RIP Corinne Day
Book of names...
Talking of names, I bought this charming little yellow book from the V&A shop when I was eight months pregnant. Presenting a list of original and old-fashion names for girls and boys, the American author offers humorous personalised fortunes for each name. Evelyn (Evie's full name) reads 'A new love interest will soon move to town'; Isaac 'You will enjoy the company of your friends and will laugh often' and Savannah 'you will have tremendous career fulfilment.' Rivetingly, at the back it lists the ten most popular names for boys and girls over the last century. Did you know in the US, John and Mary reigned as number one names from 1900 to the 1930s? That decade Robert overtook John but it wasn't until the 1960s that Mary was usurped by Lisa. Emily and Jacob were the number one US names for the 2000s. Jack and Olivia currently reign in the UK.
Fortune-Telling Book of Names (A.M.McCloud, published by Chronicle Books, San Francisco) £7.99 at Amazon
Hello, baby!
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| Papergrain |
With news of baby Florence Rose Endellion Cameron's arrival, I felt it time I picked out some stylish announcement cards. Harder than you'd imagine. The trick is to be minimal yet personal too. Find a good selection on Etsy and via US websites. Alternatively, you can always get them personalised at Flo's mum, Samantha's former employer, Smythson.
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| Felix Doolittle |
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| Botanical Paperworks |
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| Hello Lucky! |
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| Blackbird Press, Etsy |
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| Papyrus Custom Printing |
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| Papergrain |
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| Letter Press |
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| Paryrus Custom Printing |
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| Mount Street Printers |
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| Letter Press |
Something special...
Leading from Holborn to the heart of Bloomsbury, Lambs Conduit Street is one of my favourite shopping streets in London. Lined with an eclectic mix of independent bars and shops, such as Folk or Persephone books, it is also home to one of my favourite restaurants in London, the buzzy Ciao Bella. A meander down this street is a must for anyone planning a visit to Coram's Fields (which lies at the Bloomsbury end) or Great Ormond Street (which cuts across it). Stylish parents should visit super-elegant store Something. Here, alongside the accessories and homeware, you'll find a uinque selection of baby and childrens wear including printed sleep suits, floaty frocks and printed wellies. I picked up the below Humpty Dumpty number for a friend's new baby boy, Robert. I do hope he likes it...
Something, 58 Lamb’s Conduit Street, London WC1N 3LW (020 7430 1516/www.something-shop.com) Holborn tube. Mon-Fri 10.30am-6pm, Sat 11am-5pm.
Map here
Converse pays tribute to Dr Seuss
In one of the most inspired fashion link-ups we've seen in a long time, Converse pay tribute to eccentric children's author Theodor Seuss Geisel aka Dr Seuss (1904-1991). Converse's classic Chuck Taylor is available decorated in various Seuss characters including 'Cat in the Hat' and 'One Fish Two Fish Red Fish'. We feel the Massachusetts born author would surely approve. Available in children's sizes (2-9) to youth sizes (10-2). £25.99 at Office
"Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope."
— Dr. Seuss
If the cat fits...sit on it
It won't win any design awards soon but Evie adores this wooden cat chair that I picked up in John Lewis earlier this week. We just spent a few days in the Oxfordshire countyside looking at houses (will fill you in on that front later) and Evie stayed with her with her wonderful grand parents in Old Amersham. She had a whale of a time exploring and playing with her older cousins. She is always happy to get home to see the cats, Stu and Doris but this time as soon as we got back to our London pad, she ran up to her new chair shrieking 'caaaaaaaaat!" and clabbered onto it joyously. No need to for mummy to fork out for a mini Eames then. Phew.
Pop into Olli Ella's pop-up
Olli Ella, will be showcasing its ultra-stylish nursing chairs from today at a pop-up shop in Islington's St. John's Street. Launched by sisters Chloe and Olivia Brookman last month, Olli Ella, has been causing a frenzy in baby circles. Now, London-dwelling mummies can finally see what all the fuss is about. Eight styles in various colourways (remember: you can customise them!) will be available to trial at a chic and baby-friendly pop-up boutique. Evie and I simply can't wait to park our bottoms on them...
Olli Ella pop-up, 406 St John St,EC1V 4NJ (020 7713 8668/www.olliella.com) Angel tube. 11am-6pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm Sat, 12noon-4pm Sun.
One for the mummies...
