Best couture collection Spring Summer 2011

Elie Saab had the couture collection I am dreaming about this Spring Summer 2011...a stream of gorgeous feminine dresses with amazing details floated down the runway...
I can imagine ...if you could get your hands on one ...you would feel like a million bucks! Just need the cash, body and the perfect black tie event...easy! :))

I love Brio!

Swedish company Brio, makes fabulous classic wooden toys with a cool modern edge. These are the kind of toys you dont  mind seeing lying around! :)

A cute and cool looking car from Brio..a combination of wood, plastic and soft fabric..perfect gift for a little boy..

£10.90 0-18 months

+6 months

+12 months £12.99

Love the bold colours and modern design

£7.99 Stacking owl toy with soft ears and wings.

£60 A great ride encouraging motor skills. +12 Months

Love this cute pull along Daschund!

The classic train sets 

Items can be bought online at www.just-gorgeous.com or www.brio.net

New born check list

A couple of friends, who are just about to enter the exciting, wonderful and daunting world of Motherhood, have been asking what are the "essentials" they should have once home from the hospital.... So here is my personal list...if any other Mothers out there have something to add please feel free to comment...

New born essential list:

1. Nappies: Very important:) but as you don`t know the exact size of your little bundle of joy get a pack of new born and the next size up. Rather wait to bulk buy as maybe you are also more of a Huggies or Pampers fan. Personally I like Pampers as I find them less bulky. 

Sebastian was too big for new born nappies ... being born about the size of a 3 month old:)

2. Changing mat: When buying a mat take into consideration if it is easy to clean. 

3. Baby wipes: It is best to clean your baby with wipes and warm water for the first couple of weeks and then I used wet wipes after six weeks or so. I found the Milette baby care brand to be good for the dry wipes (Found at the Migros is Switzerland) For the normal baby wet wipes it is best to check which ones are for sensitive skin.

4. Nappy rash cream: Important to get a good cream...I have been using one I found in HK and in Cape Town it is called Sudocrem. Sudocrem

5. Ear buds: To clean the umbilical cord with alcohol...not for the ears.

6. Thermometer

7. Nasal aspirator: Best to have one but honestly I have never managed to be very successful with it.

8. Clothing: If I am lucky enough to have a second baby one day I would definitely go and buy at least ten white baby grows with snaps down the front and that is what the little cherub would be living in....comfy, easy to wash and looks so cute. I would suggest to buy them slightly too big than too small you can always roll up the sleeve for a week or so...little ones grow fast....2 x cardigans, vests, elasticated pants, hat, socks, bibs. The rest you can buy later. Remember to wash them a couple of weeks before you are due!

9. Baby linen: 3 x fitted sheets, waterproof lining for underneath the sheet. Sleeping bag, cellular blankets, soft cotton blanket, swaddling blanket if you want to swaddle but don`t buy too many as I had four and never ended up swaddling Sebastian. Sheet for your pram or small sleeping bag if it is winter.

10. Baby washing powder: Clothing and linen to be washed a couple of weeks before your due date.

11. Bath time: Bath, 2 hooded soft baby towels, bath thermometer...which I found very useful. Baby no tears Shampoo,soap and body lotion, hairbrush and comb, cotton wool.

12. Feeding:  Nursing pillow, sterilizer, bottles (even if you are planning to breast feed you never know), Avent worked the best for me..bottle brush to clean bottles. Breast pump was an essential for me! Breast pads, nipple cream...which I also got given at the hospital.

Nursing bra`s best to buy afterwards as you are not sure how big your boobs will get:) I bought one at the hospital which was convenient. Also buy hundreds of super soft cloths/muslin squares as you will live with one over your shoulder for all the dribbling and the million "oopsies" which will be coming your way...:)

13. Kitchen roll/paper towel: I would go and bulk buy 10 rolls of kitchen towel.. it is germ free as apposed to dish clothes and towels.

14. Pacifiers: Suggest to buy a couple as you will be amazed how they disappear..also suggest to buy the pacifiers which curve with the shape of the mouth as I found the flat ones with the big handles where very heavy and would fall out.

