Archive for the ‘cocoro News’ Category
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
Sakura and I
Thursday, February 11th, 2010 by tomonoAlthough it has been snowing heavily here in Derbyshire, the first day of Spring was a week ago according to the solar calendar. I have a great anticipation for Spring after a long dark winter in the UK.
I love seeing people start buying daffodils, birds start singing, new leaves forming on the trees in my not-maintained garden.
We have Ohanami season in Japan in which we celebrates the arrival of Cherry blossom. The weather forecast keeps us up to date when the first bud will bloom. Lots of people get very excited about it. I have lots of memories of Ohanami season and it still makes me feel like going home just to see Sakura (if possible….).
It’s a time for evening picnics under the beautiful Sakura. And a rare time to see lots of drunk Japanese people outside.
Japanese salary man after a few too many
Under the Sakura
Cherry Blossom in Kyoto
Some companies even send a young colleague from early morning to secure the picnic area with big picnic blanket till the evening. Then other senior colleagues gather around the beautiful Sakura tree and kick off the picnic.
The thing about sakura is it blooms all of sudden and withers very quickly, too. So at least few weekends I make myself available for Sakura.
From my dedication to this beautiful Sakura and to celebrate Spring, we will be making some Sakura themed baby kimonos. It should be available sometime in March and will announce when we start taking orders.
Sakura style print
Sakura style print
Tomono 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
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 by tomonoHappy New Year everyone and wishing you a prosperous and super 2010!
I am so sorry we haven’t blogged for ages, we just got back from fantastic trip back to Japan. Unfortunately one piece of our luggage has gone missing! I bought so many lovely wrapping materials from Japan and I really wish my suitcase will come back to me very very soon!
Well, where shall I start…
We left UK on Thursday 17 December - and luckily a day before the heavy snow. We have ordered the bassinet for Oscar but surprise surprise, he didn’t want to sleep on 12hours flight at all! Both of us were absolutely exhausted but our son Oscar was just too excited to be surrounded by so many passengers and making sure they are OK by giving them high five all the way through the aisle…. Bless him.
Oscar and Lewis looking out the window
I brought a massive micro fleece blanket, lots of snacks and fruits and toys.
In order to keep him entertained we opened his Xmas presents on the plane. We got him a big red car, Xmas story book, grey jumper and a big Iggle Piggle. Maybe the grey jumper didn’t excite him, but he was so happy to see Mr Iggle piggle and kept cuddling him for long time.
Oscar with Iggle Piggle
My dad took him Xmas shopping on Xmas eve and got him a set of TOMICA cars, books, Japanese Alphabet flash cards and a big bullet train. Oscar is now officially into boyish vehicles…. I wonder if I can play with dolls with him one day…
How was your Xmas and what did you give for little friends? What was your favourite presents for little one? Since most of our customers bought as a gift, I’m really curious what kind of fabulous gift experience you had!
We will blog about our trip in Japan for a while, till then take care and mind your steps on icy roads!
Oscar and I at Amsterdam airport
Tomono x
A very Japanese Christmas
Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 by tomonoI can’t believe some shops started selling for Xmas from just after the August bank holiday! But now it’s December and I’m not afraid of being in a festive mood, it’s official! 24 more sleeps till Christmas!
In Japan Christmas day is a normal working day and is a purely commercial event. But we do exchange some presents and have a Western style meal. My friend Tony, who loves cooking, invited us for Christmas roast in Japan a couple of years ago. One time he was eager to have roast chicken (turkey is very rare in Japan) but he couldn’t find a whole chicken in the local supermarket so he bought all the separate parts of the chicken and tied them all together to make some kind of Frankenstein chicken. It was very impressive!
Japan has lots of festive songs too and this is a popular one for kids. It was a big hit when I was a kid and I still hear it these days. It’s a about a sloppy Santa Claus.
And this is the Japanese version of Silent Night.
We also eat cake but usually a sponge cake - nothing like traditional English Christmas cake. When my mum-in-law told me she bakes Christmas cake in September, I just couldn’t believe it! How can the cake last that long? Well now I know why and realised that what we have in Japan is not traditional.
Japanese Christmas Cake
Even though it’s not a traditional holiday in Japan when I was a little girl, Christmas time was the most exciting time of the year. I really believed Father Christmas exists and made sure our house was unlocked so that he could come in on Christmas Eve! On Christmas day, my brother and I sneaked out of bed way too early and tore off all the wrapping paper and were panting with anticipation to see what Santa had brought us. Oh, that excitement and happiness… I would like Oscar to feel that too.
Last year was his first Christmas. We took a trip together to Alicante in Spain for some summer sun and he looked cute wearing his little Santa Hat, which was a gift from his uncle David and auntie Talida. When he opened his presents though he enjoyed the crinkly noise from the wrapping paper more than the actual presents themselves, bless him.
Christmas in Alicante
Oscar and Tomono - Original Hoodies
"Does Santa ride one of these?"
"C'mon Oscar, kiss for mummy!"
"Where's the wrapping paper?"
On a final note our Limited Edition Baby Kimono Gift Set is now flying to people all over the world. I hope we can make some people feel happy when they receive our gorgeous gift box. I’m so thrilled to imagine I can make someone smile just like my parents did for me 20 years ago.
Tomono x
cocoro is a ‘mumsjustlove’ recommended site!
Sunday, November 29th, 2009 by tomonoWe are so happy to tell you that we are now officially recommended by ‘mumsjustlove.com’ which is an independent directory of the web’s best online shops for mums and babies.
Here is what they say about themselves and cocoro:
mumsjustlove find the best products, retailers and offers online for mums and their little ones. everything promoted on mumsjustlove is hand-picked by their editorial team, no listings are paid for which means they are really showcasing the best! their product directory features the best products from literally 100’s of retailers and we are pleased to say cocorostyle is one of them!
It’s so exciting that the word is spreading about our products and that people really like them. If you have bought one of our baby kimonos or baby kimono gift sets we’d love to hear from you too!
Tomono x
Improving the cocoro website
Monday, November 9th, 2009 by tomonoWe have been asking people to complete an online survey about how we can improve our website over the past few weeks. Most of the people who completed the survey have given us such positive feedback. Lots of people have commented that the website is easy to use and attractive. However, we also found out that many of you are seeking more information about the kimonos and more photos on the product pages.
Since Oscar is too big for the smaller size baby kimonos we went to see 4-months old ‘Merry’ the gorgeous little daughter of friends Helen and Martin. We went to see them on Saturday morning and was so happy to see Merry awake and smiling. She has most amazing hazel colour eyes and we couldn’t have hoped for a better model. She was so great about having her photo taken.
We even had help from Helen’s sister Jenny, who was visiting from London. She helped us with the development of the cocoro logo and has been a big supporter since we started. She has also started her own business in catering called Ginger Jar. She is not only good at cooking but also at taking photos so she took lots of nice ones for us, too!
Here are some photos of Merry in some of our most popular baby kimonos from the shoot:
Merry modelling Dark Blue Warabe Baby Kimono
...and from a different angle
Strutting down the catwalk in Purple Hana Ranman baby kimono
Merry - a natural baby model!
Thank you so much for your support
We will be adding more pictures and information about the baby kimonos, such as clear sizing and other details. Of course we would like to make the website and the information about our products. Your opinions are very important to us, so please leave a comment and let us know what other information you would like to see on our website.
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
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