Mama J U LY 2 0 1 9 • I S S U E 3 0
Festival
The Magazine for Stylish Mums
GUT FEELING
FEVER Summer’s familyfriendly line-up
KEEPING LITTLE TUMMIES HAPPY
HIT RESET
Relaxing babymoon getaways
ISSUE 30 • JULY 2019 _MAMA_July19_Cover_CG.indd 2
hello SUMMER Holiday-ready style for mama and mini
THE MAGAZINE FOR ST YLISH MUMS 04/06/2019 14:38
bugaboo classic collection a true classic never goes out of style
The Bugaboo Bee5 Classic is available from June 2018 from Bugaboo.com The Bugaboo Bee5 Classic in Dark Navy is available from June 2018 exclusively at John Lewis & Bugaboo.com The Bugaboo Fox and Bugaboo Donkey2 Classics will be available from September 2018 from Bugaboo.com Š copyright Bugaboo International BV
BB.indd UK 1 BGB CC 420x260 Absolutely Mama.indd 1 180803
14:41 03/08/2018 10:29
BB.indd UK 2 BGB CC 420x260 Absolutely Mama.indd 2 180803
14:41 03/08/2018 10:29
MICRALITE.indd 1
04/06/2019 15:11
mama WELCOME
contents 16 J U LY 2 0 1 9
46
74
56
36
72 AGENDA What’s On
30 Birth Story
62 Gut Feeling
FASHION 38 Summer Garden
HOME & INTERIORS 72 Nursery Notes
ESSENTIALS 22 Tot Gear
44 Kids Fashion Notes
74 Span Style
MAMAHOOD 27 Insta-Mama
46 Balmy Days
RESOURCES 89 Art Play
12
Arts and entertainment for the month ahead
14
New Books
July’s best new releases
Key kit to make parenting easier
Cassie Chung on launching an interiors brand
ON THE COVER: Dôen shopdoen.com
28 Woman in Work
Shoshana Kazab on her new sustainable childrenswear business
Lucy Estherby shares the true-life story of the birth of her son
Mama and mini twinning from Los Angeles based brand Dôen
Th e best looks and launches for little ones
Graphic lines and play-ready shapes from Bacabuche
WELLNESS 56 Green Kitchen Stories
Veggie recipes from David Frenkiel and Luise Vindahl’s new cookbook
Supporting your baby’s gut health this summer
Beautiful decor and furniture for your little one’s space
Inside Nicola Eyre’s beautiful 1960s Span House
Educational subscription boxes for the next generation of artists
92 Classroom Ready
Six great activities to prepare your child for school.
July 2019
MAMA_July19_CONTENTS_CG2.indd 5
|
5
05/06/2019 09:29
NBS.indd 1
04/06/2019 13:53
mama WELCOME DR ROEBUCK’S P. 68
Editor’s
LETTER GARBAGE DOG P. 14
PORT ELIOT FESTIVAL P. 16
T
he day I got my GSCE results, I went straight off to a muddy field to watch Blur with thousands of other (pretty sweaty) teenagers. This started a love affair with festival season that lasted well over a decade, but somewhere along the line I lost patience with the crowds, the terrible toilets and the bad food. If these things are putting you off taking your brood, I can testify to the fact that quite a bit has changed since 1999. This summer, there’s a whole host of brilliant events designed with families in mind. We’ve rounded up the best ones for foodies, nature-lovers and those who just want to dress up and dance around. And if festivals are still not your thing, there’s plenty more to enjoy in this issue too. We take a trip to Mykonos, where we discover the tranquil side of island life. Nicola Eyre of Cissy Wears gives us a tour of her stylish 1960s Span house. And Dr Sophie Niedermaier-Patramani, paediatrician and co-founder of Little Tummy gives her tips on how to support your little one’s gut health. Here’s to the start of summer!
C a rly Gl e n di n n i n g E DITOR
BANWOOD P. 8
@carlyjglendinning carly@zest-media.com
Part of the
Mid-weight Designer: REBECCA NOONAN Finance Director: JERRIE KOLECI
T h e M a g a z i n e Fo r S t y l i s h M u m s @ A B S O L U T E LY M A M A
absolutely-mama .co.uk Editor UK: CARLY GLENDINNING Features Editor: HELEN BARON
Director: LEAH DAY Managing Director: SHERIF SHALTOUT
Marketing Manager: LUCIE PEARCE Art Director: PAWEL KUBA
ABU DHABI OFFICE: FACT M.E FZ-LLC, Office 907E, TwoFour54, Park Rotana Complex, P.O Box 769328, Abu Dhabi UAE zest.london To read the latest issue of Absolutely Mama subscribe at gb.readly.com/absolutelymama
Assistant Editor: FLORA THOMAS Social Media Editor: JESSICA SHALTOUT
LON DON OFFICE : 197-199 City Road, London EC1V 1JN, UK
For editorial enquiries please email: carly@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please email: leah@zest-media.com For media partnership enquiries please email: lucie@zest-media.com
Absolutely Mama supports
Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.
