Winter with Cotton On Kids

Winter clothing has started being unpacked in the shops, and although the sun is still shining outside, and days can be hot – the evenings have started cooling down, and the chill can be felt in the air as the sun goes down.

With my little boy being at the age that he is – 5 and a half, I’ve finally lost having my say in what he wears. He officially knows what he likes and what he doesn’t like, and dare I choose on behalf of him, we are in for trouble.

What I love about Cotton On Kids, however, is that I can let him loose in the store and I know that I’m going to like whatever he chooses. I appreciate their childlike designs and that they really allow and encourage kids to be kids. To embrace the characters, the bright colours and the cute patterns. And to play dress up and to truly be able to shift their mindsets into their own imaginary world.

But what I love most about the new range is that it’s comfortable. Many children have a shift around this age where textures of clothing can really frustrate and aggravate them. Jeans specifically – being too tight, restricting and rough. Not allowing them to move and sit comfortably. So having found these jeans (which are available in a variety of colours), with an elasticated waistband that can be tied to tighten or loosen as they grow has been a winner! They are super loose, and lightweight, meaning that he can move around and be a child. These are available in the girls section in a variety of colours, making them perfect for both boys and girls.  Shop these jeans.

This gorgeous jersey is super warm, but lightweight enough for the cooler summer evenings. It works perfectly over a couple of layered tops for the full blown winter days. The neck is wide enough to not have your child left in a meltdown having it pulled over their head. The quality is beautiful – and I appreciate that I don’t have to worry about the knits being pulled out after every wash. Shop this jersey. 

Every year, I find myself waiting in anticipation for Cotton On Kids’ Gumboots. And every year, it’s worth the wait. Guys, the quality of these are just amazing. They have such a stunning variety of colours for girls and boys, and they’re bound to keep your little ones feet dry this winter. Begging to go on adventures through puddles and through the long grass in the park while enjoying wintery afternoon walks. They have them in a large variety of sizes, started for babes who are just learning to take their first steps, up until older kids. Shop these boots. 

Lastly, I find my little guy going through so many long sleeves each day in winter. He always seems to find water or mud, and has wet sleeves before you can say, ‘don’t get your clothes wet’. I can find it challenging finding cute long sleeves that fit nicely, and again, with wide enough necklines. Cotton On Kids have the cutest range of long sleeves for boys are girls at the moment. They are super affordable, and you’ll find that they also have some great specials. Shop this long sleeve. 

Be sure to check out their latest collection for girls and boys in store. And don’t forget to add your bottle of water! All proceeds from Cotton On Foundation products go to helping build Ethekwini Primary School as well as Dr JL Dube High School. Shop Foundation Products. 

 

*Images by Primo Photography

Cape Town’s Latest Pop-Up Shop: The Strangers Club.

I imagine that by now ‘The Strangers Club’ in Green Point is no stranger to you? A restaurant that is pure beauty to the eye & breathtaking to anybody who appreciates good taste in décor. Why not make a turn this Wednesday 30th or Thursday 31st between 10h00 – 17h00 for their very own Pop-Up store showcasing a handful of Cape Town’s very own local brands?

 

Like anybody, I’m sure you’d like to find out a little more about which brands will be there? Let me share a little info with you so you can better understand why you can’t miss out on this very special event.

POPPY DIVINE:  has got to be my absolute favourite local luxury lounge wear and sleepwear brand. I wore it through pregnancy, while in labour, after giving birth and even now almost 4 years later. They have a lovely selection of incredibly well made garments. With winter making its appearance, you must be in the market for some new cozy PJ’s and, might I add, a few super comfy lounge wear garments that you can get away with sneaking out of the house with for a quick grocery shop. They have a stunning new range that will be available at the pop-up store. Poppy Divine has something for the younger and older woman. No matter what your age, you’ll find something suitable in their range.

POPPY DIVINE was launched in Cape Town early in 2012 by Kirsten Brandon and Lesley Rabinowitz, friends for 30 years, who share a love of fashion and global trends. Kirsten and Lesley identified a gap in the market for luxurious, well priced, quality sleepwear with an innovative use of fabrics and colours. Their hands on approach to every aspect of the business including sourcing of fabrics, design, marketing the product and supervising the production, has resulted in a stylish beautifully made range that is both comfortable and chic.

POPPY DIVINE is a locally manufactured sleepwear and loungewear brand. Our philosophy is simple…relax in comfort, lounge at leisure and dream divinely in the sumptuous style and femininity of this gorgeous range.

