My Bare Knees Boy

Blondie Boy was invited to two weddings this month and I knew straight away I wanted him to wear a kilt. I started looking but they were either really poorly made or really expensive and I was getting frustrated until I found Bare Knees.

Libby, the kiltmaker and owner of Bare Knees was a solicitor but after having two wee boys, works from home making and selling custom made kilts. She originally started out intending to make adult kilts (and still does), but has found the demand is much higher for baby and toddler kilts.

Baby kilts are attached to a short sleeved onesie/vest and wraps around just like an adult kilt, but attaches with poppers rather than buckles. The kilts are made from proper tartan fabric (not printed cotton like some cheap baby velcro kilts) and are pleated perfectly in the back. Bareknees also makes makes and hires out toddler kilt packages.

Blondie Boy wore his kilt to a wedding in Edinburgh last Saturday and I can not tell you how many guests came up, commented on how cute he looked and asked where we got it. I loved seeing both my boys looking so handsome together in kilts.

My only critique would be that it would be nice if somehow the onesie could detach (it's sewn on to the back of the kilt) and be washed, but I'm no seamstress so I have no idea if such a thing is possible. Blondie Boy managed to have a bottle without spilling all over it, but I as babies tend to be messy, I think we got lucky. I plan on very carefully handwashing just the onesie (keeping the kilt out of the sink) if it starts to look a bit dirty.

I can't wait for him to wear it again this weekend! If you are in the market for a baby or child's kilt contact Libby at Bare Knees; most tartans are available and she even does a buy-back scheme so when your baby has outgrown their kilt, you can still keep them looking stylish! I can't recommend her enough!

Blondie received this product to review.

Save our Sleep!

STTN-it's what every new Mommy dreams of, right? It's what gets you through those early days of middle of the night feeds, one day, one glorious day they will sleep through the night.


Well it doesn't just happen that easy for everyone. We've been lucky so far that Blondie Boy started sleeping through the night as soon as we moved him into his own room. I know a lot of people though that aren't so lucky. If you aren't so lucky there are lots of books to turn to for advice.


I recently received a copy of "Save our Sleep" by Tizzie Hall. At first I thought, there wouldn't be much for us, but the book is way more than just sleep schedules. There is lots of information on weaning, including recipes and schedules as well.


I particularly found the information on travelling with a baby helpful. We're about to take a long trip and there is lots of helpful information on travelling, as well as helping the baby adjust when in a new timezone.


Are there any books that you've found particularly helpful for parenting advice? Do you have any top tips of your own?

Designer Discounts in the East End

I have a thing for cute baby clothes. I'm not talking about teddy bears or fluffy bunny cute, no I'm talking about baby clothes that fashionable and funky. I love dressing Blondie Boy in jeans and shirts and other stylish duds. What I don't love is paying a lot of money for something that is likely only going to fit him for a few weeks.

Cue Next Clearance; clothes that have been on sale at a higher price in Next stores or the catalog for 28 days or more. You'll get the best sale prices on things that are out of season, but they often have seasonal clothing, too.

I got Blondie Boy these two shirt and tie combinations for a grand total of £10! That's a savings of £16- SCORE! They are a size bigger than what he is wearing now, but I can't wait for him to wear them!

Next Clearance is located at Parkhead Forge Retail Park. They also carry men and women's clothing as well as home products.

Bounce & Rhyme at the Bridge

Blondie Boy and I decided to go check out Bounce and Rhyme Time at The Bridge. Blondie Boy loves reading and singing so it seemed like a perfect fit! Plus it's free and was only a mile and a bit walk from our house.

There were lots of other Mommies and babies as well as some older toddlers and children, too. The session started with a "Hello" song to all the babies and then worked it's way through lots of nursery rhymes; the older children got to request their favorite songs.

Unfortunately for Blondie Boy I couldn't sing along to most of the songs-- some of them I'd never heard in my life (Wind the Bobbin up), some had different tunes (Baa Baa Black Sheep) and some had different words (Wheels on the Bus).

However, Blondie Boy seemed to enjoy himself and I was surprised that a 15 week old sat through the entire session without any fuss. He even attempted to play a musical instrument (a jingly-jangly rattle thing). After all the songs the older kids had a story read to them, which they seemed to enjoy.

I think we'll try it again, but maybe bring Dad next time since he'll be able to sing along!