CHIC LITTLE BABY

Showing posts with label Museums. Show all posts

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

Clara Button is back in the second V&A book by author and fashion academic Amy de lay Haye. The series is based on a little girl called Clara, with talent for design, who lives with her mum and brother Ollie. In the first story 'Clara and the Magical Hat Day' Clara discovers the delights of the V&A, and endeavors to get her favourite hat - a floppy straw design belonging to her late grandma - repaired. The second story takes takes us on Clara's creative journey in as she sets about making an outfit after being invited to an Indian wedding. Sutton's illustrations are packed with beautiful detail – your eyes linger on the page long after reading the words. Evie, a massive fan of Clara, enjoyed poring over the tiny deatils on every spread and was thrilled by Clara’s slightly disastrous, yet ultimately triumphant outfit. Her only criticism? ‘It’s too short.’

Clara Button and the Wedding Day Surprise, £11.99, V&A Publishing is out in Oct and available at the V&A shop (www.vandashop.com).

CLB finally made it to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green and what a fantastic afternoon we all had. Set over three floors, this huge open-plan building holds a vast selection of antique toys, accessories and clothing alongside changing exhibitions (the current is the brilliant Food Glorious Food; a look back to how food is incorporated into childhood, on until April 25). But to top it all off there's an excellent cafe and shop, both located handily on the ground floor. Evie loved looking at the old dolls houses and stopping at the numerous play stations (there's also a very popular sandpit on the second floor). But mummy and daddy genuinely enjoyed it too - so much nostalgia. My heart fluttered with joy when I spotted the 1980s Care Bear collection. Brilliant all round.
V&A Museum of Childhood, Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA (020 8983 5200/www.vam.ac.uk/moc) Bethnal Green tube. Open 10am-5.45pm everyday. Admission is free.