Mama F E B R UA RY 2 0 2 0 • I S S U E 3 7
Eat
GREEN The Magazine for Stylish Mums
Recipes from Melissa Hemsley
Valentine’s Gift Guide The presents to start dropping hints about
ISSUE 37 • FEBRUARY 2020 _MAMA_Feb20_Cover_CG.indd 2
Best Nurseries INSIDE OUR FAVOURITE SPACES
O n th e
R OA D Selling up & setting off as a family
THE MAGAZINE FOR ST YLISH MUMS 10/01/2020 15:27
the the softest softest and and most most comfortable... comfortable... ever ever We believe We believe that every that every moment moment is worth is worth embracing; embracing; from the from sleep the sleep deprived deprived times times to the to snuggles the snuggles fuelled fuelled by laughter. by laughter. At MORI At MORI we create we create products products for your forlittle your little ones with onesawith gentle a gentle touch touch from sustainable from sustainable materials, materials, so your sogrowing your growing familyfamily can can embrace embrace each magical each magical milestone. milestone.
babymori.com babymori.com | @babymoriuk | @babymoriuk
BM.indd babay 1 BM.indd mori.indd 1 1
05/11/2018 14/01/2020 05/11/2018 16:24 08:27 BM.indd 16:24 2
4/2018BM.indd 16:24 babay 2 BM.indd mori.indd 2 2
20% 20% * * OFF OFF With code: With code: MAMA20 MAMA20
*Offer expires *Offer 31.01.2019. expires 31.01.2019. See websiteSee for offer website details. for offer details.
embrace embrace every every moment moment
05/02/2019 14/01/2020 05/02/2019 13:41 08:27 13:41
i-Questâ„¢ signature Welcome to a luxurious world of soft, textured, quilted fabrics; aged cognac leatherette touches in all of the most elegant of spaces; and beautifully tailored lines. This signature i-Size multidirection safety seat with added comfort is exquisitely crafted to make memories of each moment with baby last forever.
A SIMPLY TIMELESS CAR SEAT WITH THE LATEST IN SAFETY AND LOADED WITH LEISURE
joiebaby.com/signature Available from all good nursery retailers.
JOIE.indd 1
09/01/2020 15:45
mam a WELCOME
contents FEBRUARY 2020
68
52
34
66 12
AGENDA What’s On
Arts and entertainment for the month ahead
14
New Books
February’s best new releases
18
ESSENTIALS Valentine’s Gift Guide Start dropping hints about these mama and mini presents now
20 Tot Gear
Key kit to make parenting easier
ON THE COVER: @studio_romeo studio-romeo.com Photography CHLOE LAPEYSSONNIE
79
MAMAHOOD 24 Woman in Work
Izzy Judd on her new book, Mindfulness for Mums
8 26 Insta Mama
Josefine Ekstrand of Leo Leo on taking her family on the road
FASHION 34 You & Me
Romantic outfits for a mama and mini love story
42 Kids Fashion Notes
The best looks and launches for little ones
46 Ready, Set, Play!
Absolutely Mama meets Joanna Welch, founder of Small Stories
WELLNESS 52 Eat Green
Healthy recipes from Melissa Hemsley’s new cookbook
61
The Mum Mentor Movement
Having some extra girl power at your birth
HOME & INTERIORS 66 Nursery Notes
Beautiful decor and furniture for your little one’s space
68 Nursery Time
Our five favourite nurseries on Instagram right now
RESOURCES 86 Into the Wild
Four ways an outdoor education helps little minds blossom
90 Outer Limits
What to wear for forest school
Februar y 2020
MAMA_Feb20_CONTENTS_CG.indd 5
|
5
13/01/2020 10:01
Make bathtime
matter Our junior range soothes and hydrates your child’s dry and eczema-prone skin – from their very first bath onwards*. Because we know today’s little moments can become tomorrow’s treasured memories.
Find us in Boots, Asda,
Treatment
Soothing and Moisturising
Daily
Bathing and Cleansing
Oilatum Junior Bath Additive (light liquid paraffin) and Oilatum Junior Cream are medicines for eczema and related dry skin conditions. Always read the label. *Full term babies only.
PEGASUS.indd 1 1127430_T+R_Oilatum_BootsParentingClubAd_AbsolutleyMama_v3_AW.indd 1
Sainsbury’s and all good pharmacies nationwide.
