London Mummy

Colourful Crochet

Sadly not my handiwork but part of my new Anne Claire Petit stock which arrived amid much excitment here on Monday.  The colours and texture in the blanket are just divine and I have to say I found it very difficult to put it in the shop as I was sorely tempted to keep it for myself, not that I have need of a baby blanket of course :)

Olivia was equally smitten with the cuckoo clocks and it's not hard to see why, how cute is that little birdie!  Some of these were pre-sold before the stock even arrived so I now only have one left in the shop.

I have to say the bunny and the mushroom money box complement my new dolls quilt sets rather well, I have to thank my half term holiday stylist and photographic assistant for this shot :) 

Although we did have our creative differences over this one - I think they look rather cute, as if they're sitting up to beg but Livvy thinks they look like they're going to the loo!

But this one is Livvy's absolute favourite, hmm I wonder why ...

Ah yes ......

Hay Fever & Noodles

On Tuesday evening,  Olivia and I went to see a fabulous production of Noel Coward's Hay Fever at The Rose Theatre in Kingston which runs until 23rd October.

After a quick bowl of yummy noodles at Wagamama's, conveniently situated right next door to the theatre, we made our way in.  This was the first time I had been to The Rose and I have to say what a lovely theatre it is.  Opened in 2008 and modelled on the original Elizabeth Rose Theatre on London's Bankside, it features a circular auditorium which really draws the audience into the production and the pit area, where members of the audience can literally sit on cushions on the floor right in front of the stage for just £8, is something completely new to me.  

It's hard to believe that Hay Fever originally opened back in 1925, some eighty five years ago, but it is just as fresh and funny today as it was way back then and both Olivia and I absolutely loved it. 

In a nutshell, four guests arrive at a country house by the Thames, expecting a civilised weekend of polite conversation and illicit love affairs.  But their hosts, the famous actress Judith Bliss, her novelist husband and their two grown-up children are eccentric bohemians and much confusion ensues leaving their poor guests desperate to flee back to London.

Nichola McAuliffe played her role as Judith Bliss, the overly dramatic, retired famous actress still craving drama and adoration, to perfection and what an absolutely delicious part that must be to play.  I hadn't told Olivia much about the play, wanting to see her thirteen year old reaction but she loved it, likening the Judith Bliss character to Margot from The Good Life, videos of which Olivia watched endlessly when she was younger. 

Given her love of drama and the theatre I was pretty sure she would enjoy it but it was still lovely to witness her enjoyment.  The supporting cast were good and we loved Adrian Lukis' portrayal of the stiff and proper Richard Greatham and Katy Secombe's much put upon Clara, the housemaid.  I also loved the set, in another life I would have definitely liked to have been involved in set design of some sort, it must be such fun tracking down just the right props and furnishings.

Olivia was really surprised not to see more people her own age there.  Sadly I wasn't as it does seem that nowadays many people just tend to assume that young people are only interested in computer games, reality tv etc but in my own experience, the two are not mutually exclusive.  Livvy loves the X Factor and The Simpsons as much as the next girl but she also loves the period dramas and old movies.  When she was younger and we had lots of sleepovers, her friends would beg me to let them watch oldies like The Swiss Family Robinson, The Wizard of Oz and The Secret Garden time and time again. 

Now she can't wait to see The Rose's forthcoming productions of George Orwell's 1984 and Twelfth Night and I'll see if I can persuade some other teenagers to join us this time :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Baby Shower Giveaway

I'm so excited to be taking part in Sew Mama Sew's Baby Shower event which starts on Monday and is sure to be both fun and full of great ideas.  Visit the Sew Mama Sew blog for lots of wonderful giveaways and tutorials all centred on a baby shower theme.  I'm not going to tell you what my gift is just yet, I just hope the winner loves it!   Don't worry, I will happily post my giveaway gift overseas so entry is open to all :)

I had such a hard time choosing what to include in the giveaway, as it needed to be gender neutral and my orders from the trade shows had not yet started to arrive at the time I had to choose.  But now they have started to arrive and, as always, I'm like a kid in a sweet shop. 

When you place orders at the Trade Shows it can all be rather hurried as there is usually so much to see, so it's easy to, not exactly forget what you've ordered, but certainly remember what the products actually look and feel like in the flesh.

Like these oh so very soft cotton and snuggly baby blankets from Austria - both Livvy and I fell in love with these as soon as we saw them, the colours are so pretty and I love the fact that the back of the blankets have the same design but in the reverse colourway as seen in the cars one below - yes I photographed it straight out of the packet, hence the folded look but I've got to catch the natural light when I can :)

I went to look at a vacant shop recently, it would be an absolute dream come true for me to have a bricks and mortar store, particularly one close to where I live.  I have spent many an hour drawing up ideas for how I would fit it out, what workshops I could offer there and loads of other ideas to make it work, which are all there, in my head and in my notebooks.  But sadly, whilst the rent is fairly reasonable, the other outgoings and the cost of bringing the very outdated and scruffy interior, not to mention the outdoor loo, up to scratch are just too much for me at the moment so reality has to bite and I shall have to content myself with playing shops at home :)  

I couldn't resist doing some very quick styling shots in Livvy's room, poor girl, she's always having her room taken over by me for my photography but it's the best room for natural light etc so she's used to it by now and is more than happy to offer her own opinion and ideas too!  Plus she knows I'll have to tidy it up before I start so she's more than happy with that trade off!

Still, not taking the shop does mean I can get a little carried away at Anne Claire Petit's gorgeous stand at Top Drawer,  not that I ever need an excuse to do that.   That stock isn't due to arrive until later this month but I've added some items to my online shop as pre-orders as it is unlikely that I will be able to re-stock again in time for Christmas - their next delivery date is mid March so if you did have your eye on something you do need to get in quickly as I'm sure the fabulous reindeer and baby mobiles will sell out quickly as always.

I know it's often difficult to find as good a range of items for boys.  So I was pleased to find these gorgeous brushed cotton gingham pj's with a cute car applique, although I know girls like cars too.  These are a lovely quality and available in either red or blue.  I love the fact that the company who make these is a Fair Trade company which also donates a percentage of sales to SOS Children's Villages, a charity which provides homes for orphaned and abandoned children.

 

I'll show you more items as they arrive but in the meantime, Livvy is away for the weekend so my studio beckons.

Hope to see you over at the Baby Shower :)