New kids shop in Stockholm: Betòn Studios

Remember my post about the best slippers in town? It was about the women mocks but also all baby mocks and much more. Well, the Betòn studios (formerly mini mocks) shop that was once only an online store is also a shop in Stockholm now. In one of the coolest areas: Petra is the amazing woman behind all of it. She is so brilliant, strong minded, joyful and creative. And she is so nice too! Her story is worth a read for anyone who seeks motivation to build their dreams with their hands. You can read about it here, here and follow her on instagram here and here. After building her online shop and taking care of it for a few years, she decided to throw herself into opening a physical shop in one of the coolest areas in Stockholm. Otherwise known as sofo. It's like she did it all by herself (with some help from husband, maybe family and friends too I think ;)) and it's so beautiful. She made this curtain for instance and her choices of colours and furnitures are really nice too.And now she doesn't only sell mini and femme mocks, or accessories like those. She also sells so many beautiful things for kids, like clothes (liilu, daughter), toys and books (like the one below from the über talented Majasbok ).You should go there, meet her and see the shop. It's worth it.I wish they would do these bed sheets for adults too!I'm not going to show you more, because I want you to pay a visit and discover it too :)Go to Betòn Studios,  Nytorgsgatan 23B, Stockholm. You'll be happy you did!

Tea time experience with Jing tea

Anyone who knows me, knows I'm a tea lover. A big tea fan. It's like some British genes have been stuck in me! Ah the first sip in the morning is the best moment of the day. I like all sorts: black, white, green, rooibos. I like it cold or hot. With flowers or just pure white leafs. We went to China for our honey moon and even had the most amazing tea ceremonies there. I bought everything to re-do it but was never able to give a Oolong the taste I got there. Nevermind the nightmares it gave me after but that was another story. Despite all that, I have to say that my favourite of all times remains a good cup of Earl Grey. When JING tea sent me their finest Earl grey tea bags to try out, I was beyond excited:The day I received the tea was such a beautiful day. The lilac were blooming and I was biking with this big package while stealing gathering a bit of Lilac (ok a lot) from the streets of Lidingö.I couldn't wait to open it and try the tea out! The package had some Earl grey tea bags but also a lovely transparent cup. The best way to see your tea unfold in my view. But most importantly, Jing tea also sent a timer.That is a must, my friends,  to get to know when your tea is ready its best. I already have a boiler where I can choose the right temperature for different types of teas. And the timer was the missing piece! Plus, this one is really pretty I think."It’s not just a drink – it’s an experience." you can read on Jing tea's website. Jing tea is a british company and I really like the philosophy behind it. The way they want to bring you more than just selling their tea. Like telling you how best to drink it, how to bring the finest taste out of them. And they have a real expertise especially in the way they source their teas. I like the relation they have with the producers. And the way they make sure each tea they choose has the best taste.So I tried their Earl Grey twice. I infused a tea bag directly in the cup the first time. And I infused a tea bag in a pot the second time. 3 minutes with the timer and it was ready!I liked both equally and I can say it without doubts: this was one of the best Earl greys I had tasted. Believe me, I tried many. This one is particularly refined and a subtle taste of bergamot makes it a real pleasure to drink. Not the usual strong tea I have for breakfast but it definitely became my favourite after lunch treat.They have such a great range. Their whole rose buds look delicious. And I now want to try their Jasmine teas (the flowering ones are so beautiful in a transparent pot or cup) and Silver needles. Both jasmine and white teas are my favourites after Earl grey!As a tea drinker and lover, I really appreciated tasting a new tea. And so did my son:If you like tea, and would like to treat yourself, click here. I recommend it!PS: Jing tea sent me the tea for free but all appreciation and thoughts are my own!

One we like: cool clothes from Sweden

I recently met the owner of the clothes brand One we like. I got to go to the opening of her new shop in Stockholm.  If you are in the area, you should definitely pass by! And I really liked the brand so much, I want to share with you the reasons why:Vicky is making and selling clothes that are sustainable, organic, cool and comfortable. Also, she uses mostly local designers and illustrators for the prints.  And it's so soft! you can read all about it here.It's more and more difficult to find nice clothes that fits my ever growing (too fast) kids. So I was quite pleased to find this one!And even for my son it's possible to find something really cool. Sizes go up to 14 years old. Plus, he doesn't accuse me of making him look like a baby with what I buy! By the way, they have some models in adult sizes too!Did I mention they were comfy? Overall, as you can read, I'm very pleased with the clothes from One we like. I support the philosophy behind it. And I also like that it's a local brand. Plus, she created a small collection for a charity where all proceeds go to help newly arrived refugees. What else?

