Meet Baby Caravan

Emily & her two sons 

Friends, I'm excited to introduce you to Emily Crocker, a mother of two & one of the founding members of Baby Caravan.  Baby Caravan offers birthing & postpartum doula services, as well as childbirth education classes and back to work prep for the new parent returning to the work force after the baby is born.

"Witnessing a mother bring life into this world and remain powerful and in control changed my life." -Emily Crocker

Check it out:

Bebe Birds (BB):  Tell us a little bit about Baby Caravan.  How did it all begin?

Emily Crocker of Baby Caravan (EC):  Hey Nicole-Baby Caravan was founded by myself, London King and Jennifer Mayer.  London and Jen have been birth doulas in NYC for over 10 years and have assisted hundreds of women before, during and after labor.  We started Baby Caravan last year in an effort to help women and their partners get access to the services they NEED-like birth and postpartum doulas, childbirth education classes, new mothers groups and back to work packages for mothers who are struggling with having to leave their new baby WAY too soon.

It all began with the birth of my two children, Charlie & Mac.  London was my doula.  I was looking for a little help for my husband and I while I was in labor. She really inspired me to take control of my birth. With London's guidance and support I ended up having the most peaceful, beautiful and natural birth, while meeting one of the most amazing people on this earth.

After my second son was born I texted London "I am thinking of getting certified as a postpartum doula."  She wrote me back immediately with what seemed like a million text messages saying she was looking to start a venture and wanted me to work with her.

Once Jen, London & I sat down together it all made sense.  We work so well together.  We trust each other completely.  We all share a passion for supporting women and supporting their choices in childbirth.  After that it doesn't feel like work, not even for one minute.

BB: That's awesome!  Before we go any further can you explain to our readers what a doula does and what role do they play during the birthing process and postpartum?

EC:  Doula is a re-appropriated word that originally meant "Woman's Servant." Doula is now referred more to as a labor coach or non-medical support person during childbirth. When thinking of labor most women don't realize that their doctors or midwives may only be available to them for a small amount of time.  The doctors or midwives may come in at the end of the labor, which can last 12 or more hours, especially when it is your first pregnancy.

A doula can help make the mother comfortable at home before leaving for the hospital, assist you & your partner to the hospital and then support you with any type of delivery you have, including a natural unmedicated birth, a scheduled C-section or a birth with an epidural.

The Baby Caravan team clockwise from left to right Jennifer Mayer, London King & Emily Crocker

BB:  Being a mother, having a doula for both of your births & becoming a doula yourself can you share any tips for new mamas beginning their search for a doula? 

EC:  Yes!  First, begin by asking your friends because that's the best way to find a doula.  If none of your friends have used a doula you can ask an acupuncturist, your OB or a massage therapist.  Also, search local sites who post services for expectant mothers and check their reviews.  Google is good but there is a lot of doulas out there, so you may be searching awhile-especially if you live in NYC.  Better yet, if you live in the NYC area visit Baby Caravan-we have the best doulas around! :)

BB:  From your own experience can you share the benefits of having a doula? 

EC:  Not only did my doula help me, she helped my husband. I love my husband but he knew NOTHING about having a baby.  When I was in labor he was super nervous. Knowing London was there to help me made his life so much easier.  There was a time when I was experiencing the worst pain in my life and I was terrified. I looked up and saw Terrence's face, it was as white as a ghost.  I thought, thank God, I have London here. It gave me so much comfort.

"We want women to know that they don't need to just 'figure it out' or do it on their own because that's what their mother did. We know better!  Support is here!" -Emily Crocker

BB:  What was it about your doula that inspired you to become a doula yourself? 

EC:  Once I became a mother I really fell in love with being a woman and a being around women. I loved how passionate London was about supporting women and making a difference in their birth. She finds birth to be so sacred and a real opening to your motherhood.  I think Jen, London on and I agree that a peaceful supported birth can change the world.  When a woman feels confident about her birth, she can mother confidently-and this is true for every kind of birth.  We have helped so many women have c-sections feel comfortable with their outcomes so that they can move on to what is important-the beautiful baby in their arms.

BB: Now that you are a doula can you tell us what it was like for you to witness a birth for the first time as opposed to giving birth? 

EC:  I had the pleasure of witnessing a beautiful, peaceful water birth at the Brooklyn Birthing Center and can honestly say it made me feel more important and accomplished than any other work I have ever done in my adult life.  Witnessing a mother bring life into this world and remain powerful and in control changed my life.  Women are all incredible and have such strength, especially when it comes to our children.  Once I became a mother, I felt forever bonded to every mother in the world on some level.  When I witnessed my first birth I felt I entered the world of birth worker and yet another deeper connection to all women and mothers.

BB:  What are some of the services Baby Caravan offers mothers & mother's to be? 

EC:  Baby Caravan offers birth and postpartum doula services and supports women before and during their labor, as well as the first six months of their babies lives. We offer some innovative services such as supporting new mothers who are returning to work.  This is something that has not really been done yet.  There need to be more of these types of services.  There is so much support for pregnant women, but once they have their baby it's like the new mother disappears into the dark hole and when the women reemerge back into the office it's business as usual.  As a working mother I felt I had to hide so many of my feelings when I returned to work. There weren't many people in my office who understood what I was experiencing. Pumping at work was crazy.  I never thought I would be in my office with my shirt off every two hours-and there I was half naked while people were knocking on my door even though I had a sign that read "Do not disturb-Pumping."  Our goal is to be an emotional support for women through Skype and email. We want to help them return to work and figure out pumping, deal with their sadness and guilt as well as partner with their partner to find a balance between work & home life.

BB: What can we look forward to from Baby Caravan?

EC:  It's Baby Caravan's mission to make doulas mainstream. To prove to every woman that she NEEDS and DESERVES support prenatally, during labor, postpartum & when she returns to work.  We want women to know that they don't need to just "figure it out" or do it on their own because that's what their mother did. We know better!  Support is here!  We want women to understand that if you have support during this time in their life it will help you become a more confident self aware mother who will raise confident and swell aware children.  And we need more confident and self aware people in their world-because they make this place a better world to live in.

