Autumn/Winter Essentials

Crisp, bright mornings and crunchy Autumn leaves. I love the seasonal transition, this time of year and the embracing of that hyggeligt feeling.

Although hygge is mainly associated with being indoors, lit candles, a sharing board of pastries, it is totally possible to expand the feeling outside. It is all about the simple pleasures, the enjoying the small things. Nature, getting out, seeing it feeling it. Forest bathing, rock scrambling. just enjoying that time.

Now we are back in lockdown, getting out and exploring is more important than ever and with the right kit you can get out and enjoy that fresh (maybe wet) air whatever the wheather... Just remember the hot choccies for when you get home.. or maybe be organised and add a flask to your bag.

Here are my top pics this season.

1. Toastie Black Cherry / Blossom ECOREVERSIBLE Cloud Puffer - I haven't tried this coat but I have solid faith in Toastie providing beautiful, quality products. This coat is water repellant and has a high insulation rating plus..and for me this is a big one. It is filled with a sustainable Eco friendly 'down'! It is pretty hard to find a coat that ticks all those boxes this season so I am impressed! I love this colour, Nola has a tendency to spill hot chocolate on coats the day they come out of the wash so the reversible quality would be a game changer here! I would Choose the Navy version of this coat for Ez as his preference is always blue and I can't argue when it looks that good!

2. Hunter and Rose Chunky Knit Jumper - We have this in pink for Nola and it is beautiful, it certainly is 'chunky' and snug as a bug. The knits come oversize and look great paired with leggings. We also bought this Teddy Jumper and it is BEAUTIFUL. So cuddly and soft. Anything in teddy is a must for me this Autumn/Winter. Last year I found teddys great for layering especially when that coat has to come off for car safety, these offer the warmth without the pouffe of a coat. I would size up and wear this oversized with leggings for that ultimate Snuggly look. Use the code FRIENDS15 for a 15% discount storewide -I would totally recommend this with the co-ord leggings too!

3. Toastie Evening Star Waterproof Overalls -You may well have seen Ezra and Nola's overalls on our previous blog. But I couldn't miss them off this blog too. After all, they are a winter essential. Waterproof and super soft, perfect for a wet playground adventure. We love the fact that the shell of these overalls are made from recycled PET bottles! And surely this print can not be rivalled!

4. Leiwood River Rain Boot from Kidly -Leiwood are always a winner here, their signature muted tones (There is a mustard stripe up the back) and laid back, stylish, playful design. Find the same design with a khaki base over at scandiborn (Click here).

5. Little Lottie Designs Knitted Bonnet - Knitted by the founder of Little Lottie Nanna! how wonderfully wholesome is that! Beautiful tones galore here. I prefer a little bonnet to a hat to keep those ears and chubby cheeks warm! Would totally pair with the scarf!

6. Tiny Human Store Nova Pelliere Wool Coat - We were gifted this coat in leopard for Nola and it is fab an unbelievably fluffy! It comes perfectly oversized so no need to size up. I would love a Mama sized one of these, Nola looks like an absolute style icon the moment she pops hers on. These also look great under the Toastie overalls (See images on my grid). I often use a big Bambino muslin as a scarf here.

7. Bambino Current Muslin Blanket - All those Muslins from the baby days definitely do not need to retire now you have a toddler (or older). Come the colder months I use mine as a scarf and they look great. I love this berry colour on Nola.

8. Condor tight from Kidly - A must. Girls or boys. Tights are needed. we always have tights handy to slip on under trousers on those super cold days. Nola often wears hers with a jumper under overalls if we are just nipping out for a walk too - helps avoid the slipping down sock disaster.

9. Boboux Jodhpurs - Our go too winter boots. This year we actually have a different style for Nola (keep an eye on the grid) but, I thought I would share these as they are more traditionally unisex. These are such great boots. Firstly they are so so soft and easy to wear - In fact many barefoot families will recommend Bobux shoes. This was the main appeal for us. Ezra really struggles to find shoes that fit him well without rubbing his feet. most obvious shoes are a straight no go.

