What do you get when you mix science, style and curious kids? Meet Nadya, lifestyle blogger, educational director, and mum to three city-loving mini-me's. With babyccinos in hand, she takes us on a tour of their favourite London spots while chatting about styling family life like a pro.
My husband Ivar and I live just outside of London with our three beautiful children. My youngest is Kyra, who’s four, then in the middle is 10-year-old Artem, and our eldest is Lasna, who’s 17. It’s curious to see them all growing up together and finding their personalities; they are nothing alike and all have different interests and passions. However, when it comes to fashion, Artem, Kyra and I are pretty much the same, so they’re always by my side when I'm out and about creating content.
One thing that unites us all is science. Ivar works in the field and I am involved in a non-profit educational project aimed at making complex science matters more understandable for anyone interested in getting to the bottom of how everything works. Take Artem for example, he loves biology and wants to be a “bug scientist” when he grows up! We also love exploring the city sights on our doorstep, so come with us on our big family day out to London and let’s chat some more . . .
“Saturday is our clubs day. I try to have all the kids’ activities there to keep Sunday free for going out and trips into the city.”
With a packed itinerary on Saturday, Sunday plans depend on the mood. We might just take it easy and enjoy walks near the river, grab coffee in the local cafés, or enjoy family movies together. And some are filled with exciting trips to places like Bath, Oxford, The Cotswolds, and our favourite, London! When we’re exploring the capital (which is best done on foot), we like strolling through the historic Marylebone area. I love sipping Hagen coffee — and babyccinos for the kids — as we pass pretty shopfronts all the way to Regent's Park, London Zoo, and The Wallace Collection gallery. London offers unlimited chances to get inspired through its architecture, museums and rich history, and I truly believe exploring a city’s culture from a young age educates kids on a deeper level.
London in autumn-time is also a beautiful place to be, with parks awash with shades of burnt orange and gold, and street stalls filled with warming snacks and seasonal delights. For the kids’ outfits, layering is a must, especially if you’re jumping on and off the London Underground. Kyla loves her snuggly leopard coat from Bonpoint, and Artem’s Ralph Lauren bomber jacket is the perfect mix of preppy and practical.
“When putting together the kids’ outfits, I always start with a recent purchase that we both love — the rest of the look follows quite naturally!”
As well as being passionate about science, we’re a family of fashion lovers, and these outfits truly represent who my kids are. Artem loves preppy, colourful clothes and interesting shoes; he likes to rummage through vintage shops with me for hidden gems! Check prints and cord textures perfectly match his idea of a perfect outfit. Kyra shares his love for fashion twists. She is in the “sparks-and-glow” era where gems and glitter are at the core of her style. Monnalisa’s beret, with its pearl and crystal detailing, is an instant favourite. She’s a bit of a diva and her outfits are nothing but consistent with the vibe.
When we’re exploring London in the autumn and winter months, warm toes are a must. Artem really likes his UGGs for their relaxed vibe and comfy fit, and not only are Kyra’s Chloé boots waterproof, but they also have this stylish fleecy detailing. Also on their autumn outfits list are interesting hats, caps and capes. And I’d also advise getting at least one good-quality cashmere and one fun woollen jumper to make cold days merry and warm.
“When it comes to planning days out, I find it hard to be spontaneous when you have more than one kid over baby age, but that might just be me!”
For us, the key to having a successful trip out with the kids is not to expect a lot! You could plan the most wonderful activities, but more often than not, something will disrupt the plan, especially when you’re exploring a bustling city with little ones in tow — there’s so much to see and do! I usually keep in mind one place we all want to visit and one place for lunch, with some options not far from the area, like a park, a toy shop or an ice-cream spot, in case our plans change. I like to keep it relaxed, so the whole family can enjoy the day rather than fulfilling someone’s (my!) schedule.
I also never leave home without a carry-everything bag (my bright-pink one is my favourite). There’s room for all my essentials as well as anything the kids might need on a day out, from snacks and wet wipes to spare socks! Not wanting to be left out, Kyra likes to accessories her outfit with a bag too, except her style is more pretty than practical, with just enough space for a few little trinkets. Artem tends to travel on the lighter side, but he has plenty of pockets in his Ralph Lauren corduroy trousers and bomber jacket for those inevitable London souvenirs we pick up along the way.
London Zoo, Princess Diana’s Memorial Playground, the Natural History Museum and Borough Market!
Artem’s got to be some estate in Berkshire as he has this countryside Lord vibe. And Kyra’d definitely be London as she’s all fashion and society.
If you could remove the empty space between the atoms of every single person in the world, all of humanity could fit into a teaspoon.
Artem is kind, smart, caring, conformist and inventive.
Kyra is fun, sociable, confident, protective and sensitive.
At the moment, Kyra thinks she's going to be Elsa from Frozen, and Artem wants to be in bioengineering.
Join us as we follow in the footsteps of this forage-loving family to see how to dress your little explorers for their wildest adventures yet.
We caught up with this creative bunch to road-test our new collections and see how you can swap screen time for creative play, the Bukulow way!