July 2019
MAMA_July19_EDS LETTER_CG2.indd 7
|
7
05/06/2019 09:16
10 things we Absolutely
LOV E The products and brands getting our attention this month
TO T H E B E AC H
Going Dotty
Cloe Cassandro London-based designer Cloe Cassandro makes the most beautiful silk-chiffon beachwear, dyed and printed entirely by hand. Her collections are created ethically in Bali by craftsmen who all work from their own homes so they can look after and care for their families. cloecassandro.com
Oe uf NYC The knitted co-ords from Oeuf NYC are made for all those carefree summer days ahead. This one comes in baby and kids sizes. oeufnyc.com
or’s Editick P
Summer Soothers
Ne u O il Neu Oil’s aromatherapy oils for babies (and parents) are certified gentle enough to use directly on the skin. The brand’s products are entirely plant-based, ethically sourced and always cruelty-free. neuoil.com
8
|
FLOWER POWER A r ket
Made from organic cotton, this pretty floral dress from Scandi high street brand Arket is perfect for summer events. Pick it up on your way to the women’s department. arket.com
absolutely-mama.co.uk
_USE_MAMA_July19_Ten_Things_USE_CG.indd 8
04/06/2019 14:53
ma m a LOVES
BLUE MOOD S o p h i e Al d a
Jump In
This beautiful vase by Hackneybased designer, artist and ceramicist Sophie Alda has been hand-thrown, built and glazed. An easy interior update for summer. just.maison
Le Petit Germ a in In a palette of delicious shades from ‘coconut’ to ‘leather’ and ‘indigo’ blue, French brand Le Petit Germain make the best easy-to-wear basics. Perfect for mama and mini matching. smallable.com
EYE EYE Ma i s o n De ux
A playful addition to a playroom, nursery or even your living room, we love these googly eye rugs from Maison Deux. Move them around and voila, the expression has changed. insidestoreldn.com
Chasing Rainbows
L iewood It might be rainbow weather outside... but come rain or shine, this mobile from Liewood will look super-sweet in their nursery. We love that it’s made from organic cotton. liewood.com
All Frills
Little Creative Fa c tor y We’re not sure that this ruffled swimsuit from Little Creative Factory could be more adorable. Perfect for splish-splashing this summer – whether they’re by the pool, at the beach or just running around the garden. smallable.com
FREE WHEELING
Banwood Family-owned lifestyle brand Banwood has launched a new colourway of their popular First Go! toddler push bike. The perfect shade of sky blue, the design has a child friendly frame, height adjustable soft saddle and handlebar. banwood.com
July 2019
_USE_MAMA_July19_Ten_Things_USE_CG.indd 9
|
9
04/06/2019 14:53
HAUCK.indd 1
03/06/2019 12:41
agenda J U LY ’ S AC T I V I T I E S & E V E N T S p . 1 2 • O U R M O N T H LY R E A D I N G R O U N D - U P p . 14 T H E B E ST FA M I LY F R I E N D LY F E ST I VA L S T H I S S U M M E R p . 16
West End Witch • WORST WITCH •
Accident-prone Mildred Hubble comes to the West End for an action-packed state adaption of Jill Murphy’s beloved book. The show includes original songs, music and magic. For children age seven and up, from 24 July until 8 September. nimaxtheatres.com
July 2019 | 11
Mama_July_19_Agend_Opener_CG.indd 11
04/06/2019 15:54
W H AT ’S O N Best of English Heritage, fitness for kids and a festival offering that much more...
