All too often we bring you wonderful high street goodies but we also love every little independent business out there. So today is all about them. Those gorgeous little shops and makers who bring us the most beautiful array of gorgeous goodies for your little ones.
It was so hard to just choose a few to include here and we know you are all great at finding those lovely independents so as always please do share. Make sure you check out The Littles List for more or our favourites and if you are after some lovely ideas for gifts, your home or just for yourself then head over to Rock My Style where we are sharing our favourite independents for grown ups.
{Wear}
Becky recently purchased these utterly adorable shoes for Tayo from Love Roo. Oh my gosh, the cuteness. And can we just talk about the bonnets. Too much.
Molly is seriously in to her accessories and adores her bags (takes after her mummy!) so these beautiful satchels from Honey and Toast are very much on our wish list.
If you follow our lovely Laura on Instagram you will know her daughter Bertie is one seriously stylish little girl. Always dressed in the most beautiful, timeless styles. Laura gets a lot of her clothes from Mama Owl who create beautiful Merino Wool and organic clothes.
Now the weather is picking up I’ve started thinking about the girls spring wardrobes and I have a big crush on the beautiful Bohemian styling of Apolina Kids.
{Decor}
You will probably have spotted Obiora gracing these pages before as their beautiful name garlands can be spotted in many a nursery tour. A beautiful gift for a new arrival or just to adorn your own little ones walls.
If you want a cute personalised plaque then Fox & Weave are our go to. Lolly has the ‘My Dad is better than Batman’ plaque for Hectors room. Lorna also purchased these sweet bunnies for her brood last year and I am very tempted to do the same.
Who remembers having a proper old school desk in their room as kids? I certainly do and I loved nothing more than lifting that wooden lid and storing all my pens and pencils inside. If you are longing for a spot of that yesteryear then take a look at Blue Ticking who has the most wonderful range of vintage children’s furniture.
Whilst perusing prints for the girls rooms a few of these from Rory and The Bean may have slipped in to my basket. Beautiful typography and bold graphic designs make for some seriously covetable artwork.
I had to include the lovely Phirefly Family, not least because it is designed by one of our readers Philippa. The cutest prints and quotes can adorn your littles ones walls and keep an eye out as she has a range of clothing coming soon with some of the most amazing prints I have seen.
{Sleep}
I’m guessing most parents out there think about sleep most of the time. Whether it is your little ones or your own! Regardless of this I can think of nowhere I would rather snuggle up than in the beautiful Coco & Wolf liberty print bedding so it’s a good job their collection includes gorgeous bedding and quilts for the babies and beautiful linens for us bigger ones too.
I may have a slight obsession with Pyjamas and often invest in a few too many pairs for the girls. The beautiful eco designs by Sleepy Doe are seriously cute and if you want a bolder more graphical print then have a peek at The Bright Company.
{Play}
Archies Boutique is one of my go to’s for unique presents and gifts. They have so many cute toys for little ones. Most of the team have purchased the fabulous Plui rain cloud for themselves or friends recently so we can highly recommend this and the cardboard vehicles appeal to my creative side. They make excellent party gifts for all the pre-school parties we constantly seem to have now.
I spotted these gorgeous wooden toys from Happy Little Folks on Instagram and instantly fell in love. The Little Forest friends have been a big hit as gifts and I adore the simple wooden styling that will be treasured for years to come.
I am a huge fan of Maileg toys and the girls always get a little mouse or bunny for most birthdays. They are just too cute. The best selection I have found is at Bijou Lifestyle and have to stop myself buying them all!
I fell in love with the beautiful Aboe Designs a while back and have regularly purchased her adorable wooden colour in necklaces for the girls. They come in the sweetest designs and your little one can let loose with their creativity. They are beautiful quality and an amazing price at just £3 each. They make the perfect little gift when coupled with some lovely crayons.
So there you have a few of our favourite independent brands for kids. I could have kept going and going so please do share your favourites. After all we all love to know about nice new places for a spot of shopping!
