cocoro

All Cocoro Baby Kimonos are made in the UK by a family run firm which has been in operation for 3 generations.  They have always specialised in making baby clothes and are dedicated to the small details, as if they were making them for their own children. They were exhibiting at Bubble London , so I paid a visit to see them and also got some inspiration for my ‘Summer Collection’ from some other children clothing brands. There were more than a hundred lovely shops for baby clothes and... Read Full Story

What do you pack for your little one’s lunch box? We call it ‘Obento’ in Japanese. When Oscar was at Japanese kindergarten, he was provided with a hot lunch twice a week, bread and milk once a week then had to bring his own Obento lunch box twice a week. Because Oscar loves taking his Obento lunch box, but he can not do that at English nursery, I decided to ask at the Japanese Kindergarten (also know as ‘Yochien’) if Oscar can take Obento everyday. It was OK, but I never knew what kind of... Read Full Story

On the last day of Oscar’s Japanese Kindergarten, there was Hinankunren(disaster drill) especially for earthquakes.  This exercise simulates the circumstances of a disaster so that they have an opportunity to practise their responses. This is a normal training in Japan and we are always taught not to evacuate straight away, but to hide under chairs.  Then we have to listen very carefully to the person in charge of your room. Oscar was taught a very easy way to remember what to do -  “O HA... Read Full Story

Shichigosan is the day we celebrate for 3 and 5 years old boys and 3 and 7 years old girls.  So I took my 3 year old son Oscar to the local Shrine in his fabulous Hakama.  He could barley walk in his Zori shoes so I took them off and put his normal shoes on….  Shichigosan day is on 15th November but I choose the nearest Sunday so that my parents also could join us. According to Wikipedia, Shichi-Go-San is said to have originated in the Heian Period amongst court nobles who would celebrate... Read Full Story

It makes sense that we check the packaging of food to find out who made the food and where it is from. But how do we know where the food is really from? There was a story in Japan a few years ago about a famous variety of eel from one of the southern islands. It turned out that the eels were actually Taiwanese and that they were brought into Japan for a very short period so that they could then be re-packaged as originating from that area - and not from Taiwan. This kind of thing can make... Read Full Story

One of Cocoro’s USP is to provide babies with ‘happy’ comfortable clothes.  That is why all the Cocoro tags are in an indirect position - not against baby’s skin. Recently I’ve found this marvellous Uniqlo baby romper. It’s in an obvious position, and even looks like it is inside out.  I personally love this idea, but what do you think? Yuna in Uniqlo Unique positioning of tag on the romper Tomono x Read Full Story

I’m so sorry for not updating my blog for this long.  How have you been? Have you already started your Xmas shopping?  I have asked my hubby to get some Xmas card and my mother-in-law has already baked her gorgeous Xmas cake.  I’m still in Kochi, the warm part of Japan, so it’s weird talking about Xmas but it’s already less than 2months away! My daughter became 6months a few weeks ago, so she has started weaning.  She loved baby rice and mashed potatoes, carrots and some apple juice!  She... Read Full Story

My lovely cousin came over to see us last week.  It was her first time in the UK.  Luckily the moody English weather behaved very well while she was here. We had lots of picnics and went on many walks which she really enjoyed. On Saturday we went on a day trip to London to see some sights together. We drove into Acton, parked and then got the tube to Green Park. After that we strolled along the Mall towards parliament square. It’s funny, I’ve lived in the UK for 8 years in total, but I... Read Full Story

I am terribly sorry that our stock is so limited at the moment.  This is due to my sales forecast was not accurate and my maternity leave till January but I’m getting a big inspiration by raising a baby again. I hope you can still find something you fall in love with for your loved one. Please leave the comment what you would like to buy from Cocoro in the future! I hope I can introduce you to more super cute new kimonos very very soon! Arigatou gozaimasu. Thank you for your... Read Full Story

I just got back from girl’s film night.  My friend Lee and I went to see Bridesmaids which was absolutely wonderful!  We laughed so much and I would say it was like girls version of the Hangover?! The Wedding in Japan and Western countries is so different.  We have no Bridesmaids or Hen-do party culture.   The groom-to-be usually goes to choose wedding dress with bride-to-be, so there is no surprise on the big day.  The guest comes with money to congratulate the couple in stead of wedding... Read Full Story