Hands Up 5-7 July The Cotswolds
Located on the beautiful Great Tew Park Estate in the heart of the Cotswolds, this year’s Cornbury Festival has a circus theme. There’ll be stilt walkers, giant tipi building and magic shows to keep little ones entertained whilst you dance under the stars to The Specials and Keane. cornburyfestival.com
we love
MoreTHAN Until 22 September • Warwickshire
Also Festival is a three-day nature fix. It’s more than just-for-fun; it brings together revolutionary minds for a weekend of forward-thinking discussions. Highlights for children include raft building, lightsabre combat classes, acting workshops, songwriting and circus skills. All this set beside a beautiful lake in 50 acres of parkland. also-festival.com
By The Skin of the Teeth Until May 2020 Horniman Museum and Gardens
A series of thought-provoking new works by Clare Morgan is on display at the Horniman. The art draws on the theme of waste and many of the pieces, like the one pictured here, will appeal to children. horniman.ac.uk
12 | absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_July19_Agenda_HB_USE_CG.indd 12
04/06/2019 15:36
agen d a
COLOUR PALACE Until 22 September Dulwich Picture Gallery
Free and open to the public, The Colour Palace at Dulwich Picture Gallery is a fusion of West African and European influences, primarily inspired by the buzz of Nigerian fabric markets. The impressive, 10-metre high cuboid structure incorporates symmetry, curves and bold, beautiful pattern which will appeal to all ages. dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk
EVENTS
English HER ITAGE WIth over 400 historic sites, there’s something for everyone this summer english-heritage.org.uk
LEG E N DARY J O U ST June-August Multiple sites
See lances shatter, feel the thunder of hooves and hear the roar of the crowd as reputations are won and lost in the Grand Medievel Joust. Taking place across the country, little knights can test their bravery in hobby-horse jousts, prove their prowess at have-a-go archery and try on medieval armour.
CLASH OF TH E RO M AN S 6-7 July and 3- 4 August Multiple sites
Watch as the Roman Empire’s finest soldiers compete in an intense show of strength and skill. Pick a side and cheer them on! Explore living history camps and meet the Romans to find out more about life in the Empire. Little ones get the chance to join in with battle drills.
Monstrous Fun
3 July - 8 September The Lyric
elebrating the 20th birthday of the much loved picture book, Tall Stories’ musical adaptation of The Gruffalo returns to the West End for a ten-week stint. Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood. Expect songs, laughs and monstrous good fun for children aged three and up.
C
gruff alolive.com
MR MOODY 25 July - 31st August National Theatre
r Gum is pretty glum, he hates children, animals and any kind of fun. When a big bear called Padlock strolls into town, trouble is on the horizon. Based on the anarchic, award-winning children’s books by Andy Santon, this hilarious musical promises to be a spectacular, sing-a-long extravaganza for the whole family.
m
FALCO N RY
23-24 July Chesters Roman Fort
In a world ruled by gods and godesses, birds were crucial for the Romans. Falconry enabled them to hunt, trade and intimidate enemies. Through incredible displays, learn more about how birds hunt in the air and on the ground. Watch closely as the birds swoop and dive before your very eyes.
nationaltheatre.org.uk
July 2019
MAMA_July19_Agenda_HB_USE_CG.indd 13
|
13
04/06/2019 15:37
We love
BOOKS Travel up through the stratosphere and down to the deepest depths of the ocean in this month’s releases
Wo r d s F L O R A T H O M A S
U P, U P AN D AWAY BALLOO N TO TH E M OO N By Gill Arbuthnot Illustrated by Chris Nielson
To commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the fi rst moon landing, blast off into a beautifully illustrated journey. Designed with a vintage, 1960s aesthetic, this educational book teaches us about the great innovations of the past. One for older children with a fascination in all things that fly. ÂŁ16.99 templarco.co.uk
14
|
absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_July19_BOOKS_CG.indd 14
04/06/2019 15:41
agen d a
BOOKS
GREEN FINGERS EASY PEASY GARDEN I NG FOR KI DS By Kristen Bradley • Illustrated by Aitch
No matter where you live, no matter the time of year, Easy Peasy invites little ones to throw themselves into the natural world. A gorgeous book, packed full of inspiring and simple activities for curious young gardeners. Experience the wonders of planting a seed and watching it grow into a flower, picking berries in the summer or making a bird feeder in the spring. This is one for keeps. £12.95 gestalten.com
TR A S H TA LK G A R B AG E D O G By Robbie Wilkinson
AN ODE TO WO N D E R WYLDER: A SILENT BOOK By Maia Walczak
