Recently, I was pondering over the whole notion of being an expat. What is an expat? Is it a label, a way of life, a feeling of always being a stranger in a familiar place? Is it just living in a country you were not born in?
I do not feel like an expat at all. In fact, I have never felt like one. In my first year here, I spoke more French than English and all the friends I had were French. So were my flatmates. A lot of my French friends went back home. I did not. The couple of French girls who stayed are now amongst my dearest friends (and they are ladies now, not girls anymore – désolée les filles!). Fast-forward a couple of years and I had a job, colleagues and new friends. Life was in English.
I was bringing back less food or cleaning products from France (is it just me?). I started enjoying British humour and was even dreaming in English. I am now fully part of the society I live and work in. My husband is British, a lot of my friends speak very little French.
I am still French, oh so French! I sound French. I could not live without bread and cheese. I find grammar and the intricacies of my mother-tongue fascinating. I read in French, sing in French to my children, swear in French.
When Crevette was born, I wanted white clothes only for him. I thought it would make them perfect for any future siblings, girl or boy. It would also make washing his clothes more practical. My mum and I went shopping, and we bought all of his first vests and pyjamas from Petit Bateau, one of my favourite brands for little ones. We also went for a few Absorba outfits. They are well-made, quality clothes that last a long time. My four little ones have worn them, and they have now been given to my brother, for his future children.
Friends and members of my family know I absolutely love brands like Jacadi, Catimini or Cyrillus, so they tend to treat my little ones to nice outfits rather than toys.
When Alexandra from Tendre Deal contacted me asking whether I wanted to work with her to promote her chic boutique for kids, I was intrigued. In a nutshell, Tendre Deal is a members’ only boutique selling French clothes and toys for children at a reduced price. It is free to join, members get regular invites to the sales and discounts can be as much as 70% off. Alexandra was recently awarded a ‘Mumpreneur UK Bronze Website Award’, and it is well-deserved.
It took me 35 seconds to become a member and be able to get a couple of items from Les Petites Choses I had my eye on for Beanie! Once I had selected what I (Beanie) wanted, it took me less than five minutes to go through the checkout process.
We went for a grey merino dress with redcurrant wool belt and a grey merino hat with redcurrant pom-pom. The total amount was £44, when the full price items would have cost £87.86. Amongst a range of payment methods, you can pay via PayPal, which is a bonus in my books as it saves so much time.
A week or so later, I received an email letting me know my order was on its way. I was impressed with the two items from Les Petites Choses, a brand focusing on organic clothing made in France. I was immediately won over by the card that came with the clothes. It was full of anecdotes about the clothes we had just received. Clothes are designed in a tiny office in Montpellier and it takes between 20 and 45 minutes for each item to be made. Knowing these details made the outfit really special straight away and my little girl loves wearing them. The quality of the dress and hat cannot be faulted. They are stylish wardrobe essentials with a pop of colour.
I took over a hundred photos of Beanie wearing her new clothes and it was really difficult to choose a few photos only. I quickly realised the girls were colour-coordinated and that made me smile a lot!
It was a beautiful day and we spent ages at the park.
Beanie was determined to make friends with this cat:
We then went to our local shopping centre and Beanie had fun climbing,
staring at her feet
… and sulking!
What would you get from Tendre Deal?
Disclosure: We were gifted the items mentioned in this honest review. No payment was received. All opinions and photographs are my own.
The like all the dresses x
Pretty, aren’t they?
I would buy a Kate Sleeveless wrap Dress – Pale Pink and a Kate Sleeveless wrap Dress – Raspberry for my two girls! Thank you x
I spotted those as well. So cute for summer!
Yes and not a bad price either!
I would get the Dora spinning skirt.
My toddler would love it. She like twirling and dancing!
I like the Arthuro Short sleeves Polo – Navy
Me too! My little man would look good in this.
That would make a very nice gift for the grandchild I have on the way.
What would you choose if you won?
They are all so lovely I would have difficulty choosing
Aw the Felix Short Sleeves Shirt is cute!
I would buy the ecru check Francka skirt and a sleeveless white top to go with it
i like the polo shirts and also the felix shirt
Elisa Linen short – Grey
I would purchase some toys for my sister
Clarissa spinning silk Skirt – Orange- gorgeous and bright, perfect for summer 🙂 I would chose this for my daughter!
Ooh lovely stuff, I love the dresses, too many to choose from I’d be in heaven!! x
I really struggled to choose, too!
I love the Clarissa spinning silk skirt x
Me too!
The Dora spinning silk Skirt – Charcoal is nice. My daughter would like that
I like the Felix short sleeves Shirt – Blue
🙂
the wrap dress is cute
Love it!
i like the felix short sleeeved shirt thankyou
I love the raspberry wrap dress.
I have to giggle at hot colour co ordinated they all! All that pink and grey – SO CUTE!! You’re bringing French fashion into the UK for kids Mel!!
