at kids aged 2-8 and based on the same organic goodness the brand is known for. With 14 scrumptious options including oven food, defrostand-serve and stir-ins, they’re a life-saver for time-starved mamas.. Available exclusively at Tesco; ellaskitchen.co.uk

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RECIPES

M O V E, M U N C H, M E D I TAT E Supercharging your family’s health with Madeleine Shaw and Babease W o r d s C A R LY G E L N D I N N I N G

aving shaken up the wellness industry with her mindful approach to healthy eating and exercise, Madeleine Shaw is turning her attention to family nutrition. The bestselling author and blogger has teamed up with Babease, the vegetable-led baby food brand, to show parents that weaning doesn’t need to be stressful, and to encourage them to be brave and adventurous when it comes to introducing new foods. Here she talks about how to boost your family’s health, and shares three nutritious weaning recipes she has created in collaboration with Babease. Q Has your approach to nutrition, exercise and relaxation changed since you’ve become a mother? A It has changed a lot. I have much less time to cook, do yoga and work now. I guess everything has had to become shorter and more time efficient. For example, sometimes this means instead of an hour-long yoga class, Shay and I will go on a walk. I find walking

“I LOVE TO USE SUNDAY AS PREP DAY - I PLAN MY MEALS FOR THE WEEK - AND BATCH COOKING HELPS ”

super relaxing, it gets us moving and it’s really special. Q What advice would you give to mums who want to incorporate healthy eating into their busy family schedules? A I love to use Sunday as a prep day. I plan my meals for the week – I normally end up roasting a chicken and some veg and

preparing oats for the morning. Batch cooking helps to get you on top of your week, you know exactly what’s going in your meal and it just makes you feel great. You can also freeze meals if you don’t use them, so you’re prepared for those days where you don’t have much time. I would also recommend cooking foods that work for the whole family and that can be made into finger food for little ones. Q You’ve launched ‘Madeleine Shaw’s Mini Kitchen’ to share the meals you make for Shay. What would you say is the secret to raising healthy, adventurous eaters? Be consistent with putting new flavours, textures and ingredients in front of them. They may be unsure at the start, but I find that it sometimes takes a while for them to like it. It’s best to start them on flavours young. I also find sitting and eating with them, showing them you are eating too, always works. Q What are your top tips for making sure little ones are getting a nutritionally balanced diet from the start? A I started with vegetable weaning (so Shay really started to love veg) and then I began Februar y 2019

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THE BIRTH OF YOUR BABY

IN TRUSTED HANDS THE LINDO WING, ST MARY’S HOSPITAL

The Lindo Wing, St Mary’s Hospital South Wharf Road, London, W2 1NY T: +44 (0)20 3312 6224 E: imperial.lindo.maternity@nhs.net W: imperialprivatehealthcare.co.uk Part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. All our profits are reinvested to support our NHS services

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to add in fruit. I try to balance his plate with healthy fats, protein, fibre and tons of veggies. I find finger food makes eating more fun for him. Also, I always try to get three different colours on the plate – variety is everything. Constantly switch up the grains you use, the veg, fruit, nuts and seeds, so they get a good balance.

RECIPES

Nutritional Weaning Recipes created by Madeleine Shaw and Babease

Q Do you think new mums are put under too much pressure to ‘bounce back’ after giving birth? How can you look after yourself after having a baby? A Focus on your health, not having a flat stomach. The most important thing is yours and your baby’s health; don’t worry what anyone else thinks. My key points to mums on this topic would be: • Breastfeeding does help with weight loss, as does daily movement • Try and take your little one out for a walk every day and do some gentle yoga on YouTube while your little one sleeps, when you can! • Try to snack on nuts, not sugary energy bars, as this will fill you up and stop you grazing all day • Try to eat three meals a day sitting down, even if it is carrots and houmous • Eating mindfully will stop you overeating and allow you to enjoy your food • Don’t ever feel bad and don’t let anyone else’s life make you feel bad, we are all on our own individual journeys Q For mums who are too busy to get to the gym, what are the easiest ways to get active? A YouTube videos; these can be done everywhere and provide you with so many different types of exercises for all abilities. Play with your kids; you’d be surprised how much movement crawling, laughing, running or kicking a football involves. You have fun and it gets you moving! Walk in nature; there have been studies which say how exercising in nature has a significant positive impact on our mood and happiness. Q And finally, is meditation something you can do as a family? What are your favourite ways to incorporate a bit of zen into your day? A I hope to get Shay involved with meditation one day. He is a little young at the moment. However, when he gets upset I will get him to take deep breaths, which really helps. We also always have a wind-down routine and try to calm him with dim lights, stories and cuddles.

Sweet Potato Falafel Wrap

great vegetarian family sharing dish that can be created in less than half an hour, making it perfect for when you are short on time. INGREDIENTS 2 flatbreads 1 Babease sweet potato and chickpea pouch Falafel: • 1 tsp cumin • 1 tsp coriander • 1 can chickpeas, drained • 3 tbsp chickpea flour

• 1 tbsp tahini • 2 tbsp chopped parsley Toppings: • 1 tbsp sesame seeds • 1 tbsp olive oil • 150g yoghurt • ½ lemon juiced • ¼ cucumber, peeled • 1 carrot, peeled

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 200c. In a food processor, blitz all the falafel ingredients, roll into balls, coat in sesame seeds, brush with oil, and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Mix the yoghurt and lemon together. Grab a flatbread, smear with the Babease sweet potato, top with carrot, cucumber, falafels and finish off with a dollop of yoghurt. Februar y 2019

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WellBaby18 AbsoloutelyMama FP Ad.qxp 11/01/2019 12:27pm Page 1

Formulated by Vitabioticsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; nutritional experts, to support the nutritional requirements of babies and young children Contains UK Department of Health recommended levels of vitamin D1

Wellbaby multi-vitamins contain the recommended vitamins A, C and D1

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Vit D Drops

Multi-vitamin Drops

Multi-vitamin Liquid

From , Superdrug, Holland & Barrett, supermarkets, chemists, health stores and wellbaby.com 1. The UK Department of Health recommends that all babies from birth until the age of 1 should be given a daily supplement containing 8.5-10mcg of vitamin D and that children from one to 4 years should be given a supplement containing 10mcg Vitamin D. In addition, all infants aged from 6 months to 5 years should be given a supplement containing vitamins A, C and D (Unless they are drinking 500ml (or approx. 1 pint) of infant formula a day, as infant formula has vitamins added to it). Source: NHS Choices. *UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No1 baby supplement brand. Nielsen GB ScanTrack Total Coverage Unit Sales 52 w/e 24 March 2018.

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Whole Baked Keralan Caulif lower

ry this simple but delicious lightly spiced dish during your little one’s ‘flavour window’ – the time they are most likely to be receptive to new tastes. Getting babies to sample bitter tastes during this period means they are more likely to be receptive to the taste as they get older.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cauliflower • A squeeze of Babease vegetable Keralan curry pouch • 2 tbsp olive oil • 1 tsp cumin seeds • 2 tbsp yoghurt

DIRECTIONS Mix the yoghurt, vegetable Keralan curry pouch and cumin seeds together. Rub the mix into the cauliflower until well covered. Place in the oven at 200c / 180c fan / gas mark 6 and bake for 1 hour.

Oat and Apricot Bars

hese oat and apricot bars making a delicious healthy ‘on the go’ breakfast or snack. As they freeze well, they can be made in advance – great if you or the baby need a quick food fix! INGREDIENTS

• 500g dried apricots • 250g porridge oats • 4 tbsp desiccated coconut • 100g butter or coconut oil

• 1 tsp cinnamon • ½ lime zest

DIRECTIONS Preheat the oven to 175c / 160 fan / gas mark 4. Grab a food processor and pop in the apricots and butter or coconut oil for a few minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients and blitz for 30 seconds. Place in a lined try and bake for 25 minutes. Cut into bars. babease.co madeleineshaw.com

Februar y 2019

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A good night’s sleep...

10% off every order* use code AM10

Our mission is to provide parents with an extensive choice of children’s sleeping bags offering exceptional quality and value, and to become a household name synonymous with sleep safety for children of all ages.

Slumbersac ardently supports a peaceful night’s sleep for both children and their parents. Visit us on

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*Excludes sale items

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ADVICE

TOP TI PS

AV O I D I N G WINTER FLU b y D R T O M YO R K

NHS-registered and private GP for GPDQ, the doctor-on-demand app

Know your vitamins

 A lack of vitamin C can make you more prone to getting sick. Foods rich in vitamin C include oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, kale and broccoli. Adequate vitamin D is also essential to a properly functioning immune system. It is speculated that part of the reason viral illnesses increase in winter months is due to people lacking vitamin D. NHS guidelines suggest breastfed babies, children aged 1-4 years old and pregnant or breastfeeding women should supplement with vitamin D. For everyone else, the advice is to consider supplementation in autumn and winter when sunlight is scarce.

Get better quality sleep

 The link between sleep deprivation and poor immune function is well established. The best way to ensure you sleep well is by repeating the same bedtime routine every night. Combined with steady breathing, this can reduce blood pressure and heart rate, and help you relax.

