The Bump and Baby Expo 2019
At the beginning of the month, we were kindly invited by Kate from Avocado Events to attend the Bump and Baby Expo in York. The Bump and Baby Expo’s bring together businesses from the local area, to showcase all things baby related. When we were invited, we debated whether to make the long drive up to York. We are SO glad we did! However, I was incredibly nervous before hand, even on the day of the Expo I was bricking it. The only thing keeping me relatively calm, was that I was finally going to meet long-term internet friend Caitylis in person!
The event was held at the beautiful York racecourse in The Knavesmire Stand. If you are driving there using a SatNav be warned, It likes to take you around the back of the course and then say ” park here and walk to your location”. Basically telling you to walk across the entire race course. I wouldn’t advise that unless you’re OK with a bit of a walk across a giant field! It is sign posted as you get closer, so I’d recommend you follow them. Also, there is free parking which is a added bonus!
We met Caitylis, her fiancé Brad and their little boy Theodore at the entrance. Thanks to SatNav, we were a little late! I was greeted by the wonderful Kate, Handed a goody bag FULL with exciting gifts that I couldn’t wait to have a look at and given a brief run down of how the day was going to go. I was given my lanyard and we were good to go. Walking in there were so many stalls to explore and businesses to discover and talk to.
Finn and Sam
The first Business is one called Finn and Sam. They had everything ranging from clothes, to toys, teethes and more!
“Finn and Sam brings together beautiful brands, most who focus on producing organic and responsibly sourced baby clothes, accessories, shoes and changing bags whilst maintaining comfort, individual style and amazing colour.”
Finn and Sam source products from small independent British businesses (a lot started up by mums on maternity leave) to larger companies all across the world. I had my eye on so many things and if given the chance, I would have bought it all. Caitylis bought Theodore a gorgeous pair of zebra leggings that he totally rocks and I got Molly a beautifully knitted pink dinosaur that she is now completely obsessed with!
Made By Moon Flower
Next up is a independent business called Made by Moon Flower run by the lovely Charlotte. Moon flower specialises in unique handmade items of clothing that feature the most wonderfully quirky Geometric Patterns. From leggings and shirts to Harem trousers and rompers. All made to order and the perfect addition to any little ones wardrobe!
As well as embracing my love of all things colourful, my Moonflower Adventure will allow me to explore unique fabric patterns, and I will be offering garments for your own individual style made from exclusively designed fabrics that reflect my love of Engineering, Natural Sciences, and Quirky Geometric Patterns.
Also, the best thing about Charlotte is that she is incredibly aware of the environment and uses the cut out part from the crotch of her pieces to make reusable make-up wipes. All in the same funky patterns and Eco-friendly. LOVE!
Ethical Apothecary
If you know me or have been following the blog for a while, you’ll know that I am extremely passionate about living the most sustainable life that I can. We are a Vegan/Plant based family who strive to live as low waste and plastic free as possible. So, when Caitylis called me over to this stall, I could have cried with happiness.
Ethical Apothecary is a clean and well being lifestyle boutique run by a lovely pair called Mel and Sam. They are very passionate about all things health and wellness and realised the restricted availability of Natural, Organic, Vegan beauty products in one easy location. With over 40 year experience between them, they have successfully created a range of ethical products to suit everyone. From Skincare, Body care, Mum & Baby and Men, Interior Fragrance & Candles to Hair care, Personal Hygiene, Tea and even Chocolate. So many things to choose from.
On their website, there is a whole section dedicated to Vegan, and another one to plastic free. This is huge! Never have I seen a plastic free option before. I finally found plastic free, all natural deodorant, thus making me extremely happy and kicky feet!
They also have a huge range of baby products that are all Vegan and Organic. We were given a few samples to try out and they are amazing! I am so excited to put in a mass plastic free order ASAP!
Tiny Talk
There were so many other amazing business at the Expo, including Tiny Talk! Tiny talk run classes up and down the country teaching baby sign language through, songs, games and so much fun!
TinyTalk was born in 2002, to Katie Mayne, a mum of two and former Primary School Teacher and Teacher of the Deaf. TinyTalk introduced baby signing to the nation and has grown to nearly 130 teachers in the UK, teaching over 500 classes per week to 7000 young families. Multi award-winning for their quality classes, home-learning kit and family-friendly franchise, TinyTalk has been recognised as the leading provider of baby sign language in the UK.
We use baby signing with Molly, but that’s due to the fact my line of work now, and in the past has required me to learn and know Makaton. When pregnant with Molly, I researched a lot of signs for Babies myself and learnt them so I could teach Molly. However, when she was born, my anxiety was at an all time high and I didn’t go to any baby classes before of even after I had Molly. I really want to go to Tiny Talk classes now. I feel they would be able to teach me so much more, and Molly would have a blast and make some new friends.
Little Evelyn
Little Evelyn was there too, selling the most beautiful baby bits that made me oh so broody for a tiny newborn again. If Liam would have let me, I would have bought all the hair bows for Molly. There was a gorgeous mustard coloured one that was gorgeous, but Liam said no, we already have too many. To be honest, he’s not wrong there. We have loads – but she can always do with some more!