Wylder’s world is full of wonder. Each day is a chance to meet a new forest friend, and each night a chance to wish upon a star. This is an emotive, wordless book which looks at the bond between a boy and his father. It tells a story of love and loss, while celebrating gentleness, sensitivity and compassion. It allows for truly creative discussions. £6.99 maiawalczak.com
Oceana
A W O R L D B E N E AT H WAV E S : S E A By Patricia Hegarty
Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
This delightful peep-through picture book, bursting with beautiful colour, invites you to discover the world beneath the waves. Each page is teeming with life, from tiny graceful seahorses to darting tropical fish, electric eels and enormous humpback whales. £11.99 littletiger.co.uk
A heartwarming tale about a dog’s journey from the streets to a new home, discovering family and friendship along the way. It’s no picnic having to fight for scraps, but even in the darkest of times, Garbage Dog keeps his sprits up. Written in humorous rhyme, this is a sweet tale of kindness. £12.95 gestalten.com
D OW N TH E R A B B IT H O LE ALICE I N WO N D E R L AN D : A P U Z Z L E A DV E N T U R E By Aleksandra Artymowska
A particularly stylish puzzle book inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic. Riddle your way from one page to another, through a mad hatter’s tea party and lines of marching cards. Full of nostalgic charm, it appeals to readers young and old. £16.99 templarco.co.uk July 2019
MAMA_July19_BOOKS_CG.indd 15
|
15
04/06/2019 15:41
PORT ELIOT
Festival
FEVER
Make the most of the summer with a trip to one of the top family-friendly festivals around the UK
W o r d s H E L E N B A R O N a n d C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G
THE BIG FEASTIVAL 23-25 August
N
FOODIE MECCA
“Its musical focus is on easygoing, mainstream acts with a soulful vibe”
VERVE
7-8 September (book ahead)
A
WELLNESS FEST
welcome addition to the summer festival scene, Verve emphasises physical and emotional wellbeing, with a range of family-friendly activities including farm runs, yoga and Pilates classes, stargazing and forest bathing. Located in rural Wiltshire, the festival will also offer a ‘wild and off-grid’ spa, kids’ art and bushcraft classes, seasonal produce from local suppliers and talks on everything from how to engage kids with nature to how kindness can improve your sense of self. And if you like your growth with a side serving of hedonism? Don’t fear: Verve has you covered. Saturday night will see DJ Emma spinning disco, house and funk anthems while the spiritually refreshed masses sip creative cocktails under the stars. feeltheverve.com
PHOTOGRAPHY: LOUISE ROBERTS
ON BLACKHEATH
ow in its ninth year, this Cotswoldian jamboree is a favourite with families, serving up a blend of BBC Radio 2-friendly pop and high-end nosh from some of the nation’s most celebrated chefs and restaurants. Taking place on Blur bassist Alex James’ cheese farm in idyllic Kingham, the vibe is very much ‘Home Counties Go Wild’, with the Cotswolds’ UFL (up from London) contingent ensuring that the organic English wine keeps flowing and the party lasts well into the night. This year’s musical line-up sees headline sets by Jess Glynne and Elbow, while the foodie fun is brought by tastemakers from Raymond Blanc and Mark Hix to sometime supermodel Jodie Kidd. There’s a ton for kids, too, from a souped-up playground and crafts tents to a giant collective campfire (for toasting marshmallows). thebigfeastival.com
16 | absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_JULY_FESTIVALGUIDE_CG.indd 16
04/06/2019 15:52
agen d a EVENTS
VERVE
ON BLACKHEATH 13-14 July
T
SOUL VIBES
his southeast London festival takes place in the well-todo environs of Blackheath, a short stroll from leafy Greenwich Park. Its musical focus is on easygoing, mainstream-friendly acts with a soulful vibe – though this year’s lineup (which includes Soul II Soul, Brand New Heavies, Rag ‘n’ Bone Man and Jamiroquai) ups the ante with a Sunday night headline set from the legendary Grace Jones. Elsewhere, there’s more than enough to keep kids entertained, from the Science Museum’s slime workshops and local baby music specialists Boppin’ Bunnies to BBC kids presenter Andy Day’s band, The Odd Socks, and a hands-on mini zoo. The festival’s food offerings look great, too, with suppliers sourced from Lewisham’s much-loved Street Feast – so there’s no doubting their deliciousness. onblackheath.com
PORT ELIOT 25-29 July
THE BIG FEASTIVAL
CAMP BESTIVAL 25-28 July
C
DRESS-UP FUN
CAMP BESTIVAL
amp Bestival consistently wins family festival awards year-on-year. Set in the sprawling grounds of Lulworth Castle, on Dorset’s epic Jurassic coastline, the organisers like to describe it as a ‘festi-holiday’, a family festival experience, combined with an action-packed camping trip. The festival is famous for its fancy dress, and this year the theme is Heroes VS Superheroes. Don your capes and get ready dance all night to the likes of Ash, Morcheba and East 17. Or get lost in the enormous Kids’ Garden, where there will be activities from soft play and circus skills to go-carts and glitter. Little ones can enjoy performances from children’s TV royalty such as Sam & Mark and Mr Tumble too. campbestival.net