Review your lifestyle & diet

 A diet containing a wide variety of natural foods is key to maintaining a robust immune system, ensuring adequate selenium, zinc, copper, iron and vitamins A, B6, C and E. Smoking is an unhealthy lifestyle choice and should be avoided. Smoking suppresses the immune system, making smokers more likely to catch the flu and making it more severe when they do. Regular light exercise increases circulation, which can give your immune cells a better chance of being where they need to be. DR TOM YORK

Consider vaccinations

 The NHS offers nasal flu vaccines to children aged two to five, which rarely causes side effects other than a slight runny nose. Go via the NHS or have it done at your own convenience via the UK’s first doctor-on-demand app, GPDQ. The digital service connects patients with a local NHS GP who will visit them at a location of the patient’s choice.

Teach your children good hygiene

 Advances in hygiene have saved countless human lives, but ever more sterile environments may have led to a rise in conditions such as asthma, autoimmune diseases and some cancers. Flu is very contagious, so take extra precautions if you have young, unvaccinated children. The flu virus can remain on surfaces for up to 24 hours so hand-washing is extra important. It’s impossible to eliminate the risk of catching the flu, so try to develop a robust immune system by relaxing hygiene standards a little when the risk of contracting illnesses is low. gpdq.co.uk Februar y 2019

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mama’s

B E AU T Y NOTES Hair, make-up and beauty news for the month ahead

we love

IN B LO O M GUY MORGAN

This brand’s Flower of The Five Wounds range is tailored for sensitive skin. Locally made using wild-grown ingredients, the Sensitive Treatment Oil and Sensitive Treatment Balm are ideal for pregnancy. From £32; guy-morgan.com

ALL ORGANIC AUSTIN AUSTIN

Made in East Anglia and only tested on humans, all of Austin Austin’s products are certified organic by the Soil Association and COSMOS. Free from GM ingredients, SLS, silicones, parabens, mineral oils and artificial colours and fragrances, we love their soothing neroli and petitgrain body soap. £16; austinaustinorganic.com

French Belle M I N O I S PA R I S

Known for their dreamy organic and natural baby products, Minois Paris has launched a range for mums. Presented in the most beautiful box, we love their gift sets. Each one contains a bundle of products – from heavenly candles, to scented oils, gentle creams, bubble bath and perfume. From £63; minoisparis.fr

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Brush Away

BE AUT Y

al Faci ew i Rev

TRUTHBRUSH

Every year over a billion plastic toothbrushes are thrown away worldwide, ending up in landfill, in the sea or washed up on our beaches. Created from 100% biodegradable organic bamboo and dipped in REACH approved paint, the Truthbrush makes a stylish and guilt-free addition to your bathroom shelf. £4; glasshouseshop.co.uk

LISA FRANKLIN

B O TA N I C A L BE AUT Y H E R B I VO R E B O TA N I C A L S

The Instagrammable beauty brand of the moment, Herbivore Botanicals combines pretty packaging with natural, cruelty-free formulas. The Seattle-based brand don’t use fillers of any kind, so almost every ingredient (from French pink clayto Brazilian gemstones) is an ‘active’ one. From £10; spacenk.com

5 of t he b e st SK I N SAVE RS BY SARAH LONDON Organic Body Oil, £28.50; bysarahlondon.com

MALIN+GOETZ Brightening Enzyme Mask, £48; malinandgoetz.co.uk GROWN ALCHEMIST Hydra-Repair Eye Balm, £74; grownalchemist.com

Wo r d s H E L E N BA RO N

travelled to Lisa Franklin’s Sloane Street ‘Clinic Privé’ for what I thought would be a routine facial. The products sounded promising and embraced the key buzzwords of the last year: vegan, sustainable, cruelty-free, recyclable, with no nasty chemicals. Lisa herself was my appointed facialist and asked about my overall health, explaining that her treatments can help with numerous issues from rosacea to aging. I’m booked in for a skin cleanse including extraction; I go through my basic routine and Lisa assures me that, actually, there are things you can do to reduce pore size. One of the problems is the preponderance of products on the market making unsubstantiated claims – Lisa assures me that if I use products from her range, I’ll see definite results. After the facial, my skin feels cleaner and healthier than ever before – a feeling I retain with the assistance of three of Lisa’s own products. I admit, I expected their potency to wear off after a while – this is the story whenever I try a new beauty product. But two months later, my pore size is reduced and, while I’m not blackheadfree, my complexion is vastly improved – even during hormonal breakouts.

To read more about Lisa’s product ingredients and to book an appointment, visit lisafranklin.london

SUNDAY RILEY Luna Sleeping Night Oil 15ml, £45; sundayriley.com PESTLE & MORTAR Hydrate Moisturiser, £38; pestleandmortar.com

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“SP E ND A L I TTL E B I T O F TI M E RE ME MB E R I N G W H AT SE T YOU R SO U L O N F I RE B E F O RE H AV I N G K I D D OS”

Mother Love In this excerpt from their new book, midwife and doula duo Alexis Stickland and Beccy Hands share their top tips for self-care during the fourth trimester

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lso known as the period where your newborn won’t let you put them down, visiting the loo during the fourth trimester (let alone having a shower) can seem like a near impossible task. Combining their many years of experience helping thousands of women through this tricky time, founders of The Mother Box, Alexis Stickland and Beccy Hands, have written an indispensable new book called The Little Book of Self-Care for New Mums. Here they share their top tips for looking after yourself during those first few weeks.

SLOW IT DOWN

 First week in bed, second on the sofa. We know resting as a new mum sounds like an oxymoron – but it is SO important! Rest helps bodies to heal, ready to look after and feed

SELF-CARE

journey to take it slowly and be gentle with yourself as you heal. There will be plenty of time for rounds of tea and cake in the weeks and months to come. In fact, booking people in after your partner has gone back to work can be a lifeline to look forward to on the days when you are flying solo. Remind the well wishers that you will be SO grateful of their help and company in the weeks to come, and this will give them a sense of being able to help, which in turn makes them feel good. a baby. During the first week, rest and sleep between feeds. You should eat nourishing foods and have lots of skin-to-skin – this has many calming benefits for both you and baby. Having a week in bed can help slow down visitors too, and if they aren’t people you’d be happy to have a cuppa with in your PJs, then they shouldn’t be visiting. You will reap the benefits later both physically and mentally of really slowing down and allowing the body some time to heal, adapt and catch up with itself. During the second week, move to the sofa (or the garden if you need fresh air) but stay in your PJs and continue to rest! You will probably be feeling itchy to leave the house by now, but fight the urge just one week longer, and instead enjoy getting to know this new person in your life!

PREPARE FOR THE NIGHT FEEDS

 Keep the lights low, this will stop you and the baby waking up too much, helping you both get back to sleep quickly. Take a flask of decaf or herbal tea and a snack to bed to have during the night feeds, this will nourish you as you feed your little one and help settle any hunger. Be prepared for the night sweats! The postnatal hormones can make us sweat more than we could imagine. Having a dry top close by to quickly change into will help you get comfortable again, so that you can drift back to sleep.

MANAGE YOUR VISITORS

 In the early days and weeks after giving birth be honest with your friends and family about your need to rest and get to know your baby. It is not self-indulgent or bad manners, it is essential as you start your motherhood

BUY SOME EARPLUGS

 We’re not saying shut off and don’t respond to your baby, on the contrary, a crying baby often needs to be held and jiggled, but the high pitch and noise of their cry can be very stressful and makes us release cortisol, a stress hormone which leaves us feeling frazzled. Pop in some earplugs and you will soften the noise of the cry and feel instantly calmer, whilst still dishing out the muchneeded mama hugs.

PLAN SOME YOU TIME

 Carving some essential time out where the old you can spread your wings, or at least give them a little stretch is so important. So often mums say to us that they really struggle with the huge identity change and repetitive dayto-day routine when they become a mum. Sometimes it’s while we are away from our little ones that we can remind ourselves of our other talents and worth. That’s why ‘Freedom Friday’ became a thing – just a couple of hours a week to get your partner, parent, friend or a sitter in so that you can spend a little bit of time remembering what set your soul on fire before kiddos (if you’re exclusively breast feeding this may involve picking your timing carefully between feeding or expressing prior to going out). It gives you a little something to look forward to on the days that can feel a bit repetitive and challenging and leave you feeling re-energised and excited to see your little one again!

