Half term days out: The American Museum

A proper teeppe

 

 

We visited Bath over to weekend to drop Evie with Granny Lyn for half term. A fascinating historical hub and true beauty spot, Bath is a fantastic place for children with a range of museums and undulating green countryside to explore. Somewhere we hadn't been before was The American Musuem. Set in Claverton manor, a grand old Georgian country house, it's been home to American decorative and folk art since 1961. Overlooking beautiful grounds, the museum offers a chronological history of America – exhibits range from traditional interiors and quilts to Native American accessories – there’s even a set of Obama family dolls. We also caught San Francisco-born knitwear and textile designer, Kaffe Fassett's kaleidoscopic show before it ends next week and the girls were totally mesmerised by the colour and pattern. Catch it if you can. Also, check out their fun 'Day of the Dead' activities for Halloween. We can’t recommend his place enough.

 

The American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7BD (01225 460503/www.americanmuseum.org).

 

Kaffe Fasset's colourful pompom strewn tree

A knitted lampost

Native American headdress and accessories

Miss Evelyn, trying on hats in he dress-up area

It's the Obamas!

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Rosie Flo's ABC Colouring Book GIVEAWAY!

CLB has long admired the whimsical Rosie Flo colouring-in books which launched back in 2005. Now, the much-loved publishing company - which has sold over 360,000 books to date - has launched a delightful ABC Colouring Book aimed at a younger child (from three). We love the fact each image has a hidden letter for your little one to find. Learning your ABC has never been so elegant and fun. What's more Chic Little Baby is giving the first five readers to leave a comment a free copy of the newly published book worth £4.99 at www.rosieflo.co.uk

 

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The Wallace Collection

Mrs Susanna Hoare and Child, Sir Joshua Reynolds, 1763-64

It was Evie's second birthday yesterday and I met my mother for a celebratory lunch at The Wallace Collection. This stunning Georgian townhouse on Manchester Square has been on my must-go to list for the past decade and I finally got to experience the incredible opulence (think gob-smacking Louis XV chandeliers and stunning Sevres ceramics) and an utterly incredible collection of 18th century French art (there is currently a fantastic exhibition of Watteau's art, on until June 5). As a mummy myself, naturally I was drawn to the images of mothers and children. It was moving to see how children and babies have been depicted in paintings over the past few centuries and I was particular taken with Sir Joshua Reynold's 1763 portrait of Mrs Richard Hoare, Susanna, with her baby (above). If you haven't been, CLB can strongly recommend it. What's more there are a host of family activities including The Little Draw, a drop-in art workshop held in the galleries on the first Sunday of each month from 1.30-4.30pm. There will also be a whole host of activities during half term (from Mon 30th May-Fri 3rd June).

The Wallace Collection, Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN (020 7563 9500/www.wallacecollection.org) Bond St tube. Open 10am-5pm seven days a week. Admission free.

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