Oilatum.co.uk 14:53 10/01/2020 11:42
mam a WELCOME JOSEFINE EKSTRAND OF LEO LEO P.26
Editor’s
LETTER
STOKKE P.8
STICKY LEMON P.85
I
’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, but I do believe in fresh starts. With this in mind, this issue is all about looking at life a little bit differently. One mama who knows a lot about this is Josefine Ekstrand, founder of family lifestyle brand Leo Leo. Together with her husband and two young children, she sold her home in Copenhagen (and most of its contents), moved into an old veteran bus and set off an adventure for six months. Find out what happened on page 26. And with the kids back in the classroom, we also explore other alternative forms of education, including forest school. Turn to our Resources section to find out more. Elsewhere in this issue, mama, musician and author Izzy Judd tells us about her new book Mindfulness for Mums; we meet Joanna Welch, founder of playful childrenswear brand Small Stories; and we have three healthy recipes from Melissa Helmsley’s new cookbook, Eat Green. And finally, we’ve got the best gifts for mamas (and their minis) this Valentine’s Day. Enjoy!
C a rly Gl e n di n n i n g
THE LAST TREE P.14
E DITOR
@carlyjglendinning carly@zest-media.com
Part of the
Mid-weight Designer: REBECCA NOONAN Senior Magazine Manager: ANNA CLARKE
T h e M a g a z i n e Fo r S t y l i s h M u m s @ A B S O L U T E LY M A M A
absolutely-mama .co.uk Editor UK: CARLY GLENDINNING Features Editor: HELEN BARON Social Media Editor: JESSICA SHALTOUT Marketing Manager: LUCIE PEARCE Art Director: PAWEL KUBA Senior Designer: MIKE ROBERTS
Finance Director: JERRIE KOLECI Director: LEAH DAY
LON DON OFFICE : 50 - 52 Whar f Rd, The Angel, London N1 7EU
Managing Director: SHERIF SHALTOUT For editorial enquiries please email: carly@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please email: anna@zest-media.com For media partnership enquiries please email: lucie@zest-media.com
Absolutely Mama supports
ABU DHABI OFFICE: FACT M.E FZ-LLC, Office 907E, TwoFour54, Park Rotana Complex, P.O Box 769328, Abu Dhabi UAE zest.london To read the latest issue of Absolutely Mama subscribe at gb.readly.com/absolutelymama
Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved.
Februar y 2020
MAMA_Feb2020_EDS LETTER_CG.indd 7
|
7
10/01/2020 10:36
10 things we Absolutely
LOV E The products and brands getting our attention this month
Spring Is Calling BOBO CH OSE S One of our favourites for mama and mini matching, we can’t wait to get our hands on the new collection from Bobo Choses. This season doesn’t disappoint, with lots of eco-friendly, easy pieces to choose from. bobochoses.com
HAPPY S MH EVEA ILES
Made from 100% natural rubber, HEVEA’s dummies are plastic-free, non toxic and biodegradable. They are also kind to teeth as they are designed with a clever orthodontic teat. cissywears.com
8
|
OUT OF T H I S WO R L D KIDS ON THE MOON The new collection from Polish childrenswear favourite Kids on the Moon is as sweet as ever. With gingham checks and ruffles galore, there’s also lots of perfect pieces for sibling twinning. kidsonthemoon.com
New Flame RLI What to burn now? If you’re longing for summer it has to be Capri Blue from London based candle brand RLI. Inspired by the founder’s fondest travel memories, it’s the perfect muddle of citrusy scents and sea salt. shop-rli.com / le-gent.com
absolutely-mama.co.uk
_MAMA_Feb20_Ten_Things_USE_CG.indd 8
10/01/2020 10:41
ma m a LOVE S
HEY DOLL
KIDS CO N C EPT Your littles will love tucking up their teddies in this beautifully crafted doll’s bed from Kids Concept. The clever wheels are not only a fun addition, they make it easier to put away too. scandiborn.com
C O SY L AY E R S
FUB Perfect for layering and lounging, we love this fine knit from FUB. The Danish brand only use OEKO-TEX® certified merino wool and GOTS certified organic cotton in their collections. fub.dk
Hold Me
TAY LO R YAT E S If you’re looking for a ‘forever bag’, look no further than Taylor Yates. Awarded The Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury, the collection is made in the UK using sustainble leather. tayloryates.com