O
CULTURAL OASIS
ne of the few remaining truly independent festivals in the UK, Port Eliot is set in the historical village of St Germans on the Rame Peninsula in South East Cornwall. The festival prides itself on its inclusive nature – there are no off-limits ‘luxury’ areas and no in-your-face sponsors. It’s the place to go for foodies, fashion and artlovers, wellbeing junkies and anyone wanting to enjoy a weekend filled with music and comedy, set amongst the wildlife. This year’s line-up features lots of big names including Lily Allen, Charlotte Church and Dame Zandra Rhodes, to name just a few. And there’s plenty for kids to enjoy too. Veering off the beaten path into Wildlings Wood, little ones can join the Fire and Steel Forest School, learning den building and campfire cookery; or walk into a weekend outpost of Aardman Studios – creators of Wallace & Gromit – and make their favourite characters with the absolute greats of animation. porteliotfestival.com
July 2019 | 17
MAMA_JULY_FESTIVALGUIDE_CG.indd 17
05/06/2019 09:41
BBZ.indd 1
03/05/2019 11:52
W H AT TO PAC K FO R A FA M I LY F E ST I VA L p . 2 0 TOT G E A R : I N S P I R E D K I T TO M A K E PA R E N T I N G E A S I E R p . 2 2
Play Time TODDLEKIND
Whether you want to transform your living room into a huge playspace, or create a cosy play corner, the clever puzzle playmats from German brand Toddlekind give you the option of bespoke sizing to fit any space. toddlekind.com
July 2019 | 19
MAMA_July19_ESSENTIALS OPENER_CG2.indd 19
05/06/2019 09:42
Festival
Checklist
Claire Turner, founder of family travel and adventure lifestyle store Beyond the Stork rounds up her festival packing essentials
Sleep Tight BUNDLE BEDS
A must for festival trips. Each bed contains a self inflating mattress, ultra-cosy 15-tog duvet, pillow and super soft jersey bedding which rolls into a bundle that is easy to carry. Simply unclip and unroll to reveal a single sized bed suitable for adults and kids alike. £199; beyondthestork.co.uk
Editor’s Pick
Drink Up LIEWOOD
These beautiful drinks bottles are made from stainless steel which is easy to clean and they come with handy sports lids. We love that they keep 375ml of liquid hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours. £23; beyondthestork.co.uk
SPLISH SPLASH
GRASS & AIR
Wellies are top of our packing list! Grass & Air make fantastic quality, comfortable styles for little festival goers. £23; beyondthestork.co.uk
2 0 | absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_July19_ FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS (Conflicted copy from Pawel’s iMac on 2019-05-31)_CG.indd 20
04/06/2019 16:01
essentia ls FESTIVAL
Dry Off FABELAB
Super soft, organic cotton muslin that is great for covering up and drying off at the campsite. A great space saver, the ponchos dry off quickly. £22; beyondthestork.co.uk
CARRY ALL MICRALITE
The perfect changing bag for festival going parents. It has lots of handy pockets and is constructed from all-weather fabrics, so you don’t have to worry about your baby’s things getting wet - even in heavy rain. £65; beyondthestork.co.uk
Rain Ready STUTTERHEIM
Each raincoat is hand made in rubberized cotton and has double welded seams to keep the harshest of weather out. Perfect for festival goers in the UK! £84.50; beyondthestork.co.uk
STAR GAZING SOULPAD
Stylish and the easiest tent to pitch. Simply put up the centre pole and peg out the guy ropes. There is loads of space and head height so no crawling in and out of small tents with toddlers! From £290; soulpad.co.uk
Stay Cool
FJÄLLRÄVEN
Fjällräven products are stylish, functional, and user-friendly. We love this mini cooler bag for keeping baby food and toddler snacks cool on a warm festival day. £55; fjallraven.co.uk July 2019
MAMA_July19_ FESTIVAL ESSENTIALS (Conflicted copy from Pawel’s iMac on 2019-05-31)_CG.indd 21
|
21
04/06/2019 16:02
e s s ent i al s
TOT GE AR
ent d r a p rove app
C H E W AWAY M AT C H S T I C K M O N K E Y
Including mint green, dusty pink, airforce blue and claret, Matchstick Monkey has launched a new collection of nordicinspired colours. The awardwinning soft teether features a range of different textures to help massage sore gums and ease teething pains. matchstickmonkey.com
PARENTS TO BE M A M A S & PA PA S
TOT GEAR
Inspired kit to make parenting easier
Mamas & Papas’ ‘Parents to Be’ events (30th June / 14th or 28th July) are full of expert advice, offers and goodies. Topics covered include first aid, car seat safety, birthing and nutrition as well as pushchair demonstrations. mamasandpapas.com/ parents-to-be
S TAY C O S Y M A M A S & PA PA S
