Archive for the ‘Events’ Category
Bubble London
Monday, January 30th, 2012 by tomonoAll Cocoro Baby Kimonos are made in the UK by a family run firm which has been in operation for 3 generations. They have always specialised in making baby clothes and are dedicated to the small details, as if they were making them for their own children.
They were exhibiting at Bubble London, so I paid a visit to see them and also got some inspiration for my ‘Summer Collection’ from some other children clothing brands.
There were more than a hundred lovely shops for baby clothes and accessories.
It took place at the Business Design Centre in the heart of fashionable Islington. Needless to say, I was thrilled to have a peek at the Spring/Summer Collections of some leading brands for babies and children.
I will post some blogs about the brand I really loved at the show starting from next week - till then have a lovely week!
Tomono x
Cocoro reports from Japan Matsuri 2010
Sunday, September 19th, 2010 by tomonoOn a frosty morning on Saturday 18th September, my alarm went off at 6:00am and I got ready for my big day at Japan Matsuri. I was munching a slice of toast driving on the M40 on the drive to get to central London. This year was so much easier to get to, but would my 2 year old terror behave for the whole day?
The Matsuri opened at 10am with Mr Sawano’s flower arrangement show. I went around all the stalls to have a peek at what kind of food I could try later on and what kind of fun Oscar could have. My stall was quite busy throughout the day, but my husband and I took it in turns to take Oscar for a walk and have a break.
There were lots of events such as martial arts demonstrations, singing contest, costume play competition, free draw to win return tickets to Tokyo by ANA.
Last year, it was madly packed, it was so dangerous to walk around with small one, all food stall had at least a 10 mins wait to get any kind of snack. But thanks to the organizer, this year the event was the double the size and 4times happier for everyone! One of the shop was selling fresh grown Japanese vegetables. I bought Shiso leaves for £1 and they smelled absolutely gorgeous! I often use Shiso leaves for Sashimi and sometimes with pasta.
Oscar and I also enjoyed some green tea ice creams and Udon noodles. It could have been a long day for Oscar, but it went so quick and was very successful.
At the end of the Matsuri, there was great Taiko drum performance which brought me back home immediately. Reminded me my old sweets childhood memories and I hope Oscar will remember Summer as a fun, eventful season in the future.
Lots of girls in Yukata
Huge crowd for the Taiko performance
Traditional caligraphy
Taiko drums on stage
Tomono x
Japanese Festival in London - 18 September
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010 by tomono30 June, it is the day for ‘Natsukoshi no Harae’ or as we call it in Kochi ‘Wanukesama’. We walk through a big circle which is made of thatch to purify ourselves of any minor guilt.
Every time we go to a shrine, we have a habit to wash our hands and put a little water to our lips.
There were lots of food stalls and games. We enjoyed catching goldfish and eating lovely ice cream.
I love Japanese festivals and only once a year, it will be available in London ＠Spitalfields on Saturday 18 September this year! There will be lots of Japanese food stalls, crafts and to experience culture.
For more information about Japan Matsuri (festival)
http://japanmatsuri.com/
We’ll be there - hope to see you there too!
Tomono x
Guilt cleansing circle
Local Temple in Kochi
Oscar loves ice cream!
Bump to Five Baby Show at Derby University
Sunday, May 9th, 2010 by tomonoIt was a perfect rainy day for indoor event Bump to Five Baby Show at Derby University.
Although it was absolutely manic at the show, I was able to explore what’s happening while my hubby and Oscar were guarding the stall. I had 20 minutes Reflexology at the end of the long day, felt so refreshed. I’m already planning when I should book her the next time at my house…
A stall that caught my eye was Bohemian Baby which run baby yoga classes around Derbyshire.
There was lots, lots more happening through the event. Oscar had such a fun day at our neibouring stall ‘Splodgers messy play’. He was happy making a mess and playing with glitter sand, soil and even brought me over a big big rubber spider!!!!