Thank you so much Emily!  It seems the journey you are traveling is very inspiring.  To learn more about doula services visit Baby Caravan!

Highlighting: Jacqueline Schmidt & Mr. Patchwork Bear

A gift from a first love inspires a beautifully illustrated children's book, Patchwork Helps a Friend-the story about a quilted stuffed bear with a big heart who reaches out to good pals like a llama & whale to help repair another stuffed bear who is in need of a good patchwork himself.

Meet illustrator Jacqueline Schmidt & her debut book Patchwork Helps a Friend, written by Gail Greiner.

Bebe Birds (JS):  Hi Jacqueline.  Can you tell us how illustrating your first children's book, "Patchwork Helps a Friend",  first came about?

Jacqueline Schmidt (JS): I have a great love of illustrated books and have wanted to create my own.  Powerhouse Arena let me know that they were launching POW! books, their own children's imprint, and that I seemed like a perfect fit.  They have been carrying my Screech Owl Design stationery products for years and we have a had a wonderful working relationship so it was a no brainer to me.  As you can imagine, I was thrilled and so honored to be apart of their project!  They are very passionate about children's books and an absolute pleasure to create with.



BB: How did you come up with the character Patchwork? 

JS: The Patchwork series is based on an actual stuffed patchwork bear that is over 100 years old.  He has a lot of character and unfortunately, will probably not make it another century.  I have always been smitten with this bear whose letters, "M.P.B" (Mr. Patchwork Bear) are stitched into his arm.  I wanted to find a way to bring him back to life and honor him by sharing him with others.  Through storytelling, I have a great opportunity to revive him and re-create his life.  He has lived over 100 years and has seen a lot, I imagine.  Patchwork himself, who is prone to repair, understands his friend Fred's plight of needing to be mended from time to time.  Patchwork is crafty and loves to help whenever he can. Perhaps because he is so helpful is the reason his friends and community are always eager to reciprocate and help out whenever Patchwork is in need.

BB:  The history behind Patchwork sounds so interesting.  Was this an old stuffed bear passed down to you or just a bear you knew about?  

JS:  Mr. Patchwork Bear was passed down from my first love.

BB: In the book Patchwork Helps a Friend, Patchwork goes to various friends in search of helping repair his friend Fred.  Can you describe the type of bear Patchwork is? 

JS:  He is a very resourceful bear. He loves his friends, is very adventurous and incredibly crafty. Patchwork has a well developed silly side as well as a sense of humor.  He doesn't mind being seen as a do-good bear and always wants to learn something new.  Spending time with his friends and community is most important to him as well as seeking out opportunities to make new friends and explore his natural environment and world.

Inside Patchwork Helps a Friend

BB: Your images from your company Screech Owl Design are very naturalistic.  How has being a life long New Yorker influenced your work as an illustrator? 

JS:  Growing up I had a summer house in the country and attended camp since a very young age. I spent a lot of time in nature which is where my inspiration comes from. My son Finn is now 18 months old and I really look forward to creating outdoor adventures with him. I want to make sure that he too has a rich experience and enough time to develop his own relationship with nature and are very grateful to my family for providing that experience for me.  It truly was the greatest gift.

Jacqueline and her son Finn.  Photo Credit Zivar Amrami 

BB: Any advice to future illustrators?  Where to start? 

JS:  Draw. Then draw. Then draw some more. Find your voice, your style and what makes you unique and keeps you inspired. Then share it.  Everywhere. On blogs, galleries, stores, friends, craft fairs-wherever you feel your art most belongs.  And whatever you do, don't focus on the outcome. If you are making work and sharing it, then there are options and possibilities for your work to take on a life of its own.  Not sharing your work, makes it harder to grow. Taking risks, makes each risk occur less precious and therefore easier. Be persistent and don't give up.  Practice makes perfect!

BB: That's Great Advice!  What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future? 

JS: Patchwork's adventures continue with a second book due out this fall. It is about his journey to find his cozy place and the dreams and passages he goes through before he settles down.

Thank you so much Jacqueline.  Bebe Birds loves ya!  To get your copy of Patchwork Helps a Friend visit them here & here to follow the many adventures of Mr. Patchwork Bear.  

Kid & Coe-the only way to travel with kids

Escape to Tuscany & stay in this  14th Century palazzo from Kid & Coe

With winters chill still lingering in the air & traces of snow still on the ground in Brooklyn, many of us are craving an escape from reality to warmer temperatures.  Que Kid & Coe, the answer for discovering amazing vacation rentals tailored to showcase breathtaking family friendly homes from  around the globe.  Kid & Coe was created by Zoie Kingsbery Coe out of necessity.  "We were on tour in Sydney as a family (side note: she managed her husbands music career) and were lucky enough to be checking into the Four Seasons, planning to stay there for a few weeks.  Within two days we realized it wasn't going to work for us as a family.  Once Luca was asleep at night we were tiptoeing around him in the dark, whispering so we wouldn't wake him.  I think all parents who have stayed in hotels with their kids know this scenario.  We also realized we wouldn't be cooking any healthy home cooked meals and we just needed more space to enjoy our family time together."

So began Kid & Coe a beautifully curated site that includes an inside scoop on each residence such as-a "What We Love" section & a "Things to Know" section that make discovering your next getaway painless & easy.

We had the opportunity to interview Zoie Kingsbery Coe & get the skinny on the coolest family travel site out there as well as travel tips for our bebe birds.:

Kingsbery Coe with her Family

Bebe Birds (BB):  Hi Zoie!  Can you tell us what was your inspiration was when creating Kid & Coe?

Zoie Kingsbery Coe (ZKC): While in Sydney and staying at the Four Seasons we realized it wasn't going to work for us as a family.  I then I started the process of looking for an apartment to rent, it took days.  Most were unsuitable for young children. I had to go personally and check them all out.  When we found something that did work I then had to source a baby equipment rental firm to kit us out with high chairs, stair gates & the rest. It took a whole week out of our trip to get to that point.