Miracle Masks N A ZAN SCHN AP P Swiss beauty brand Nazan Schnapp has launched a range of face masks made with wild, natural ingredients and infused with healing crystals. There’s a formula for every skin complaint – from blemishes to tired, dull skin. nazanschnapp.com
or’s Editick P
Dinner Time
STOK K E New from Stokke, the Clikk highchair is super easy to assemble making it perfect for Londoners short on space. We love the simple design, which will fit seamlessly into any kitchen or dining room. stokke.com
N E AT FREAKS
O CTA EVO Minimalist perfection, the ‘catchall’ trays from cool interiors brand Octaevo are inspired by architectural lines. Just what we need to keep our desks tidy right now. octaevo.com
Februar y 2020
_MAMA_Feb20_Ten_Things_USE_CG.indd 9
|
9
10/01/2020 10:43
Everyday travel companion This fully-featured compact stroller is perfect for city living or jet-setting travelers. TRIV™ is cleverly designed with a seat that can face both ways and fold both ways, and can easily convert to a travel system. The ring adapter can even fold with the frame, creating the perfect sidekick to your everyday adventures. For a quick trip to the corner store or getting across town, TRIV is a natural city dweller that packs up quickly with a one-hand fold and stands on its own, keeping your busy hands free. Find out more at nunababy.com
NUNA.indd 1
09/01/2020 16:30
agenda F E B R UA RY ’ S AC T I V I T I E S A N D E V E N T S p . 1 2 • O U R M O N T H LY R E A D I N G R O U N D U P p . 14
Scummy Mummies ARTS DEPOT
Following their sell-out UK tour and Edinburgh Fringe debut, the Scummy Mummies are back with a brand new comedy show. Don your catsuit and join Ellie and Helen as they celebrate the scummier side of parenting, from drinking wine at teatime to hiding from the PTA. artsdepot.co.uk
Februar y 2020
Mama_Feb_20_Agenda_Opener_CG.indd 11
|
11
10/01/2020 10:49
W H AT ’ S O N
From pirates to polar exploration, February is jam packed with family fun...
W o r d s C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G
POP! 9 February Arts Depot
Presented by Tiny Light Theatre, join Ebb and Flo as they embark on a bubbly bath time adventure full of mischeif and music. Little ones will love this gently interactive introduction to theatre. Suitable from ages 0-3. artsdepot.co.uk
we love
Toddler Time Wednesdays during term time • Cutty Sark
The Cutty Sark is dedicating Wednesday mornings during term time to their youngest vistors. Take your little sailors aboard for songs, stories and playtime. Suitable for ages 4 and under. rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark
Ahoy! Gallery Throughout February 2020 The National Maritime Museum
Polar exploration, pirates and other maritime themes are brought to life in this playful and immersive gallery. Stoke the boiler of a steamship, buy and sell fish in the marketplace and make new friends in the interactive boatyard. Suitable for ages 0-7. rmg.co.uk/national-maritime-museum
12
|
absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_Feb20_Whats On_CG.indd 12
10/01/2020 10:51
agen d a
IMAGINE CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL 12 - 23 February Southbank Centre
The largest festival of its kind in the UK, Imagine is dedicated to families experiencing all kinds of art and culture. Twelve days of the best international performance, music, literature, comedy, creativity, parties, participation and free fun for little ones aged 0-11 and their grown ups.
EVENTS
School’s
OUT
Three for half term
TH E I M AG I NATI O N STATI O N 16 - 21 February V&A
In this multi-dimensional activity inspired by the V&A exhibition Cars: Accelerating The Modern World, little ones will work with Arup engineers to design the future of travel. Free event. vam.ac.uk
southbankcentre.co.uk
THE SKY TONIGHT
Throughout February 2020 The Royal Observatory Greenwich
his live show, presented by a Royal Observatory Astronomer, takes visitors on a tour of the night sky. The journey takes in stars, constellations, planets and moons, and even includes a fly out to the edge of the visible universe. Suitable from age 5+.
