» Courtney Adamo: Co-Founder, Babyccino Kids

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Courtney Adamo: Co-Founder, Babyccino Kids

A Mini and Me List For London That Will Have Big Ben Dialed

ELAINE SAYS: Olympic-goers may be finalizing their itineraries and summer travelers may be packing their bags but...well...the rest of us want a taste of London as well! I was inspired, so I called on a friend who thankfully, agreed to send over her insider's guide to London. Bonus for parents that this particular friend is also a mom of 3 (with another on the way....yes, 4) and the Co-Founder of the expertly curated, online shopping experience, Babyccino Kids. Here, Courtney has edited London with her sharp expertise, signature good taste and sophisticated eye for all things "family". No need to look any further....visit her favorite spots in town, shop her most adored boutiques from from anywhere and rest assured that if Adele does invite you to her baby shower, you'll know just where to pick up a fabulous gift.

SHOP COURTNEY'S LONDON PICK'S FROM ANYWHERE

Melt Chocolates SHOP | LOCATION: Melt Chocolates 59 Ledbury Road, Notthing Hill, London W112AAThe BEST chocolate in the world! And yes, I am an expert [or at least I’ve eaten enough chocolate in my life to think that I am]! The chocolate is handmade every day in this teensy little shop, and I’m literally drooling as I type, just thinking about it.
Couverture SHOP | LOCATION: Coverture 188 Kensington Park Road, Notthing Hill, London W11wESThis pretty, Notting Hill shop has amazing home wares, clothes [both men’s and women’s], jewelry, vintage items and a small, but really well curated selection of children’s goodies. It’s on the pricey side, but fun to browse for inspiration.
Elias & Grace SHOP | LOCATION: Elias & Grace 158 Regents Park Road, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8XNI think I’ll be bold and name this my favourite children’s clothing store in London. They stock all the best European brands, offer clothing that is as pretty as it is wearable, and style it all in a way that will make you want to buy it all.
Caramel Baby & Child SHOP | LOCATION: Caramel Baby & Child 77 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill,  London W11 2AGEverything this British children’s label does, they do with impeccable taste and unbeatable quality… down to the very last detail. It’s a great place to pick up a can’t-go-wrong baby gift, or anything special for that matter.
Emma Hope SHOP | LOCATION:Emma Hope 207 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 2SEThis has nothing to do with kids but I wanted to include as a personal London favorite. My husband and I own so many pairs of Emma Hope trainers, it’s a wonder we can still pay our mortgage! Besides being cool looking, they’re the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever worn.

VISIT COURTNEY'S LONDON FAVORITES

Charlotte Street Hotel VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: Charlotte Street Hotel 15-17 Charlotte Street, London W1T 1RJYou really can’t go wrong at any of the Firmdale Hotels in London, but I really love the location of this one [my husband works next door!]. Charlotte Street is lined with one good restaurant after another, and is just north of bustling Soho.
Moro VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: Moro 34-36 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QEIf I had my pick, date night would always include a delicious dinner at Moro. Thankfully I have the Moro cookbooks to tide me over [but it’s just never quite the same, is it?!].
Kenwood House in Hampstead Heath VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: Kenwood House in Hampstead HeathHampstead, London NW3 7JRIf we’re not home on the weekend, you can probably find us in Hampstead Heath. And chances are, we’re heading up to Kenwood House for a hot chocolate [in winter] or a gelato [in summer] and a game of frisbee on the front lawn.
London Transport Museum VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: London Transport Museum Covent Garden Piazza, London, WC2E 7BBMy kids really love this museum – it’s small, easy to navigate, and has loads of old buses, trains & carriages, which kids can climb onto and pretend to drive. It also gives me a huge appreciation for London’s public transportation [even though I will still complain from time to time!].
Tate Modern Museum VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: Tate Modern Museum Bankside, London SE1 9TGAn incredibly cool museum for both grown-ups and kids! We always start at St. Paul’s Cathedral and walk across the river on the Millennium Bridge to the museum. My kids head straight for the Picasso paintings [the weirder the better!].
Regents Park and a Ride on the Padalos VISIT WEBSITE | LOCATION: Regents Park Hanover Gate, Regent’s Park, LondonInstead of having a birthday party last year, my 7-year-old asked for only one thing: a ride on the pedalos in Regent’s Park. So sweet! You can rent family-sized boats and pedal around the bigger boating lake, or there’s a small, circular pond specifically for kids. Either way, the setting could not be prettier.