But then everything opened up.  As soon as we were situated, it felt like all of Sydney was our Sydney. We had a base to find local fresh grocers, nearby playgrounds, farmers markets & cafes.

That's how it started. From that I realized that staying in a house as a family was the way to go.  Spending too much time going through uninspiring websites and looking at uninspiring houses that claimed they were family-friendly made me realize there was a real lack in the market for people who need the space of a home the most.  And Kid & Coe is an elegant solution for traveling families

BB:  What can those traveling with children expect when booking their lodging through Kid & Coe? 

ZK: Each of our properties are varied & suited for different age ranges of children.  What's family friendly to a family with a two year old might not be appropriate for a family with teenagers-family friendly is an imprecise description, really.  We hope to serve both.  We present our information clearly so families can find what's right for them-for a family with younger children, they might want a property with a pool gate; for those with teenagers, space & privacy may be higher on their list of wants.

A beautiful family friendly residence in Amsterdam-The Verheijstraat Residence from Kid & Coe

BB:  What are some of the criteria required to be featured on Kid & Coe? 

ZKC:  We're keen to take applications from homes around the world and are constantly adding new properties.  We consider a variety of factors: how large they are, whether they have kid-friendly appeal, location, as well as what they look like.  They don't have to look like the pages of an interiors magazine, necessarily, but they do have to look comfortable.  The main criteria is thaat our team would want to stay there themselves.

BB:  The images showcasing each individual home on Kid & Coe are so beautifully done. Once a home is selected by Kid & Coe what is the process used to capture the beauty, comfort & kid-friendly appeal of the home? 

ZKC:  We use professional photographers to present great images of our homes.  We feel that it's keeping consistent with our desire to clearly present homes- some other websites don't have large enough photos, they are grainy and dark and don't represent the properties as well as they could.

BB:  What are some of the most memorable homes you have curated & featured on Kid & Coe? 

ZKC:  We have a Galapagos Safari for families on the site & a Patagonian ranch-not normally places that would jump out at you as a place to explore with kids!  We hope to help families think outside of the box when traveling with kids.  We also have a property in Cape Cod in an old windmill that is fabulous.

Galapagos Safari in Santa Crux, Galapagos from Kid & Coe

The Windmill Residence in Cape Cod from Kid & Coe

BB:  Many of those who work at Kid & Coe have traveled the world with their children.  Can you share some of the most kid friendly cities you have visited? 

ZKC: I think Sydney is the most kid-friendly city I've visited-there's such a wealth of things to do-beaches, aquariums, zoos, Chinatown.  It's the perfect collision of nature & the city.  My family is also huge fans of Ibiza.  Lo, our creative director & co-founder really loves Tel Aviv; Nicole, our communities manager, is a fan of Puerto Rico, David, our Customer Service Directors, loves Greece; And Laura, our communications manager, loves Iceland. We've got travel experience all over the planet.

BB: What are some of your travel tips when traveling with the little ones? 

ZKC:  You can't underestimate the novelty of fun little presents on the airplane. I usually buy play dough (perfect airplane toy), little sticker books, stacking cups for a game of "hide the goldfish".  We wrap our  little gifts up to make the process really drawn out.  I'll be honest, I also let mine watch as much TV as they want on long airplane rides. The main thing for international travel is to acclimate to the local time as soon as possible and keep your kids in natural daylight as much as you can.    

BB:  What are the future plans with Kid & Coe?

ZKC:  We hope to continue to grow our property listings while being able to maintain the curated element.  We also hope to provide more content in terms of our City Scout guides and envision it being a community generated feature.  Who better to tell you what cafes and parks to discover in Amsterdam than a momma from Amsterdam!  We also hope to introduce our blog in the not too distant future and collaborate with inspiring & creative blogs like yours!

Family friendly villa in  Bahia Brazil from Kid & Coe

Thank you Zoie!  Bebe Birds loves what you're doing!  To learn more and plan your next family getaway visit Kid & Coe!  Safe travels!  

Creating a Sustainable Lifestyle with Kids

Aspire to Inspire: Meet Libby Chisholm Fearnley, former fashion designer & mother of two who, like me, took a leap of faith to leave her fashion design gig to be home with her babies. "After I gave up designing and was a full-time parent for 4 years, I spent nearly every evening for months in a hot bath with a glass of wine pondering my future." (This 'me time' was assigned by my supportive husband) What I realized is that my measure of success is not monetary.  My own personal satisfaction does not come from stuff. It comes from love, experiences, achievement, knowledge and overcoming challenges" reflects Fearnley.  So, she enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City to complete a Sustainable Design Entrepreneurs certificate & is currently co-authoring a book on Sustainability in the Textile Industry.

Libby shares some pointers on transforming the way you shop for your children to help you move toward a more a sustainable lifestyle:

Before purchasing new items begin by asking yourself these questions:
1.  Why do we need this?
2.  Can we live without it?
3.  How will it add to the health, safety, education and (insert your own family value) of your family?
4.  Will it last & grow with you and/or your child?

What to look for in a sustainable brand
I am going to have to take this opportunity to get on my soap box before answering your questions directly.  Please, take time to perform the exercise of examining your own values before trying to find the perfect product.  It is much easier to choose the right sustainable products when you know what is important to you.  Is it quality? Price? Fair trade? Community outreach? Most of the time it's impossible for sustainable designers to get it right in every area. When buying something it's important to me that things are made well, locally if possible, and that there is a planned destination for the item when I am finished with it.  Slow Fashioned is a great resource to help determine the quality of clothing you are shopping for."

10 tips on sustainable shopping for kids:

We are crazy about this kitchen set created by Fearnley that's made of cardboard, jar lids, paper towel rolls & water based paint.