He he, I think I colour-coordinate their outfits in my sleep! I seriously did not plan that one.
The green Dora spinning skirt is super cute!
I really like the Dora spinning silk Skirt – Green for my daughter
I would get the Dora spinning silk skirt its beautiful
I would choose the felix short sleeved shirt
I also like the green Dora spinning skirt
little boys clothes of course
Which items do you like in particular?
Je m’identifie totalement à ton sentiment. Je ne me sens pas expa non plus et j’aime beaucoup habité en France mais je suis espagnole et certains choses chez moi aussi ! J’adore les habilles françaises: petit bateau, monoprix….mais j’aime beaucoup acheté à Zara et Mango, tout simplement parce qu’ils sont espagnols !
Ta fille est très chic 🙂
J’adore aussi Zara et Mango!
I would choose the Arthuro Short sleeves Polo – Green
Violette Linen Jacket – Storm
I love the Felixstowe short sleeve shirt
Meant felix
Arthuro Short Sleeved Polo 🙂
the dora spinning skirt is cute.
Arthuro Short Sleeved Polo for my grandson.
ah these are lovely
They are cute, aren’t they? What would you get if you won the gift voucher?
Love the little dresses
A little dress
One of the beautiful little dresses
I would get the Dora silk spinning skirt and also the Maeva sleeveless blouse
the sleevless wrap dresses are gorgeous
Love the Eiderdown in India Blue
We ordered a beautiful dress for my friends daughter from Tendre Deal
I am not surprised! I am always so tempted to buy something when I get the newsletter.
I would be tempted by polo tops for my little boy. I love your little girl’s dress, so lovely.
#FashionFriday
it would have to be one of the dresses
I’d get the apple nappy bag for a friend who is expecting her first baby
That would make the ideal present, wouldn’t it?
As much as I could for the value of the prize – to donate to charity, to go to Romania
Loves those hats and matching dresses – gorgeous #fashionfriday
hello lovely photos adn great giveaway i love the little polo shirt with the croc on the back very cute xx
Thanks Debbie!
Gorgeous giveaway and Alexandra is so sweet, she’s sending Alexander a shirt too, love the grey with the pink, beautiful. Thanks for linking up to #fashionfriday, a new one is live if you fancy it. Happy Easter x
Happy Easter to you too, my lovely, and enjoy your holidays!
I love the Numae sleep suits
I love the Hooded fleece djellaba- Grey with star
I’d use the money to treat my niece to a new top & dress!
I would buy a baby shortie with white star x
The ecru/flower print cross back dress. It’s so cute!
I like the little short sleeved shirts
definitely one of the gorgeous dresses! See there’s a lot of love for them on here!!
I would buy the Olive Baby Hooded Poncho. It is really original.
A summer dress, they’re so pretty!
The ‘Louise smock trunk – Dusky Pink’ and the ‘Large straps dress – White’ would be top of my list….Thanks for the Giveaway
they’re beautiful
I think I ‘d go for one of the pretty sundresses
i love the felix shirt
One of the summer dresses, I think…
olive hooded baby poncho
The Striped Beach Trunk playsuit
Straight Cut Trousers
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Straight Cut Trousers
Straight Cut Trousers back
Straight Cut Trousers
HAS TO BE THE STRIPED BEACH TRUNK SUIT
The Starlette sun protection swimsuit for my little one.
I love the Baby Hop Dress
I would by the Dora Spinning Skirt
I would get the Kate sleeveless strap dress in strawberry 🙂 but all so lovely!!
The Boys Sun Protection Rash Shirt
The Girls Sun Protection Rash Shirt
The Boys Sun Protection Shorts
I like the outfit in your photos
I adore the Spiderboy red pyjamas
I love the short sleeved shirts for my boy
I like the sun protection star swimsuit – so cute 🙂
The boys and girls protection rash shirt for the twins. The girl twin has a massive allergy to most sun creams.
sun protection swimsuit for my son
Baby Super Bat all-in-one Pyjamas – Black
The baby Hop dress is gorgeous.
must admit i have never seen this range before but it looks lovely x
Scarlett Sun Protection Swimsuit – Photoprint
I couldn’t find my way around the site, but a nice dress would be lovely.
sOME THING FOR MY NEW gRANDSON
I would choose a dress for my niece
Spider boy and super bat pyjamas for my nephews
Baby Moto long sleeve tee-shirt – Red/Marine
Felix short sleeved shirt.
Baby Rabbit all-in-one Pyjamas – White
love the sleeveless wrap dress
some pj’s for my godson
Love the baby superbat all in one pyjamas.
I love the Batman costume
Strawberry sleeveless dress
The kate sleeveless strap dress is lovely xx
Sun protection rash shirt and shorts
Batman Costume
I’d let my daughter choose a dress 🙂