Mamas & Papas liners are designed to protect your pushchair and make for a more comfortable trip out and about. Made with 100% cotton to create a cosy and naturally soft space, the high density memory foam cleverly moulds to your baby. mamasandpapas.com 22
|
N EW BOR N H AU L Reviewed by Jenni Birrell of the Mamas & Papas Parent Approved Panel
I
n preparation for the arrival of my little girl, Mamas & Papas very kindly sent me some of the newborn essentials that I was lacking, so if you have a little one on the way and you’re looking for some inspiration, read on! When it comes to dressing a newborn, I’m very much into keeping things simple. I find bodysuits are perfect for pretty much every occasion when they are so small (and sleeping most of the time anyway!). This is why I chose the floral all-in-one set of 3 and matching set of 5 floral bodysuits, I just love the subtle colours. You don’t need a huge amount of toys for the newborn stage but I would definitely recommend the Welcome To The World Starlight Swing. I love the little LED lights that flash overhead on the hood and it has five swinging motions and a selection of melodies to help soothe your baby (if you’re lucky, it might even send them to sleep). The last thing I highly recommend getting is the Grey Contour Changing Mattress. I had a similar one for Buddy and I just loved that he felt a little more secure in there when being used on top of a changing station. My issue with the one I previously had was that the cover wasn’t particularly nice, whereas this Mamas & Papas one completely fits in with the aesthetic of my nursery. mamasandpapas.com @myweebuddy
absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_July19_TOT_GEAR_CG.indd 22
04/06/2019 16:06
SC.indd 1
04/06/2019 13:57
Handcrafted nursery furniture that becomes part of the family Handcrafted nursery furniture that becomes part of the family
To mark the launch of TeddyOne, 200 sets of limited edition pieces come with a 10 per cent discount, complete with free White Glove delivery service. Five of these come with a unique golden TeddyOne Bear – find one in To mark the launch of TeddyOne, 200 sets of limited edition pieces come your cot bed and you’ll receive your money back. with a 10 per cent discount, complete with free White Glove delivery service. Five of these come with a unique golden TeddyOne Bear – find one in WWW.TEDDYONE.UK your cot bed and you’ll receive your money back. Untitled-1 61 BL_xx_Teddy One ad.indd 12
WWW.TEDDYONE.UK
05/03/2019 06/02/2018 11:58 15:47
mamahood C A S S I E C H U N G O N L AU N C H I N G H E R ST Y LI S H I N T E R I O R S STO R E p . 2 7 LU CY E ST H E R BY S H A R E S T H E B I R T H STO RY O F H E R S O N p . 3 0
Strong Women IN THIS SECTION
This month it’s all about amazing women with a side hustle. We hear from an influencer who also runs an interiors store, the founder of a PR agency who has turned her hand to sustainable kidswear and from the owner of a family lifestyle store who has also launched a business bootcamp. Enjoy!
July 2019 | 2 5
Mama_July19_MAMAHOOD_OPENER_CG2.indd 25
05/06/2019 09:32
pactâ„¢ flex signature Welcome to a luxurious world of warmly woven quilted fabrics; aged cognac leatherette touches; and an elite, high brilliance carriage chassis; all exquisitely crafted to make memories of each moment with baby last forever.
A SIMPLY TIMELESS PINT-SIZED PUSHCHAIR WITH AN EXCLUSIVELY FLAT AND FAST FOLDING SYSTEM.
joiebaby.com/signature in-seat suspension for a 50% smoother stroll
JOIE.indd 1
Available from Argos, Boots, Halfords, Mothercare, Very and all good independent nursery retailers.
03/05/2019 11:53
mamah o o d
INTERVIEW
“It’s important to me to support small buinesses and artists”
INSTA MAMA Mama of three and founder of interiors and lifestyle store Cassie Chung Q We love your new interiors store, Just Maison. What made you want to launch it? A Since we’ve recently renovated our house I’ve been getting a lot of questions about where I get certain things from. I absolutely love to shop, homewares and interiors is something that I really enjoy so it made sense to me to try out a store for the home and shop for everyone else!
Q What’s the concept behind it? A I love looking for new brands and products and it’s important to me to support small businesses and artists. Just Maison is a mixture of the bigger brands and also the smaller more independent brands. I love dressing a room, whether it be a shelf or a table, all of those in-between household items are just as important as the big ones. I’d like to think that there’s a nice little mix and something for everyone. Q You have a loyal Instagram following. How instrumental is your personal feed to your business? A I have some really lovely followers and everyone has been so encouraging about the new launch. I suppose my business feed is a reflection of my personal feed, I wouldn’t stock anything that I didn’t love and put in my own house. So I’d like to think that my personal feed with my house posts can give a little inspiration to those that are decorating or renovating.