Finally found the best slippers: mocks for women

I have been on a (very important) quest for the perfect slippers/indoor shoes (for me). For what seems like for ever. I wanted something that I found both pretty and comfortable. Also, they should keep my feet relatively warm in the winter without making them sweat. Because thats the kind of feet I have (cold and sweaty, I know, lucky winner). I also wanted to be able to use them like if I'm walking bare feet but in fact I'm not! Believe me, I tried many before from the ugly versions to the least comfortable. To the ones that actually gets ruined in the space of a few weeks of use.  Then a hope formed when Petra, the person behind the shop mini mocks posted on her Instagram account that she might make a version of her beautiful mocks for adult.You know those mocks that you buy for your kids that are so beautiful and comfy (and they usually start walking in them)? Yes, those. But for women! Couldn't wait!I have been following Petra for a while. I like her style and her mocks even though my kids were too old to wear them. She built everything herself with her business and is using the most ecologically friendly materials. And all the other products are nice, clean and beautiful too. If you still have young children, I suggest you have a look at her website!I had to be patient but the idea of the mocks for women recently came to life. I bought them straight away. They are just everything I expected. I don't want them to leave my feet. I almost wish I could walk outside with them too! This post isn't even sponsored. I wish it was but this is how much I love them!They exist in three colours: white, black and blush. It was hard to choose!This is the first time I praise a product like that (there might be more to come, who knows) and I wouldn't do it if I wasn't happy about it! Plus: I met Petra a couple of times and she is a really nice person.  I'm sure she puts her heart and kindness in her products.So if like me, you have been on a search, try them. And even if you were not, I warmly recommend them!

Tale me: rent your maternity and kids clothes

Tale me

Tale me

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Tale me

Tale me

 I heard about the idea of renting clothes for your babies from 0 to 4 along with pregnancy clothes and thought "I'm not the target, but that hey, that sounds interesting". The clothes you can rent are ecological and ethical clothes. They are also from designers. I thought: "ok, that's a great concept, I have to have a look". Then I met Anne and her crew, and asked like most people: "what do you do with stains and holes?" and they totally convinced me that I wished this existed when I had my two children. (wanna find out how they do it, click on "read more "!(Anna the founder of Tale Me)See those beautiful kids clothes in the window? Well, instead of buying them for an expensive price and having your kids only wear it a few times, you could rent them, send them back and therefore change clothes every two months. And you can choose from an immense choice of ethical (made in Belgium, France and Portugal mostly) and organic clothes.It's really nice designers clothes too. Ecological brands I used when my kids were little and lasted forever, like la queue du chat  or l'asticot. But also Belgian new designers such as Maurice and co. This idea is actually amazing: Slow fashion. I totally support this responsible consuming (and you know me, I'm quite the shameful consumer but still, I know what would be the best way. If you read French, click on this article about not possessing anything in the future. "you have a nice pullover, where did you rent it?" could be the way forward!).They also have the same concept for maternity clothes. The typical time when really, you will not use the clothes more than... a few months! So why not rent them? and if you give birth before the end of your rental contract, you can switch to breastfeeding or baby clothes.Right now you are thinking, just like I did: "yes, but kids of those ages (from 0 until 4 years old) stain easily their clothes and  they also make holes. How much do you have to pay when you send them back in that state?" Well, I was totally blown and satisfied by their answer: Nothing!  you send the clothes back how they are. Tale me will try to wash them and render them as nice as possible,  in the best way they can. They will use ecological products (that they also sell actually)  and tricks. Check out this cute video!If it doesn't go away, or if the hole cannot be repaired, they use the remaining fabric to make other clothes  that they will rent! How fantastic? They have a great person sewing in the back of the shop, genius!You have several ways to rent, for several prices. If you read French, this blog explains it so well. Otherwise you can either go to the shop for really good advice or you have also information on their website. I'll also try here:For children clothes, you can rent either 3 clothes or 5 clothes every two months.  Right now, it sizes from 0 to 4 but they are intending to go up to 8 yrs old in the future. You can choose the clothes in the Tale me shop in Brussels (details below) in the prices shown or you can choose them online on their website for slight more expensive price. The amazing thing: they deliver all over Europe!!The same goes for pregnancy clothes:You can change every months! Or check the details here.If you have children of those ages or are on your way to maternity, you have to try it out. They have for instance really nice Patagonia coats in the winter, or more suitable to this period, swimming suits. Again, the typical type of clothes that will not be worn more than a few weeks. Aren't you convinced already?The textile industry pollutes a lot, and Tale me is already working with mostly ecological fabrics and they print fabrics in the Netherlands to design some clothes in Belgium. But apparently Anne is also working to find fabrics that are solely made in Europe. The way forward! TALE MEChaussée de Charleroi 166Opening hoursMonday 11h until 17h30Tuesday to Friday 11h-19hSaturday 10h30-18hTel : +32 2 851 53 49or the website: taleme.be

AmStramGram: Best kids book store in Brussels

Am Stram Gram

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Am Stram Gram

Am Stram Gram

Am Stram Gram

Am Stram Gram

Another blogpost I have been meaning to do for a long time, before Christmas so you would all go and do your shopping there.... is this one on AmStramGram, the best kids bookstore in Brussels! I surely hope that you will go there over the year anyway, it's worth it at any time! I'm writing in English and of course this is mainly a French bookstore but you can find some (not many) books in other languages too (English, Dutch, Italian, Spanish...)Frédérique, the owner,  will always give you the best advice and is very helpful. She knows what to buy for all ages, even teenagers and adults:You also find great toys, games and decoration. Frédérique will always have some new cool things, she recently got hold of some kids friendly pop figurines for instance. She has great colorful tastes:In other words, go there!  (address and contacts after the pictures):1 Rue Général Mac Arthur, 1180 UccleTel: 02 345 81 85WebsiteIt's a very nice and fancy area to have a walk in the weekends and you will find some other nice shops too. And if you are really a fan of books, especially art books but this time for adults, you can hop on the other side and visit this great shop: