In The Know: Cool Things For Parents & Kids
Father Christmas & The Polar Express
Storystock has created a virtual event where little ones can say hello to Father Christmas from the comfort of their own home. Now until the end of December, children can tune into the festive experience where they can listen to Father Christmas read his favourite story, The Polar Express, and enjoy a special Christmas message. All tickets include a virtual bundle filled with unique ideas for your own family gathering, and there’s also the option to purchase a personalised and wrapped copy of The Polar Express 35th Anniversary Edition for an extra £15. Tickets cost £3.50 per household.
Visit Storystock.co.uk
Nine The Label
In need of some new stylish and comfortable maternity wear? Nine The Label is a brand to know. Created by a fashion industry duo, both of whom struggled to find chic maternity clothing that didn’t compromise on style, there’s currently a small AW21 collection available for pre-order, including ribbed dresses, tie-waist jumpsuits and an oversized two-piece. The neutral colours are designed to fit in seamlessly with the rest of your wardrobe, too.
Visit NineTheLabel.com
Fromental Peter Rabbit Wallpaper
Regular SL readers will know we love interior brand Fromental, so we were excited to hear that it’s launched a new collection of Peter Rabbit wallpaper, inspired by Beatrix Potter’s distinctive illustrations. The brand’s Chinoiserie design has been updated with characters including Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny, with eight wallpaper designs in soft pastel shades – we love the peach ‘Penrhyn Nectar’ and ‘Powis Green’ colours. Fromental has also teamed up with children’s furniture brand Dragons of Walton Street to create a collection of matching toy boxes – ideal for completing your child’s bedroom or nursery.
Visit Fromental.co.uk
Jayne Redmond
Ceramic brand Jayne Redmond creates beautiful homeware and gifts for children and parents. Whether you’d like a personalised mug for your little one or a hand painted bauble to hang on the tree, there’s plenty to browse just in time for Christmas. The brand has also partnered up with baking pros Craft & Crumb on a limited-edition gingerbread baking set, which includes a Jayne Redmond gingerbread baking bowl, and a baking kit with everything you need to build and decorate a gingerbread house.
Visit JayneRedmond.co.uk
Modor & Bearn
Founded by a pharmacist to tackle the common discomforts experienced during and after pregnancy, Modor & Bearn’s range of products aims to help you through each stage of motherhood. From hydrating body moisturisers and nipple balms to soothe dry skin, to warming back gels, to ease aches and pain, each product is backed by science and is safe to use throughout pregnancy. What’s more, Modor & Bearn has also formulated a range for babies, including a gentle shampoo and an injection balm to soothe sore skin after an injection.
Visit ModorAndBearn.uk
Mr Badger's Christmas Wish By Lily Murray
If you’re after a fun, festive lift-the-flap tale to read this Christmas, Mr Badger's Christmas Wish makes a lovely gift. With Christmas Day approaching, the woodland animals are merry with festive cheer. There's singing and sledging and everyone's excited. All except for Mr Badger. He has just one wish… for Christmas to be banned! Can the animals help Mr Badger find his Christmas spirit before Santa Bear arrives? A charming story little ones will love.
Visit Waterstones.com
Miranda Sykes Midwifery Consultancy
Whether you’re expecting your first child or looking for extra support during pregnancy, Miranda Sykes is the name to know. An experienced midwife based in southwest London, Miranda’s consultancy bridges the gap between private and NHS maternity care, providing one-to-one hour-long appointments to discuss pregnancy, birth and early parenthood. You can choose virtual or in-person appointments (however frequently you’d like) to talk through birthing plans, emotional wellbeing, breastfeeding, how to support your partner and more. Virtual consultations start from £85; in-person appointments start from £125.
Visit Miranda-Sykes.com
Gus + Beau Miffy Play Mats
Liz Rawlinson created Gus + Beau after struggling to find stylish and practical play mats for her son. In addition to the brand’s main collection, which includes foam play mats in a range of neutral colours, Gus + Beau has collaborated with Miffy on a new collection. Choose from soft puzzle baby play mats in grey or white, all of which can be joined together with the rest of the collection. There’s also a new Miffy storage bag, so you can tidy everything away after playtime.
Visit GusAndBeau.com
NOOD Nipple Covers
NOOD has created reusable nipple covers which double up as nursing pads that create a leak proof barrier against your skin. Suitable to use during and after pregnancy, they adhere directly to the skin, creating a waterproof barrier which prevents any leakage, and thus keeping you and your clothes dry. The handy nipple covers are made using matte silicone that looks like skin and are available in four shades to match your skin tone. Lightweight and ultra-thin, they mould to the breast's natural curves to stay completely invisible and can be used for up to three months before you need to replace them. One sets costs £24.
Visit LoveNood.co.uk
The Little Finery
For luxury personalised children’s wear, The Little Finery makes beautiful gifts for little ones and mums. From slippers lined with alpaca wool and cashmere blankets to nursery essentials like cushions, throws and toy boxes, everything can be personalised with your names or initials. We particularly love the cashmere sweaters, available for newborns and children up to six years old. Initials or a name will be monogrammed onto the front or back in your thread colour of choice – we like the suits-all baby blue shade.
Visit TheLittleFinery.com
Stammer Stories Podcast
Stammering affects over 150,000 children in the UK, with research showing that the pandemic has negatively impacted those affected. Hosted by 22-year-old William Laven, the Stammer Stories podcast aims to raise awareness for children with stammers and speech impediments. Today, there’s a special Christmas episode with Ed Balls – the broadcaster and former politician didn’t realise he had a stammer until his mid-forties. Aiming to help parents look out for signs and find the right support, the podcast has lots of useful information for both adults and children.
Listen here
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