1.  Exhaust all options before you consider purchasing new. Get crafty! For example, my child wanted a kitchen.  So, we made one out of a few cardboard boxes, jar lids, paper towel rolls and some water-based paint (above). Not crafty? Leave it as an activity with the babysitter.
2.  Check your neighborhood second hand shops
3.  Most of us are overloaded with gifts at the holidays. Try swapping with friends and neighbors. It brings people together and makes you feel better knowing you are not contributing to the landfill.
4.  Mend holes, loose buttons, holed socks, broken toys.
5. Take advantage of hand me downs and pay it forward when finished.
6. Plastic toys are great, but try to buy used ones and pass on the old ones.  Recycle what's broken if you can't fix or re-purpose it.
7.  For birthday parties give up the goody bag.  Give a small book instead.  The children will briefly give you the stink eye but parents will be relieved.
8.  Buy gifts or toys that aren't very specific. Toys that are multi-functional and gender neutral like Legos and bristle blocks, encourage creativity and imagination.  Classic books are great too.
9.  Carry a large freezer bag in your diaper bag for items left outside that people are getting rid of .  (Depending on the item I wash on hot, put it in the freezer, disinfect when I get home)
10. Pay more, buy less.  Sustainable brands cost more, but they last longer and are made ethically.

"With that said, we don't go dumpster diving at the holidays.  We did cut back a lot this year and decided to spend gift money on activities like swim lessons instead of "stuff".  Also, our son was interested in stringing necklaces.  Instead of buying those cheap plastic beads we bought him a Green Creativity Recycled Paper Beads Kit.

If you MUST buy new check out these talented & sustainable designers to get you started: 
1.  Imps & Elfs                                 
2.  Kids Case                                   
3.  Kallio                                          
4.  FUB Kidswear                             
5.  Itsus.ca
6.  Aravore                                   
7.  Homespun Vintage
8.  Little Bean Sprout
9.  Sugar On Snow
10. YOOX.com

Did You Know:

• Goodwill and Salvation Army are not the most sustainably operated charities.  Check it out.
• You should be wary of "greenwashing"= products with brown paper packaging that claim to be "natural" & "green" with no legal definition.  Good Guide is a great resource for learning how good your personal care products and clothing are.

Benefits of Simplifying:
Less stuff will make it easier for your child to focus on what they do have. When they tire of a toy, they will need to think creatively to find a new game.  They will thank you for molding them into the resourceful little buggers they become.

Vote with Your $$ and reinforce the positive changes that mainstream retailers are implementing: 
1. Patagonia 
2. H&M Conscious
3. Levis Waterless
4. Nike
5. Target

"Figure out what matters to you and apply it to every area of your life. Consciously living your life with a purpose makes decisions so much easier.  When you are clear and passionate about what matters to you, it will become a part of everything you interact with.  I had spent a decade designing for a habit I didn't really believe in or understand the effects of.  That's why I wasn't finding fulfillment.  Now that I have identified what matters most to me, everything seems pretty clear.  I don't want a big house or cars or walk-in closets (though an extra bathroom would be superb).  I want to make a difference. I want to make sure I leave this place the way I found it, or better.  I want to learn and learn and learn.  I want to love and be loved. I want my children to find something that they are passionate about and go after it, no matter how daunting it is."

Thank you so much for making that difference Libby.  Bebe Birds loves ya!  Look for Libby Chisholm Fearnley at the Park Slope Food Coop on Sunday, February 2nd 2014 at 12pm discussing the global impact of clothing manufacturing and what consumers can do to help change the current business model.

The Fearnley Family

Getting Ugly with 3 Men and a Baby

Ugly up those kids of yours by dressing them in one of Norway's coolest imports, Ugly Children's Clothing (UCC) , winner of several national awards for their designs in innovative children's fashion.  UCC first launched in the fall of 2006 after one gentleman Aleksander couldn't find any cool clothing for his business partner, André's, new baby boy Jesper.  "Together we already owned a company making radio commercials.  The company's name was The Worlds Strongest Man so, l thought it would be cool to print that  on a onesie and give it as a present to the newborn" explains Aleksander.  After creating the onesie and feeling that there was very little hip clothing  out there for babies and kids they decided to create a company designed to challenge the market & see if there was room for alternative ideas in children's fashion.

From left to right: Ugly Children's Clothing cotton onesie appx. $52 & beach set, $65

And challenge they did.  Aleksander and Andre recruited a brilliant graphic designer Eivind who came on board and helped build the image of the brand.  The first collection included a series of baby onesies with some funny & daring statements printed on them like Son of a Motherfucker,  My Real Dads in Prison and Fuck Yoga.  The new business partners came up with the name Ugly Children's Clothing to address the fact that they believe many people take parenting so seriously they forget the charm & irony in it.  It wasn't until they were tipped off from a local retailer that noticed many tourists visiting Norway found little Scandinavian clothing to bring back home to their little ones.  The trio found opportunity in this tip and dove into the world of Scandinavian knits, which the brand has become known for.  Their Marius©® by Ugly collection in wool launched in 2010 and won the national award for design excellence .  And let's not forget the nostalgic pieces we love so much, such as the 1970's like gym shorts, track suit  & tube socks or classic pieces like Grand Dad's ribbed onesie, rain gear & socks.

A few of the pieces from the Marius©® by Ugly collection

As for the future of  Ugly Children's Clothing one can expect to see their timeless Scandanavian knitwear along with some exciting new pieces launching in Spring/Summer 2014.  To get your kids dressed in this unique and well made brand visit Ugly Children's Clothing to find a store nearest you or buy online.  They offer free shipping world wide. Even cooler, right?!?! Prices range from approximately $22-$145 USD. "Our mantra is to make clothing with timeless design that can last generations, and make the world more fun for both the children wearing them and their parents."

Bebe Bird sprortin' his Ugly's (gym shorts & headband) to the playground

From One Mama to Another: Meet Dee Dee

Dee Dee & her family (from left: Gilmar Gomes, Joel & Naima)

Friends, this is Dee Dee Gomes creator of Dee Dee's Street Boutique-a sustainable fashion line filled with rompers & two pieces starting at $50.  Dee Dee is a fashion designer with remarkable taste and mother of two-Joel, 9 years & Naima, 5 years.  Her husband, Brazilian Gilmar Gomes, is a percussionist currently touring with Enrique Iglesias. If there is only one thing you need to know about Dee Dee it's that she is cool.  You know,  the kind of cool that makes you do a double take in the coffee shop whenever she walks in.  Dee Dee is pulled together in a chic without being pretentious sort of way with a fashion sense that has a reputation all it's own.  It's common to hear her look be referred to as "The Dee Dee Style" with her harem pants and free flowing tops.