Taken from: The Little Book of Self-Care for New Mums by Beccy Hands & Alexis Stickland (Vermillion, £12.99) themotherbox.co.uk Februar y 2019

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S U STA I N A B LE , ST Y LI S H , S C A N D I N AV I A N – D E S I G N I N S P I R AT I O N F R O M T H E N O R T H p .78 J OA N N A L A N DA I S O N T H E T R E N D S S H A P I N G YO U R N U R S E RY I N 2 01 9 p . 8 0

Easy Rider • PLUST•

Toys that double as storage are always welcome additions to the household, and this Plust van ups the ante with its nostalgic camper stylings and Italian design chops. Don’t believe us? Check out Phaidon’s definitive ‘Design for Children’ (featured elsewhere in this issue) – this is one of the iconic toys included in the tome. £49.23; archiproducts.com

Februar y 2019

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mama

N U R S E RY NOTES Interiors inspiration for the hardest-working room in the home

M AT FINISH TOTTER + TUMBLE

This Brit brand’s premiumquality playmats ensure little ones have a safe, soft space to lark about from birth to... any age, really. Generously sized, super easy to keep clean and reversible – so you get two cool contemporary designs for the price of one – they wipe the floor with the competition. £140; totterandtumble.co.uk

we love CUDDLE UP BBHUGME

The pregnancy pillow to rule them all is now available in a smaller nursing pillow variant. The new edition wraps around your waist, providing the comfiest support for baby when breastfeeding, as well as strengthening your shoulders and neck. We’re totally sold. £63.68; bbhugme.com

Mirror Mirror EO Add some flavour to your wall and summon the spirit of summer with this cool ice cream mirror, available in tasteful shades of rose or grey. Sweet in every sense – and kids big or small will love it, of course. £62; smallable.com

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Looking Good

NURSERIES

nd Bra us Foc

DESIGN FOR CHILDREN

A bible for modern-minded parents, this beautiful book showcases 450 iconic kids products from the 20th century to today. Subtitled ‘Play, Ride, Eat, Create, Sit, Sleep’, it covers everything from nursery furniture and feeding kit to toys. £39.95; uk.phaidon.com

CAM CAM COPENHAGEN

A L L AT S E A M A M A S & PA PA S

The pioneering British brand comes over all nautical in its latest furniture and interiors collection, with the white ‘Dover’ cot and changing dresser channelling the fabled white cliffs, while marine motifs adorn cot bar bumpers and blankets. Time to set sail! mamasandpapas.com

5 of t he b e st C H I LDRE N ’ S C H A I RS CAM CAM COPENHAGEN Harlequin kids chair, €110, and table, €120; camcamcopenhagen.com

OEUF Playroom table, £287; nubie.co.uk

NUBIE Kids Panton styled chair, £35; nubie.co.uk ECOBIRDY Chair Charlie, €159; ecobirdy.com

ounded by two Danish architects, Cam Cam Copenhagen was inspired by the belief that kids’ spaces should be tranquil and poetic rather than garish and overwhelming. We first fell in love with their beautifully constructed patterned quilts, available in the brand’s signature desaturated shades of ivory, silver, rose and teal. But the love affair soon grew to encompass other products in the ever-growing (and solidly cohesive) collection – from fabric baby books and balloon lamps to floral print wallpaper and one of our current wishlist staples, the Harlequin changing table in airiest grey. The brand’s design USP seems to be the way it softens the minimalism with dainty touches without becoming too frilly or fancy. The feel of the products is as important as the look, and this carries through to their eco-conscious provenance: certified organic cotton is very much the order of the day. If sustainability, quality and soft Scandinavian style are your cup of tea, you could do worse than outfit your entire nursery with Cam Cam Copenhagen products – and if you live in London, they’re currently running a dinky pop-up shop in Fulham Road’s Pure Baby, so be sure to pay a visit if you get the chance. A brand to fall in love with. camcamcopenhagen.com

FLEXA Popsicle children’s stool, £50; nubie.co.uk

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Design for

LIFE In this excerpt from Gestaltenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Northern Comfort: The Art of Nordic Living, meet the new parents behind Norwegian brand Ask & Eng

PHOTOS BY KINE ASK STENERSEN & CLAUS TROELSGAARD, NORTHERN COMFORT, GESTALTEN 2018

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h o me & interior s PROFILE

NORTHERN COMFORT, ED. AUSTIN SAILSBURY, IS PUBLISHED BY GESTALTEN AND AVAILABLE AT BOOKSHOPS PRICED £40

he generous allotment of paid family leave in the Nordic nations (more than a year in Sweden and Finland) is the envy of much of the world. For Kine Ask Stenersen and Kristoffer Eng‚ the first year of parenthood was full of all kinds of newness—unrelated to diapers and night feedings. While Ask was on maternity leave in 2016, she and Eng were also busy with a major home renovation: building a custom kitchen out of sustainably sourced bamboo. The process was so satisfying that the couple had an idea: maybe others would love a kitchen like this too? Six months later, with a new baby in tow and an original, climate-friendly design concept, they founded Ask and Eng; and today the company builds handmade furniture and kitchen solutions out of responsibly sourced bamboo. gestalten.com, askogeng.no Februar y 2019

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Project

NURSERY

Children’s interior designer Joanna Landais on the top nursery trends for 2019

While not everyone is enthralled by the idea of nursery design, it pays to consider the decor of your child’s space – not least because you don’t want to end up forking out for redecoration as their needs and tastes evolve over the early years. The key is to focus on flexible, progressive and multi-functional design. Going overboard with the unicorn or Winnie the Pooh theme is easy to do, so play it cool and stay calm. If you follow a few simple rules, you can easily create a stylish, practical nursery that will grow with your child. Above all, remember that designing a child’s bedroom or nursery should be enjoyable! Make sure your design reflects your style and the décor of rest of your house. Choose pieces you love and you (and your baby) will never tire of them. Be practical and consistent and don’t feel you have to plan the whole scheme in one evening. Designing space takes time and sometimes you have to mull things over before answers make themselves apparent. With that in mind, let’s look at three trends guaranteed to be shaping stylish nurseries in 2019... 80

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h o me & interio rs INSPIRATIONS

GOING TO THE DARK SIDE

Move over lavender! This year is all about deep and nurturing cool-based colours such as mauve-greys and hunter greens. Their soothing, earthy qualities are a perfect choice for modern parents. Tonality is the key in this trend. Choose one neutral shade such as grey and layer different tones of the same colour for added depth and harmony. Look to the left and right of the colour chart and choose similar but slightly different shades of grey. You can incorporate them in the form of accessories, furniture or textiles. If you are worried about making the room look gloomy, punctuate the space with bright pops of colour such as life-affirming living coral – a vibrant peachy orange and the Pantone ‘colour of 2019’. Use colours that complement the scheme rather than overpower it. A good point of reference will be the colour wheel, showing you which colours work well together.

“THIS YEAR IS ALL ABOUT DEEP AND NURTURING COOL-BASED COLOURS”

BOHO CHIC

Some argue that the boho trend is not a trend, as it has been around for centuries – but folksy prints, vintage-inspired rugs and tactile pompoms have finally made it onto the nursery scene. And what an exciting scheme this is! Bright, colourful and never boring, it’s a true feast for the senses with textured accessories, bold patterns and a little bit of chaos thrown in for good measure.

If you’re drawn to colourful collections and unconventional art, this is where your creativity can take centre stage. There are no fancy rules to follow – think Dutch flea-market meets Moroccan souk. Pick a few individual pieces and don’t be afraid to put pattern on pattern! Boho is all about mixing vintage and minimalist. There are no rules when it comes to colour, although oranges and warm, earthy tones are commonly used. And don’t forget to add greenery to complete the boho look.

GENDERNEUTRAL

More and more parents are choosing not to find out their baby’s gender until birth, which is part of the reason this trend has caught on. Bubblegum pinks and baby blues are long gone. Say hello instead to soft greys, cotton whites and simple wooden furniture. This trend emphasises subtle designs marrying form and function, plus light, modern elements with no fuss or frills. To add visual interest, play around with texture and pattern. Scandinavians have been doing this for decades and their interiors are a testimony to the belief that aesthetic appeal and functional practicality can go hand in hand. This trend is also perfect for budgetconscious nursery makeovers. For more information about Joanna’s design service, contact Eklektik Studio at joannalandais@eklektik-studio.com Februar y 2019

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Green LIGHT Plumen launched the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first design-led efficient lightbulb in 2010 and has come a long way since then. We quiz founder Nicolas Roope Wo r d s PE N D L E H A R T E

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WE MADE A PRETTY BULB WITH NICE LIGHT AND INSTANT START-UP

Q&A

PLUMEN FOUNDERS NICOLAS ROOPE (LEFT) AND MICHAEL-GEORGE HEMUS

h o me & inter i or s

Pinterest obsessives, always looking for brands and designs to buddy up with. Q Many of us struggle to understand the environmental impacts of different bulbs. Could you explain? A The main thing to focus on is efficiency. LED bulbs use less than 20% of the energy incandescent bulbs use to create the same amount of light. Because lighting accounts for such a large percentage of domestic and industrial energy use, this 80%+ reduction is a huge chunk of saved energy. And when your energy use is reduced, you don’t need to burn so much coal to generate energy. If we can get clean energy generation to grow and energy use to fall, then one day (hopefully very soon) we’ll no longer need to burn things every time we flip a switch. Q As the world’s first ‘designer efficient light bulb’, was the Plumen bulb devised to address the ugliness of the original low-voltage bulbs, or the nasty light they emitted? A We started Plumen to address all the issues that stopped people buying efficient bulbs. People’s primary complaints were the ugliness of the products, the bad light quality and the slowness of ignition. So we made a pretty bulb with nice light and instant start-up. We knew we had to really make people fall in love with the designs and user experience if we were going to make any impact and build a brand. Q And how did you go about making it? A We started with a bunch of sketches with pipe cleaners, then when we’d lined up a factory we brought in a designer to work with (Samuel Wilkinson) and went out to research

what was possible on the production lines in China. After lots of iterations and trial and error, we arrived at a viable industrial product. Q What is Plumen’s best-selling product? A It is still the classic 001 design although the other models are building all the time. The 003 is like a best-kept secret, but because it produces such a magical light, there’s a growing fanbase for its golden glow.

