Christine Knight

Christine is the editor of Adventure, Baby!

Bills at Bondi: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Bondi, Sydney

November 20, 2014 / Bondi, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

When you want hotcakes, you go to Bills. With the newest Bills recently opening in Bondi, you can now get a top brunch before pigging out on your Gelato Messina which is next door.

What I really enjoy about Bills is happy and easy-going vibe. Despite rocking up with a 3-year-old who insisted she did not want lunch at all, we were swiftly shown to a table and a friendly staff member quickly brought coloured pencils and paper for our lunch-hating child to enjoy. The colouring page they brought us was especially produced by Bills to entertain kids, with an intricate design that kept E busy for whole minutes (this is actually a good thing, believe it or not).

The very friendly staff remarked on several occasions how well behaved (!!) she was, and also how adorable (ok, I can see that), making us feel relaxed and welcome.

We ordered the Scrambled Eggs and Sourdough, $14.50, with additional sides of bacon, tomato and mushroom, a side of fries, and the famous Ricotta Hotcakes, $19. The scrambled eggs were really delicious. My husband’s only complaint was that the butter was delivered cold and hard, making it difficult to spread. My hotcakes were moist, light and fluffy, with huge pieces of banana hidden underneath. They were so delicious that even the child wanted some, and devoured a large portion all on her own.

Bills Bondi
79 Hall St,
Bondi Beach NSW 2026
Ph: (02) 8412 0700
Prices: $$$
Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat & Sun 7:30am-10pm
Get Directions

7AM Enfant Le Sac igloo & WarMMuffs Giveaway

November 20, 2014 / Family, Giveaways, Kids / 34 Comments

A special giveaway for US readers this week from the wonderful peeps at 7AM Enfant.

One lucky reader will win a Le Sac igloo and matching set of WarmMuffs in the colour of their choice, just in time for the next polar vortex.

The Le Sac igloo is designed to keep babies warm in strollers and carseats. It features a five-point harness opening, a soft, faux fur hood that zips down to lie flat on a stroller or car-seat, and a water-repellent shell to protect children from snow, rain, and wind. For warmer outdoor temperatures, the snapped fleece blanket can be removed and the lightweight cotton lining can be used independently. The 7AM Enfant Le Sac igloo retails for $115 USD.

And for your strolling pleasure, we are also offering a matching set of WarMMuffs. These cozy hand-warmers attach to any bar or handles, keeping your hands toasty while making it easy to hand out snacks and retrieve thrown toys. The WarMMuffs’ hook and loop fasteners allow for easy attachment to strollers, shopping carts and more. The 7AM Enfant WarMMuffs retail for $38 USD.

Enter The Giveaway!

To be in the running to win your own matching set of 7AM Enfant Le Sac igloo and matching WarMMuffs, simply sign up to the Adventure, Baby! and 7AM Enfant mailing lists below, then leave a comment at the end of the post to let me know. If you’ve already signed up for both, just leave a comment saying you’re already receiving both newsletters to go in the running.

Giveaway is open Thursday November 20th 12am to Wednesday November 26, 11:59am. Entry open to US mailing addresses only. By entering the giveaway, you are agreeing to the terms and conditions listed here.

[wysija_form id=”2″]

STEP 2
Sign up for the 7AM Enfant mailing list HERE.

STEP 3
Leave a comment letting me know you’ve signed up for both mailing lists (if you’ve already signed up previously, that’s fine!).

What Dads Do When No-one’s Watching

November 18, 2014 / Cheese, Family, Kids / 12 Comments

I’m feeling a little sentimental today. Alec has been away for a loooooong 9 days, and Cheese and I are missing him dreadfully. As well as missing my regular sparing partner/child-washer/bedtime drill sergeant and all around wonder-dad, I’m missing having someone to talk to at night when Cheese is asleep. I’ve really noticed while he’s been gone all of the little things he usually does around the house to make my life easier, particularly at bedtime with Cheese.

