BFB Loves… Half-Pint Chic – Discount Designer Gear for Kids

When you come to packing for that long awaited family break this spring break deciding which clothes to bring for your little ones can become a challenging task for any parent. BFB asked  Nicole Frost, founder of designer children’s clothing boutique Halfpintchic.com ,to  gives us a heads up on how to pack sensibly for the holidays.

Layering… The key to any travelling wardrobe – even for us adults – has to be layers. We can’t rely on the good old weather forecast anymore especially if you are staycationing in the UK. Be prepared for all seasons, even if you do get a warm spell, by carrying light layers which you can add or remove in an instant. Cardigans, light jackets and sweaters are the perfect combination over a T-shirt or top to add some warmth without compromising on style.

Wellies … Every kiddie suitcase should include a pair of colourful wellies. Springtime can get very wet and don’t forget a nice thick pair of socks, especially if boots are not lined.

Party time …You’ve packed the jeans, the tops and the trainers but don’t forget a nice smart outfit for dinner or party time. You can make your suitcase lighter by replacing tops and skirts with a couple of pretty dresses for the girls or a smart all in one. Stick to simple shoe designs which can be easily matched to any outfit.

Packing skills…Finally, according to what you have planned for your holiday it’s always a good idea to pack the first days clothing on top working your way into the suitcase with the last day’s outfit at the very bottom. This will make life easier for you so you won’t find yourself wrestling with your luggage to find what you are looking for.

Register for free on halfpintchic.com and shop for quality brands for the half term break at more than half their retail price.

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Filed under: Baby Gear, Fashion, Kids — sian @ 13:24

BFB Loves…Domani Cot/ Bed /Sofa

This beautiful wooden cot is handmade in St Ives in Cornwall by a dad who was inspired by the imminent arrival of his daughter.

Jani Lemut of Tomas and Jani St Ives handcrafts each cot from sustainably sourced wood, then hand-paints it in baby-friendly paints, creating a beautiful item with all the hallmarks of a family heirloom, especially as it can transform from cot, to bed to sofa.

The cots will be launched at The Baby Show in Earl’s Court on Friday priced at £3,975 (normal price £4,595). See www.tomasandjani.co.uk for details

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Filed under: Baby Gear, Interiors — sian @ 13:30

Baby Style File’s Top Storage Solutions…

You may have noticed that kids come with ’stuff’. In fact, lots and lots of ’stuff’. And, as the kids get bigger, the so does the ’stuff’…


… Help is at hand! BFB has asked the editor of one of our very favourite interiors websites, www.babystylefile.com, to come up with her top picks to prevent the ’stuff’ from taking over your home

Here’s Poppy from Baby Style File’s edit of (nice looking) storage – that ensures you can tuck the chaos neatly away and pretend that life is under control…

1/ m3 seat/storage in light blue, €165, finnishdesignshop.com - Dual function storage is great – this toy box doubles up as a neat looking stool, and I’m loving the combination of block colour and ply wood


2/ lego storage bricks, from £8.99, firebox.com – forget age, you can never go wrong with a bit of giant lego. not only do these oversized bricks stack, but they also store!


3/ trojan horse by leka, £93.99, nordickids.co.uk – use this little horse to store things in, sit on or pull around like a well trained pet


4/ bilbao chest of drawers, £295, aspace.com - the fact that these draws are asymmetrical adds a nice bit of interest to an otherwise neutral set of drawers


5/ wire shelving, £32.50, marmarco.com- this shelving is a really stylish and affordable way to keep your books in check


6/ rabbit ears toy box, from £85, kidsen.co.uk - I can’t resist the playful nature of these toy boxes – but thanks to the graphic interpretation these bunnies stay on the right side of sweet


7/ maximo orange seat rocking storage stool, £108, littlefashiongallery.com – tuck your toys away neatly and then have a little rock on this storage stool to celebrate – Remember, you get a free £15 Little Fashion Gallery Voucher with a BFB booking!


8/ oeuf sparrow dresser, £628, naturalmat.co.uk - nice changing tables aren’t easy to come by  - this one (although on the pricey side) will continue to look lovely well beyond the nappy years


9/ mini hana kids’ wardrobe, £400, habitat.co.uk – nicely neutral but far from boring

Let us know if you have any great storage finds…

For more fantastic finds and top tips visit the brilliant www.BabyStyleFile.com


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Filed under: Baby Gear, Interiors, Kids, Shopping — sian @ 17:50

My Best Book About Me

I met Terese Oman, the Swedish designer and author of  My Best Book About Me, at the Bubble fair last month. She talked me through her stunning baby record book and it’s so fun and lovely that I was almost inspired to having another baby! There’s nothing like this out there on the market – a well-designed, modern and witty baby keepsake book that you can record the milestones of your child’s first five years. The book is colourful, packed with illustrations and the hallmarks of great Scandinavian design. Perfect for a gift for a new mother.

For more information visit Fill & Tell

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Filed under: Baby Gear, Toys & books — Tara @ 21:19

Cosy Suit for Chilly Days

Columbia all in one fleece baby suit

As I write this, there’s thick snow and ice outside my window. While I was organised enough to kit my kids out in serious ski-wear style jackets this year, I missed a trick with the snowboots. Kids sized snowboots are as rare as Heston’s orange pud was at Christmas. On my quest to find some warm boots for my little one who is moaning about cold feet and insisting on being carried around (he’s  a large nearly 3 year old) I stumbled upon this deliciously cosy all-in-one fleece suit.

Looking for a warm baby suit that combines  warmth with wit? This Columbia all in one has foldover hands and feet and is just the thing to keep snug in this bitterly cold weather. It’s in stock and available for shipping. If only they came in adult sizes too.

Columbia Little D Fleece Bunting £24.99

Available in Red, Green and Blue

Sizes : 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months

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Filed under: Baby Gear, Fashion — Tara @ 21:01

BFB Lifestyle - our top finds for style-savvy parents

Who?

Sian Williams
Mum to Erin (born 2005) & Founder of Baby-Friendly Boltholes

Tara King
Lifestyle journalist and mum to Rory and Jasper

View our past blogs:

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  • Tara (67)
  • What?

    Put simply, we get around, and when we see or hear about something great, we'll add it here!
    Be it a great restaurant where kids are welcome, a new hotel or villa find we think is really special, ideas for fantastic days out or brilliantly designed gear for kids.
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    Funky Farmstays, Romantic Retreats, Toddler-Tastic, Single Parents, Party Pads ... Read More