Q What is it that makes the quality of some lighting so ugly and how can you avoid this? A It’s to do with new lighting technology. The cheap tech doesn’t possess the full spectrum of light. And if certain areas of the spectrum in the light are patchy, then the colours you perceive in that light feel flat, grey and cold – like a horror movie. If you love high quality white light then look for the CRI (Colour Rending Index). Anything in the high 80s and above is going to be pleasant. The other key thing for buyers is to be aware of kelvin. With LED you can buy different light temperatures. If you want the warmer light of a standard incandescent then make sure you buy ‘warm white’ which is usually somewhere around 2700k (kelvins). A cooler daylight bulb or ‘cool white’ will be a higher number like 4000k. These are good for bright, awake spaces, but a bit of a vibe-killer in cosier places. plumen.com

Q Are Plumen bulbs designed to be used without a shade? A Yes, they are. It’s obviously part of the efficiency drive. The less you shade, the more efficient. But if you don’t shade then the bulb has to be beautiful and interesting. Now that the 001 design is LED, it also dims, which makes it work even better naked. We still love seeing our bulbs together with shades and accessories though. Even if a glass shade is clear it adds a lot to the look (but doesn’t cost efficiency). We’re Februar y 2019

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WIN AN UPPABABY MINU PUSHCHAIR! Complete our survey to be in with a chance of winning

T JUS IT V I S absolutely-mama.co.uk/survey to have your say. MAMA SURVEY FP_V3.indd 2

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h o me & interio rs PRODUCTS

New

Flame

Stock up on candles for atmosphere and cosiness this Valentine’s Day

PASSIONPROJECT Wild Fig & Grape Luxury Candle, £45 heating-and-plumbing.com

VICTORIA CATOR La Vie En Rose Candle, £50 fortnumandmason.com HONEST SKINCARE X TIBA + MARL Calming Candle, £30 tibaandmarl.com/shop TAYLOR BENFIELD Crimson Rose & Oud Candle, £30 taylorbenfield.com

58 LIFESTYLE Balancing eco soy candle, £21 58lifestyle.com ASHLEY & CO Waxed Perfume Natural Blend Candle, £44 selfridges.com ARDERE Natural Wax Candles, £49 ardere.com

SUSANNE KAUFMANN Gift box candles, €66 susannekaufmann.com

FLOWERBX Tuberose Scented Candle, £50 flowerbx.com

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Happy lives here!

We want you and your little ones to holiday just the way you want to: safe, stress free and in locations you love. It’s why we’ve developed our own exclusive resort experience alongside our range of beautiful, family friendly properties. We hand pick every destination to meet your young family’s needs—from pool safety to playtime—and they’re fully equipped with everything you need, so you can travel light and feel at home as soon as you arrive. Discover the Tots difference and let us help you find your perfect, fun-filled family holiday.

All private pools barriered

FREE baby and toddler kit

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Call us

0800 808 5487 Browse and book at

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Just Rela x • MARTINHAL•

Highly regarded for their family-friendly take on luxury holidays, the Portugalbased Martinhal group has introduced all-inclusive deals for its Sagres and Cascais resorts – albeit only until March 2019. Get in quick to enjoy world-class cuisine, amenities and activities without the premium price tag. martinhal.com

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Add a Little Luxury To Your Stay Book your next family holiday at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai as an Imperial Club guest and add a little luxury to your stay with exclusive benefits across the resort. From complimentary airport transfers, to a dedicated concierge team and even an exclusive private beach just for our Imperial Club Guests. Enjoy a little moment to yourself while the kids have their fun at the Atlantis Kids Club or The Zone for teens, with complimentary daily access during your stay. The best part of it all? Daily complimentary access to the all-new Imperial Club lounge. Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re after a tasty bite for breakfast, relaxing afternoon tea or evening cocktails before dinner, the Imperial Club Lounge has it all.

Book today for a dream holiday youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never forget.

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INSPIRATIONS

FUN PALACE SCOTT DUNN X SHANTI MAURICE

The acclaimed travel agent has teamed up with south Mauritius’ premier luxury hideaway to introduce the Explorers Kids Club. Now parents can relax in the island’s largest spa while littles from four months to 11 years enjoy activities inspired by local culture, cuisine and wildlife. scottdunn.com

mama’s

T R AV E L NOTES The most exciting destinations at home and abroad

PERFECT 10

we love

B R I T PAC K M A M A S & PA PA S

NO. 10 MANCHE STER STREET

This Marylebone Hotel is ideal for a family staycation. Based on a quiet street in the buzzing centre of the city, if you book the family suite you’ll get conveniently connected rooms plus a free gift for any little ones. World-class.

Mamas and Papas’ latest collaboration, with textile producer Abraham Moon, sees the bestselling Ocarro stroller and matching accessories upholstered in some of Moon’s finest wool fabrics. Impeccably stylish. Ocarro x Moon Dove Footmuff, £99;

tenmanchesterstreethotel.com

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3 ‘ Fe e l - G o o d Fe b r u a r y’ O f f e r s I N BAT H Country Living Hotel

The Royal Crescent Hotel

The Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel

This spa hotel is offering ‘Blow Away the Cobwebs’ packages: two nights for two people with a three-course dinner and wine plus suggested winter walk routes. Prices from £199.

Enjoy five-star luxury plus a 20% discount on all spa treatments when you book a multi-night stay at the frankly exquisite Royal Crescent during the ‘Feel-Good February’ festival this month.

The Gainsborough is running ‘Get Real’ wellness retreats this month, combining spa treatments, nourishing cuisine, superfood cocktails and innovative movement sessions.

countrylivinghotels.com

royalcrescent.co.uk

thegainsboroughbathspa.co.uk

THERMAE BATH SPA

Februar y 2019

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Hidden

Corners

Already done Florence and Siena? Discover the lesser-known gems of central Tuscany with a stylish ‘home away from home’ as your base Wo r d s H A N N A H H O PK I N S

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AN OPEN VALLEY IN THE APENNINE MOUNTAINS KNOWN FOR BEEF FROM THE CHIANINA CATTLE

easoned holidaymakers will be familiar with Tuscany’s many charms and will likely have visited the big names like Florence and Siena. But Central Tuscany has so much more to offer, from the hilltop town of Cortona to the historic city of Perugia and one of Tuscany’s best-kept secrets, Arezzo. Within an hour’s drive of all these special places is Fontelunga – a boutique hotel set up a quiet side road in the quaint town of Pozzo Della Chiana – a short drive from Pisa airport. The ideal base from which to explore, it boasts spectacular views across the Valdichiana, the largest open valley in the Apennine mountains and an area known for beef from its Chianina cattle, which provides the coveted Florentine steak. The 19th century red-brick villa, surrounded by gardens and olive groves, has been lovingly and painstakingly renovated, and now has its own large pool, hot tub and tennis court. Inside its classic Tuscan façade you’ll find modern art pieces and furniture from the likes of Philippe Starck and Arne Jacobsen blending in with original mouldings and large windows framing the valley views. Owners Paolo Kastelec and Philip Robinson make staying with them feel like visiting the country bolthole of fashionable friends – they even have a pack of friendly little dogs. They’ve lived in the area for more than a decade, so can offer insider advice and honest opinions on everything from restaurants to wineries in the area. One they take us to on our first night is local haunt La Lodola, yet another beautiful Tuscan farmhouse which serves seasonal dishes, written up on chalkboard menus. As well as eight double rooms and one twin, there are two villas

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FOUR SEASONS

Q U I N TA D O L A G O

Your Time, Your Place For friends, family, or just you

Y e a r - r o u nd fa m ily f r ie ndly r e s ort . Lu x u ry v il l a s w i t h pr i vat e s w i m m ing p o ol or J a c u z z i K id s c lu b , c r e c he a nd ba by si t t ing H e at e d ind o or , o u t d o or & toddl e r p o ol s T w o R e s ta u r a n ts , K id s M e n u ' s FOUR SEASONS FAIRWAYS . QUINTA DO L AGO . ALGARVE . PORTUGAL

For enquiries and bookings please visit www.fourseasonsfairways.com

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to rent in their entirety nearby. All come with bathtubs and overhead showers with Molton Brown products. There are no televisions (time to ‘switch off’) but there are bluetooth speakers for you to listen to your own music. Rooms are simple and classic with white walls, terracotta tiled floors and bedspreads and headboards in light Italian prints. If you can splurge, go for the junior suite – it’s housed in a cottage with French doors opening onto the garden and has double sinks in its large bathroom. For families, the best option may be one of the separate self-catering villas, Gallo and Galletto, which share the idyllic location but allow kids a little more space to be kids. The former has a double and twin bedroom designed in beautiful contemporary style, with designer furniture that makes the most of the space without over-crowding it. The open-plan kitchen and living area (always a boon when travelling with little ones) has a TV and DVD player plus a cosy open fire, and looks out onto a garden resplendent

“BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNER CAN EACH BE AS LONG AND LAZY AN AFFAIR AS YOU LIKE ”

with lavender and herbs. The 4 x 10m pool is shared with the smaller Villa Galletto, which has the distinctly modernist stylings and family-friendly amenities of its larger counterpart while offering a more intimate space, with one double bedroom (cots are available on request). Families will love the relative seclusion, the stylish yet practical design and – of course – the self-catering facilities: always handy when you have small mouths to feed (and when those small mouths are prone to make a mess). Whether staying in one of the villas or the main hotel, breakfast, much like lunch and dinner in Italy, can be as long and lazy an affair as you like. As well as a feast of homemade pastries and cakes, hotel guests are treated to fresh local and seasonal fruit and cooked breakfasts – all of which is included. Casual dinners (the chef asks in the morning whether you will join the evening’s communal meal) highlight local and seasonal ingredients as well as regional dishes like pasta with truffles and torta salata (a type

of Tuscan quiche), while light lunches include caprese salads with tomatoes from the hotel’s garden, and prosciutto with figs or melon. Naturally, aperitivos are always welcome, as is wine, which leads me onto Avignonesi – a winery near the village of Valiano, just a few kilometres from the historic town of Montepulciano. With its vineyards, villa, chapel and ancient stone wine cellars, it transports you right to the heart of this famous wine region and an afternoon spent tasting its collection is a must. If you’re willing to blow the budget a little, try the dark and mysterious Occhio di Pernice 2002 - an exclusive wine made from Sangiovese grapes with a flavour of dates, roasted figs and sweet spices akin to liquid caramel. Activities from yoga sessions and cookery classes to hot air ballooning and horseback riding can easily be arranged by the hotel. A scenic drive, meanwhile, will take you to Monte San Savino – a little town brimming with impressive renaissance relics – and a little way further, to Cortona, a city enclosed by stone walls dating back to Etruscan and Roman times with excellent shopping and several tempting bars where you can people-watch. We didn’t have time to get to Lucignano – one of the most extraordinary examples of medieval town planning – but it was highly recommended, so there’s the perfect excuse to go again. Like I said, Tuscany has many charms – in fact, far too many to fit into just one trip.

Prices for Fontelunga start at €175 per night for a double with shower. fontelunga.com Februar y 2019

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PROMOTION

F A M I L Y S TA Y S AT AT L A N T I S , T H E PA L M A multi-award-winning resort with enough to entertain the whole family

ince its opening in September 2008, Atlantis, The Palm has become Dubai’s most popular family entertainment destination, attracting fun-loving families from all corners of the globe with a variety of unique family-friendly experiences that have redefined tourism in Dubai. From thrills at the onsite waterpark, Aquaventure, to chills diving with sharks in The Ambassador Lagoon, animal lovers can get up-close and personal with the resident dolphins and sea lions, while foodies can indulge in one of the 23 on-site restaurants. With special events and the resort’s kids club, your little ones will be exhausted from an action-packed day of fun, so make sure to avail of the nanny services in the evening to enjoy a romantic meal and a spot of dancing. A one-stop resort, Atlantis is the ultimate family destination.

AC T I V I T I E S ROOMS Over 1,400 of the 1,539 guestrooms and suites in the Royal Towers boast interconnecting doors, providing ideal accommodation for families of all sizes. Everything from a baby bath set to a changing table can be requested in advance.

AWA R D - W I N N I N G

DINING

2017 saw Atlantis, The Palm recognised for a number of family-focused awards including Best Family Resort in the Middle East from Holiday With Kids Magazine and Arabian Travel Awards, Family-Friendly Hotel of the Year in the Mother, Baby & Child Awards 2017 and Best Resort for Families in the Middle East in the Conde Nast Traveller Middle East Readers’ Choice Awards, plus many more.

The resort’s 23 restaurants cater to all tastes, with child-friendly menus offered throughout. Highlights include Gordon Ramsay’s family brunch at Bread Street Kitchen, the theatrical buffet with live cooking stations at Saffron and Kaleidoscope, a warm, inviting restaurant focusing on Mediterranean cuisine. Baby food and children’s dishes are also widely available from Room Service.

Little ones can have hours of fun at the Atlantis Kids Club, open daily from 10:30am20:30pm, while the familyfriendly Zero Entry Pool is the ideal environment for guests to unwind with a variety of activities for everyone. For some action-packed adventure, the Aquaventure Waterpark was voted the number one waterpark in Dubai and the Middle East and fourth best in the world by Trip Advisor 2017, but there is also Splashers Mountain and Splashers Island water playgrounds, ray feeding, a shark safari, Dolphin Bay and Sea Lion Point to be enjoyed.

AT L A N T I S , T H E P A L M For further information about Atlantis please call +971 4 426 1000, or visit atlantisthepalm.com Februar y 2019

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LEARN, PLAY AND EXPLORE WITH US We are open 50 weeks of the year including school holidays

Monday to Friday from 8:00am - 6:00pm To arrange an appointment to view our nursery or for more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.

T: 0208 9602 217 M: 07908 667 509 www.sylviashappychildcare.london SDC.indd 1

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UK GETAWAY

DORMY HOUSE

Lucy Werner discovers refined rustic style amid the Cotswold countryside

excellent local babysitting service cotswoldangel.co.uk, who texted us regular updates throughout the evening. Next morning, a sumptuous breakfast buffet ensured an ideal start to the day.

THE HOTEL

17th century farmhouse turned boutique bolthole, Dormy House is the perfect rural luxury getaway, set in the stunning 400 acres of the Farncombe Estate. The well-appointed rooms (some of which are dog-friendly) have been individually designed in a modern British style by Todhunter Earle, while the mere mention of a toddler in tow meant that a stairgate, travel cot and cute gift were on hand for our mini traveller. We stayed in the attic suite, with its exposed eaves and family-sized shower beside the rolltop bath – plenty of room for us all.

THE AREA

T H E S PA

he Scandinavian-inspired House Spa is an idyllic space to unwind. Greeted with the impressively sleek 16-metre infinity pool (open to children for limited periods in the morning and late afternoon), hotel guests can make use of all the thermal suites for free. Rural relaxation and pampering is available by the tractor-load, whether in the gentle lavender sauna, juniperlaced dry heat of the Finnish cabin or the heat of the salt steam room. We even chanced the bodyshrivelling winter temperatures

outside to enjoy the al fresco hydrotherapy hot tub. If working out is your thing, there are two gyms on site, or you can opt to get your nails done at the Veuve Clicquot nail bar. I plumped for a blissful 45-minute massage.

THE FOOD

here are two restaurants on site and they’re popular, so booking is highly advised. We weren’t able to get a table in the Garden Room but other guests raved about the threecourse showpiece menu. The seasonal dishes and cocktail menu in the Potting Shed were, however, top-notch, particularly the venison wellington and punch-you-in-the-senses Stinky Bishop cheese. Children are welcome but we opted to use

illstone Park is a short walk or cycle from the properties. Ballihoo Restaurant & Clubhouse overlooks communal tennis courts and the fantastic playground so you can have a coffee while keeping an eye on tinies. The Activity Hub loans bikes and watersports equipment. We hired bikes with trailers – brilliant for whizzing around.

From £240 per room, per night inclusive of breakfast and VAT. Rates based on two sharing an Intimate guestroom. Call 01386 852711 or visit dormyhouse.co.uk Februar y 2019

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Speak Up • CLUB PETIT PIERROT•

London mamas with a penchant for the gallic take note: Club Petit Pierrot offers regular, immersive French classes for kids across the city, from Fulham and Notting Hill to Hampstead and Islington. And if you can’t make a class, you can book private tuition at home for single children or groups, or even organise school visits. Bonne idée! clubpetitpierrot.co.uk

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On the

BUSES It’s green, it’s social and with a pleasingly ‘old-school’ flavour, so no wonder many young Londoners take the official school bus. We investigate what this offers to children and their parents

Wo r d s L I B BY N O R M A N

ou may have seen a cluster of schooluniformed children in Sloane Square, or standing together by Wandsworth Common or Islington Town Hall. They are quite likely to be waiting for the school bus. Many independent schools in and around London have embraced a green and efficient way to deliver and return their pupils – and it ticks an awful lot of boxes for the school and its local community, as well as being an A-star winner for parents and pupils. Taking the official bus (and often it’s a mini bus or coach) is a pleasingly ‘old-school’ approach. But for busy London children and parents, it’s also a godsend that works for all sorts of thoroughly modern reasons. For parents it’s a huge timesaver and stress-