Now that summer seems to have departed leaving in its place blustery, leaf scattered parks, I found myself sartorially challenged. It's not quite cool enough to get the autumn wardrobe out but it's too damp and chilly to carry on with skimpy frocks and sandals. Luckily I found myself in Liberty the other day and tripped upon its scarf department (I once worked here as a student so it always brings a smile to my face). I caught sight of the new range by US brand Me & Kashmiere and was smitten. Each of their fine-gauge cashmere scarves (about the same size as a pashmina but tissue-thin) are so soft they feel as though they might melt in you hands. I snaffled the hand-painted charcoal grey style and have been wearing it ever since. It's perfect over a light summer jacket and can open out into a large shawl. Always handy in sudden chilly spells. Evie adores it when I wrap her up in it too. From £95 at Liberty.
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COMPETITION: Win an Anorak changing bag!
ChicLittleBaby is delighted to annouce its second competition - this time the chance to win a stylish changing bag by Anorak. Launched by textile designer Laurie Robertson in 2008, Anorak has become synonymous with stylish outdoor products from picnic blankets to travel trunks (check out their recently launched lambs wool blankets). Now you can own one of their best-selling changing bags with a kissing rabbits design. To enter the competition all you need to do is post a comment below telling us why you'd love one in less than 10 words. Best answer wins. The competition closes at midnight on Aug 31 and winner with be announced on Sept 1. Good luck and thank you for following ChicLittleBaby!
Karate kids
I met a friend in Highbury Fields recently and her beautiul 14 month old girl, Tilly,was wearing a very hip pair of karate pants by American Apparel. They not only looked cool but they were the perfect play pants; less restrictive than jeans and cooler than leggings (in both senses). I had serious baby wardrobe envy. As soon as I could I logged on to AA's website and discovered they do them in 14 delicious shades including olive, lavender, bright red, heather grey and the super chic asphalt for a tenner a go. I'm thinking they are a practical but stylish investment for Evie now that she is toddling everywhere (in the style of a drunk old man after a night on the Guinness, I might add). They only difficulty will be deciding which colours to go for...
A perfect summer play day
Evie, Tim (daddy) and I spent a glorious sunny afternoon at Coram's Fields today. London's first public children's playground, on the site of the Foundling Hospital, is one of the best places in the city to hang out with little ones. Actually, you can only get in if you have a child in tow. Evie was in her element - oinking at the resident goats (don't ask!), storming through the paddling pool full of boys having water fights and sliding down her first slide (without parental assistance). 'That baby is blocking our river!' wailed an eight year old in the sandpit as Evie sat in a stream of water that had been carefully constructed by a team of kids. The 'river' soon dissipated into a sandy pond as Evie excitedly flapped her hands and feet around. Afterwards mummy, daddy and babe lay on a picnic rug in the dappled sunlight scoffing Devon ice-cream. The big sticky smile on Evie's face at the end of the day said it all: today was a splendid day.
Coram's Fields, 93 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1DN (020 7837 6138) Near Holborn tube. Open 9am-7pm throughout the summer. Directions here.
Today: take afternoon tea with the Kids Company
The Shoebox Living project saw a hundred and twenty five children aged between eight and ten given a shoe box, and asked to recreate a room from their home and write a few sentences about it. The results were insightful, often shocking with 1 in 6 of the children raising serious concerns and a Kids Company worker was able to step in and help. Now you can see the incredible results for yourself.
From Sept 1-4 Whiteleys atrium will also host art, craft and cookery workshops with a selection of Kids Company products from Nina Campbell by Kids Company kitchen ware to Van den Berg jewellery by Kids Company (products are also available at Kids Company online shop).
About Kids Company...
Launched in 1996, Kids Company provides support to 14,000 deprived, neglected inner-city children with centres in North and South London and a presence in 30 schools throughout London. Kids Company provides a safe, caring, family environment where support is tailored to the needs of each individual. It's services and support help empower children.
Camila summed up the work of Kids Company in a newsletter recently: 'One young person, who was abandoned at Victoria Station a 12-year-old and first heard about us in his bed and breakfast hostel when he was 16, wrote telling me that a seat has been reserved for me at his graduation ceremony. I cannot think of an honour greater than this.' We can't think of a more worthwhile charity.
Donate to Kids Company here
Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder of Kids Company
T-shirt design by a 16-year-old for Kids Company
A plate by Nina Campbell for the Kids Company
The Print Princess
I've always adored Liberty print so I was thrilled to recently discover Peak Princess, a label specialising in handmade Liberty print clothing for girls and boys. Ex- radio producer Lissa Cook launched the label last spring after moving from London to the Peak District. Liberty of London loved the designs so much, they agreed to supply her with fabrics. Aswell as designing clothes for boys and girls (from three months to nine years) she now does blouses for grown-ups, hair accessories and cushion covers. Rather wonderfully, everything is lovingly handmade by Lissa. She is currently working on my bridesmaid dress collection which is out at the end of August alongside the 'Amy Tallulah' pleat skirt and a new 'Braithwaite' playsuits in girls and boys styles. Simply charming.
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