Dee Dee at her studio in her signature look-harem pants and loose tops

Why we love her:

• She's spontaneous and brave. She met her husband at a salsa concert while he was touring in Germany and they were engaged 3 days later.  Now, 2 kids and 12 years of marriage they are still happily together living in Brooklyn, NY. 
• She's well traveled. She grew up in Germany, lived in Brazil with her husband and moved to Brooklyn.
• She's full of talent-designing her own sustainable clothing line (Dee Dee's Street Boutique), she was in a band and became a professional dancer at the age of 17 years old.  

Dee Dee paging through her look book from Dee Dee's Street Boutique

Where it all began:
Sewing I learned in school.  I grew up in a German suburb and I wanted to dress differently but couldn't find anything that different.  So, I started making my own clothes trying to express myself & my style.  Then, I was in a dance company in Germany & we needed costumes to wear on stage so I started making something for us. Other bands or artists saw us and asked 'Hey, can you do something for us?'  And so it began.

What about your collection:
I started selling my clothing line 2 months ago.  The clothing I create is upcycled.  I get my pieces from fabric stores when they are throwing scraps away or other pieces I find-like vintage tees etc.

The perks of  having your own studio space:
Well, I'm a stay at home mom & I got this space from a friend.  You see, we swap.  I take care of her son since she is in architecture school and I can use the space to design.  When I had everything in my house it was chaos.  All the fabric and scraps were all over the place and I'd have to clean up.  With the studio space I can just leave everything and nobody cares. I can go and come back the next morning and easily pick up where I left off.

Pieces above from Dee Dee's Street Boutiques

On love:
My husband is Brazilian and a percussionist. He was touring in Germany and we were engaged 3 days later and have been married for 12 years now.

Was it love at first sight? I ask.
"It was... especially from him.  He knew that's what he wanted and I was like-'How could you be so sure.  You see me once and that's it?'  So, I was very open.  Because, if he feels like that, than there must be something there. 4 months later I packed my stuff up and moved to Brazil.  I didn't speak Portuguese and he didn't speak German.  Now, we both speak English.  He understands a lot of German and can put words together but it doesn't make any sense-it's just funny and our kids speak all three languages (English, Portuguese & German)

Cross Cultural Parenting:
Because we are different cultures we did a mixture of our own. I had more of the Latin style.  I wasn't crazy about schedules and getting my baby to sleep.  You sleep whenever you're tired. I'm a "Do whatever you feel" kind of parent.

Also, my husband is on tour a lot.  I understand what he's doing. I had that life when I was dancing and in a band.  You really have to trust each other.  Sometimes he's on tour for 2 months and he doesn't see his kids or me and I know it's hard.  At a certain point you just want to be with your family.  It's important to have the family spend time together but it should come automatically. We just go with the flow and don't try to pressure it because then it's not natural and its not fun. When it does happen naturally it's so much more fun for everybody. 

On raising kids in Brooklyn:
We love it!  At one point we moved back to Germany and we liked it but it was hard to live anywhere else after living in New York.  I can't even say why.  I can see myself one day living in Brazil having a bed and breakfast where tourists come but right now, New York is it.  I love Park Slope.  It feels safe here & we have so many friends here.

Naima & Joel

On Luck:
When we first moved to New York it was so expensive and eventually all my savings was gone.  Even a piece of cheese was too expensive. I became a server, which I had never done before. It was hard.  And we didn't know anybody.  We thought we should pack our stuff up and move back to Brazil or Germany.  Then, on a Sunday, we made the decision to buy our tickets to fly home the following day.  That evening Gilmar went to a jam session at the Bitter End.  We had just spent the last of our money to buy him a drum.  He said to me "I need this drum. I can't just go there with some shakers. I really want to show what I can do." Anyway,  he went to the jam session and the musical director for Enrique Iglesias was there and wanted to meet Gilmar afterward. At first we didn't believe he was the musical director but then he called the next day and wanted to have Gilmar play for Enrique and he got the job.  That's how we got to stay.

Fun Fact:
Dee Dee was once a part of a girl band called "The Funky Diamonds"  that sold a gold record in Japan.

Dee Dee in her studio space in Park Slope, Brooklyn

To learn more about Dee Dee's Street Boutique become a fan on Facebook and be sure to check her out at The Real Designers Market in Soho.  "I don't really plan anything.  I just create what I feel like.  The material inspires me to always create something new and different.  That's why my pieces are all one of a kind.  It is possible that you come see my stuff in 2 months and the style is totally different.  I like to keep it flowing, never stop.  I'm always on the move.  I love it!"  And we love it too! Do your thing girl, Bebe Birds loves ya!

From One Mama to Another-Meet Natalie

Natalie & her two daughters, Gisele & Charlotte

Meet Natalie Rooney, a mama, children's wear designer and former New Yorker now living in the South of France with her two daughters Gisele & Charlotte.  She's also the creator & designer behind the whimsical children's line Océane Manon, lounge wear for girls and babies with an old world charm.  

Océane Manon's cotton apron, $52 & cotton dress, $65, both at oceanemanon.com

Why we love her?

She inspires us!  She's a well traveled mama not afraid of taking chances.  About a year and a half ago she took a leap of faith moving her daughters 5 years and 10 years at the time from the Untied States to the South of France. "When it comes to dreams, I feel we must try to follow them in order to wake them into reality." 

Gisele's Time Out children's book, $25 at oceanemanon.com

On the Move: 

A long time believer that she would never leave Manhattan Natalie found inspiration after a trip to Florida and realized that " Living in Manhattan seemed to hold a lot of gravity and it felt like it was holding us within it's skyscrapers.  Once we moved out, living in the warm weather, near the beach, in a house rather than an apartment was a lot easier with a toddler.  We enjoyed breathing in the fresh air, noticing flowers, the stars at night, nature in general."