I fancied trying a Mama explorer must have blog. Is this something that you would be interested in? I think I have my eyes on the perfect coat already!

All images taken from the store or stockist website. None are mine.

For clarity, I have previously worked with Toastie, Little Lottie Designs, Tiny Human Store and Bobux for gifted collaborations however, this didn't influence my decision to use them for the blog. I work with brands I love!

Hunter and rose gifted me a knit to use on the blog which is so kind, Thank-you! I used a PR discount to but the other items tagged. Use this code for 15% of your order FRIENDS15.

Toastie Kids

If you don't know Toastie, where have you been!? Basically they are a super cool sustainable company with a strong commitment to their ethos, that children should be able to thrive in nature. They go further than providing beautiful products - made using recycled materials - by joining forces with the likes of '1% for the Planet' and 'Plastic Tides' to financially support and raise awareness of plastic pollution alongside working with 'Mini Cycle' (a buy back scheme to encourage passing on clothes when outgrown). Another sweet touch is Toastie's all new lollies which are packed in each order - their biodegradable sticks are full of seeds allowing children to grow their own little plant - surely this is a fab way to help inspire littles to love and care for mother nature.

I have followed Toastie for a while on instagram and always love their designs. As soon as Ezra was ready for a new jacket, I ordered him the olive raincoat. I LOVE it. The raincoat is super soft with a gorgeous fleece lining. It is perfect to keep him warm on cold days whilst not being too heavy on those warm but rainy ones. The detailing is well thought through with little reflective strips to keep little ones safe on those dark evenings and a sweet piggy name badge inside to ensure they don't find their way to the black hole that is 'lost property'. I really appreciate the laid back design, timeless and stylish, perfect to pass down to younger siblings. The raincoats are suitable for school whilst also being durable enough for climbing rocks in the Peak District (Ezra's happy place) and when they come back all muddy, they are easy to clean!

Toastie offered to send us some overalls to match Ezra's coat and added a bonus pair for Nola. Of course I could't say no. They are GREAT. Nola (2 but in 3-4 clothing) and Ez (5 but in age 6+ clothing) both have the same size (5-6). Nola's are obviously oversized but, I don't think you can actually tell, the little side poppers (un-popped here, as she was wearing a massive coat), elasticated back and adjustable straps make it work for her, plus she has lots of growing room so will likely fit for another year or two! Ezra's still fit comfortably on the longest strap setting and have lots of width for ease of movement. The legs have an elasticated cuff and removable foot straps to keep the legs tucked into wellies which is so helpful! Like the coat, the overalls are super soft, they aren't lined but are still super comfy. We love the little front pocket, it has been used to carry 'friends' or to stash natures treasure (conkers and acorns)!

Beside their commitment to sustainability, Toastie are a firm fave here for three main reasons.

1. They are so soft. Who knew rainwear could be soft! The actual fabric is peachy soft.

2. They are comfy. I normally find raincoats to be clammy and argh but, no. The material is flexible and the rainwear is breathable, it doesn't feel sticky or clammy at all. The fleece lining in the coat is so soft and snuggly and enough to keep Ez warm in pretty chilly weather. The shape and fastenings are well thought through with poppers to make the width narrower and adjustable wide straps that sit comfortably on the shoulder (no neck rubbing) as well as little foot straps to keep the legs from rolling up.

3. They keep the kids dry. This sounds silly but the amount of times we have been out in our waterproofs to find out they are 'shower resistant'... The kids stay dry in these whatever the weather.

We LOVE our Toastie and now that Autumn has well and truly begun we are wearing these more and more. I have always said that good rainwear is a MUST for kids and Toastie is most certainly that! Each and every time they launch a new range I fall in love a little more. The only fault would be....they don't do adult sizes!

Shop the range here