Back to school planning? It never comes to an end, from October half term getaways (we’ve got you sorted) to weekend activities (again, we’ve got you sorted).
Budding chefs and photographers can have this in their back pocket, and if babies are baking, this pram brand is taking pushchairs to new heights for stylish rides for little ones. Plus, French girl chic for your petit fashionistas. This is what we’re loving this September.
STAY HERE Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor
A long-time European summer favourite debuts its new Four Seasons experience. And while summer is over, we’re not over it. Opening for its inaugural season, there couldn’t be a better season to visit the property. Set on a vast private estate with restored gardens, seaside woodlands, rugged cliffs and secret beaches, the hotel has quite the history, having been through various hands and hosted several names (including Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier of Monaco, and where the designer Jean Patou first created her iconic palazzo trousers, also known as Formentor pants). The experience begins from the minute you land as Four Seasons guests’ are picked up with a limousine service from the island’s international airport to Port de Pollensa. There, guests will board a luxurious Axopar 37 for the final and most picturesque leg of the journey taken by sea, disembarking on the Hotel’s private pier. On arrival, you’ll find ultimate relaxation and the height of excitement perfectly blended for families, from hiking to biking to snorkelling. Imagine hiking through the peninsula’s forests with a biologist who knows the ecosystem, or, spending time with a marine biologist for a guided snorkelling tour of underwater gardens. For younger guests, Kids For All Seasons is a complimentary, fully-supervised program for children with activities that encourage creativity, learning and a whole lot of fun. Next year, a dedicated teen centre will also open, inviting young adults for games, activities and socialising. With 110 bedrooms (all overlooking the sea and the lush pine trees that reach down to the white sand), several gastronomic offerings, swimming pools, yoga spaces and tennis courts, you won’t want to leave the property.
WEAR THIS Petit Sézane
French girl favourite Sézane has kicked off the new season with its first foray into childrenswear. Aptly named Petit Sézane, the collection features ready-to-wear, knitwear, shoes and accessories for little ones aged up to 12, as well as lifestyle essentials from canvas bags to water bottles and key rings. Now you have ample matching opportunities with cosy jumpers, cute logo tees and winter coats, plus, sweet printed dresses, pleated skirts, causal dungarees and more. Favourites include the Juliette skirt with ruffled cross-over straps, the olive green Colombe blouse and the collection of corduroy trousers. Chic French fashion without an exorbitant price tag? Et, voila! Bonjour petit fashionistas, there’s a chic French-girl outfit waiting for your little one.
BOOK THIS Petit Pavyllon Children’s Cooking Class
Mini-masterchefs, this one’s for you. Michelin-starred restaurant Pavyllon London is partnering with the popular En Cuisine Cooking School to launch a new Petit Pavyllon series – ideal for budding young chefs. Welcoming for the whole family, the special culinary experience includes lunch at Pavyllon London for adults while children enjoy a private cookery class, complete with a chef’s hat, apron and spectacular dishes to take home. Starting on 15th September and running on the third Sunday of each month until January 2025, children will enjoy a 90-minute cookery experience learning everything from essential kitchen techniques to crafting restaurant quality dishes from a range of cuisines, including French gastronomy, creating a main course and a dessert. During this time, parents will enjoy the restaurant’s popular four-course “Lunch in 55” menu, with dishes from multi-Michelin-starred French chef Yannick Alléno. The pièce de résistance? Mini master chefs will proudly present their fine dining creations to their loved ones at the iconic Pavyllon counter at the end of the class. Dressed in their very own chef’s hat and apron, standing alongside the Pavyllon team, it’s the perfect moment to end an unforgettable day out in Mayfair.
USE THIS Bugaboo Fox 5 Noir Limited Edition
Pioneering parenting brand Bugaboo have been leaders in pushchairs since their launch 25 years ago – their Scandinavian minimalism and high tech design a favourite for parents not wanting to compromise on style and durability. The brand’s latest exclusive launch celebrates their best ride ever, the Bugaboo Fox 5, in a reimagined design that takes their all-terrain pushchair to new heights. The Nior Limited Edition collection has been given a stylish new identity, elevated in three nightfall-inspired shades – Midnight Green, Amber Glow and Black Moonlight. Sleep-inducing quilted fabrics line the bassinet, antibacterial technology offers extra protection, and the exclusive Comfort Knit seat helps to regulate your little one’s temperature. The extra-large underseat basket has a new built-in cover for extra protection for baby essentials and there’s exclusive matching accessories for the full package – the Bugaboo footmuff perfect for keeping your little ones snug in cooler weather. – Gemma Louise Deeks
GIFT THIS Retro Camera
Budding chefs to budding photographers, with some added playfulness. Gift this to little ones to have plenty of fun on their weekend escapes and upcoming travels. Taking excellent pictures on our phones is fun, but there’s something magical about the old-school instant camera, plus seeing a picture print immediately! The Photo Creator Retro Instant Camera is a blend of nostalgic charm combined with modern innovation so children can add their own creative input to their pictures. It packs both front and rear-facing cameras, a selection of built-in filter effects, fun and engaging sound effects to add another layer of excitement to the photography experience, keeping young minds captivated. and it can even record video. The photos and prints are saved to a microSD card – a 4GB card is included – and can be easily transferred and saved to a computer. What sets the Photo Creator apart is its built-in, ink-free thermal printer. Unlike more traditional instant cameras, the Photo Creator prints onto rolls of paper, rather than sheets of film. While this limits the camera to contrasty, black-and-white prints, the paper prints can then be coloured in, adorned with stickers, glued into scrapbooks or shared with friends. Much more fun! It’s never too early to start making their own memories.
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