Q We love how you’re showing the pieces from the store in your home. Is there a temptation to keep everything for yourself? A So much temptation! A lot of the items are already taking pride of place in my home, but there are a lot of items that I’m stocking due to so many people asking about them. Our bedroom mirror has always been popular, so it made sense to me to stock some of those too! Q How are you juggling the business around your busy family life? A So far so good, working for myself allows me to spend time with them and do the school run and then work again in the evening if I need to. Mio has always been by my side, so I needed something where I can nip him to the park on a sunny day or in the school holidays I can pick and choose my hours to suit their activities. Q Best and worst bits about motherhood? A The best I would say is watching them grow into pretty special little people, we spend so much time together and I still can’t quite believe that we have three little humans! The worst is when any of them are sad, a bad day at school, if they’re hurt, or if everyone’s a bit ratty on a Monday morning school run, we’ve all been there right?! just.maison @just.maison / @casschung
July 2019
MAMA_July19_Instamama_1p_CG.indd 27
|
27
04/06/2019 16:09
“I knew there had to be a way to give these beautiful items another lease of life”
woman in
WORK Shoshana Kazab on launching her pre-loved and past season childrenswear business Kidswear Collective
I n t e r v i e w C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G
Q Tell us about the concept behind Kidswear Collective… A Kidswear Collective is an online store selling pre-loved and past season designer fashion, where items are sold at up to 80% off their original retail price. We stock over 100 brands including Gucci, Burberry, Dior, Moncler as well as up-and-coming labels which customers may not be familiar with yet. I wanted to find a way to create something very special which could address our urgent need to reduce waste in the fashion industry, but also make available designer pieces at affordable prices. Creating a first-hand experience for buyers was a key consideration for us. Every garment is cleaned, photographed and carefully stored until it is sold, before it is sent out in Kidswear Collective’s luxe signature packaging. We
2 8 | absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_July19_WOMAN IN WORK_CG.indd 28
04/06/2019 16:11
mama h ood
Q&A
It’s a real coming together of the industry, which is why we called it a ‘collective’ as it’s a great way for us to all support each other.
want shopping on Kidswear Collective to feel like a luxury shopping experience, similar to what you’d get when shopping on sites like the The Outnet and Farfetch. By professionally photographing each garment, for example, customers have a clear idea and confidence in the quality of each item. This is reflected in our lower than average returns rate at less than 5% compared to the industry average of around 40%. When it arrives all beautifully packaged, it generates the same level of excitement as it would when shopping on any other luxury website. Q You run a successful PR agency, what made you want to launch a childrenswear business? A As the founder of Fuse Communications, a PR agency specialising in the luxury childrenswear market, I’m very fortunate to have worked with the top influencers and some of the best brands. The idea came to me one day when I was chatting to one of our influencers about what she did with her children’s clothes when they had grown out of them and she explained how difficult, and what a hassle it was, to sell on marketplace sites like eBay. I knew there had to be a way to give these beautiful items another lease of life – and that’s how the concept was born!
Q We love how the pieces are pre-loved and past season. Was an eco-focus important to you and how does it extend to other areas of the business? A Absolutely. We are passionate about extending the lifecycle of luxury clothes. Sustainability has never played more on our minds as it has now. Of the 80 billion pieces of clothing produced worldwide, it is estimated 75% of these will end up in landfill each year. And in Britain alone, we are expected to throw away 235 million items of clothing this year. A popular hashtag currently trending is called #30wears which is encouraging us to wear our garments at least 30 times. With a designer kids piece, we estimate that it is worn, on average, only six times before
a child grows out of it. This means that there are four more potential owners for this one garment. There has never been a better – or more important time – to change the way we shop, but without having to compromise on quality. Any unsold items are donated to the family charity, Little Village and we donate up to 5% of every item sold to the NSPCC.