Then, a few years after the birth of her second daughter, Charlotte, Natalie decided to follow a life long dream to move to the south of France with her children while they were young enough to easily acquire a new language.  She goes on to explain, "Sometimes it feels like windows of opportunities come open, moments perhaps, and I worried we might let the chance go by and never do it.  So I made a push, I did lots of research for schools and different towns until I felt I found the right one, Uzès. I took a leap of faith and decided to try it for 3 months.  You see, 3 months was affordable enough without having to risk everything in case we didn't like it."  

Natalie's home in Uzès

Greatest joy since moving to France: 

"The biggest joy has by far has been hearing my kids speak French, not only with their friends shouting playfully during recess, but even little arguments between them in the back of the car! And being able to travel so easily.  We've already visited so many countries .

Gisele in Avignon

                                                           

Climbing ruins instead of monkey bars

Why we love Océane Manon? 

We simply love the sheer white cotton that make up many of Océane Manon's clothing.  We find it to be both dreamlike & charming. Each garment is hand stitched in India using techniques passed down from artisans who made clothing for the Rajas.  The fabric is called Khadi, and was made known to the world by Ghandi.  It is extremely light, but also strong.

Océane Manon's embroidered cotton lounge dress, $122, at oceanemanon.com 

Life in America vs. Life in France: 

• On Parenting: In France there is a strong sense of a united culture. It is a much older country and has a lot more history.  This creates a more unified culture with perhaps less differences than we are used to in the States.  France respects its traditions, the order of life, when to eat, how to eat, what to do in certain social situations, how to respond to common behaviors from children.  There is a lot less room for error within the framework - limits are already set.  A lot less guesswork.  You raise your kids not too differently from the way you were raised.  I find less imagination, less freedom, less open mindedness, less tolerance, fewer educational options, and a lot less thinking outside the box.  In America, particularly in New York, there are many varying ways to raise children.  We take it for granted that our neighbor has different rules about table manners or jumping on furniture, politeness, and so on.  I like the freedom to make my own rules as a parent, and to follow my maternal instinct.  All that being said, i do find French moms chic and sophisticated, and their children probably do have better manners than American kids.  And for sure the French kids outdo Americans in their wardrobe!
• On Food: The French have a lot of respect for food, there are certain ways and times to eat certain things. And no doubt about it, French kids eat all kinds of foods American kids would never even look at.  It seems to be adult food is given as early as possible.  Mixed up, with all the flavors, and certainly not with veggies on the side, separated from the pasta for example.  It would not surprise me to see a French 3 year old eating escargots.  I do have to admit I have seen New York kids eating sushi.  
• On Work:  "The town I'm in, Uzès is extremely creative.  The attitude towards work and money is much more casual than in New York.  That's actually an understatement.  They close down everything for 2 hours at lunch and are also less service or success oriented.  The customer is not always right here.  It is less motivating in terms of financial success, but helps to balance joie de vivre with work life."

Traveling with children: 

• Get a passport right away for everyone in the family and book a trip immediately.  One step at a time and you will eventually get to where you are going. 
•  Be more flexible with the baby's schedule and let them sleep on the go whenever they want.
•  Pack less clothing because traveling is not a fashion show. Plus, most places may have anything we might forget.
• Let the kids choose something fun to play with at the airport shop.
• Try to choose non-stop flights.
• Each kid gets her own carry-on and is responsible for pulling it around and not forgetting it somewhere.
•  Don't be afraid to let them sit on their own on the plane.  They are less needy and cranky seated next to strangers and do surprisingly well.
•  Let them eat junk food on the plane.  I used to pack fruit and carrots and stress about that.  When we travel I let them eat whatever they want till we arrive in the hotel.  The next day they know we have to eat salad, drink water, and clean up our insides a bit.  It is such a big relief to let go of anything I can when traveling.  
•  Skip activities with long lines.  Don't expect things to go smoothly or over schedule the day.  Sometimes a good activity is just getting a gelato in Italy and watching people go by while the kids chase pigeons.  They will remember that more than the museum visit.  You all probably will.

What's Next:
Our plans for the future are to move onwards and have a new european experience.  Starting in September, Océane Manon will be based out of England.  Nothing should change much regarding the business except for some adjustment in shipping.  You see, my two children are very different from one another, as with most siblings.  They will follow very diverging paths.  I've begun to question education so much that I wonder why certain information is chosen as the "right" information to teach kids, and why they each need to learn that same information.  I want to trust my childrens' interests and natural inclinations enough that it is reflected in what they learn, as well as how they learn it.  This nurturing of out of the box thinking is something I feel is not valued much in France, or at least is not something I found in any schools.  So, we are moving to a town in Devon, England.  It's also in the countryside, rural, but with progressive, forward thinking towns where we can find this kind of flexible education, organic markets, and open minds.  I'm looking forward to seeing the kids blossom when their schooling will allow for this kind of new growth.  It will also be fun to have a new adventure and meet new people.

Océane Manon's cotton jumper, $tk & Indian cotton towel, $53 at oceanemanon.com

Thank you Natalie!  Bebe Birds loves ya!  To get your little one these beautiful cotton pieces, perfect for summer visit Océane Manon. 

Changing the World One Outfit at a Time

Aspire to Inspire:  Fact-kids grow but clothes don't.  So, how does one solve such a dilema when little ones can grow up to 3 sizes in one year and do so in an ethically sustainable way? Enter's KinderStuff, an online children's retailer, where design's are cool & clothing is locally and ethically made.  Oh, and did I mention it's affordaable?  Seriously.  This Los Angeles based company is able to keep the prices down by simply eliminating the middleman and going directly from manufacturer to consumer giving KinderStuff the luxury of offering well made children's wear for under $23.  And, the most innovative idea behind KinderStuff is when your little one outgrows their KinderStuff clothing you are given the luxury of sending it back to KinderStuff free of charge and receiving a discount on your next purchase. Pretty awesome!

We got in touch with KinderStuff co-founder Rob Rebholz, to learn more about this new company and the inner workings of their ground breaking concepts!  Super excited to share:

Bebe Bird (BB):   Tell us about KinderStuff and how does it work?

