What’s New at Millie Abroad?

We have some new goodies arriving in store at Millie Abroad very soon. Many of them have been special requests by customers so we are super excited to be adding them to our growing collection.

Meet the Maker – Mikodesign

It is no secret that I have a soft spot for a cuddly toy (I have already shared some of my favourites here and here) but I must confess I also have a soft spot for rabbits and all things French and so I couldn’t resist sharing another fabulously unique find with you.

Like most of my finds, I stumbled across Mikodesign while browsing the web for something special for Amelia, (which in turn became something special for Millie Abroad), and fell instantly in love with the “I Love Paris” Rabbit. She is, after all, très chic!

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the very talented Erika of Mikodesign, the latest contributor to the Meet the Maker Series…

Can you tell us a little bit about Mikodesign for those readers who haven’t yet discovered you? Mikodesign is a small brand from the Netherlands that sells soft creatures and DIY kits, these kits help people to be creative and make their own rabbit and doll.

When did you get started and what was your inspiration? After having my first baby I started making clothes and soft toys for her, people around me encouraged me to make more and I started to do some craft markets. At the same time I discovered blogging and Etsy and that’s when Mikodesign was born.

My inspiration comes from so many things but my two daughters are the biggest inspiration, I love crafting and drawing with them. The Paris rabbit and doll where inspired by a doll I made for Mila’s Paris themed birthday, she asked a Paris outfit for herself and her doll !

What do you most enjoy about what you do? I love creating new products and creatures and making new outfits for the dolls.  Lately I have been busy with a new diy kit and hope to share it soon.

What do you feel makes your work unique? Being a small company and not looking for the trends, but making from the heart makes my products unique, also using my own screen printed fabrics for my products add a personal touch.

What is your favourite ‘indulgence’ that is just for you? I love baking, trying out new cookie and cake recipes and then wrapping these sweet treats in a pretty bag or box and giving them away to friends and family.

Do you have a favourite city for shopping? Oh yes, that has to be Paris of course, not only is Paris a beautiful city it also has tons of small creative boutiques and so many pretty fabric shops. I have a blog about boutiques in Paris www.carnetdeparis.blogspot.com

Thank you Erika for being a part of the Meet the Maker Series. I can’t wait to see your new DIY creation! I also can’t wait to return to Paris to visit some of the boutiques you mention in your blog… although I fear that wait will be a longer one.

The “I love Paris” Rabbits and Dolls are available now at Millie Abroad.

 

Cookie Baking Sunday

Last week Amelia came home from Grandma’s house with a little bundle of Anzac biscuits that they had made together. They were delicious and I was inspired. I decided there and then that Sunday was going to be cookie making day.

It was my first attempt at involving Amelia in the cooking (I figured if Grandma was doing it, then so should I).

She loved it! She particularly enjoyed running her hands through the flour, sticking her fingers into the Golden Syrup and attempting to pour the ingredients over the table and floor.

But with Dad’s guidance everything ended up where it should, and the perfect cookie dough was made, cut and cooked.

It may have been our first attempt at cooking together, but it won’t be our last. It was a lovely way to spend our Sunday afternoon. The little Boo biscuits we had created were both gorgeous and delicious.

Want to make your own Boo biscuits with your own little chef? visit Millie Abroad for the Boo Cookie Cutter – delicious recipe included.

Amelia’s Space

Today we thought it might be nice to share some pictures from Amelia’s room. Being a north facing room, it is one of the lightest rooms in the house, so we often hang out there together playing on the floor and reading books. It’s a nice space to be.

We love the “Milly’s Room” sign that hangs on her door. Grandma found it at the local Piccadilly Market and couldn’t resist getting it for Amelia – lucky us!

Do you remember Juliette rabbit? She has fast become a favourite of Amelia’s. She is the perfect size for a snuggle.

One of the many wonderful things about having a child is being able to buy all those little things you have been secretly eyeing off but had no excuse to actually buy, like the handmade Jenny Harley doll that sits on Amelia’s bookshelf. I am so in love with her. Amelia thinks she’s pretty special too…

But my favourite thing in Amelia’s room is the handmade quilt on her bed. There is just something so special about a quilt made with love.

What does Amelia like most about her room? I think she would tell us Bendy (her teddy bear from Nan that she cuddles to sleep each night) and Juliette Rabbit.

Is your child’s room (or your room) full of little treasures too? I would love to hear about your favourite pieces.