With new and exciting collections to look forward to each month, POPPY DIVINE will tempt you with fresh additions to your sleepwear wardrobe. As many of the POPPY DIVINE’S items are sold as separates, you can mix and match to suit your every need.

Kirsten and Lesley are blessed to be both best friends and business partners and enjoy working together to create beautiful sleepwear which they absolutely love (and have a lot of fun at the same time). They get to meet wonderful suppliers and customers on a daily basis and the compliments that they receive for Poppy Divine make all the hard work really worthwhile. It’s simple really…. They love what we do!

NANOU B: is such a beautiful brand that was recently introduced to me which is renown for its boho-chic clothing with a touch of Ibiza flair. Nanou B encompasses it’s owners sensuous personal style, her love of travel and her passion for design; with Nanou B, Nathalie (a self confessed clothes addict) has created a must-see, must-have collection from top designers around the globe. Originally from Belgium, Nathalie believes that we reach the stage where we want to wear beautifully designed garments, which make us feel good about ourselves, increasing our sense of femininity and sensuality. Her passion for high quality fabrics and craftsmanship ensures that Nanou B garments will become cherished items, easily adapting to different occasions and seasons by combining and layering them together. Nanou B is, therefore, a unique collection combining luxurious fabrics, creative designs, intricate embroidery and stylish prints – all with Natalie’s uninhibited, relaxed and glamorous sense of style.

MISS KNITWEAR: was born out of a passion for design, the Miss Knitwear mohair range combines the best of old-world mohair techniques with new-age fashion trends to create a line which resonates with the modern woman.

This elegant and luxurious mohair collection is designed by Cape Town based designer, Candice Johnson. Using rich quality kid mohair. Candice has created a range of scarves, ponchos, shawls, beanies and other knitwear, which possess a soft, comforting and gentle make-up. (Now, wipe that image out of your head, because I doubt that her products are what you may be imagining. Her creations are a perfect fit for the younger, modern woman. They are super trendy, and versatile.)

A celebration of femininity, love, dreams and romance, the Miss Knitwear range strikes the perfect balance between pure comfort and elegance by offering an array of masterfully created authentic, stylish, natural and sophisticated mohair pieces. Sourced from unforgiving and arid landscape of the Karoo, this collection is symbolic of finding beauty and comfort in the world and luxuriously knitting it into a range that showcases the very best of the Karoo in a collection that is characterized by quality, softness and elegance.

Miss Knitwear, however, is not just a collection of elegantly designed mohair garments. It is a commitment to treading lightly on the earth, creating authentic beauty and originality, celebrating the wonder of Mother Nature and committing wholeheartedly to sustainability. It is a unique and authentic collection, which offers fashionable women a nostalgic throwback to the golden age of mohair production with an ingenious modern twist. Modeled on contemporary stylings and trends, this range of quality mohair garments is completely removed from mainstream mass production. Rather, it provides an avant-garde, natural and elegant approach to women’s fashion that complements the trendy contemporary woman who is looking for the perfect combination of style and comfort.

JOYA JEWELLERY: is internationally trend aware, African influenced and locally manufactured in Cape Town. Every piece of Joya jewelry is skillfully handcrafted with semi-precious gemstones, genuine leather and gold plated beads.

I love the bohemian feel of their jewellery, and although they have a tropical feel, they compliment your wardrobe year round. Joya Jewellery has a large variety, and definitely has something that suits all different ages and personalities. They are made beautifully and are worth every penny. They’ve been finished off to perfection, and are of high quality.

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Will you be visiting their Pop-up store? It’s at the top of my list for what’s supposed to be a cooler week in Cape Town. Be sure to tell your friends, and make a date in your diary for during your lunch break (if you work in the area) or for a date with your girlfriends.

Creating A Capsule Winter Wardrobe.

It certainly seems as if Winter is approaching here in Cape Town, and although we are all looking forward to the rainy week ahead, it also means we have had a very sudden change of wardrobe!

Funnily enough, this past year has been a real eye opener for me as an individual. I have done some soul searching, I’ve been trying to figure out my identity a little. Wondering what type of things I like, the style and trends I enjoy following, and with that, comes figuring out what I feel comfortable wearing. How you dress certainly defines you to a certain degree. Being a mom, I have to have those staple items in my wardrobe that shout ‘comfort’, but we are lucky to live in a time where we have so many talented designers that have the ability to make good fashion comfortable!