T
WI LD C R AF TS 18 - 21 February Morden Hall Park
This fun workshop aims to get little ones being creative in the great outdoors. Make and take home wildflower seed bombs, and decorate a grass-head pot and fill it with pipe cleaner spring bugs. Booking essential.
rmg.co.uk/royal-observatory
nationaltrust.org
TREASURE CHEST OF STORIES 20 February Polka Theatre
nce upon a time… four magical words that will take you on a journey to the farthest reaches of your imagination. Bring along your treasured toy and join Polka Theatre’s storyteller on a magical adventure.
O
MARTIAN GAR D E N 17 - 21 February Design Museum
Inspired by the museum’s Moving to Mars exhibition, budding space explorers will collaboratively create a life-size Martian garden and design space food packaging using recycled materials. Suitable for ages 5-11. designmuseum.org
polkatheatre.com
Februar y 2020
MAMA_Feb20_Whats On_CG.indd 13
|
13
10/01/2020 10:51
We love
BOOKS This month’s colourful new releases to enjoy with your little one
Wo r d s Z O Ë D E L M E R- B E S T
TOTALLY BATTY Code Cracking
A L P H A , B R AV O , C H A R L I E By Sara Gillingham
Let your little ones become immersed in the world of maritime communication with this stunning book exploring morse code, the phonetic alphabet and nautical flags. Covering the rare combination of education, humour and imagination, this book packs a nautical punch for any seafaring adventurer. £12.95; phaidon.com
14
|
T H E B AT B O O K By Charlotte Milner
Journey through the upside-down world of bats with this charming book by Charlotte Milner. With bright, bold and beautiful illustrations, The Bat Book hosts a plethora of interesting facts about the furry flying mammals and their importance in the world. £12.99; amazon.co.uk
absolutely-mama.co.uk
Mama_Feb 20_Books ZDB_CG.indd 14
10/01/2020 11:03
agen d a
BOOKS
PICTURE THIS B I RDS AN D OTH ER AN I MAL S
By Phaidon
Picasso famously once commented that it took “four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child”, but how long would it take a child to learn to paint like Picasso? With this fantastically composed book kids will learn just that, starting with the artist’s famous line drawings. £6.99 phaidon.com
K E E P IT G R E E N THE LAST TREE By Emily Haworth-Booth
Globe Trotter OU R WO R LD
By Shinsuke Yoshitake
Explore the Earth’s amazing geography through rhyming verse and immersive illustration with Our World. Traversing past rivers, lakes and oceans deep, to valleys, hills and mountains steep, this book will take children on an exciting adventure looking at the diverse landscape of our planet. £12.95; phaidon.com
An allegory of climate change and mankind’s impact on the planet, this book tells a story of destruction, rebirth and hope for the future. Beautifully illustrated and written by Emily HaworthBooth, it will help develop respect and compassion for the beautiful natural world around us. £6.99; waterstones.com
FLAMING
LOVE
H O W T O L I G H T YO U R D R AG O N By Didier Lévy & Fred Benaglia
This delightful book tells the story of a little boy who desperately tries to relight a dragon’s fi re. After trying everything from tickling the dragon to prodding him and even sticking fake flames on his face, the little boy gives up and pops a kiss on the dragon to show him that he loves him even without the flames - and boom, there’s the fi re. £13; kidly.co.uk
C ROW D CO NTRO L R A B B I T, R A B B I T R A B B I T ! By Lorna Scobie
Rabbit loves being the only child in the family. But when Rabbit’s parents have some news, and then more news, things start to get awfully crowded at home. This humorous and endearing book will help teach little ones about learning to share with their siblings. £6.99; scholastic.co.uk Februar y 2020
Mama_Feb 20_Books ZDB_CG.indd 15
|
15
10/01/2020 11:03
Start Your Adventure
Part of the
MICRALITE.indd 1 Untitled-20 1
family
micralite.com 03/12/2019 02/12/2019 11:39 16:34
VA LE N T I N E ’ S G I F T S TO STA R T D R O P P I N G H I N T S A B O U T p . 18 TOT G E A R : I N S P I R E D K I T TO M A K E PA R E N T I N G E A S I E R p . 2 0
That’s a wrap STUDIO ROMEO
Baby carriers can be complicated, which is why we love French brand Studio Romeo’s no-fuss designs. Made from two loops of fabric that cross over the front, just put it on, pop baby in and you’re good to go. studio-romeo.com
Februar y 2020
MAMA_Feb20_ESSENTIALS OPENER_CG.indd 17
|
17
10/01/2020 15:28
Valentine’s Gifts Carly Glendinning rounds up the perfect presents for mamas and minis
Editor’s Pick