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reducer – that battle through the traffic to deposit and retrieve can take up a fair chunk of the day. Then there’s the green and eco-friendly angle; unless you are a meticulously organised car sharer or lucky enough to live close enough to walk to school, it can be discomforting to consider the pollution you are contributing to the London atmosphere when you do the school run ten times each week by car. And no one wants to add fresh material to that old chestnut about parents and their ‘Chelsea tractors’. The third brilliant thing about school buses is that they can considerably extend choice – both where you choose to live and where you send your child to school. For instance, the Dulwich schools (Dulwich College, Alleyn’s and James Allen’s Girls’ School) run a regular bus service that lets west-siders from as far afield as Bayswater, Kensington and Chelsea travel safely and securely to the southeast using the Foundation Schools’ Coach Services. But if there’s one clincher to the deal, it’s what travelling by school bus can offer for children. And this

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EDUCATION

“IT BROADENS THE DEMOGRAPHIC MAKEUP OF A SCHOOL WHEN IT BECOMES ACCESSIBLE TO MANY DIFFERENT AREAS OF LONDON”

SYDENHAM HIGH SCHOOL

is where many parents may get a twinge of nostalgic pleasure remembering their own friendships forged and games played during that social bus journey before and after school. Katharine Woodcock, headmistress of Sydenham High School, has no doubts of the all-round value of the minibus services they offer, with routes that run from areas such as Clapham, Dulwich, Camberwell, Bromley and Streatham. She says: “Our minibus service stemmed from a recognition that our pupils join us from an increasing range of locations across south London and that parents are not always able to transport their child to school. “With the public transport links we enjoy, our bus service is a welcome additional option for all our parents to consider, regardless of their daughter’s age, when planning that route to school. Apart from the positive environmental impact of girls from further afield travelling in to school together, parents enjoy having this choice and the flexibility it offers. The girls love making friends in different year

groups and, with a maximum of 14 girls on a minibus, there is a strong sense of camaraderie.” It’s a similar story for North London Collegiate School, which runs what it believes to be among the capital’s most comprehensive school bus services up to its leafy campus in Edgware. With 22 coach routes, picking up and dropping off in destinations including Belsize Park, Islington and Kensington, it is an impressive logistical feat. “Around 600 girls travel here by bus,” says North London Collegiate’s Sarah Chapper. “That’s almost half the girls who attend the school.” The school has an official buddy scheme, known as ‘coach pals’, which ensures that the youngest travellers (from reception up) have someone to sit with them until they are confident enough to make their own friends and mix with classmates. The girls have even written an article about the games they play on the buses (Flip Monster being a favourite), the snack-box fruit shared and the music videos sungalong-to on the journey. This entertainment value is something no parent can compete with, obviously, and has real benefits for the children’s social life. “The younger children idolise their coach pals, who look after them and make sure their seatbelts are done up,” says Sarah Chapper. She adds that this ‘non formal’ opportunity to socialise at the beginning and end of the day is a great way to build up friendships and camaraderie. There is a

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EDUCATION

“IF THERE’S ONE CLINCHER TO THE DEAL IT ’S WHAT TRAVELLING BY SCHOOL BUS OFFERS FOR CHILDREN – FRIENDSHIPS FORGED AND GAMES PLAYED BEFORE AND AF TER SCHOOL”

ST NICHOLAS PUPILS

further benefit for the school though. “It broadens the demographic make-up because we are making our school accessible to so many different areas of London.” The same is true of Forest School London in Snaresbrook, E17, which carries over 200 children – from Year 3 up – out to the leafy fringes of east London each and every day using a trusted local carrier. Routes take in Docklands, Islington, Crouch End and Highbury Corner, as well as the more local areas of Epping and Buckhurst Hill. Forest, like other independent schools, was very responsive to parental demand in designing its service. This would suggest it’s definitely worth enquiring about bus routes if you are considering schools outside your immediate locale.

Schools in the lush green corners of London – and some excellent Home Counties schools also offer daily coach services – bring the draw of space and a more rural environment. But you can also opt for a school closer to the heart of the capital that gives children the opportunity to ride in mini-bus style with their friends. St Nicholas Prep in South Kensington’s museum quarter offers a bespoke service, carefully mapped out to minimise travel time for the children (no longer than 40 minutes). Routes are allocated with input from parents and St Nicholas really has designed a worry-free service. Chaperones accompany every bus to ensure children are safely strapped in, happy and entertained, and let the driver concentrate without worrying about mischief at the back of the bus.

As one parent puts it: “I enjoy the flexibility of being able to have my daughter picked up in the morning and I can collect her in the afternoon”. Like other London schools, St Nicholas believes this is a great help in widening school options for parents. The bus service also brings a sense of independence to children, building confidence about social situations outside home and school. While London can seem a big and sometimes un-navigable place, the familiarity – with route, with bus-buddies – makes this journey a safe and soft introduction to the ‘grown-up’ world of public transport. Perhaps the last word on this should go to a St Nicholas Prep bus-user: “I like to sit in the front and read my book,” says one happy Year 4 pupil. Februar y 2019

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Adele MARIE

Ego Hair, Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite salon egohair.co.uk

Ask the

EXPERTS Q

Parenting and medical professionals, as well as leading entrepreneurs, answer some of your most pressing questions 1 04

Q What are the benefits of organic shampoos? A There are plenty of benefits to using organic shampoos and conditioners which extend far beyond the clean conscience they inspire. Firstly, you avoid harmful chemicals. Commercial shampoos often have a wide number of chemicals such as sodium and aluminum lauryl sulfate, derivatives of lauryl alcohol, propylene glycol and olefin sulfonate. These chemicals can have several negative effects on the hair and scalp. Not only can they cause irritation in the sebaceous oil glands, they can also dry out the hair which leads to split-ends and a dull look. Sodium lauryl sulfate is also considered to be especially harmful as it is absorbed by the body and may have further negative consequences. Secondly, organic shampoos and conditioners are excellent for sensitive skin. Since organic shampoos are made of natural products, the likelihood of allergic reactions and causing skin sensitivity is low, making them perfect for those with allergic and sensitive skin. Another benefit of going organic when it comes to haircare is its environmental credentials. Organic shampoos do not pollute the environment, instead they break down into organic compounds. These compounds then decompose into the soil without causing any harm to plant and animal life. Finally, organic shampoos stimulate hair follicles. The stimulation leads to accelorated hair growth, plus, it promotes the growth of new hair, all of which will leads to thick, shiny locks.

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Heather MORRIS

Heather Morris is a Registered General Nurse and State Certified Midwife. She is mum to Freddy, Harry and Jack. . metanium.co.uk Q My little one has just got her fi rst tooth coming through and she’s got nappy rash. Are the two related? A Although there’s no clinical evidence of a link between nappy rash and teething, many parents say they’ve noticed an association between the two. It could be that the extra saliva produced when a baby is teething leads to looser stools and, in turn, a greater chance of nappy rash developing. Others claim that a hormonal imbalance arises during teething, when the stress hormone

endocrine is produced, which leads to fluid imbalance in the gut, causing diarrhoea. Whichever camp you fi nd yourself in, it’s always worth trying to prevent nappy rash occurring in the fi rst place. Try to maximise the time your baby spends with no nappy on, so that fresh air can get to her most sensitive skin. You can also try using plain warm water and cotton wool to wipe your baby’s bottom instead of typical wipes, and, fi nally, try to always use a barrier ointment or spray at each nappy change.

“TRY USING WATER AND COTTON WOOL TO WIPE YOUR BABY’S BOTTOM INSTEAD OF WIPES”

Darren BREEN

iMEDicare vibrancepelvictrainer.co.uk Q How can I prevent and treat my weak pelvic floor? A Emerging research suggests that high-impact exercise is closely linked with incidence of urinary leakage, all the while it is increasing in popularity amongst women in the UK. The physiology of high impact stress incontinence is complex, but the majority of women experience symptom relief through pelvic floor strengthening. The best way to treat a weak or leaky pelvic floor is with daily targeted pelvic floor exercises. These days, there is a whole host of products on the market that can assist you. The most

important aspect of your attempts to stregnthen your pelvic floor is to ensure correct technique. Then, it’s a case of practise followed by persistence. It can take anything from a few days, to a few weeks or months to achieve a completely leak free pelvic floor. A new device now available in the UK is called Vibrance, distributed by iMEDicare. Vibrance is a vibration feedback kegel educator. It works by vibrating each and every time you contract your pelvic floor muscles correctly. A beeping system alerts you to the fact that you’re contracting for long enough, and if you feel the gentle vibration, it means you are spot on with technique. You are likely to see results faster using this litle machine, rather than struggling along while using a poor technique. All it takes is one or two, very simple five-minute daily routines. You can also purchase resistance sleeves which serve to add difficulty. They also keep you motivated to improve pelvic floor tone faster and achieve a leak free lifestyle – sooner rather than later. Februar y 2019

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reso ur c es ADVICE

Dr. Aamer KHAN

Co-founder of the leading Harley Street Skin Clinic harleystreetskinclinic.com Q How can I protect my skin from the elements during colder months? A Great skin thrives on routine. Often patients come to me complaining of excessively oily skin, but what it is really a sign of is extreme dryness. Your skin is very intuitive, if it’s struggling to stay hydrated then it will make up it with an influx of oil. Changing your routine simply breaks the cycle, making it almost impossible to keep skin under control. Once you fi nd a skincare regime that

works for you, keep to it, making small adaptations as seasons change. You should be aiming to use gentle cleansers and moisturisers twice a day to help re-educate the skin. It will fi nd its stride soon enough. How you apply your moisturiser is also very important. Friction between your skin and hands generates heat, which can cause water particles in products to evaporate before they absorb into the skin. Eye serums should be delicately pressed onto the skin, and any product which needs to be worked in should be applied gently in circular, upward motions. Many people fall short of their daily water intake due to sheer monotony. A lot of the time the incentive just isn’t exciting enough. I suggest investing in an infuser bottle to help hydrate whilst keeping things interesting. Packing your water bottles full of fruit has a whole host of biological benefits, too. While lemon will help to replenish the body’s natural electrolytes, strawberries are loaded with vitamins. And they taste great!