So here is a look at what this dad in particular gets up to when he thinks no-one is watching – but I am, in fact, not only watching, I’m noticing the patience, love and devotion he puts into his family.

What do you love to see your partner doing with the kids when he thinks no-one is watching?

Nan’s Place; Kid-Friendly Cafes, Zetland

November 18, 2014 / Eastern Suburbs, Sydney Food, Zetland / 0 comment

CLOSED ———————–

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

I just moved into our new place in the inner Eastern Suburbs, and discovered the (also new to the ‘hood) Nan’s Place in Zetland. This cute little cafe is certain to be our new regular hangout. I really appreciated how sweet the staff were when I arrived one afternoon with a friend, her 3-month-old and my 3-year-old in tow.

We had a lovely window seat, which meant I could sit on the end and stop Miss E from escaping. E really enjoyed looking out the window behind us and waving to the people trying to eat their lunch.

The babyccino was a choice of a tiny takeaway cup or glass.

For our meals, I ordered myself the Nutella Filled French Toast ($7), and E the Vegemite and Two Cheese Toastie ($7.50). My dining companion ordered the Poached Organic Hens Eggs ($10) with Caramlised Fennel and Confit Garlic Hash and House Hot Sauce ($5).

Our food arrived quickly, and was all well-cooked. My French toast was decadently perfect, and E’s Vegemite toastie was absolutely delicious. Lucky for me she only ate half, so I was able to sample some of her meal too.

Nan’s Place has a new menu coming in the next few weeks, and will be opening up an outdoor garden eating area too. We will definitely be back to try the outdoor garden space.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: Yes (outside).
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Nan’s Place
2a Portman St,
Zetland, NSW
Phone: (02) 8084 0731
Hours: Tue-Fri 6:30am-3:30pm, Sat 8am-3pm, Sun 9am-2pm

Black Star Pastry and Cafe: Kid-Friendly Cafes, Newtown

November 11, 2014 / Inner West, Newtown, Sydney Food / 0 comment

When my Instagram feed became full of images of amazing looking cakes from Black Star Pastry, I put the cafe on my must-do-soon list. And voila, a week or so later, I had the opportunity to drop by the Newtown Black Star to try their famous food for myself.

A little back story: Black Star Pastry was opened in October 2008 by chef Christopher Thé. His focus on baking the perfect (edible) moment and giving people the ability to share it with others has given him a cult following among dessert lovers in Sydney.

The Newtown cafe is tiny and better suited to takeaway. If you visit during the week you are likely to score a cosy window seat. Weekends, however, the queue is out the door.

While the cafe sells a variety of pastries and cakes, the star dish is the Strawberry and Watermelon cake. You can buy it buy the slice for $7, or an entire slab of it to take to a party. The cake is light and fluffy, with a crunch of fresh sweetness given by the slice of watermelon in the middle of the cake.

We also ordered the croissants, which are giant and a bit on the pricey side, but are extremely delicious – light, fresh, flaky goodness.

If you’re visiting with kids, I’d advise dropping by for takeaway and then walking a block back down the street to the playground in the Camperdown Memorial Rest Park.

Highchairs: No.
Stroller storage: No.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: No.

Black Star Pastry and Cafe
277 Australia St,
Newtown, NSW
Phone: (02) 9557 8656
Prices: $
Hours: Daily 7am-5pm
Get Directions

Christmas Gift Guide For Preschool Girls

November 10, 2014 / Family, Kids, Shopping / 10 Comments

How is it possible that Christmas is upon us already? I’m actually really excited for Christmas this year as Missy E is finally the right age to “get” it, so if her excitement over Halloween was anything to go by, she is going to be out of her mind with anticipation for the big event of the year.

It’s only been lately that Missy E has started to ask for things that she wants, too, so I’m excited to be able to get her a few things that her tiny, enthusiastic heart desires. If you have a princess and pink loving little girl at home or in the family to buy for, here are a few things little Miss E would very much like for Christmas this year.