SNUGGLE TIME BINIBAMBA
A great one for new mamas and mamas-to be, this BINIBAMBA Snuggler is made from the softest 100% natural sheepskin and is free from harmful azo dyes. Fits any buggy or car seat. £98; binibamba.com
Coffee Please MAST BROTHERS
Coffee in all guises will be accepted this Valentine’s Day, but especially if it’s in a chocolate bar as delicious as this one from New York brand Mast Brothers. Made with organic ingredients and with very giftable packaging too. £6.50; la-gent.com 18
|
LIKE A CHARM ILADO
One to give to your mini, these matching Harmony ball bracelets are inspired by an ancestral Mayan pendant and said to provide protection to the wearer. A sweet first Valentine’s idea. £34.35; Ilado-paris.com
absolutely-mama.co.uk
_MAMA_Feb2020_Valentines_CG.indd 18
10/01/2020 11:20
essentials VALENTINES
5 on o u r
WIS HLI STS
1
FRESH SCENTS MINOIS
Something for mama and baby to enjoy together, we love the natural bathtime products from Parisian brand Minois. The prettiest packaging (and safe for delicate skin) their formulas are made with natural and organic ingredients. minoisparis.fr
PRINTS PERFECT
CHIARA PERANO -SOTNYK
We’ll be dropping more than a few hints about this beautiful print from illustrator Chiara PeranoSotnyk this Valentine’s Day. Much more original than flowers and chocolates. From £40; ciao-chiara.com
Dream On
YOLKE
You can’t go wrong with a new pair of pyjamas and few are prettier than this pair from Yolke. Shame we can’t gift a guaranteed good night’s sleep along with them. £120; yolke.co.uk
2 3 4
5
1. Saint Rita Parlor, Signature Fragrance, £75; cissywears.com 2. Eym, Home Candle, £39; eymnaturals.com 3. &Daughter, Wool Sweater, £295; net-a-porter.com 4. Catbird, Locket, £270; net-a-porter.com 5. Six, Florence Nursing Crop Top, £65 and Florence Knickers, £35; six-studio.com
Februar y 2020
_MAMA_Feb2020_Valentines_CG.indd 19
|
19
13/01/2020 09:37
e s s ent i al s
TOT GEAR
ent parroved app
SMART STROLLING M A M A S & PA PA S
The baby and maternity retailer is updating their best-selling allterrain pushchair, the Ocarro, for 2020. There’s a design to speak to every taste, with a range of bold new fabrics. mamasandpapas.com
TOT GEAR
Inspired kit to make parenting easier
CARRY ALL M A M A S & PA PA S
Mamas & Papas have launched four new signature colours in this stylish and practical changing bag. It coordinates with most of their pushchairs and most importantly has plenty of room for all of your mama essentials. mamasandpapas.com
O N TH E M OVE JUNIOR JONES
The stylish J-TOURER travel stroller from Junior Jones can be configured upright or lie flat, is easy to manoeuver and can be collapsed with one hand. It’s so compact that it also fits in the overhead storage on most airlines. £299; juniorjones.com
20
|
WELCOME TO THE WORLD
Wicker Moses Basket Reviewed by Mamas & Papas Parent Approved Panellist Kelly Sibley @kelsib88
H
aving somewhere safe and secure to put our newborn whilst downstairs was so important but we really wanted something stylish to fit in with our home. We were lucky enough to be gifted the Mamas & Papas Welcome to the World Wicker Moses Basket with the rocking stand in Natural. First things first... this is no IKEA flat pack! The basket comes already made up and the stand took us no more than 10 minutes to build. The frame is shaped to give maximum support to the basket, so you can relax knowing your baby is safe and well. The basket itself comes with the mattress included, which is always fab. It’s lovely and firm for baby to lay on but the material is soft with a 50/50 cotton and linen covering. The leather handles give you an easy way to carry the basket from room to room whilst baby sleeps. All in all, I would happily give the Welcome to the World Wicker Moses Basket and rocking stand a solid 10 out of 10. It’s functional, practical and stylish, what more could you ask for! Moses Basket £99; Stand £49; mamasandpapas.com
absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_Feb20_TOT_GEAR_CG.indd 20
10/01/2020 11:23
babyzen.com BABYZEN.indd 1
01/11/2019 14:45
HAUCK.indd 1
14/01/2020 08:31
mamahood I Z Z Y J U D D O N H E R N E W B O O K : M I N D F U LN E S S FO R M U M S p . 2 4 I N STA M A M A J O S E F I N E E K ST R A N D O N T R AV E LLI N G A S A FA M I LY p . 2 6
Mama Cool IN THIS SECTION
This month, we meet the mamas stepping out of their comfort zones. Josefine Ekstrand explains why she sold her home to take her family on the road; and Izzy Judd tells us how she overcame anxiety with clever coping strategies. Enjoy!
