Small talk
Another year older Notting Hill mothers Sarah Rowden and Joanna Vestey are back with a new book after the success of last year’s Make, Bake and Celebrate. Their new month-by-month guide to getting through the year with your children is Custard and Crayons with Polly & Jago and just like the first book, it’s packed with recipes, craft ideas and seasonal activities. A fold-out wall planner keeps track of the calendar and there are fascinating facts, jokes and stories to keep the kids amused throughout. Beautifully illustrated and photographed, this is a fun-packed journey through the year. Sarah Rowden is the woman behind St Helen’s Deli, so expect to take her recipes seriously.
What’s your bag? Pink Lining was set up by local mother Charlotte Pearl, a handbag designer who found that her bag needs changed when she had her first child. Her mother’s bags are stylish and girlie while being super practical, featuring bottle-shaped pockets and accessories such as changing mats and other invaluable baby bits. Now she’s running a competition toraise money for CLIC Sargent, the leading children’s cancer charity, and inviting toddlers aged one to four to design the lining for her next bag. Submit your child’s drawing and it could be featured on the signature shocking pink lining of a limited edition Yummy Mummy bag. Drawings should be submitted on one side of white A4 paper, using one bold colour on the theme of ‘my favourite things’ by 31 October to: Pink Lining, 12 ½ St Luke’s Mews W11. Good luck!
www.pinklining.com Northern lights Scandinavian children’s clothes, toys and products are among the world’s best and most stylish. From Brio to Katvig, it seems that everything Nordic is well-designed with a sense of fun and a wide appeal. Just open in Kensal Rise is Kidsen, a store dedicated to all things Scandi, from nappies to buggies via toys, clothes and everything else you could ever need. Owner Corina Papadopoulou is a resident Swede who caters for the local Scandinavian community and everyone interested in well-designed products for children. Kidsen will stock Brio (including the new Brio Go travel system), Elodie Details, Plastisock, Miniature (pictured) and other northern favourites.
Bendy babies
An extensive programme of children’s yoga classes is on offer at the Special Yoga Centre. A weekly parent and toddler class is a lovely way to introduce your child to yoga, combining songs and dance moves with simple yoga stretches for both parent and child. For older kids, there are classes grouped by age, with children as young as 2 ½ able to enrol in the yoga term. See the website for the full timetable.
www.specialyoga.org.uk