Sally WADE

Healthy living blogger and founder of Treat Trunk, healthy snack boxes for families. treattrunk.co.uk A My child doesn’t like vegetables, what can I do? Having a child who doesn’t like vegetables can be really stressful, especially when they refuse to eat any at all. Fortunately, there are many ways you can help to encourage them. Get Creative – Grating, mashing or blending vegetables into foods your child will eat can help get their taste buds used to them. Increase their nutrient intake in other areas – By increasing nutrient dense foods you can be assured their growing bodies are getting what they need.

Snack Healthy – Kids love to snack, and the range of healthy, childfriendly snacks available in the UK is huge. Eat vegetables yourself – Kids love to copy us, so modelling a healthy relationship with vegetables is one of the best things you can do. Grow Veg – Even if it’s one small pot of carrots, get your child involved with the whole process and they will be more likely to want to try the fi nished product. Let them help in the kitchen – When children have helped created a dish (even if it’s just a REALLY chunky salad) they are also more likely to try some during the meal. You can buy child safe knives for this purpose Don’t Stress – Th is is likely just a phase and by reducing any stress around vegetables they are more likely to try them in the future.

“MODEL A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH VEGETABLES” Februar y 2019

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‘ Enjoying childhood and realising our imagination.’ “My time at Dallington has helped me to grow in body, mind and soul – this is something that I am immeasurably grateful for. Dallington has given me a push in the direction of success and I am thankful for all they have done. I will do the best I can to repay them, the best I can, by leading an honest and digniﬁed life.” - Nick (Year 6 pupil) Dallington is a family-run co-educational independent school, with a nursery, in the heart of London.

Personal tours each day of the week, except Wednesday. Next Open Evening: Thursday 16th May 2019 from 6 to 8 pm

Headteacher, Proprietor and Founder: Mogg Hercules MBE Email: hercules@dallingtonschool.co.uk Phone: 020 7251 2284 www.dallingtonschool.co.uk

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reso ur c es

ADVICE

TOP TI PS

LEARN THE LINGO Stella Bataille from Club Petit Pierrot shares tips on raising a bilingual child

Start as early as possible

Make it fun and meaningful

 Babies and young children have an amazing capacity for learning any language(s) to which they are exposed. They are not inhibited when learning a second language, and the earlier you expose your child to another language, the better. Even babies from monolingual homes can develop bilingual abilities at an early age.

 Forget flash cards or lists of vocabulary to learn by heart. Young children learn by doing and if there is a need to communicate! So make sure that they are engaged in fun age-appropriate activities whether at home, outdoors or in a class, and that they get many opportunities for meaningful human interaction.

Immerse your child in the language(s)  Do not translate. First of all it’s unnecessary and secondly you want your child to absorb the language, to make a direct connection between the language used and what they are seeing/ doing! Even if you don’t speak the language yourself it is possible to find classes and/or nannies and/ or fun tools (games, songs, books, videos…) in the chosen language.

CLUB FOUNDER, STELLA BATAILLE

Don’t worry and be patient  Don’t worry if your child mixes up both languages at some point, this is good and shows that he/ she is learning and experimenting. Be patient when he/she seems to understand but is not always confident to answer back. Never force your child to speak and don’t stop exposing them to the language!

Exposure  Quality of exposure, not just quantity! Learning a language takes time and commitment, so your child needs to be exposed to the language regularly throughout his/her childhood. Moreover not all children will learn at the same pace and the way your child is taught will have a direct impact on his/her motivation and progress! clubpetitpierrot.co.uk @club_petit_pierrot Februar y 2019

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“ WO ME N NE E D TO B E SH OW N T H AT T H EY A RE ST RO NG A N D T H AT TH EY H AV E OT H E R WO ME N STA ND I N G BY ”

No Stress

Babyopathy founder Angela Spencer on how her programme helps new mamas relax and enjoy motherhood Inter view HELEN BARON

Q What’s your background and why did you decide to start Babyopathy? Until October last year I owned children’s nurseries for 25 years. My first child was born 22 years ago and didn’t sleep well for three years. I also couldn’t breastfeed – and my second-born was the same! I knew there had to be a better way, so I researched everything that could support pregnancy, birth and baby’s first years to make for a more positive and relaxed motherhood experience. This led me to the biophilia hypothesis, which states that it’s our inbuilt connection to nature that nurtures our wellbeing and development, and in turn the sensory world. Seeing the positive impact as I introduced each element of what later became Babyopathy – specific nutrition plans, aromatherapy, music therapy, colour psychology and meditation etc. – inspired me to formulate the Babyopathy programme as it is today. Q Tell us about your M.O. and how it’s instrumental in supporting women through pregnancy, birth and the baby journey?

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PROMOTION

contented. They won’t get that from being bundled in to car seats and off to the outside world to be tagged in photos! We show mums what really matters during the fourth trimester – just them and their baby being relaxed, well rested and content!

ANGELA SPENCER WITH HER DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER

Babyopathy is all about mum being relaxed and positive, as simple as that! Pregnancy and motherhood have gathered stressful associations through negative press and social media coverage. Parenting isn’t perfect but negativity is impacting on the wellbeing of both mother and baby! My aim with Babyopathy is to reclaim motherhood and make pregnancy, birth and baby’s first years relaxed, positive and contented – something to be enjoyed, even though things can go wrong and it’s a tough journey. Q What is your approach when it comes to birth courses? Women seem to have lost confidence in themselves when it comes to giving birth and raising a baby. Women need to be shown that they are strong and that they have other women standing by, supporting them with positivity and knowledge. That is what we bring to mums, through a sensory and immersive programme. Q How do you prepare women for the ‘fourth’ trimester?

Sadly, due to the pressures of social media and the lifestyles portrayed by some celebrities, many new mums feel the need to be ‘out there’ and looking perfect the day after having a baby! Coupled with pressure from employers to work up to their due date – which does not allow time for the all-important resting and nesting before birth – mums are stressed and exhausted before baby even arrives, let alone when coping with a newborn. The first weeks of a baby’s life should be about reconnecting with their mum after leaving their previous sanctuary, the sensory world of the womb, and learning to cope with the sensory overload they experience at birth and shortly afterwards. It is about skin-to-skin contact, mum being relaxed and stress-free wherever possible and baby feeling safe, secure and

Q What are the most common challenges you see facing women, in your line of work? As I have already mentioned, negativity and stress play a huge part in pregnancies and birth outcomes. There is a multitude of research that proves stress during pregnancy can not only dictate a premature birth but can contribute to a stressful or emergency birth, neonatal death or detrimental effects on emotional and mental health for baby. This is why I launched the ‘Routine in the Womb’ campaign and awareness month in June, to empower mums with this knowledge and show them effective ways to combat stress. What also frustrates me are the pressures put on working mums by employers but also the SMP (Statutory Maternity Rules). To maximise their paid leave, which is only six months, pregnant mums are being forced to work as close to their due date as possible. This means that during the crucial last trimester, when they should be resting and nesting, they are still engrossed in the stressful world of work with most likely the added pressures of finishing projects or training a replacement etc. I have seen this result in a premature, stressful or emergency birth so many times now. This needs to change! SMP needs to support mums through their last trimester right through to their baby’s first birthday without the financial pressures to return to work; employers need to educate their female employees on the impact of stress during pregnancy, particularly the first trimester at work, before they become pregnant. Thereafter, they need to support the pregnancy journey and mums need to be much more aware of their own sensory journey, with an emphasis on relaxation. A relaxed mum will help result in a contented baby! babyopathy.com Februar y 2019

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Henry Fawcett Community Nursery (Leaf ) Clayton St, London SE11 5BZ 020 7582 0509

to know Mama’s guide to London’s best nurseries and preschools

Base Zero Nursery Happy Days 109A Randlesdown Rd, Gramsci Way, London, SE6 3HB 020 8461 3510 The Villa 54 Lyndhurst Grove, London SE15 5AH 0207 703 6216 Chairbears Day Nursery 9-12 Deptford Broadway, London SE84PA 020 8305 6588

SOUT H W EST N O RTH WEST

NORTH

E AST

North Bridge House Nursery School/Pre-Prep 33 Fitzjohn’s Ave, Camden Town, London NW3 5JY 020 7267 6266