15. Baby monitor: At the Hirslanden clinic in Zurich you get given a 100chf voucher off the Avent monitor which you can buy when you are there. I have been very happy with ours.

16. Car seat: For winter you might want to get a warm sleeping bag which fits into the car seat otherwise you can use blankets.

17. Activity mat: This was great to have from day one.....remember even if it is not colour co ordinated with your living room babies love the bright colours. Fisher Price have some great fun ones with music and flashing lights for later.

Sebastian on his brightly coloured Fisher Price mat in HK.

18. Nappy bag: Best to buy your nappy bag before your baby is born... when you still have time to search for the right one. I went with discreet and practical (as I yet to find a fabulous looking nappy bag at a reasonable price) and bought the Joolz nappy bag which matched and attached easily to my pram. It has a fold up changing mat inside, bottle insulated compartments on both side of the bag which will keep your bottle either cool or warm. If you are looking for a bag take this into consideration and that you have enough space. 

Oh and girls start brushing up on your nursery rhymes!!:)

Paris here we come...

Thank you for all the wishes...it was a good first week...Sebastian seems happy despite his first flu of the winter.... Poor little guy needs to get his immune system fighting fit and hopefully he will be strong enough to withstand all the nasty germs which naturally get passed around at day care. 

A four day week goes really fast and I love having Friday off! I have my first business trip to Paris on Monday...I am going to the jewellery fair, Premiere class which is always very interesting with lots innovative and creative designers... so looking forward to seeing what is new and happening as it has been a year since I was last there. It will also be my first night away from Sebastian but I am sure Philipp will handle it well. So I am writing down Sebastian`s schedule and any bits of information which will help Philipp keep Sebastian a happy chappy!

I love Paris it is one of my favourite cities...it is just so beautiful and of course it is the land of yummy chocolate macaroons. Personally I think Jean Paul Hevin has the best chocolate macaroons so definiately go and try one next time!  Jean-Paul Hévin

I am also hoping to squeeze in a visit to the ultra cool and inspiring concept store Colette. Always presenting an array of hip, hop and happening items ranging from sportswear to designer looks, purfume and jewellery. I love to buy my purfume there as they always  have an exclusive launch of all the fabulous scents such as Balmain, Balenciaga and Juliette has a gun.  Colette

Love these Valentino beauties found at Colette! Paris here we come...

First day back at work tomorrow!!

Well as they say, all good things come to an end...and it is my first day back at work tomorrow after an amazing, exhilirating and life changing 8 months of maternity leave....Sebastian came into our lives on the 29th April and it has been the start to an incredible journey of love, worry and fun. 

He has already been to Asia and Africa and now his next destination is the new day care in Herrliberg ...but being a bit of a "Jet setter" :) has stood him in good stead as he is used to  new places and faces and handled his day care introduction period like a champion... not too mention the girls who work there are very sweet and I feel he is in good hands. 

So I am sitting here with a knot in my tummy as I am excited to get back to work yet nervous for all the changes which lie ahead.... packing Sebastian`s bag the night before ...in order to be super organised...I feel ORGANISATION is going to be my key word this year!

So, wish me luck and stay tuned for lots more fashion, laughs and tears to come....as I venture into a new journey of getting back into the world of fashion and trying to be the best working Mom possible...

Sebastian reflecting on this new exciting chapter of his life:)).. my cutie pie 

Emil`s 2010 hero...Sebastian Vettel, NO..Sebastian Steinberger!!

High Heels and Nappies wanted to proudly congratulate Emil on his lifetime achivement award which he recieved last Saturday night...it was a complete surprise as Niccel, his fabulous wife, made up a little white lie in order to get him to the Swiss awards...it is an award well deserved and Sebastian is very proud of his talented grandfather/Opi!

Niccel and Emil

It was touching to read in an interview that Sebastian is Emil and Niccel`s Hero of 2010... the newspaper thought they were talking about Sebastina Vettel (Formula 1 World Champion 2010 racing driver) but no no...it is Sebastian Steinberger!! Lets see if he follows in his grandfather`s footsteps ??!:))

The Beckhams are expecting their fourth child...