Februar y 2020
Mama_Feb20_MAMAHOOD_OPENER_CG.indd 23
|
23
10/01/2020 11:25
woman in
WORK Musician, author and mama-of-two Izzy Judd on her new book Mindfulness for Mums
I n t e r v i e w C A R LY G L E N D I N N I N G
24
|
Q Tell us about Mindfulness for Mums. What’s it all about? A Mindfulness for Mums offers a collection of simple exercises to help restore calm in the chaos of motherhood. It is the type of book you can have on your bedside table to dip in and out of and includes activities not only for you, but also to share with your family. Mindfulness doesn’t require hours of your time, but I have found practising for a short amount of time each day can improve your overall mood and helps to ease tension and worries. Q Has becoming a mother changed your relationship with anxiety do you think? A As we struggled to start a family I hadn’t given enough thought to the reality of becoming a mum. Anxiety has always
absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_Feb20_WOMAN IN WORK_CG.indd 24
10/01/2020 11:27
mamah o o d
“I knew I needed something to help me restore balance and calm”
we are becoming much more aware of and understanding that these are important when taking care of our mental health. For example, having times in the day to turn off notifications until we have the time to respond to messages and emails with our full attention. I know that endless beeps on my phone are such a distraction from the moment I’m sharing with my family and can be anxiety fuelling. been enhanced in my life during periods of change or feeling out of control and there has been no bigger change than the impact of motherhood! I felt totally overwhelmed becoming a mum, it felt like I had been thrown in the deep end and didn’t know how to swim. I knew I needed something to help me restore balance and calm so that I could be present and enjoy time with my family and manage the rollercoaster of emotions that I was experiencing day and night. I stopped practicing mindfulness when Lola was born as I didn’t think I had time, when I realised I could find short moments of time within my day and the impact those moments were having on my overall well-being, I wanted to share my experiences with others in the hope it might help them too. Q What are your thoughts on social media and how it affects the mental health of mums? A Social media can be such a positive space if you curate a social feed that speaks positively to you and leaves you feeling uplifted. There have been many wonderful and supportive communities that I have found great comfort from in motherhood and also during our fertility struggles. In Mindfulness for Mums I have written about screen boundaries and healthy screen time, something I think
Q What are your go-to coping strategies if you’re having a tough day? A Mindfulness is simply focusing on the present moment, something as a mum I struggle with, especially with the daily demands and expectations that being a mum brings. I wanted to find ways to keep the calm rather than join their chaos. One of my coping strategies has been to take a mindful pause. This could be when your feet touch the ground in the morning, waiting for the kettle to boil or as you turn the door handle to leave the house. You simply breathe in for 4, hold for 2 and breathe out for 4. You could add an affi rmation such as “let go” or anything that feels right for you. Taking a moment to pause and check in with our breath allows us to ground ourselves and bring our focus to the moment when our heads might be spinning with the endless to do lists or from the noise of toddler meltdowns! Q Is mindfulness something you can practice as a family to prevent meltdowns and tantrums? A I wanted to learn mindfulness techniques to share with Lola and Kit to take care of their own mental well-being. I am practicing everyday to try and remain patient and understand their big emotions. Using breathing techniques together can
INTERVIEW
help us share a peaceful moment and also distracts their attention from a difficult situation such as having to share! We also have a mindfulness corner in our house, this is a quiet space they can go to which has a cosy blanket to sit on and a basket of items such as puzzles, colouring and a cuddly toy. I have found this gives me another option to the naughty step and Lola usually responds really well to some quiet time to calm down. Q Finally, what advice would you give to mums who feel like they are failing? A You are not alone, there isn’t a night I don’t get into bed and question if I did ok as a mum today. The juggle and business of motherhood is relentless, so I hope these short exercises allow you pockets of time in the day to take care of you. Something else to think about is if there is something you enjoyed before becoming a mum that you loved doing just for you? For me that was playing my violin, something I stopped doing until recently. Reconnecting with something you love can really help you find you again.