LeapFrog Fridge Phonics
These magnetic letters attached to the fridge and play the sounds of the letters when you put the letters in the bus. It also plays songs like Wheels On The Bus and ABCs. Great for teaching early vocabulary. (RRP $29.95 AUD)

Smiggle Goodies
Every kid who is headed to daycare or school needs an adorable backpack. The Konnichiwa backpack (RRP $44.95) from Smiggle one is great for day trips as well – it’s a fantastic size to throw in everything little kids need, with lots of compartments for putting things like wipes, extra clothes and toys in so they won’t get lost. Bonus: the adorable kitty design is fun and girly without being too “baby” for E. I also love the Smiggle media pouch (RRP $14.95), keyring mirror (RRP $7.95) and double-decker lunchbox (RRP $24.95).

Cabbage Patch Kids Twinkle Toes
I loved my CPKs when I was little so it’s really cool to see Miss E enjoying them too. This particular model is so cute, with replica Skechers shoes that light up. The CPK range is great as they’re not too pricey but are fantastic quality. (RRP $89.99 AUD)

Anna and Elsa Singing Dolls
Missy E’s life is all about princesses, particularly Anna and Elsa. These singing dolls would blow her mind. (RRP $39.95 USD each)

Madeline Tea Set
E loves playing pretend tea parties of late, and this 24-piece set is just adorable. Each piece is illustrated with characters and scenes from the Madeline series. The set includes a tray, teapot, four cups, saucers, plates, spoons and napkins, plus a tablecloth, in a cute little carry box. We will be taking our tea party on the road with this one. (RRP $35 USD)

Kinetic Sand
Sand play without the mess. Kinetic Sand is 98% sand and 2% magic, where the ‘magic’ a bonding agent that causes the sand to stick only to itself in a soft clump. (RRP $29.95 AUD)

Disney Princess Magiclip
E is obsessed with the magiclip toys. She already has an Anna and Elsa magiclip and she plays with them obsessively. When she saw this princess set with Rapunzel, Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Tiana, she flipped out. The dresses clip on and off and can be switched between the dolls. Literally hours of entertainment here. (RRP $39.95 USD)

Rapunzel Tower Play Set – Tangled
Like most three-year-olds, Missy E is really into doll sets and doll houses. She’s been begging for this one for a while now and even I have to admit it’s pretty cute and looks like it wouldn’t take up too much space. (RRP $49.95)

Farm Duplo
A huge set of lego with plenty of bricks for building (unlike a lot of small sets which are limited in terms of the general bricks included). Included are cute characters like cows and farmers. ($89.95 AUD)

Olaf Pillow Pet
This is a double-whammy toy favourite – it’s Olaf, so, duh, and it’s a pillow that folds into a toy. An instant hit with the preschool set. (RRP $34.99)

What do your kid want for Christmas this year?

Collette Dinnigan & The Australian Ballet For Target Collection

November 4, 2014 / Shopping / 0 comment

I don’t usually do fashion posts, but I am in LOVE with this new ballet collection for little girls from Target. Collette Dinnigan has once again created a gorgeous line of tutu-inspired dresses (and a skirt!) with The Australian Ballet, selling exclusively through Target.

Little E is obsessed with wearing ballet outfits, and she is going to loose her mind with these gorgeous dresses. I just wish they came in my size too!

What do you think of the collection? Does your daughter love to dress up in ballet oufits, too?

Images from here.

Photography Tip: Get Better Photos By Taking More

November 4, 2014 / Family, Kids, Photography / 4 Comments

Today’s photography tip is something that is super simple and yet is often how I get my best photographs.

Just take more photos. That’s it. And I don’t mean take more photos every day in general, I mean when you’re trying to capture a memory in a single moment in time, just keep your finger on the shutter and keep taking photos.

