Introducing Babes About Town!

It's been a busy month. Brand New Mama (in association with Hype Baby) is proud to announce the launch of a brand new blog.


Babes about Town is a city guide and social network serving young families in London and beyond. We find and recommend cool things to do, fun places to hang and stylish places (and products) to shop - and mostly with the little ones in tow.

Babes about Town targets parents with kids in the 0-5 age range but we're open to anybody with kids in their life and everybody with a GSOP (great sense of play).

Please visit the blog to find out more, subscribe via reader, follow us on Facebook and Twitter and of course, get to know the face and family behind Cheekymama and her team.

Winging it

We're inching up on birthday month in our household. Yup, mama and both her cheeky boys are Aquarians and hoping to celebrate in some style this February.

If I could make a birthday wishlist for at least two of us (myself and Little Big Cheeks) I would say a little prayer for these Walking Wings by Upspring Baby.

The same team that came up with Milkscreen Moms (screening your breastmilk for alcohol content) have devised another brilliant product. It's a parent harness that's adjustable and detachable, managing to provide balance and confidence for your toddler-in-training without causing you back pain.

One look at the 'Before' and 'After' pictures on their web site and I was pretty much sold on this device. We could certainly do with some 'Wings' on our 10-month-old cherub as he cruises into this stage. Check out a video demo at the Walking Wings site.

Get Cozi this winter

Like many mothers, one of my top resolutions for the new year (make that the new decade) is to get more organised. Figuring out how to juggle your growing family's commitments can make you feel like Kali on a bad day.

Now I've found an online tool that looks like it might just change my life. Cozi is an internet-based organiser designed to streamline your routine, making it easier to keep up with your busy family life.

Through its handy system of calendars and schedules Cozi helps you keep track of appointments, groceries, chores and to-do lists. The Cozi site can be accessed by any family member from anywhere with an internet connection - even via mobile phone. You can also sync your Cozi calendar with Microsoft Outlook to stay on top of important dates.

Another great feature is the Family Journal that lets you keep a record of family life with text and photos that you can share via email or even Facebook. Visit Cozi for more tools and tips that could make 2010 the year you finally get closer to being a 'super'-mum.

Smooth as silk

Still on a last-minute hunt for that perfect top to see you through the party season? Step (or click) on over to Mamas & Papas where their maternity range currently has some great discounts.

At half the regular price, this luxurious Silk Tie Tunic will skim and drape your figure to flattering form. It has an adjustable tie under the bust and can be jazzed up with jewellery and accessories for a different look each time. We particularly like the tunic paired with these stylish blue tights as pictured.

Visit Mamas & Papas for more festive offers.

V&A muse

This week on Hype Baby, we've been extolling the virtues of museum shops as a great place to find unusual gifts. One of my favourite online stores is the V&A museum web shop, a virtual treasure trove of design goodies.


This Deco Bloom Silk Top, inspired by a book plate design for textiles, utters 'hip mama' with its simple wrap/tie style, luxurious colours and gorgeous embroidery. It's the kind of blouse that can adjust to fit your bump, then gracefully skim your frame when baby's out and about.


Or if you're feeling too heavy to invest in new clothing, check out their fashion accessories such as this vintage-look Feather Flower Headband by Ophelie. Handmade using dyed feathers, it's sure to get heads swerving in your direction come party season. Visit the V&A shop for more stylish ideas.

Prints charming

Our little Buddha turned 9 months old earlier this week and suddenly it seems like he's hurtling towards his first birthday. One of the things I plan to do (that I never got around to with Cheeky baby number 1) is preserving his teeny tiny handprints in clay.

There are all sorts of specialised services to carry this out, but we like this Hand or Footprint Imprint Tin from MamaToto. All you need to do is open the container, press baby's hand or foot into the soft clay and when you're happy with the imprint, leave it to harden. This makes a great gift for a new parent or (note to hubby) a nice stocking filler for yourself come Christmas. Visit MamaToto for more products geared to brand new mamas.

Babble on to CURE cancer

We've gabbled about Babble babywear, the line of funky tot suits featuring cute quips and graphics on our sister blog Hype Baby.

Now we want to let you know about a new plan from the generous Babble babywear team. In an effort to help fund research to find a cure for cancer, Babble babywear are donating $1 from the sale of every onesie to CURE Childhood Cancer.

Simply enter coupon code BABBLECCC at checkout and you'll know that even after your bubba grows out of his babygro, your money was put to good use. Check out the collection at Babble babywear.