Mindfulness for Mums by Izzy Judd (£14.99, Michael Joseph / Penguin) is out now @mrs_izzyjudd Februar y 2020
MAMA_Feb20_WOMAN IN WORK_CG.indd 25
|
25
10/01/2020 11:27
“We were looking to find a way of being together as a family with hopes of adventures in sight”
INSTA MAMA
Josefine Ekstrand, founder of family lifestyle brand Leo Leo leoleo.dk • @leoleojournal • @leoleocopenhagen
26
|
Q What made you want to sell your apartment to set off on a family adventure? A It was about finding a way to construct our everyday life with a degree of freedom and ability to own our time each day, not least the time together with our children. It became a question of financial opportunities, raising capital for our business and to dare to look at life with new eyes. Was owning an apartment in the city, working two jobs to pay rent, bills and besides working on the dream of starting our own business, really the best way for us to live? We were looking to find a way of being together as a family with hopes of adventures in sight, seeing the world, and to give as much knowledge to our kids as possible through travelling. Those were some of the thoughts that ultimately made us walk the line. We met an old couple one day, sitting in front of an old auto camper, sharing a bottle of wine near the beach, watching the sun go down. Emil started talking to them and for the following two weeks he was at the computer non-stop searching for a home on wheels. Meeting them was such a fresh awakening. They’ve travelled the world with all of their kids and for us this was truly the answer we’d been searching for. When deciding to move into an old veteran bus, we of course had to get rid of so much stuff, just to be able to live as four people on 12 square meters. But it all started a couple of years ago when we decided to clean up and clean out. It’s overwhelming to see how all of that stuff was slowing us down and making it impossible for us to see a way out of a daily pattern. Releasing ourselves from a lot of insignificant things and clothes gave us freedom of mind and a renewed energy to throw ourselves into dreams and adventures that mattered to us. So we bought a veteran bus from 1963, a Scania Vabis from Sweden.
absolutely-mama.co.uk
MAMA_Feb20_INSTA MAMA LEO LEO_CG.indd 26
13/01/2020 09:39
mama h ood Q & A
Q What was it like living in a camper van? A The overall idea was to be able to create a safe space for our two children. A place for them to feel secure and have as close to a ‘normal’ kids room as possible. We knew we wanted to dedicate a lot of room for that particular matter, so we built a room in the back of the bus, with lots of storage under their beds for toys, clothes and so forth. We took away the things we knew didn’t have to be a stationary setting. Having a portable toilet, oven and stove allowed us to use our kitchen in many other ways. The kitchen could be used for creative projects, whilst all the cooking could easily be done outside. In terms of space, we built a sofa that could be pulled out to become a bed, a desk that worked as a storage place and window sill. It was all about finding those epic solutions, where the objects can transform and have several functions. To us, the building and the development of different
design solutions was just the most fun! After living on a bus for a while, letting go of so many belongings, we’ve realised that a great family home should be a place with room, primarily room in the heart. Living in a bus with small children seems to challenge everything! So most of the time it was mostly just about surviving and making sure some kind of dinner was served. Funnily enough that hasn’t seemed to have changed much even though we’re now living in a 100sqm house. There’s ultimately just more rooms to clean. Q What were the biggest changes you saw in your children after you set off? A Our children have been with us the whole time, helping to build the bus, going through toys, deciding what to keep and give away. No doubt it has been a learning process, but also very challenging. Our girl Hilma was fortunately still too little to really understand what was going on, but our son had to face some challenges. This hasn’t been a ‘joy-ride’. The bond between the two of them is special. When we go out among strangers, they seem really confident and positive. Our son is high on energy and sometimes a lot to handle, but when it comes to his