This Concealed Button Stand Blouse from Label Collections is super comfortable and can be dressed up or down. I loved how light weight it was, and it is also incredibly soft. White isn’t always the most practical colour, however, they do have a few other colour options available. But, there really is something stunning about a white blouse. A definite for every woman’s wardrobe! The shoulder has a delicate pleat detail which adds that extra touch of femininity. I recently attended a Country Road event that was hosted by Kerryn Fischer. She showed us how to embrace the new season; through food, drink, music and clothing. She explained and challenged each of us to try to have a wardrobe which consists of just 33 items, including your accessories, etc. For many this could be a huge challenge, however, having a capsule wardrobe for Autumn/Winter & Spring/Summer actually makes you put a lot more thought into each item you purchase. This is one of those pieces that would fit perfectly in my capsule wardrobe because it can be worn all year long, as you can roll and button the sleeve up, turning it into a 3/4 sleeve for warmer days.

I have also fallen in love with these Pants with tie detail. I feel that the style compliments my laid back, but chic lifestyle perfectly. The pants have an effortless feel to them. They can, too be worn with anything. A pair of sneakers, or throw in a pair of wedges for a night out. They are warm, but light weight. The fabric has a little stretch to it which helps to prevent any creasing. Dream come true, right? These are the perfect pants for a busy mom who is up and down all day. They are fitted and elasticized around the waist, which means you won’t find yourself having to pull your pants up all day. They also have a loose fit, which gives you the freedom to move around when playing with your kids. These are one of my favourite pairs of pants this Season!

Sneakers: Adidas (Spree)
Beanie: Country Road

 

Next on my list is this beautifully soft knitted Waterfall Cardigan with faux leather cuffs. It is light weight, and hangs in a very flattering way against your body. With the fit being slightly loose, rather than tight – it allows you to wear a long sleeve beneath it for the cooler months. This cardigan looks gorgeous with a pair of leggings and some heeled boots which is a staple for Winter. It could be worn with a belt for a more sophisticated look too. I am a sucker for a beautiful cardigan, and this one by Label Collections is certainly on my list!

This outfit is slightly more out of my comfort zone, but I just love how it looks together. Ideally, it would be gorgeous with a pair of heeled boots for Winter. Both the jersey and skirt are from the new Country Road collection. This Winter Floral Wrap Skirt surprised me with how versatile it actually is. It can be worn with so many different options. It is incredibly comfortable. I am unable to locate the cardigan online, but if you happen to stumble upon it in store – I was amazed that it wasn’t scratchy, as it looked as if it was. It is soft and lightweight and incredibly warm! I love the flared arm too. Makes it just that extra bit special for your capsule wardrobe. The colour is an absolute YES YES YES for this season, and is also very versatile when it comes to trying to match it with other garments in your wardrobe!
Witchery, Country Road & Trenery are also home to some stunning accessories this season! I am loving their scarves, bags and purses.

Lastly, for now – this is my typical go-to for this time of the year. A good pair of jeans and a chunky knit jersey! I am loving the frequent pop of red this season. It is so fresh and just brightens up every outfit so perfectly! This Cable Swing Knit Cardigan is also from Country Road, and it is bound to keep you toasty for the coldest of days this Winter! I love the patterned detail and would actually choose a size up instead of having it fitted to allow myself to wear a thinner long sleeve beneath as you may need to remove it when indoors as it really is warm!

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Now, in ending, my challenge to you is to stop buying things for no reason – don’t just buy something because it is on sale! Sometimes, investing in the slightly higher priced pieces are more valuable in the long run as the quality is better, and the garment is timeless. This means that it can easily be added to your Capsule wardrobe resulting in less clutter, and being able to mix and match everything.

I’d love to know about some of your finds? We are so lucky to have so many incredibly designers in Cape Town, and I hope to stumble across some as I begin this new quest in finding myself and my own unique style. Do share your finds with me!

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* A huge thank you to Radz Photography & Devin Trull for the images.

Stepping Off Of The Island In Bohemian Style.

Managing to find a garment quite so beautiful for my postpartum body was like winning the lottery. Shopping online and finding that perfect match made my find just that much more special. Like it was just meant to be.

The dresses that I came across on local online store – My Scattered Heart make me feel as if I have stepped out of Greece, Rome or perhaps a beautiful bohemian island – my happy places.

They flow with each step I take. They flatter my body – curves and all, and most importantly, they have the rare ability to leaving me feeling beautiful. Confidence comes from each stride.

Then I came across their beautiful swimwear, and again the beauty, simplicity and island perfection of it caught me off guard. Again – their cut and fit left me NOT feeling like a mom wearing a swimsuit, but rather a woman – sexy and confident.