Well it looks like the baby boom continues into 2011...even Sir Elton John is now a father..so in a way I was not too surprised to see the Beckhams are expecting baby no. 4!! A big congratulations...

I am sure everyone is dying to know if she will be having a girl...she would have a serious collection of Birkin bags and not too mention all the other gorgeous clothes waiting for her.. :)

Beautiful Febuary Vogue cover

The gorgeous Nathalie Portman and celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe are also pregnant...Rachel looks great with a few extra pounds. 

Nathalie Portman met her French fiance Benjamin Millepied, a dancer and choreographer  on the set of her new film, Black Swan... which I am dying to see!

No doubt there will be lots of fabulous maternity looks with these three fashionista`s pregnant..

To platform or not to platform this Spring Summer...new shoe poll!

Every season there seems to be a controversial shoe and for Spring Summer 2011 I would say it is the solid platform or in fashion lingo the "lifted" shoe!

Elle Magazine January 2011

So is this the new silhouette you have been waiting for? Adding a few inches or is it just to flat and chunky to be sexy?? The big question is will you be platforming or not this Summer? 

Tick the box in the poll on the right and lets see if it is going to be a trend for all or not!

My favorite Spring Summer 2011 shoe trends..

Reminiscing about beautiful Cape Town....the lazy summer days....although they are having a heat wave at the moment so think they are dreaming of snow....grass is always greener on the other side:)! 

So in my summer mood I wanted to share with you my favorite Spring Summer 2011 shoe trends...I selected some of my favourite catwalk looks and it became quiet clear there are some obvious trends which are set to rock the season...so here is a sneak peak of what I have found so far.

Love to hear which trend you will be wearing this Summer?

The Rigi Rocks!!

I am a big fan of the Rigi...it is easy skiing, great for kids, breath taking views and home to the restaurant gem, Bergsonne Hotel. We spent Christmas up there three years ago and it was very special....lots of sledging which was great for me not being a champion skiier!

The beautiful view taken by Philipp from the Bergsonne Hotel

It is a close getaway from Zurich...perfect for a day trip.... to be up in the mountians and enjoy the sun and the amazing views. I would highly recommend the Bergsonne Hotel restaurant, the food is gourmet standards set in a cosy relaxed atmosphere and with an exstensive wine list.  Family owned and hosted by the dynamic husband and wife team, Willy and Dorly who are always very happy to see us. Dorly is the star chef!

We went last Sunday with friends and Philipp`s godson who is 3 month old and it worked really well...everyone was super helpful and of course our boys were very well behaved:) Sebastian had a cute alpine style baby chair, so I could also enjoy my lunch. We finished with a white and dark chocolate mouse which I have to say was to die for!!!!!

So next time you feel like a fun weekend excersion try the Rigi..

www.bergsonne.ch

The Boys and their wheels:)

Sebastian in his chair..note his first cashmere sweater from Uncle Paul!:)

Not the most perfect weather Sunday but our yummy 4 hour lunch made up for it!

If the sun is shinning they have the perfect terrace to enjoy a few rays..

High Heels and Nappies is back.....HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

So I had big plans to keep my blog up to date during my holiday in Cape Town.. but as you can imagine it was not so easy...way to many long boozey lunches, braai`s (BBQ) with family and friends, swimming with Sebastian and trips to the spa and up to Hermanus (beach town up the coast) ...but now that I am back I wanted to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

I have to say having a child definately makes Christmas a magical time...it was Sebastian`s first Christmas and at just 8 months you could feel his excitment.....he did not want to miss out and stayed up late being passed form one cousin to the next enjoying all the fun ....as our Christmas celebrations always end up with the "dress up" bag of wigs and crazy props creeping out ........we even had a break dancing show this year from one of my yougest and talented cousins, Ethan. 

The Family!

We had such a fantastic holiday and feel extremely lucky to be blessed with such a wonderful family and close friends. It is always very hard to say goodbye and I miss everyone lots but know we will  all be together again soon...

Sebastian loved unwrapping his gifts...

So here is to a fantastic 2011...wishing everyone a year filled with love, laughter, health and happiness!!