Les Trois Oursons 4 Collins Yard, London N1 2XU 020 7099 0452

Hatching Dragon Nursery School 1 Viscount St, London EC1Y 0AA 020 7256 9365

Little Stars Nursery 58 Allen Rd, Stoke Newington, London N16 8RZ 020 7254 4367

Sahan Preschool Day Nursery 12 Stukeley Rd, London, E7 9QZ 020 3719 7002

The Mulberry House School 7 Minster Road, London, NW2 3SD 020 8452 7340 Living Spring Montessori St Michael’s Church Annexe, St Michael’s Road, London, NW2 6XG 020 8830 7331 Nuffy Bear Nursery Brondesbury Park Fitness & Wellbeing Centre, Sidmouth Road, London, NW2 5JY 020 3432 8708

Sylvia's Happy Childcare 119a Chevening Road, London, NW6 6DU 020 8960 2217

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Puddleducks Nurseries Puddleducks House, r/o 75 Friern Barnet Road, London NW3 5JY 020 7267 6266 Hackney Care For Kids 61 Evering Rd, London N16 7PR 020 7923 3471 William Patten Daycare Nursery William Patten School, Stoke Newington Church St, Stoke Newington, London N16 0NX 020 3844 4227 Creative Explorers Day Nursery 18 Gisburn Rd, London N8 7BS 07956 809748

Oliver Thomas Nursery School 1 Mathews Ave, London, E6 6BU 020 8552 1177

The Lyceum Nursery 6 Paul Street, City of London, London, EC2A 4JH registrar@lyceumschool.co.uk lyceumschool.co.uk 020 7247 1588

SOUT H E AST Dulwich Montessori Nursery School St Stephen’s Church, College Road, Dulwich, London SE21 7HN 0208 766 0091

Eaton Square Nursery School, Belgravia 28 & 30 Eccleston Street, London SW1W 9PY Eaton Square Nursery School, Knightsbridge Rutland Gardens, London SW7 1BX Eaton Square Nursery School, Pimlico 32a Lupus Street, London SW1V 3DZ nursery@eatonsquareschool.com eatonsquareschool.com 020 7931 9469 The Knightsbridge Kindergarten St Peter’s Church, 119 Eaton Square, London SW1W 9AL 020 7371 2306 The Willcocks Nursery School Holy Trinity With All Saints Church, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2BA 020 7584 5054 Melrose House 55 Finlay St, Fulham SW6 6HF 020 7736 9296

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Hatching Dragons Westminster Units 3&4 Westminster Quarter, 2 Monck street, London, SW1P 2BQ 0203 912 2902 Tadpoles Nursery School 68 Park Walk, Chelsea, London SW10 0NQ 020 7352 9757 The Barnes Village Nursery 3A Station Rd, London SW13 0LP 020 8878 5111 Gwendolen House 39 Gwendolen Ave SW15 6EH 0203 441 2450 London Early Years Foundation 121 Marsham St, Westminster, London SW1P 4LX 020 7834 8679 One World Nursery 9 Knowle Cl, London SW9 0TQ 020 7924 9505 Dee’s Day Nursery (Wimbledon) 2 Mansel Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 4AA 020 8944 0284 Learning Ladders Nursery Ground Floor, Falkner Court, Francis Chichester Way, London SW11 5HX 020 7622 9300 Kiddi Caru Day Nursery 2 Piazza Buildings Empress State, London SW6 1TW 0207 386 4505 Tiggers Nursery School, Putney 87 Putney Bridge Rd, London SW15 2PA 020 8874 4668 Wee Ones Nursery 4 St Ann’s Cresent, London SW18 2LR 0208 870 7729

The Orchard Day Nursery 201-203 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1NL 020 3880 7373 Tiny Thinkers Childcare 192 Tudor Drive, Kingston upon Thames KT2 5QG 0203 441 2450

W EST Little Chepstow Nursery 108 Lancaster Road, W11 1QS 0207 243 0243 Rolfe’s Nursery School The Little House, 34a Oxford Gardens, London, W10 5UQ 020 8969 5805 New Studio Pre-School Kelfield Mews, Kelfield Gardens, London, W10 6LS 020 8969 5805 Denbigh Under Fives Group 5b Denbigh Road, Denbigh Road, London, W11 2SJ 020 7221 5318 Kids Unlimited 34 Ladbroke Grove, London W11 3BQ 0845 365 2918 St Peter’s Nursery School 59a Portobello Road, London W11 3DB 020 7243 2617 Ladbroke Square Montessori School 43 Ladbroke Square, London W11 3ND 020 7229 0125 The Square School 18 Holland Park Avenue, London W11 3QU 020 7221 6004 Holland Park Nursery School Kenley Walk Hall, Kenley Walk, London W11 4BA 020 7792 0323

Jack in the Box Kelmscott Community Hall, Ashchurch Grove, White City, London W12 9BT 020 8811 8099 Stepping Stones Nursery 5 Gayford Road, London W12 9BY 020 8811 1646 Bright Sparks Montessori School 142 Sinclair Road, London, W14 0NL 020 7371 4697

Caterpillar Montessori PO Box 105 11 London W4 5WU W4 5LG 020 8747 8531 Maggie and Rose 55 Finlay St, Fulham SW6 6HF 020 7736 9296 Millie’s House Nursery and Pre-School Distillery Lane, Fulham Reach W6 9US 020 8748 4303

Vanessa Nursery 12 Cathnor Road, London W12 6JA 020 8743 8196

Windham Nursery School Windham Road, Richmond, Surrey, London TW9 2HP 0208 831 6060

Little Owls Nursery 108 Lakeside Rd, London W14 0DY 020 3266 0044

Merchant Square Day Nursery 13 Harbet Rd, Paddington, London W2 1AJ 020 7402 2227

The Kensington Kindergarten St Barnabas Church, 23 Addison Rd, Kensington, London W14 8LH 020 7371 4848

Busy Bees at Hammersmith 3 Bute Gardens, London W6 7DR 0208 741 9945

Millie’s House Nursery and Pre-School Distillery Ln, London W6 9PL 020 8748 4303 One World Montessori and Pre-Preparatory 69 - 71 Brook Green, London W6 7BE 020 7603 6065 Little Cherubs Nursery School Our Lady Of Victories Church Hall, 16a Abingdon Road, London W8 6AF 07810 712241

The Corner House Day Nursery 82 Lavington Rd, London W13 9LR 020 8567 2806 Bunny Park Day Nursery & Nursery School 37 Manor Court Rd, London W7 3EJ 020 8567 6142 Hatching Dragons Twickenham 2 The Green, Twickenham, London, TW2 5AA 0203 912 2901

Carmelite Parish Centre Pitt Street W8 4JH 07810 712241 Iverna Gardens Montessori Nursery School Armenian Church Hall, Iverna Gardens, London W8 6TP 020 7937 0794

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The write stuf f

The importance of teaching handwriting in the modern age

ometimes parents ask why we teach handwriting at school at all; surely it is an obsolete skill? Of course, we must teach computer skills to ensure that our children are well-prepared for the future but developing a neat and swift cursive script is just as important and there is sound academic research that supports this view. There are numerous publications that can be read on the subject and one of the most striking is written by Joyce Rankin, who is on the State Board for Education in America. Her article, written in November last year, The (Hand)writings on the Wall, cites research studies that have proven that there are direct links between

developing good handwriting skills at an early age and academic achievement in both literacy and numeracy as children progress through their schooling; brain imaging has actually found that handwriting activates the brain more than typing because it involves more complex motor and cognitive skills. I have always found that the process of writing something by hand helps me to learn it and research says it helps to ‘etch it into the memory’. We all remember those long lists of spelling words that we learnt through writing them out over and over again; the process of writing them down was actually teaching the brain to remember them. Why would we deny our children this highly effective learning tool? If this is not enough to convince the sceptic parent, then the fact that that

“There are direct links between good handwriting skills at an early age and academic achievment.”

r es ou rc es EDUCATION

there is a direct link between learning cursive writing and developing reading skills may help. Again, studies show that handwriting contributes to reading fluency because it activates the visual perception of letters. This is especially important for those who struggle with acquiring language skills. According to Marilyn Zecher, a language specialist, children with dyslexia have difficulty learning to read and to spell because their brains associate sound and letter combinations inefficiently. She says that cursive can help them with the decoding process because it integrates hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills and other brain and memory functions. The pen and paper approach also enables children to express themselves more imaginatively once they have mastered the skill of writing. Virginia Berninger, a professor at the University of Washington, supports this through her research of children in grades two, four and six who all said that they wrote more words, faster, and expressed ideas better when writing essays by hand than with a keyboard. The last and most important reason to teach handwriting in school is that having illegible handwriting can have a serious impact on a child’s selfesteem and can hinder their learning irreparably. At the Lyceum school, we believe that one of the greatest gifts we can give a child is to teach them to express themselves confidently through music, drama, sport, art... and through their neat and beautiful handwriting.

H I L A R Y W YAT T Headmistress The Lyceum School

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All children can achieve

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