“There has never been a better – or more important time to change the way we shop”
Q We love that you feature pieces from influencers. Who has been your biggest supporters so far? A Influencers on the site include The Fashion Bug Blog, Masha The One, Sofia Gouveia and Deborah Brett. When The Fashion Bug Blog’s preloved page went live, 8 out of her 11 items sold within the first hour. One of our best-selling influencers is Emma & Alf (whenever we receive new stock from her it sells out), but she loves the more artisan and independent brands, some of which we hadn’t previously heard of which is really exciting for us. kidswearcollective.com @kidswearcollective July 2019
MAMA_July19_WOMAN IN WORK_CG.indd 29
|
29
04/06/2019 16:11
PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNA HARDY
“I knew I needed to give birth in my own environment, my own surroundings”
A B I R T H S T O R Y
The owner of lifestyle brand Acorn + Pip and founder of Business Bootcamp, Lucy Estherby, shares the true-life story of the birth of her son
M
y birth story comes packed with comparisons. I think that’s the beauty of having already done something once, you get to make more informed choices and do things differently if you wish; and I really did. Eden, my first, was an assisted delivery and it left me in a state of shock. The birth had been going well until we had a midwife change over, I lost my flow, baby was just NOT coming out, I ran out of steam and I was moved to theatre. The forceps were quite tough on us both. This was all pretty rough but nowhere near as terrifying as some births come, I knew that. But it was the after birth environment that was the hardest part. The morning after the night before, me and three
30 | absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_July19_BIRTH STORY_ACORN_PIP_CG.indd 30
04/06/2019 16:15
mamah o o d RE AL
other women were rushed out of our ward as the woman in the bed opposite me decided to have a cigarette. YES. A CIGARETTE, behind her curtain. Now, I’m not one to judge and I’d never publicly shame anyone. Except this woman, because to smoke on a maternity ward with newborn babies, you’ve got to be some kind of div. All I wanted was to be at home, with my husband but I had to wait until 10am for him to arrive. I digress, but it’s for a reason. This time round I knew I wanted a homebirth. I knew I needed to give birth in my own environment, my own surroundings. I was finding getting my head around birth number two quite tricky as we’d just moved house (a relocation and renovation job), I had a toddler and also a business to run. So finding any sort of headspace was impossible! Plus, I have the propensity to just wing things. Not in the sloganesque sort of way of ‘just winging it’; I sometimes have a genuine inability to plan things properly. I tend to hope for the best! (My nickname at school was ‘Hasty Haslam’). This sometimes goes in my favour but sometimes it all falls apart and then I slap myself on the wrist and tell myself to do better next time! Birth number two was imminent and at my 36 week appointment, my midwife ran through what a homebirth was like and, apart from being anxious, I was ready to commit. ‘YEP, I’ll do it all from home. Sign me up’. My midwife was extremely supportive and gave me the encouragement to essentially design my own birth. However, all the time I was under no illusion and I knew that it might not happen and I’d have to go to hospital and that was fine, as long as I’d given it a go. Come on kid – we can do it! As 40 weeks approached, every day came and went and I was thinking that today had to
“I was actually filming some IG stories when I felt my first twinges”
be the day. But at 40+5 I was feeling unusually energetic (I cleared out the loft, made a stew and wrote a blog piece) and I was actually filming some IG stories when I felt my first twinges. Isn’t it weird how your body knows that it needs some serious strength for labour so does what it needs to do to prepare? As the hour passed, things really picked up and I was frantically Googling ‘Am I in labour?’ Yeah – great one. Going in to labour second time round felt oddly familiar but each sensation was still so unfamiliar. The contractions came and went. The only affirmation from my hypnobirthing course, that I’d done some three years previous, that I could remember was ‘with each contraction you are one step closer to meeting your baby’. Phew, another one done, another one done. I could do this. As a typical introvert, I top up my energy levels by being on my own. I love being around people but I refill when I’m on my own. Giving birth in a dark, quiet room was exactly how I needed to do it. Oh and a pool would be nice too. We had the pool set up and that was part of my ‘plan’. That was my husband’s job, to fill the pool with warm water. As I was in the
LIFE
throes of some serious contractions, I could hear him on the phone to my parents asking them how to connect a hose to a tap which would then fill up a pool. All the emojis! I think baby brain had hit him too. I knew he just wanted to say to me “Luce, you just don’t understand how hard this is!”. No words. I finally got into the pool (he used pots and pans I think, or did the hose start working? No idea). The pool was so heavenly on my body, I hadn’t realised how much pain I was in until a slice of it was taken away by the water. My contractions slowed as I was in the water but they were so intense at this point. I could feel baby coming and I was also aware that at this point in labour, transition, that you reach a very intense mental state. I was there! I’d not naturally experienced this part of labour before and my god, it was like nothing I could ever have imagined. Maybe that’s why you lose your head a bit during this part, Mother Nature’s way of protecting its gals. Thankfully, it happens quickly. Dear human body, I’m in awe. Baby arrived at 11.39pm, 10 hours after it all began. At home, in a pool, and it was a boy. 9lb 8oz. Gosh he was big and he was all mine. I felt like a flipping hero (a hero who couldn’t feel her legs, arms and I was incredibly thirsty). Well done kid – we did it.
acornandpip.com July 2019 | 31
MAMA_July19_BIRTH STORY_ACORN_PIP_CG.indd 31
04/06/2019 16:15