I’d like to say BIG THANK YOU for organizer Nadine and Karen, my kimono teacher Rie, the friends who came over and my dear hubby Lewis.
The CocoroStyle Stall
Oscar enjoying messy play
Enjoying a well earned foot massage after a long day
Hope to see you at the next Bump to Five show next year!
T xxx
A quick peek at our new baby kimono collections!
Sunday, March 14th, 2010 by lewisHappy Mothers Day to our fabulous, strong, bright, creative, multi-tasking mummies!
I woke up with a bit of afever this morning, but was so happy to receive a lovely card from my son and breakfast in bed!
I’m thrilled to announce that after 5 months, we finally managed to launch our new collections! Well hopefully we can launch 2011 Spring Collection little bit earlier than this time….
The Sakura collection will be available at our on-line store from 28th March with light blue Yume Sakura and Light Grey Soyokaze Sakura.
Sping Collection - Light Blue Yume Sakura
These will be available in size 70cm/80cm (all in one style) and 90cm(top and short style).
The Baby in Black collection will be also available at the Bump to Five Show at University of Derby on 8th May!
Here is a sneek peek at the designs:
Baby in Black Collection Preview
Baby in Black Collection Preview
So if you fancy a day out in Derby, please drop by our stall - we are very much looking forward to seeing you!
Tomono x
Save the date - Saturday 8th May
Sunday, February 21st, 2010 by tomonoOn Saturday 8th May, there will be a fantastic opportunity for mums and mum-to-be to have an inspirational day out at the ‘Bump to Five Baby Show.
The event will be held at Derby University and will include:
- Maternity
- Clothing
- Gifts
- Health
- Advice
- Baby & Toddler classes
- Nurseries & Pre-Schools
- Shops
The venue is airy and pushchair friendly. Car parking is free, too. So why not come along for a little day out and do a little yummy-mummy networking to share your experience and find out local mum friends?
Cocoro will be launching our brand new “baby in black” collection at that show.
Cocoro will be bringing some caffeine free green tea and a few Japanese nibbles, so if you are around please come and say hello!
Register to secure a limited edition goody bags on the ‘Bump to Five’ web page:
http://bumptofive.co.uk/RegisterNow.aspx
Looking forward to seeing you there.
T x
Japanese Themed Play Group
Monday, January 25th, 2010 by tomonoSome of them tried on our kimono and I must say that they were absolutely adorable! They really stole my heart and I even started to feel a bit broody. I was so happy to get lots of great feedback from the mums about how beautiful they are and how easy they were to dress. Happy!
When Oscar was only 5weeks we started going to the similar play group at Sure Start. It was designed for new born babies and mums up to 7-8months. Each week we had a topic to discuss and share experiences. Some weeks it was about weaning, teething, breast feeding etc. I enjoyed getting out of the house, I also met fabulous friends who I still keep in touch with.
I also enjoyed going to a music playgroup and PEEP. I was talking to my Japanese friend today about how expensive it would be to give similar opportunities in Japan. There are some council playgroups and help, but nothing like here in UK.
Bumps and Babies Playgroup
Babies in Baby Kimono
If you are interested in holding a Japanese themed play group, or would like to know more about cocoro please contact me using the email or telephone number above.
Tomono x
cocoro at the Designer Baby Show - See You There!
Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 by tomonoWe will be exhibiting at the Designer Baby Show!
The Designer Baby Show
Our long awaited baby kimonos for children up to 2 years are nearly ready. We are so happy to launch our new collection, which will be exclusively ready to purchase, at the Designer Baby Show on Sunday 15 November in Berkshire.
The baby kimonos will also be available as gorgeous gift sets with a special little something included in each one. More details to come!
We will be located at stall 78.
The baby show will be visited by Annabel Karmel who is the world’s leading expert & best selling author on baby & children’s nutrition. I hope she has lots of yummy recipe ideas for Oscar.
