KATIA LEKARSKI, FOUNDER COLLERETTE, IN CAPE TOWN
Katia Lekarski is the founder of the online store Collerette, which she describes as THE shop of happy parents and their children! Fourteen years ago, Katia arrived from Paris on a modeling job for a French catalogue and she never left. "I have been involved in fashion and the business of fashion for over 20 years. After my little girl was born, I was struggling to find the products that fitted my lifestyle, I realized there was a gap in the online market for children and started the entrepreneur path 4 years ago."
"We recently launched the Collerette website with new products, categories and services like decorating your rooms, a blog, etc. We would like to cover everything for babies and kids within our vision of simple and beautiful yet playful childhood". Katia is the happy mummy of little Milla. "She is a very open, social and artistic little girl and she dreams of real kittens for Christmas at the moment."
IN CAPE TOWN WITH KATIA LEKARSKI
Eating out with the kids. There are so many family friendly places to visit in Cape Town. On weekends we like to have a fruit smoothie at Deer Park Cafe in Vredehoek, they have a nice playground and healthy option menu. To be honest, I avoid kids menus in classic places and we order from the main menu to share. I am not too crazy about the idea of fried everything or toasted sandwiches.
Our secret lunch place on sundays is the Starke Ayres nursery restaurant in Rosebank called Fresh Ayres, they make fresh grilled fish with mashed potatoes just perfectly.
Nü cafes also have a great kids option like the kiddies breakfast wrap or lunch, we like the one at Virgin Active Gardens. And for the real treats we like to stop once in a while at Myog; the frozen yoghurt pit stop. They can serve very small scoops and we can control the toppings, I think quantities are important to be reasonable, especially with sugar, I really avoid the milkshakes in restaurants which are often too big and too sweet.
Sorbetiere also does very culinary and interesting flavor sorbets for the young pallets.
A pretty shop for kids. Hahaha, Collerette of course, but other than that, I like local Naartjie stores, they are using really good quality fabrics lately and good cuts. For dress-up costumes we like the Fairy Shop in Palmyra. We also love to go to the Crystal Shop in Philadelphia, 20 min outside of Cape Town, its the only shop there basically but they have really nice selection of special gifts and crystals. Again, The Starke Ayres nursery in Rosebank has a great gift shop and plant selection. Last time we were given by the staff special "blue beans" that we grew in cotton wool and planted in our garden, we loved watching them grow and its was very special.
Having fun with the kids on a sunny day. We like going to Boulder's Beach, the water is crystal clear, not so many people sitting on the beach and we get the plus of playing with penguins.
A little road trip to Scarborough Beach, so different and calming. We love the Babylonstoren Gardens on a perfect day; so beautiful for the eyes and the flowers will satisfy your senses. They have nice little nests, the kids can climb the trees, relaxing river paths, etc.
On a Sporty note, we discovered the BE.UP indoor park, what a revelation for Milla! Whether it's good or bad weather outside, we try to hit that place as often as we can, even after school! Climbing walls, trampolines, a huge maze and the kids are also accompanied by the staff! Great music and sound system and good lattes for the parents! It's a perfect gross motor skill activity for children!
Silvermine, for a great time around the lake!
Having fun with the kids on a rainy day. I think the number one place would be the Two Oceans Aquarium, the kids just can't get enough of it. Then the BE UP park is also great!
ART Jamming at the waterfront, for the dose of paint and mess! Zip Zap circus organizes great shows.
A cultural activity with the kids. The Science Museum in Gardens is really cool, first Thursdays of the month, you can do the gallery tours in Bree street with the kids from early on.
Oh and during the holidays, The Lilliput Theatre has great plays for the little ones, I can't get enough of the Little Red Riding Hood, so entertaining!
A kid-friendly hotel in Cape Town. The "Grenadine" boutique hotel in Gardens, they love children and welcome them with kid beds, cookies, bubble bath and toys to play with.
How do you keep up to date with the latest kids' activity in Cape Town? I find the information a bit overwelming sometimes in some listings and not so organized, best to look in Computicket Online for shows and Cape Town Magazine.