Zoe is a world traveler, a pink lover, a daydreamer who wants to be a princess and can not live without her bunny “Pinpin”. Born in NYC from a French/German + a Belgian father, she carries three passports. She loves many things in life, but her dislikes are funny ones :  having water in her eyes, anything green in her plate, socks, sparkling water, spicy food and having to count backwards from 10 to one for school. Mother of the girl, Frederique worked in marketing for the luxury&fashion industry until she became a mother of two, very busy with the family daily life and travels. Her secret addiction? Pinterest! Find her here.

Zoe

What do you want to be when you grow up A princess

Someone you admire? Peter Pan because he helps other people and can make me fly to Neverland

What is your big dream? I want to go the Princess castle in Disneyland

Are you scared of anything? Monsters because they are waking me up in the night

Your favourite films and books “Un monstre a Paris” – “Mog the forgetful cat” from Judith Kerr and “I live in Brooklyn” from Mari Takabayashi

Something you did recently that you really loved We went duck fishing at the fair with my mum and I fished all the pink duckies and got to have a prize. It was a pink bag with sweets and I loooved it!

The best holidays you ever had ? It was when I woke up in the morning and saw all the peacocks on our terrace. They were so beautiful and big and loud and blue (Thar desert-Rajasthan- March 2012) I also really liked the place with the corals (The Maldives).

A place that you would dream to visit I want to go to Italy to visit Flo (her auntie)

Your favorite outfit or the piece you like the most from your wardrobe My princess skirt (A pink Tulle skirt with golden dots by Talc)

The next item you would so dearly love to get  A Princess crown that sparkles to go with my princess skirt when we go to Disneyland

If you had a magic wand, what would you do with it right now? Abracadabra! I would turn everyone into a Princess

Frederique

A place you saw when you were a child, and that made its mark on you ? I visited Japan when I was 7 years old and the whole trip definitely made a strong impression on me. At that time my dad was an expert in Japanese economics / culture and he had to spend a month there for work so he decided to take the whole family along and I was allowed to miss school for a few weeks. Between the crazy and crowded city of Tokyo, the new smells, the smiles and salutations, the colorful kimono, the pale faces with red lips, the peaceful stay with monks in the middle of nowhere where we slept on the floor, the temples where people threw money in the water, the hot and cold baths, my first Disneyland, my first kimono, my then new addiction to Gyoza and all the amazing Hello Kitty and Little Twins Stars stuff we brought back, everything was so memorable. I remember driving my father crazy during these business diners in super fancy sushi places where I kept asking for ramen and gyoza which are very popular / working class dishes. He would feel so bad and I would feel so miserable in front of this raw fish I would die for today. I will always be eternally grateful to my parents for giving me this amazing love of travel, which just always encouraged me to overcome the fear to leave the well-known.

The place you love near your home We absolutely adore going to the Falaknuma Palace for a high tea on Sundays. This place is out of this world and absolutely magical It’s peaceful and the service is just fantastic From the horse carriage, to the rose petals at your arrival, to the majestic décor, it is amazing They usually take Zoe to the kitchen and she always comes back happy with a huge chocolate smile while we have enjoyed our typical English high tea

Where do you dream to go for your next family holiday I would love to continue visiting Rajasthan and especially Jaisalmer to ride a camel in the desert

A film that you saw recently and that stayed with you? The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. It is about India but also about life and it was great I am also really looking forward to seeing Moonrise Kingdom now that I am in Europe for the vacation and actually have choices

The film that you love to see with the whole family Mary Poppins is a classic for us

The book on your bedside table La petite fille de Monsieur Linh from Philippe Claudel. I received it as a mommy gift from a very good friend at the birth of my second daughter last October and didn’t find the time to read until now and I really enjoy it. She always has great suggestions for books among other things.

The children’s brands your cherish Atsuyo and Akiko for the great T-shirts and tutus, Boutchou by Monoprix for the stylish yet very affordable everyday clothes, CdeC for the same reason, Dagmar Daley, Nelly Stella and Hucklebones for the dresses, Marilyn Tov for the cute tops, Gap for the jeans, Crew cuts for almost everything, little by lilit for the colorful and light gowns with great prints, Alice a Paris for the shirts and baby sarouels, Marie puce for the liberty dresses or tops, Makie, Mini Rodini swimsuits, Stella McCartney colorful jeans, Saltwater sandals, Feyue sneakers, April shower, oeuf alpaga sweaters They are so many great children brands today.

The children’s stores you love to visit and buy from Well in Hyderabad, I usually go to Good Earth for the cute cushions, blankets. I have almost spent all my grown up years between Paris and Brussels and love to shop in both cities. I lived 3 years in NY too and have also my favorite places there now, so here we go:  In Paris : Monoprix, Serendipity, Alice a Paris, Bonton, Le Bon Marche. In Brussels : Boucle d’Or,  Mercredi, CdeC for the products selection and great owners/managers.  New York City : ABC Carpet and home, J crew for me and for my daughter, Gap for the jeans, Anthropology for kitchen and children things, Old Navy for the fun vintage inspired T-shirt and not too cheesy Hello Kitty tops, Pomme for almost everything; I am a huge fan of Yoya shop

What do you buy online? I buy almost everything on line since you cannot find much in Hyderabad : Smallable, kidslovedesign.com,  Nobodynoz.com, thumbeline.com, guapito.be. And Diapers.com for all the Aden and Anais things, the Saltwater sandals, California baby products.

A website that inspires you They are so many but I really love i-escape for the travel destination Etsy for the unique shopping and pinterest for all the great pictures

Last item you added to your child’s wardrobe A Hucklebones dress because it is cute but not too classic with a vintage feel and I love everything Plumetis

Favorite pieces in your child’s wardrobe Too many But I am still in love with her little pinkish tutu Stella McCartney for Gap! I bought it too big and it is now almost too small but I didn’t get tired of it

 

4 years - Hyderabad Frederique India Parent and child interview Zoe