Dear Reader

Thank you for taking your time to read this!

My Name is Katleen Bell-Bonjean and I am based in Co. Galway Ireland, but born and bred in Belgium. I moved to Ireland in 1993, met my husband David Bell in Dublin, moved to Galway, got married, and we have two beautiful children Rueben and Alexander.

I was offered redundancy after the birth of Alexander , which gave me the opportunity to start a new venture working from home. I have been in business since January 2007 and though the website has been life since then, we made the website “life” for shopping in November 2008.

Kind regards
Katleen Bell-Bonjean

PS.. If  you are interested to learn a bit more about Ireland, I also write a blog about Working, living and traveling in Ireland

About our Suppliers..

Something Natural & Sustainable.
I was particularly keen to find products that were practical, usefull, original/unique and in the case of the Natural Wellness range from Inatura, that are 100% natural, 100% sustainable and manufactured at a sheltered working area, supporting those people in society who are unable to work in regular employment.
On a more personal note, I have had my Cherry Pip Pillow Classic for many years and used it when I was in labour with our first baby, as it gives soothing relief from pain/cramps.
Later on, both our children were suffering from collick( or whatever caused them to cry incessantly ) and I found when applying gentle heat to their tummy really settled them , so it’s definately a product I would recommend . These days I also use it as cold compresses, as our boys are both on their feet, and bruises are common in our household…

Something Simple & Designer
The Rube & Rutje range is a retro lifestyle collection yet simple children’s range that is designed by a Belgian Nursery teacher called Griet Bertels. The range exists out of Bedroom, Bathroom, Kitchen, Back to School and Baby range. There are vibrant warm colours, and most of the products have the characters embroided on it. The designs are simple, but are universal, regardless of the language or culture you come from!

Something Irish!! Made in Ireland the traditional way, lovely packaged.
I am not really patriotic, I love living in Ireland, and one of my best friends who lives down the road, makes this fabulous Goat’s milk Soaps, balms and much more… They smell absolutely devine and are a delight to use..
Here is a bit more about Suzannne Orford from the Dolly Tub.
Suzanne Orford began making goat’s milk soap three years ago when she decided to produce favours for her wedding.
‘Inside each pretty box was a wee bar of soap along with a little 1930s verse saying “shower me with your sweet love, let it pour, let it pour,”’ says Suzanne. ‘This didn’t stop a couple of people thinking the soap was a bar of fudge and having a nibble!’
The reactions from her guests were so positive – including some who were amazed by the improvement the soap made to their problematic skin – that her new business – The Dolly Tub (named after her goat, Dolly) – was born.
All Suzanne’s soaps are made using a traditional cold process with completely natural ingredients and she has added home-made body balms and goats milk bath powder to the range. Suzanne hand makes all her toiletries in a picturesque wooden building surrounded by idyllic countryside in rural Ireland. ‘I have chickens and the veggie patch through the front window and the river through the back,’ she says. Trained as a textile designer, Suzanne has added a quirky nostalgic twist to her products through her distinctive packaging, which we think makes them an ideal gift. Her philosophy is simple: “I make what I like and what I would like to use.’

Something Fair Trade, Organic and practical
These days the consumer has many choises what to buy for their baby. I was looking for a range of products that were of the bestest quality but would have a fair trade aspect to them and something organic.. Finding Babylonia( also a Belgian Company btw) was a godsent, as they have an amazing collection of Fair Trade Baby Slings and Peppa Dolls and other handmade gifts that are all made in Fair Trade in India or Bangladesh. The slings are a great natural way of carrying your child, come with a user manual and are presented in a lovely giftbox.
Some of the slings ( Tricot- Slen) are organic, and when you feel the softness of the fabric, it confirms that it is so much softer than regular cotton.

I have recently added three new suppliers, one Belgian one that produces fair trade organic Belgian Chocolate, they are gorgeous!!! And Stabifoot, who are specialized in quality Children’s shoes, all come with a orthopaedic footbed, proper arch and heel support. Click here to see the collection for Summer 2010.

The second suppplier that manufactures organic baby legs, to keep your babies legs warm, but also your toddler will like them to keep his/her arms warm!