[…] Obviously there are hundreds of other makers and sellers out there and this is just a very small round-up of stores. Therefore we’d absolutely love to hear your suggestions for independent shops you’d like to recommend. After managing to leave my debit card in the chip and pin machine at Tesco the other day, I have a feeling I’m going to be putting my brand new card to good use. If you’re after independent brands for any littles in your life than nip over to Rock My Family. […]
Aah Lottie, you know I was reading all these gorgeous brands, ready to throw a cheerleader comment in for Phirefly! I love that you’ve included her. The prints, the pyjamas… all so beautifully and lovingly made. I feel very lucky that my little E has been the lucky recipient of several pieces. It kills me that I can’t parade the cuteness all over instagram!
I’m also a big fan of Sarah & Bendrix, Julia Staite & Noodoll when it comes to quirky, fun & beautiful toys for E.
She was a very, very lucky little girl to have gifts from all four of these brands for her happy birthday yesterday! xx
All the love for Phirefly! Loving the recommendations and little E is a very lucky girl indeed. xx
Oh Lottie thank you so much for the mention. After years following Rock My I feel quite choked up… I’m a very small player among these amazing major leaguers so it’s a real honour to be included!
It’s an exciting week for me as my fabric is being printed as we speak ahead of the launch of my apparel range. Can’t wait to get some product ready to share with you all. It’s made from organic cotton that’s actually knitted in the uk, so I’m able to oversee the process from yarn right through to finished garment. After YEARS working for huge fashion retailers it’s exciting but scary to be solely responsible for every last part of the process.
I’d like to mention a few online shops I love that are also local to me that readers might not be aware of, firstly http://www.alittlebitmilo.com, for beautifully curated gender neutral kids goods. Also http://www.claudeandco.co.uk, she has some really cute brands. And two of my favourite paper goods brands are https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/littlempapergoods and https://www.etsy.com/shop/sosoyoyo. Together we’re proving that #Leicestersnotsh!t ?
Finally, RMF readers and long-time Rock My stalwarts need to stand by for beautiful nursery decor pieces hand painted in farrow and ball forthcoming from or very own http://instagram.com/willo.wood . EXCITING STUFF!!!
Thanks again xx
Haha… you tinker. Willo Wood is currently at the mercy of our small, almighty leader who requires TWO birthday cakes and endless celebrations. More good times coming soon! Xx
Two birthday cakes are a necessity I’d say! x
Ahhhh, happy to have you included and happy you are happy! Always nice to support our little community and your prints are amazing. Cannot wait for the clothes to hit. Oh and Willo Wood is also eagerly anticipated. Thanks for all the recommendations. Off to hunt them out now xx
Some lovely products Lottie – really enjoyed having a look through 🙂
p.s. if you were thinking of doing a ‘spring/summer clothes post’ that you sometimes do over on RMS it would get my vote, I always really enjoy your clothes suggestions (currently wearing the boden boots you previously recommended – ha!)
Glad you enjoyed it Nicola. I can most definitely do a fashion post and glad I have been helping with the spending. The Boden boots are the best. Gutted I didn’t get them in grey too now. I did do a little spring post a few weeks back which had some nice inclusions (http://rockmyfamily.wpengine.com/spring-fashion-mums/) but I have some more planned for you. More because I need advice for things like wedding outfits, a child free trip to Madrid (hoorah!) and our summer hols. So excited to have lots planned this year and to break out something other than wooly jumpers. I am so over them now! x
Thanks for including us Rock My Family! We love you guys x
We love you too!! x
Loved scrolling through these, thank you for a lot of inspiration!
Love all these suggestions, and have been known to visit many of them myself. I just mentioned Lady Lexington on RMS, brilliant prints, lights, and now bedding. I discovered her at a fair last year and I think her things are wonderful. Sadly her website doesn’t seems to be working fully at the moment but I’m sure it will be fixed soon. Niddle Noddle is one I discovered at the Babyccino pop-up event in December last year and bought WAY too many things, wonderful. Junior Edition, Sarah and Bendrix (as mentioned by Karen), and Milie et Hector are others from the event that I also love (although they were all wonderful). I am also signed up to SOOOOOO many independent children’s clothing sites my husband despairs… Scandi Mini is good, Bon Tot and Elias & Grace are current hits with me but there are too many to name. Excellent post, I do love discovering new places to shop!!