Shopping in the UAE while struggling with a large baby bump or tiny newborn can be a challenging exercise, as first-time mums Kirsten Fairfield and Paula Harrington discovered. Their experiences led the Dubai-based friends to identify a gap in the market here for an "under one roof" online store where shoppers in the region could order and receive their goods simply, quickly and without having to fork out for expensive shipping costs.
House&Home Home Shopping
Discover Penny Malone's favourite places for one-of-a-kind and designer homeware from the comfort of your armchair.
In 2009, the pair pooled their business acumen and skills to set up Bubs Boutique, stocking maternity and baby essentials, clothes and decorative nursery accessories.
The emphasis here is on cool and contemporary rather than cute, with products sourced from independent labels around the world with strong ethical policies. In addition to the delightful range of clothes for ages 0-5 (by labels including Organics For Kids and Aunty Ollie), highlights include nursing cushions in lovely vintage-style floral and ticking fabrics, vibrant print blankets and changing mats, anti-allergen room purifiers and good old traditional wooden toys made from non-toxic materials such as organic rubber wood.
Bubs Boutique also stocks gift baskets, bouquets, stationery and a wide range of organic skincare products.
What really caught our eye, of course, was the nursery decor range, which includes screen-printed personalised cushions (stylish enough to last beyond toddler-hood) and the beautiful Love Mae fabric wall decals, as featured in last week's Home Shopping.
Our favourite item though, has to be the sweet typographic posters in red, navy or duck egg blue, featuring words and phrases for little boys or little girls to dream of - and adults to remember.
If you're not already sold, take note that if you spend Dh200 or more, delivery is free anywhere in the UAE.