sister it’s nothing but love and respect. Ultimately I hope we take this part of our lives with us, building a close and trusting relationship with our kids and working on a strong bond between them as brother and sister. Our children really know what we’re doing and what we’re working on. It includes ups and downs, but that is a life lesson. Everything comes down to the person who’s willing to get up again and move forward. Our son, who is four years old, enjoys packing Leo Leo orders and putting on labels for different places in the world. He’s also working on his own swimwear collection and he’s positive that he can build or create anything he puts his mind to. Q Tell us about Leo Leo. Was it difficult running a business on the move? A As a real fashionista, I suddenly got hit by the baby train and a parallel universe opened up before my eyes. Before the name Leo Leo, I was sewing all the products myself, but the demand increased and we decided to get it in production. We have outsourced shipping, so the business has been able to pretty much continue as usual. It’s all about having Februar y 2020
MAMA_Feb20_INSTA MAMA LEO LEO_CG.indd 27
|
27
10/01/2020 11:29
Maternity fashion for pregnancy & beyond
ENJOY 15% OFF* | CODE: ABMAMA20 VISIT OU R U K STO RES 45 Marylebone High Street, W1U | 179 Kensington High Street, W8 102 Northcote Road, SW11 | 10/12 Victoria Leeds, LS1
SERAPHINE.COM
|
Follow us @SeraphineMaternity
*Of fer valid online or in store when you spend over £80, until 30/06/20. Full price items only, excludes gif t cards. SERAPHINE.indd 1 AbsolutelyMama_FULL_Dec19.indd 1
10/01/2020 23/12/2019 11:29 10:57
mama h ood Q & A
a seriously strong WiFi connection, no dead batteries and lots of sun to charge up our solar power! Living on the road has been quite the challenge, not only in terms of finding good places to park our 12 meter long bus, but also because running a business requires focus. Which can be hard, when the office is located in the kitchen, living room and bedroom. We travelled from Copenhagen, drove through the Pyrenees mountains, took it on the ferry to Mallorca (surviving the heatwave) up hills on the highway with eight big trucks behind us, forced to drive 20km per hour. We still made it, all the way to Portugal in one piece. When driving a veteran bus, you never really know what the day will bring you. To get this far and being where we are today, calling Portugal ‘home’, is quite an accomplishment in our lives. After living for 6 months by the motto ‘home is where you park it’, we’re now in a house, with a permanent address in Portugal, the Algarve, with an ocean view and sunshine every day. We’ve moved a lot in the last year and it’s been good for the soul, but hard on the business. I love to work at home, close to the family, but I must admit, having the space for a office was really missed! Ironically, our office is now in the living room of our house, where the kids play.
through Instagram you realise people are living on buses, in treehouses, boats, teepees and all kinds of ways. It made the choice a little ‘easier’, knowing that living on a bus in some countries is totally normal. Instagram, I guess, can inspire in many ways. For me, it’s ultimately the most amazing place to indulge in creativity, photos, art, DIY, homeschooling, Waldorf toys and just about anything regarding fashion. It’s also a way to share our journey, even though there may be a lot of negative aspects of the platform, filtered images and ‘pretty’ lives. I choose to see it and use it for what I like about it. Q And finally, best and worst things about travelling as a family… A Emil and I decided, back in our home in Copenhagen, in our self-built kitchen, in the cool area of Nørrebro, that we wanted to try to live in different ways. We agreed on saying “yes” to each other and whatever idea we might feel was important to be lived. To us, the travelling is about living! It doesn’t matter if things don’t work out as planned, because it turns out they rarely do. We want to go out and find answers and
“We want to go out and find answers and stop living like we already have them”
stop living like we already have them. The hard part is to be full-time parents, starting a business and living in a new country where you don’t speak or understand the language. Life is full of opportunities, so we try not to sweat the small stuff and in our house we never talk about “it’s not possible”, we only talk about “how can we do it”. On this journey we’ve already grown so much together. I hope the experiences we’ve had with our children in their early years will become a positive foundation for our future relationship. I love being a mother and I really enjoy our chaotic life with kids.
Q How important is Instagram to Leo Leo? And what do you like and dislike about the platform? A Instagram is very important, not only in terms of our business, but also personally. I honestly think that the platform invites us in, to see how people are living so many different lives, all over the world. Coming from a small country like Denmark, where we kinda lead very similar lifestyles, looking Februar y 2020
MAMA_Feb20_INSTA MAMA LEO LEO_CG.indd 29
|
29
10/01/2020 11:29
©2020 All rights reserved Young Soles. Photography by Gemma Booth.
YO U N G S O L E S . LO N D O N
YS.indd Absolutely1Mama Feb.indd 1
10/01/2020 16/12/2019 12:12 10:03