Their caftan’s lightweight and gentle against your skin. There to simply cover you up, but to still leave you looking irresistible at the same time. A must have for in your wardrobe, or for when you check ‘island hopping’ off of your bucket list. Perfect for all body shapes and sizes.

This swimsuit left me feeling ready to take on any beach or pool side, whilst sipping on a cocktail.

My Scattered Heart is home to a handful of the most gorgeous bohemian styled dresses and swimwear in South Africa. They have also recently introduced their bridal range, which I feel is totally versatile and unique. I love that they could easily be worn again for a different occasion, and that they don’t break the bank for a wedding dress! They are simple, yet breathtaking, and on the right bride – they would be exquisite!

Look out for some later posts with two other garments from My Scattered Heart. They are just as beautiful. You can keep up to date with me on my Instagram account.

Shop: myscatteredheart.co.za

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Photography: Criene Images
Makeup: Daff Kansley
Hat: Label Collections
Jewelry: Spirit Jewelry
Bag: Earthling & Moon

Spree’s New Baby : The Index

A quick confession – one thing that really drives me insane is when non-parents assume that just because a woman has become a mom, it means that for some unknown reason that we are incapable of being fashionable.

Someone recently asked me what I do, and when I told them that I was a blogger, their eyes lit up and they continued by asking me what I blog about. I responded by saying: “I am a parenting, lifestyle, fashion, beauty and at times, a travel blogger.” She looked confused, and said – “That’s so cool that you can write about fashion as a mom.”

I was actually feeling slightly puzzled by her response. What does that even mean? I may be a mom, but it doesn’t mean that we lose our sense of style. It may mean, that for a short while – we may have to purchase a size up, BUT, we can still follow the trends and buy clothing that any other woman would buy.

Rant over – I want to introduce you to Spree’s new baby – ‘The Index’.

The who?

The Index is a new online sneaker and street wear destination for Men, Women and Kids. They are home to some of our most loved sneaker brands, such as Adidas, Puma, Converse, Fila, Reebok, Vans & New Balance.

I like to say that my little family is pretty trendy, perhaps you beg to differ – however, we are also a very casual family. We each have our own personal style, and it’s been fun seeing the style that Olly begins to sway towards as he gets a little older. As beach lovers, and a family who spends a lot of time outdoors, we found that The Index was a perfect shopping destination for us. Plus, as parents – who has time for shopping malls anyway?

We each chose our own pair of sneakers from The Index & were literally overwhelmed with the variety to choose from. If you don’t find at least 5 pairs of sneakers you fall in love with, then I must say that I have a sneaky suspicion that you aren’t much of a sneaker wearer in the first place…

We also each chose an outfit from Spree, so what you see is all available at www.spree.co.za

We have all been going on with our lives with an extra bounce in our step. Do yourself and your families a favour and check out the trendy, the exciting, the amazing – THE INDEX: https://www.spree.co.za/the-index?

WHAT ARE WE WEARING?

Olly is wearing Guess Knit Shorts: https://www.spree.co.za/guess-knit-short-mid-blue/product/W65A28K?ref_catid=1257 and the Gunner Crew Tee by Guess: https://www.spree.co.za/guess-gunner-crew-tee-dark-red/product/F9IYARQ complete with his red Chuck Taylor High Top Sneakers by Converse: https://www.spree.co.za/converse-chuck-taylor-high-top-sneaker-red/product/322Y256?ref_catid=4823

David is wearing a grey Essential Tee by Guess paired with the New Balance Essential Sweatpants complete with these Adidas Seeley Sneakers.

And lastly, I am dressed in Mango, in my Print Detail T-shirt and Cropped Bow Detail Trousers complete with my Adidas Originals White Stan Smith sneakers.

Now, please! I dare you to look me in the eyes and tell me that I can’t be trendy as a mom. And for those of you who struggle to put together an outfit, or who struggle to keep up with what is trending, Spree makes it so simple for you. Their photos for each garment show their model dressed in a full outfit put together with garments that are ALL available on their website. Obviously, the sneaker choosing is the easiest, yet most difficult choice – because you just want them all.

CREDITS:

Wardrobe & Sneakers: Spree & ‘The Index’ – @spree.co.za
Photography: Radiefa Peters from Radz Photography – @radzphotography
My Hair & Makeup: Daff Kansley – @thedrk.makeup

To see the rest of the photos from our shoot, follow me on Instagram: @onemodernmom