KinderStuff (KS):  In a nutshell, KinderStuff is the worlds first web-only baby fashion brand that doesn't only create clothing but also takes it back once the toddlers have outgrown it.  We basically solve the problem that kids grow but clothes don't.

KinderStuff takes ethical fashion seriously.  All of our products are hip, organic and produced locally in the US & Germany.  We don't compromise on quality or construction becasue we believe every baby deserves the best we can provide for them.  But these premium products don't have to be expensive.  We keep costs down by selling online-only and direct-to-consumer.

Here's the kicker:  When kids outgrow our clothing, parents can send their used KinderStuff products back to the us-free of shipping charges and in return receive a discount on future pruchases.  Returned used clothing is then donated to charity, recycled or resold at a discount as 'Hand-Me-Down' in a separate section of our website.

BB:  I love the idea of KinderStuff!   What was the inspiration?

KS: When my co-founder Alex became a father, he realized that when it comes to dressing babies, parents face two major pain points that nobody really addresses:  So, we thought of a new way of consuming baby clothing.

First, premium kids fashion is really expensive.  This is due to all the middlemen involved, who take a share.  We have no fancy physical store, no wholesalers taking their cut, and no crazy brand markups.  By selling exclusively on the web, we can offer amazing baby clothes at great prices. Did you know that most premium baby clothing that you buy in stores is marked up 8x's by the time it reaches you?

Second, kids grow but clothes don't.  When babies outgrow our clothing, parents can send their used KinderStuff products back to us.  This benefits everybody involved and makes sure that clothing doesn't end up in the trash.  Did you know that the average American trashes nearly 65 pounds of textiles every year?

BB:  KinderStuff first launched in Germany a few months back  and more recently in the US. Do you have other markets you are looking to expand into? 

KS:  No, not for quite a while.  We're super excited to have finally launched in the US, which is something we planned to do from day one.  In fact, we consider ourselves an American brand, which is why we're currently setting up US manufacturing and are based in Los Angeles.  We get lots of inspiration from being in California, which you can clearly see in our designs and bold colors.

American and German parents are both increasingly looking for organic clothing that's hip yet affordable. We have worked very hard to create a brand that caters to this.  The great thing about American parents (especially moms) is that they are very well connected online and talk about stuff they like. We're super thankful for all the kind words and support we've gotten since we launched in the United States.

BB:  What are you hoping consumers of KinderStuff take away from the brand?

KS:  At KinderStuff, we want to help people consume less by creating baby clothing that lasts longer (and can be reused if sent back to us).  We believe that consumerism often leads people to focus on quantity over quality-with KinderStuff, we aim to reverse that trend via amazing high-quality products.

Besides that, we realize that low-cost country manufacturing doesn't adhere to very high standards .  Just because clothing is made from organic cotton doesn't mean that it's produced in an eco-friendly manner.  So, we decided to produce our clothing exclusively in Germany and the USA. That's how we can ensure that production meets the highest eco-standards and is made in a socially responsible manner.

BB:  That's fantastic!  I noticed that the US sizes go up to 24 months.  Will KinderStuff offer pieces for the bigger kids out there?

KS:  Yes, absolutely!  We're working on expanding the product portfolio to 6 years.  In fact, we're getting a lot of emails from parents who like our clothing but whose kids are too old for the current products. The feedback we're getting is great and helps us create even better products.

BB: What's the future of KinderStuff?

KS :  Besides products for bigger kids, we'll be adding products in the current age bracket (0-24 months).  However, instead of offering 20 options for a bodysuit, we try to make only the best in each category.  We do not outsource and we do not over produce.

How exciting!  This is truly an amazing development in the fashion world.  To be the first to learn about the cool developments at KinderStuff stay in touch via Facebook, Twitter (@KinderStuff) & /or Pinterest!  This brand is taking children's fashion to a whole new level.  And what better way to dress the one you care the most about then by dressing them in clothing that is most cared for.

To receive a 15% discount on your first KinderStuff Purchase please enter code GO-TEDDY324 when checking out.   And tell em' Bebe Bird sent 'cha!

Laugh! Rock! Play!

    Rock Star in the making! 

It comes as no surprise that one of the the coolest hang outs for toddler's happen to be located on the waterfront in Williamsburg, Brooklyn -home of the hip! Frolic!, a 5,000 square foot rock-n-roll themed membership based indoor play space that by definition means to play & move about excitedly, cheerfully or energetically which is exactly what you will witness when spending time in this enriching environment. Equipped with an authentic child friendly VW Bus decorated with shag rug to a lip & tongue slide inspired by the Rolling Stones graphic.  Rock is everywhere-from classes, play structures, birthday parties & day camps. And truth be told you may even catch Suri Cruise jamming out on the drum set when you first walk in.  Oh, and then there's a coffee lounge for parents who need a lil' recharge-which in my case is always needed appreciated now a days.

An Authentic VW Bus turned play structure

                             Bebe Bird takes the wheel in Frolic!'s VW Bus-Free Spirit!  

Frolic! began when two chic Williamsburg neighbors, Julia Dawson-a fashion designer & Carey Balogh-a luxury fashion publicist, became mamas. "When our boys were born there was no place really to go" Julia mentions.   "MamaLu's, which everybody loved, closed down."  Since Carey lived in a duplex she decided to transform her basement into a playroom and began hosting play dates. "My husband would come home and there would be strollers up and down the hallway" Balogh recalls.  During these play dates ideas would run rampant as classic rock blasted in the background.  One day Julia came to Balogh and said "I want to get out of fashion."  And Carey did too as she was pregnant with her second (her two boys are 18months apart).  "We knew somebody was going to start a play space in the area.  So, we took a leap of faith."

Bebe Birds (BB):  What was your inspiration for a rock-n-roll themed play space?