The photographs that you’ll end up loving the most of your family in particular, are those that are candid and show you all just having a blast. These photographs can’t be posed, and, when you’re working with small children (or unwilling participants, not naming any names, Husband), the only way to get natural photos that show everyone basically having a good time is to set up the shot, and keep on shooting.

Shoot 50 frames, or 100, if you need to. You’ll end up discarding about 90-95% of the photos, which is fine (hooray digital photography!) but all you’re after is just one, single, great photo that reflects how wonderful that moment in time was.

I pulled together some outtakes below to show you a typical photo sequence of little Missy E. She loathes photographs in general, so I try and make her laugh at me, tell her silly things so she finds it all entertaining instead of a chore. If you watch her face as the photos progress, there’s a great mix of wacky faces, and then, at the end, a single great frame with a huge, natural smile on her face.

Technical tip: You want the camera to be shooting quite fast to capture crisp images with no motion blur (particularly with facial expressions). The easiest way to get this is by shooting in bright, natural light. If you’re using an SLR, set the ISO a bit higher to make the camera more sensitive to the light (I usually set mine around 400-500). This helps the camera capture the images faster.

Are you trying to take better photos? What would you like more tips on?

Sculpture By The Sea, Bondi

November 3, 2014 / Sydney, Sydney Life / 8 Comments

Sculpture By The Sea is always a highlight on the Sydney calendar. Not only is it a fantastic day out at the beach, checking out gorgeous sculptures, it also signifies that summer is just around the corner.

Every year, over 100 sculptures are put on display along the iconic coastal walkway between Bondi and Tamarama beaches. The exhibition is free and the sculptures are marked with either “do not touch” or “be gentle”, or encourage the public to experience them interactively. While the exhibition is very kid-friendly, the crowds on weekends and big stairs make it a bit stroller-prohibitive, so bring a carrier and be prepared to carry toddlers to keep them safe if you go on a busy day.

This was the first year that I’d taken Missy E, however, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. While I’ve taken her to a lot of art galleries and exhibitions in the past, we haven’t gone to see anything not specifically kid-focussed in a while. Miss E actually blew us away with how into the sculptures she was. She loved that we had to hunt for each art work, and took a lot of joy in being the first to spot each new piece. She ran up to each one and touched it (when possible), taking her time looking at the details in each piece, before declaring she was done and ready to look for the next sculpture. She also enjoyed running in front of the big groups of people trying to take photos of the sculptures and posing for them like she was a star in front of the paparazzi. Lucky she’s so cute.

The exhibition this year was beautiful, inspiring, unexpected and entertaining. Take a look at the photos below for our Sculpture By The Sea highlights.

Does your child like art? I’d love to hear about how you share a love of art with your family.

Sculpture By The Sea runs until November 9, 2014.

Halloween in Sydney

November 1, 2014 / Family, Kids, Outdoor Play, Sydney, Sydney Life / 4 Comments

The past three Halloweens we’ve been in New York, so this was our first Halloween experience in Sydney with little missy E. While we’d been away, the Halloween tradition really spread with a vengeance. A dear friend invited us to spend Halloween with her family, so we eagerly drove up to the leafy North Shore area to trick or treat with friends.

The big question is always who or what to dress up as. E is hugely into Disney princesses and changed into Cinderella and Anna outfits before settling on Tinkerbell.

The day before Halloween, a flyer was placed in mailboxes with a black balloon, letting residents know that trick or treating would be happening the following afternoon. Anyone who wanted to participate was asked to tie the blown up balloon to their mailbox. The kids very excitedly ran up and down the streets on the look out for the next balloon.

On Halloween day in Sydney, the weather was a sweaty 30 plus degrees, making for some hot and thirsty work. With daylight savings already having started, the afternoon was super bright even after 6pm, when we decided to call it quits and take our sugar-high kids on home.

How was your Halloween? Did you go trick or treating?