Blog Love Part 1 – The Junior

One of the ways I like to unwind at the end of a day, is to hop online and go hunting for new and beautiful ‘things’ – toys, clothing, nursery art… the kind of things I can be inspired by and dream about (“ooh Amelia would look so cute in that”, “oh that would be perfect in Amelia’s room”, “I always wanted a beautiful dolls house… I mean Amelia would love that dolls house!)

Most of my discoveries, (including many of the beautiful labels found at Millie Abroad), have been uncovered with the help of talented bloggers with a good eye for all things fabulous, and so I wanted to share with you some of my favourite. With quite I few on the list I will share just one at a time.

The first blog I would like to share with you is The Junior.

Written by Helena, a graphic artist and mum to the gorgeous Lykke, the pages are filled not only with the “latest and greatest (in) childrens fashions”…

but also with little snippets of family life told through beautiful photographs. (Oh how I wish my family album looked like this…)

Should you fall in love with something Lykke is wearing (or like me EVERYTHING she wears) then be sure to check under the photo. Every now and then Helen very kindly shares her wardrobe selection with you.

Helen hopes for “The Jnr. to be a place for all style conscious parents, to collect inspiration and indulge in great kids fashion”… and indulge I have – I encourage you to do the same.

Holding onto the Summer Sun

Summer may be over, and winter fast approaching, but I am not yet willing to say goodbye to the summer sun. And so I have gone hunting for things that make me feel sunny and bright.

1. I love nursery art that can be enjoyed by both the young and old. Belle and Boo’s “Belle and Boo Fly a Kite” art print is just one of many of Mandy Sutcliffe’s beautiful creations. Belle and Boo art prints are now available at Millie Abroad.

2. Have you discovered these beautiful handmade dolls by Alis Fox ? They have been lovingly made from up cycled fabrics and each piece is completely unique and fabulous. They can be found online at her Etsy shop WhiteFoxinBlackBox.

3. The colour of buttercups and sunshine, this gorgeous summer creation by Velvet and Tweed is happiness in a dress and can be found at Millie Abroad.

4. I have a secret obsession with cushions and it was love at first sight when I discovered this “Ballooning Cushion on White Linen” at roddy&ginger’s etsy store.  Fun, vibrant and sunny!

5.  I love what a simple wooden letter can add to a room. This one will surely add a touch of sunshine. OldNewAgain have a wonderful collection of timber letters and other equally lovely items.

6. I love yellow and I love shoes and I especially love them when they are combined. To wear these Heart Ankle Boots by Chupeta would surely feel like walking on sunshine.

7. Light, bright and cheerful the Sally Anna Banana dress by Australian designers Dear Charlotte Love banjo is oh so sweet, like home made lemonade or catching butterflies in the garden. Best of all, it is available no at Millie Abroad.

8.  I have already shared my love for Sonatina shoes here. But I can’t resist sharing again. These Rollins Shoes with their vintage charm just melt my heart.

9. I love that wallpaper has made a come back and must confess that I will happily surf the web for hours at a time hunting down new designs. I am in love with this Julia Rothman Wall Paper “Daydream (Sunshine)” available at Hygge and West

Leaving on a jet plane

Tomorrow morning we hop on a plane to Bali for a family holiday. My last task for tonight is to pick out Amelia’s wardrobe for the trip. With so many favourite pieces it isn’t an easy decision, but it’s the end of the wet season in Bali, so it’s hot and humid. This means I need clothing that is light weight, non restrictive and comfortable.

The obvious first choice was something from the Dandelion range. A Balinese label, it has been designed with comfort in high temperatures in mind. I love the linen Elodie pants for some sun protection and the Anna Maria Blouse is an absolute favourite in our house.

We are also big fans of sunsuits here at Millie Abroad. They are fresh, light and allow for lots of robust play in comfort. I couldn’t resist including the Anita Sunsuit from Violetta e Federico. I love the earthy tones and floral print, but more importantly (for Amelia), it is beautifully soft. But, loving sunsuits as we do, one simply isn’t enough so we have also included the newly arrived Crossed Romper by Je suis en CP. After all, who can go past polka dots?

We have also put in some of our favourite Dear Charlotte, Love Banjo pieces from their last season collection. We loved these sunsuits so much we got one in white and one in yellow and they have been much loved.

And last but not least, we have decided to bring the lovely Juliette Rabbit from Hazel Village. She was supposed to be an Easter gift, but with long flights ahead of us I have decided she can come and help entertain Amelia.

Juliette is a budding young artist and tells me she is most looking forward to taking part in some batik classes.

Wish us all luck on our flight!