Neil’s Yard Remedies
Being a lover of essential oils, I was thrilled to see the guys from Neil’s Yard Remedies at the Bump and Baby Expo. They do a lot more than just essential oils and aromatherapy though. They do Skin care, Bath and Body, Mother and Baby as well as Inner Health, Herbal remedies, Health and Wellbeing.
As passionate advocates of organic living we want to help people to live happier, healthier lives and protect our beautiful planet. From becoming the UK’s first certified organic health and beauty brand, to helping ban plastic microbeads, Neal’s Yard Remedies is a truly pioneering force.
Little Green Rascals
There were also some other amazing service providers and businesses, who I grabbed cards from but stupidly didn’t get photos. One of them was Little Green Rascals. Little Green Rascals is York’s first organic and Eco conscious children’s day nursery. They have six Nurseries across York and have a Forest School Approach.
The children are encouraged to take calculated risks, use tools with guidance, and explore the outdoor environment whilst under supervision. From previous experience, it is here where the children really grow, their confidence rockets and their ability to learn as well as their personality’s blossom. The sessions are planned and may include a hunt for fairies, a bug safari or even building a den and a campfire lunch – whatever the activity, you can be assured that your rascal will have a wonderful time.
As well as Forest school we also offer a range of optional extra-curricular activities such as Science classes, Yoga, Drama, French and Spanish lessons, ballet and lots of other sporty classes which are great fun for our little rascals.
So, I decided there and then that we were moving to York. I mean, I wish we could. This is THE ideal setting I would love Molly to be in. It has everything Liam and I are passionate about and more. Vanessa is the wonder woman behind Little Green Rascals who herself is a mother of 3.
Vanessa’s need to want to create childcare which not only had a home from home feel but was also able to provide all things natural and organic – no added nasties in food or skincare. Not only this but the business ethos is such that anything bought into the nursery has to be eco-friendly, sustainable and have as little impact on the environment as possible. Toys are made from natural and sustainable materials and even the electricity is sourced from an ethical supplier.
Please open one in Surrey Vanessa, I literally beg you!
Happy Little Clouds
Other cards I got were from Happy little clouds who hand makes beautiful baby mobiles.They are so delicately made out of felt, and include things like stars, moons, raindrops, swans, hot air balloons and more. I highly recommend checking them out as they would make the perfect addition to any nursery!
Hattie & Bella
Hattie & Bella are an amazing keepsake company. Their tag line is “lasting impressions handmade with love” and I couldn’t agree more. They offer a vast range of keepsakes, from castings, raised impressions and jewelry. I am hinting to Liam to get Molly’s Handprint and footprint put on a necklace for me for my birthday. We will see how well the hinting goes! I feel I shall be requesting SO many beautiful items from Emmeline in the near future.
House of Clouds
House of Clouds were there selling gorgeous handmade lamps, as well as a few other items such a books, hair bows and toy wooden cameras. I have been after a wooden toy camera for Molly for ages, so when I saw them I knew I just had to get one. We chose the turquoise coloured one and Molly loves playing with it. She will come up to us with it and say “eeeeeeeese” – too cute!
WOW Yorkshire – classes for babies, children and families,
Highthorn Physiotherapy Clinic Ltd,
Just some more of the amazing businesses and services at the Expo! Highly recommend checking them all out and having a lot look at what they each have to offer.
Inspirational Speakers..
There were also a few talks happening at the Expo. One was by Sally aka Mums Back and the other was by Vicki aka Honest Mum. They both spoke about their journeys not only as social media influencers, but as Mothers, as women. It was so inspiring to hear how they both worked so hard, faced challenges. Hearing how they overcame them to be where they are now.
They spoke about having children and growing/looking after their family and that it wasn’t easy. Motherhood isn’t easy. They spoke about traumatic births, postnatal depression, Anxiety and the general feeling of vulnerability that each woman feels after having a baby.
Vicki was saying how she had mothers of mothers approach her and thank her for what she had written. Whilst speaking about this she got emotional. She was touched that her words and given some women comfort in knowing they aren’t alone in how they are feeling. That there are others out there. Vicki also had a book signing after the talks. Her Book Mum Boss is AMAZING! I am currently reading it and cant put it down.
Sally spoke about her battles with PND and the daily struggles she felt, especially when having 2 under 2. It was so inspiring to see how passionate these two women were. To see how far they have come and to see them braking the taboo around mental health associated with having children. Therefor, raising awareness. You can head over to her blog to read more about the amazing things shes doing to brake the stigma and raise awareness!
The Goody Bag.
As I said at the start of this post, we were each gifted a bag full of goodies that were donated by the following brands and companies;
Pure Natural therapy
kokoso baby
york cocoa house
my little piccolo
mustela uk
childs farm
Mustela
milton
we are refreshed
kit and kin
hot tea mama
jojo maman bebe
print cakes uk
delicious boka
vitabiotics
We had the most amazing day at The bump and Baby Expo in York. Once again thank you SO much to Kate for all the hard work put in to making everything happen. We can’t wait to make a trip back to York at some point in the future.