Frolic!-Carey: My husband is a concert production manager and we have pictures of Mick Jagger, Ozzy Osborne and signed memorabilia everywhere.  During those play dates the kids would play around on the guitars while listening to classic rock on the radio.  Everyone-parents, nannies & kids alike, would bond through music. There was such a great energy and vibe.  When Julia and I decided to open Frolic! we asked ourselves: "What's going to make us unique and special? What do we love?" The answers were simple-we love going to concerts, Julia at one point was going almost every week, and we love music and good coffee.  We wanted to create a space that was aesthetically pleasing for parents too.  A place for the whole family not just the kids.  We wanted a community.  That's why we made Frolic! membership based-to create this community.  Anyway, the rock-n-roll was a big inspiration and we wanted the kids to learn about rock.  It's also something everyone could relate to.

Lip & Tongue Slide inspired by the Rolling Stones 

BB:  Frolic!'s play structures are so fun and unique? How did you come up with their design?

Frolic! (Julia):  Well, we knew we really liked rock-n-roll but didn't want it to be another Hard Rock Cafe.  We wanted Frolic! to be very artsy and creative.  We thought, what gives you that feeling of freedom and rock-n-roll? A VW Bus! So, that was number one.  We wanted proprietary items. Things that no one could buy at the store. Things that were museum type quality.  Our number one was being in line with safety and quality.  We did a ton of research & went with the experts who already had a track record, Roto, a studio that worked with the children's museum's and science museum's in Manhattan.   They were able to give us the best materials.  We sent the bus to them and they turned an authentic VW bus into an interactive play structure using only the highest quality material & safety standards.  Every structure at Frolic! has a story.

BB:  Can you share the story behind the creation of  the interactive video wall ?

Frolic! (J):  For the video wall we asked ourselves again "What would you find in a museum? What could we call our own that would be Frolic! ?"  We found these video artists who created the graphics for us and the music and the whole technology around it.  These artists also exhibited at Moma. We  looked for top quality partners so that everything we offer is that special-'wow' factor!

               Frolic!'s one of a kind interactive video wall definitely possesses that "Wow" factor!

Carey Balogh on the left and Julia Dawson on the right owners/creators of Frolic! 

BB: Being the owners & creators of Frolic! must make you the coolest mamas on the block.  How do your sons feel about the play space? 

Frolic! (C): They love it!  They are there almost every single day. What we found is, Frolic! created a community for the kids. You know, kids are so social and they get to play with other kids here. They learn about sharing and they definitely get a lot out of it. Actually, when all of the 2 year old members started preschool this past fall so many parents came to us and said 'We just have to tell you, our kids had no separation anxiety.  They are so used to being around other kids.' You see, the kids all know each other from this community and have become really social, which is cool.

BB: Who are some of Frolic!'s most most memorable customers? 

Frolic! (C):  Well, we've had some celebrities such as Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise.  We've also had Kate Hudson and Matthew Bellamy.  They came for over 2 hours with their son Bing.  Then there's Jemima Kirke from the T.V. show Girls.  She also happens to be the daughter of Simon Kirke,  the drummer from Bad Company.  I'm actually not excited about Girls, I just love that there is this connection to this great classic rock band.  That's cool!

BB: Owning a cool rock-n-roll play space and having a love of rock who are your favorite children's rock band?

Frolic!: We actually have our own band, The Little Rock-Its by Frolic!. It is run by Tim Kubart from Tim and the Space Cadets.  The Little Rock-Its by Frolic! has 13 classes a week. There is a 3 piece band in every class. There could be a signer, guitarist, keyboardist and/or drummer.  We have our own album and every week is a different artist.  So, for example this week is Aerosmith.  They may play 3 to 4 Aerosmith covers in between the kids songs.  The parents love it too.  One week we had Paul Simon, the next Ray Charles and after that Stevie Wonder. In addition to our band and Tim and the Space Cadets we had the Not-Its from Seattle perform in our space. They are really good too.

BB: What are some of Frolic!'s future plans?

Frolic!: We just confirmed that on May 19th from 11am-2pm Frolic! will be hosting a Rock-n-Roll Carnival at Brooklyn Bowl with Mario the Magician.  There will be carnival activities for the kids, variety shows, jugglers and some special rock star guests will be making an appearance.  There will be some really top people but, I can't announce who it is quite yet.  Our goal is to create high end children's events that are enjoyable for kids and parents. At our Holiday concerts what we did that was different is create a mini stage in front so the kids could go up on the stage and rock out.  We really focus on every little detail to make this a memorable and comfortable experience for everyone.  Ticket's will go on sale at the end of March.  Check back with the Brooklyn Bowl roster to purchase your tickets.

We are also hosting a Summer Camp for children 3 to 5 years that run for 10 weeks. You can choose a 2 week minimum.  Every week has a different theme.  The kids will do arts and crafts, signing and dancing all based of the weekly rock-n-roll theme.

Finally, we are working on this really cool new vertical play structure that we will call either "Stairway to Eleven" or "Highway to Yell" for kids 3 and up.


BB: Super exciting! Before we finish, can you share some advice for those wanting to start their own business?

Frolic!: You have to be soooo passionate about whatever it is you decide to do.  It takes a lot of sacrifices and something you really have to want. You can't just go in half way.  For example, we didn't know how we were going to find the backing for Frolic!.  We we were trying to figure out how we were going to finance this.  But it was something we were so passionate about that we put it out there and knew the stars would align.  We told everyone we knew and people introduced us to people.  And you know, the best advice we were given is to simply follow up when people say "you should meet my friend so and so." Don't dismiss it!  We followed up with every single person.  So, take every single lead and go for it!  Get out there! Meet as many people as possible.  That's how we found our investors and lawyers and partners.  If you really want it, it will happen!

Nina Bird hits the stage

One evening when Frolic! was closed, the two entrepreneurs were lying on the floor looking up brainstorming the new vertical play structure while rock music was playing in the background.  Julia and Carey were busy sharing new ideas and inspirations.  It was a surreal moment, Balogh reveals, when she stopped and looked around and thought "This is great! There we were just visualizing in this space.  And everyone, Julia & I & the set designers, were all really excited while creating." And I guess that's the beauty of taking that leap of faith & owning your own business.  You have the opportunity to bring the extraordinary to kids where they have freedom to laugh, rock and play daily! Kudos Frolic! Bebe Birds loves ya!  To learn more about becoming a Frolic! member visit them here.