There will also be breast feeding expert Clare Byam-Cook whose celebrity client list includes Kate Winslet and Helena Bonham-Carter. I wonder if they will turn up too? Would be good to have a famous movie actress buy one of our baby kimonos…
Naturally, there will be tons of other fabulous baby boutiques and nursery goods shops too. This really is an absolutely must-attend event if you are yummy- mummy or one to be!
Check out the Designer Baby Show website for more details. We’ve even got our own cocoro page on their site too.
See you there!
Tomono x
Food and babies
Friday, October 30th, 2009 by tomonoWe had a pot luck lunch party yesterday at one of my Japanese friend’s house. I can never leave Oscar when I want to concentrate on cooking so I decided to do slow cooked Chicken the previous night.
I always love chicken with bones and skin. So whenever my mum in low prepare roast chicken, she gives me all my favourite bits on my plate! Nibbling around bones must be such a shocking site for them but for us it is the best bit - with lots of collagen which is good for your skin.
Oscar is spoilt for choice at the pot luck party!
I stewed chicken legs with some ginger, garlic, konbu seaweed, onion and carrots for few hours in the evening. It smelled absolutely gorgeous and tasted good, too. To make little bit more party mood, I did Temaki Sushi (’hand-rolled’ sushi) where you can choose your own topping on the top of Seaweed and vinegary Sushi Rice.I prepared some radish pickle, tuna with Wasabi Mayonnaise, some bonito flakes, ocean sticks, fish eggs, smoked salmon and some cucumber.
My favourite Temaki Sushi was one with cucumber and smoke salmon with hint of Wasabi. The crunchiness of the cucumber and crispy seaweed is just the best combination ever.
What Japanese babies eat
Japanese babies often live on sticky Japanese rice. They love it but usually dislike vinegary Sushi rice , so please do not feel tempted to try this recipe for your baby! All I got from Oscar was yukky face and the daunting job afterwards of cleaning the floor and even walls of semi-dried sticky stubborn rice.
I’m sure every country has own baby weaning recipe, but this is one of the best gift I strongly recommend. 100% vegetable flake so easy to use for early stage of weening. Available in pumpkin, sweet corn, potato and carrot varities.
The first meal
Usually we are recommended to start weening around 6months but in Japan we have ceremony called Okuizome (Okui means ‘eat’ and zome means ‘first’) on 100th day after the birth.
Traditional first meal for babies in Japan
Sea Bream is often used for special occasions
This is a traditon to wish their healthy life always full filled with enough food rest of their life. Family members gather around the table and put teeny tiny bit of food on baby’s lip with chopsticks or just let them have a taste of soup.
Putting rice on Oscar's lips
Do you have any traditional ceremony in your country? I’m very curious!
Tomono x
cocoro supports Downs Syndrome Derby
Saturday, October 10th, 2009 by tomonoLewis and I have been attending workshops and seminar to learn how to start business. We of course learnt so much but moreover we met lovely people who are also trying to go with their dreams. Lewis met Julie, who is originally from Liverpool, and she has just launched her called ‘Vintage and Cake‘ selling beautiful cakes and vintage clothes. We had lots in common - newly relocated to another city, age and we both loves talking about cake and clothes!
Vintage and Cake - Yummy!
She invited me to lady indulgence shopping night at St Benedict school in Derly Abbey. It’s a charity event for Downs Syndrome Derby, since I became a mother I start showing interest in charity towards to children and babies. It’s amazing how life priority changes when we have own child. Lewis even sometimes have tearful eyes when he watches some sad news about baby( I have never seen him crying for 10years!).
I had my stall there supposed to be selling my baby kimonos but ended up shopping….. There was lovely home made card shop, chocolate shop, and my favorite one was a shop selling locally brewed beer!
Lots more lovely stalls
Local beer for my hubby!
I got some beer for my hubby (who I left alone on Friday night) and I got Julie’s gorgeous cup cake to end my long Friday.
My lovely cup cake treat!
Tomono x
"I am so happy that someone in England is making baby kimonos!!"
Zen, Cornwall
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