Relaunch!

Me with William, and his big sisters Evie and Lola in Portugal, 2017

Hello! It's been a while. So much has happened since my last blog post including the arrival of my third (and final!) baby, William Percy. What a gorgeous squidgy sleep-stealer he is. He's now about to be two and my girls are approaching seven and nine. So true that the days are long and the years fly by when it comes to child rearing. I look forward to getting back into the world of blogging very soon.

My new website will have a tweak to the name: Chic Little List. As ever, I'm passionate about small labels, star high street finds and dreamy designer pieces but the focus of my new blog will be travelling with kids in tow.

I'm looking for contributors so if you want to get involved, get in touch.

Much love,  Maggie

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CLB ♥ What Mother Made X Emma Yarlett

Pocket dungaree, £55

How happy-making are these jolly bird print dungarees? One of our favourite East London-based label, What Mother Made, has teamed up with award-winning children's author and illustrator, Emma Yarlett, to create this charming range inspired by the Cornish coast. Designer and expert seamstress, Charlotte Denn, founded What Mother Made in 2012, spurred on by the desire to create handmade kids' clothing from beautiful fabrics (read more here). A Cornish girl herself, she was delighted to incorporate Truro-based Yarlett's sunny illustrations into her designs. 'I read Emma's book to my children and I loved her illustrations. I contacted her and we soon realised we had the Cornish connection and the concept for the collection was born.' Sure to brighten-up the dark winter days, these jolly pieces will make great gifts for the little ones in your life.

From £50 at www.whatmothermade.co.uk

Unisex balloon trousers, £45

 

Pleated dungaree, £55

 

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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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CLB ♥ Niddle Noddle

Crouch End's latest arrival

Looking for some last minute Christmas gifts for the tiny ones in your life? If you live in London, head to this divine new toy boutique in the nappy valley enclave that is N8. Eilidh Fraser and Katrine Camillo, the mums behind Crouch End’s newest arrival, have made it their mission to provide stock you won’t fine everywhere else. Their artfully-arranged shop is a giant magnet for all ages. When CLB visited, Miss Evie and Little Lola made a beeline for the tubular yellow slide at the back of the shop and proceeded to throw themselves down it while we browsed through old-fashioned spinning tops and mini wind-up toys. The central table contains a kaleidoscopic array of tiny traditional toys like magnetic dancers and sausage dog pens (brilliant party bag fodder) while the rails either side contain whimsical, hard-to-get kids brands such as Elfie, a delightful London label specialising in ethereal velvet dresses and old-fashioned corduroy coats. Little or large, you’ll want to return again and again.

5 Topsfield Parade, N8 8PR. 208 347 4333, www.niddlenoddle.com. Open Mon-Fri 9.15am to 6pm, Sat 10am to 6pm, Sun 11am to 5pm.

Check out that awesome slide!

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Roksanda Ilincic rasies money for Great Ormond Street

Roksanda Ilincic with Tammy Kane, her daughter Bonnie, and her brother Christopher Kane

London's most glamorous designer mum, Roksanda Ilincic, threw a party in Liberty to raise money for Great Ormond Street. Her gorgeous kid's range, Blossom (a favourite with Miss Evie and Little Lola) is stocked in Liberty's beautiful kidswear department on the third floor. Great to see so many of CLB's friends including organiser Amie Witton-Wallace and Babyccino's Courtney Adamo. The stylish little tykes in attendance indulged in face painting and mask-making, while grown-up guests, including fellow Brit designer Christopher Kane and his sister Tammy, cooed over Roksanda's latest collection of miniature frocks. 

Donate to Great Ormond Street here

Stylish mamma Roksanda Ilincic

Liberty's colourful goodies for little ones

Babyccino's Courtney Adamo with little Marlowe

Attack of the cats

Amie Witton-Wallce with Delphie

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CLB ♥ Oyu Moyu cashmere

CLB had the pleasure of meeting designer Oyuna Tserendorj at the luxury kidswear show Plusher recently and checking out her inspiring new kids' range Oyu Moyu. Tserendorj, who already has a successful global cashmere line for adults, has turned her attentions to 0-8 year olds, inspired by her three-year-old son. It works perfectly – cashmere was originally only used for young children – and with her playful designs, some of them subtly educational (like the jumpers with one arm blue and one yellow to show together they make green) it makes perfect sense.  Each piece is accompanied by an exquisite illustrated story. From £12 for socks, £72 for a pullover at www.oyumoyu.com

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Just launched! Happy Socks x Toca Boca

Any parent in possession of a tablet will be familiar with the brilliantly inventive kid-occupying apps by Toca Boca which have totaled 50 million downloads worldwide to date. