Hello September! As the school bells chime once more and life’s rhythm shifts, the outdoors shifts from warm summer afternoons to crisp, cool mornings, we find ourselves looking ahead and embracing a new (school) year.
From nostalgic getaways and theatre trips to cosy home-cooked feasts and thoughtful planning for October and beyond, the mums at Citizen Enfants are all about launching the new school term with creativity, warmth, and inspiration. Here’s how we’re embracing this new season.
Sheena Bhattessa, Founder
WEAR I love autumn dressing for kids, so I bought this very sweet cape from La Coqueta as well as a smart pink one for my daughter. READ After a couple months off school and my son starting nursery, I’ve been reading them The Invisible String every night. PLAN AHEAD With no travel this summer, I am raring to go on some exciting adventures as a family of 5. Chester Zoo staying close to home, as well as Canouan for the October break. The beach, plenty of activities, Pirates of Canouan Kids & Teens Club (and hopefully a little well-earned spa time for me). VISIT Hertfordshire Zoo has the World of Dinosaurs and they’ve just had some baby dinosaurs, so I’d say a trip is on the cards this month to meet them. RUN AROUND IN For plenty of muddy outdoors and fun at school, I want to ensure the kids are comfortable and Vivo Barefoot does the best shoes for kids (if you can get your hands on a pair). WATCH As an avid theatre fan with my kids, we will be watching We’re Going on a Bear Hunt at Little Angel Theatre.
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Morag Turner, Contributing Editor
COOK September is a bittersweet month. I love the autumn, but I also really miss my kids when they go back to school after the long summer holidays, so I’m throwing myself into making delicious, healthy family meals for them. For that I turn to my trusty Mary Berry cookbooks. If it’s a hearty casserole or a yummy crumble that you’re after then these classic books are your best bet for recipes that kids will love. PLAN I’ve ordered a hardback family planner to replace the endless spreadsheets pinned to the fridge. It’s going to live in the kitchen to keep me on top of all the details of five people’s very busy lives. With a cover that says ‘Organised Chaos’, its quite apt for what life is like in our house! SHOP The only thing more fun than adding to my own autumn wardrobe is shopping for my kids. I’ll be getting my youngest son this gorgeous sweater and these cool high tops. BOOK If you haven’t got a ski trip booked for this winter then it’s time to get your skates on. Lech is my favourite place to hit the slopes and the newly renovated Hotel Kristberg is the ideal place for a family stay. SEE I can’t wait to take my little nephew to see the new Paddington The Musical later this year. ORDER It’s never to early to talk about Christmas (or shop for it!) in my book! So I was thrilled to see the delightful new Biscuiteers x Sophie Allport limited edition advent calendar is now available. I’ll hide it away till the morning of December 1st to surprise my kiddos!
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Rachel Story, Style & Commerce Director
WATCH I’m hoping to catch Julia Donaldson’s The Smeds and The Smoos on stage at London’s Lyric Theatre before it finishes for the season this week. It’s one of our favourite bedtime stories, with a lovely message about how different cultures and the way we look should never be something that separates us. VISIT We’re really close to Legoland, but haven’t taken our little one yet. He’s now at an age where he would love it and I’m keen to see the refreshed ‘Miniland London’ with newly added LEGO landmarks including City Hall, The Cheesegrater and The Gherkin – all rebuilt from over 2 million bricks. DO With model villages in mind, Bekonscott in Beaconsfield is a charming must-see for kids and adults alike. It’s the world’s oldest surviving model village, showcasing life in 1930’s England, and was even visited by the Queen when she was a little girl. More recently, it was the location for Loewe’s AW24 campaign shot by Juergen Teller starring Kit Connor, Dan Levy and Sophie Wilde, to name a few. BUY I’ve recently spotted Annika Reed wallpaper and fallen hard for her playful children’s wallpaper, the circus print is perfect for a room makeover that I’m planning for my little one and his move to a big boy bed! EAT As a carb-lover, I’m trying to think more consciously about my protein intake and switch up the rotation of meals we eat – that’s where The Mindful Chef is going to step in.
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CELEBRATE We have two birthdays to celebrate this month so I am in party planning mode. I am using This is Bash to provide all the entertainment – super fun and upbeat entertainers for all ages. BUY Tonies have just released their new innovation in a much anticipated follow up to the current offering. Super interactive, engaging and great for developing young minds that love stories. The Tonie Box 2 will certainly be making its way into our house! DO World Clean Up Day – we got bored of seeing all the rubbish in and around Battersea Park so my daughters and I are organising a clean up on 20th September, World Clean Up Day. We are very excited to get all of our friends together and to do our bit for the local community. BOOK I am taking my 7 year old to the Cartier exhibition at the V&A to marvel at all the gems together. I have already been but wanted to go back with my daughter. CREATE After every holiday I now make a habit of creating a photo album with snap fish. You just upload all the photos and they do the rest. Finally means the photos do not just stay on my phone!
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Ella Alexander, Fashion Features Director
VISIT My son has loved Miffy ever since a family friend gave him one of the stuffed toys when he was a baby, so we’ll be paying a visit to Miffy at Bankside, an immersive installation in which fans can step into the world of the iconic character. DO I was recently tipped off about The Postal Museum’s Mail Rail, a small train that runs underground originally designed to transport mail. It’s on our family to-do list this month. BUY As autumn sets in, I’m on the lookout for a navy duffle to replace my son’s old coat, which is sadly now too small. If, like me, you want to dress your child like Paddington Bear, the best (and most economic) options I’ve found are on Vinted. EAT My foodie brother recently introduced me to Cafe Mondo in Camberwell, which was recently crowned the best sandwich place in London. Although popular with a cool twenty-something crowd, we tried and tested with the toddler, who loved it. There’s a small terrace out the back, or – if that’s busy – order to go, and feast in Lucas Gardens, a small park a few minutes away.
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