JoJo Maman Bébé

I am new to the world of baby stuff, mostly dreading the overwhelming aspects of it all, but I suppose we’ll have to get used to it at some point or another. «No time like the present!» says my growing bump. We were referred to this store by friends in Edinburgh, and upon entering this location, I was pleased as punch to find my anxiety relieved rather than further stoked. The layout is playful and calming, and the selection quite comprehensive. I had been planning on waiting until the next trip back home to stock up on all manner of maternity items, but given what I’ve seen, there’s no need to wait. The sales girls were so patient and helpful in answering my thousand questions. The original purpose was to shop for our coming little one, but I ended up finding myself lost in the lovely maternity clothing section. I had been a devout believer that special maternity clothing is just a marketing ploy, but again, the growing bump is proving otherwise. Some seams of my more delicate pieces and slimmer-​Kati-​clothing would agree otherwise, and after modelling a few items, am happy to confirm and report that maternity clothing is no longer the big tunic, anti-​fashion, boring functional tent-​over-​the-​head faire that I remember from days yore. I waddled out with some nice pieces that I’d be more than happy to wear even after the bump is gone! One star knocked off only because the prices are still a wee bit higher than what I’d wanted to spend, but the quality appears to be great. So no complaining really.

So I think I’ve reached the point in my life where it’s perfectly reasonable for people to ask me the question: «Do you have any children?» which I answer with «HHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!» and grimace. Don’t get me wrong; I love babies. Scratch that… I love very well-​behaved happy babies from loving families, but these hips ain’t birthing any little people in the next 10 years (sorry mom and dad… got things to do, places to see!). So I’m perfectly content being super cool Auntie Lex who spoils chubster babies with amazing gifts!
With the arrival of two of the most adorable baby boys on this side of the pond, I was on a mission for quality baby clothing that was quirky as well. I didn’t want run-​of-​the-​mill Next or babyGap, and I didn’t want anything cheap that would irritate the babies’ skin. JoJo Maman Bébé is a Welsh multi-​channel retailer (brick and mortar, and online) that just so happens to have a Glasgow outlet in the bustling West End. The shop has everything you would ever want if you are a mother-​to-​be (I wouldn’t really know though, but I assume?) to pre-​school age. Since I have been here a few times shopping for baby boys, they offer great selections of adorable quirky outfits (nautical stripes and pirates, yes please!). If you go at the right time, they have some pretty amazing sales as well.
Service is friendly and very helpful, never pushy…
Sales girl: How are you getting on?
Me: I’m trying to buy something for a baby boy who is turning 1, and he weighs about 25 pounds… quite… uh… chunky.
Sales girl: You mean well-​fed? :giggle: Looks like he would be about a 12 – 18 month old size.
Me: Thank you!
If you’re a mum… or someone like me who likes to spoil your friends’ children, and wants to buy those little people in your life something else other than the drab and typical High Street stuff, then definitely pop into JoJo Maman Bébé the next time you’re in the West End.
p. s. They carry Mama Mio products — if this means anything to you, it’s pretty amazing (read: cult-​like) skincare products you can use whether or not you’ve pushed out a little person from your punani, HA!

Saturday was baby shopping day and no baby shopping is complete without a visit to Jo-​Jo. Having discovered Jo-​Jo in Edinburgh, I was pleased when a friend informed me one had just opened in the West End, just off Byres Road. Jo-​Jo is a small chain, predominately based in England, stocking own brand baby (and small kids) and maternity clothes, as well as known brands such as Avent and Tommy Tippee for baby accessories. They are also a stockist of the excellent Mama Mio maternity cosmetics (‘boob tube’ and stretch mark cream) which becomes an addiction that must be fed according to my sis-​in-​law.
A great shop — good for gifts and baby products and reasonably priced if you want something that is a bit ‘more’ than Next/​Baby Gap. I have friends who love this shop and having helped my pregnant friend shop for a maternity wardrobe, their clothes for ‘mum to be’ are great and if you time it right, you can grab a fab sale bargain as their clothes cover everything from casual to work staples.

An adorable maternity and children’s shop. I want loads of their sleepers for newborn babies and their stuffed animals are always the cutest-​Gruffalo and Moomin. They carry essentials like rain jackets, wellies, swim gear and lots of un little other things.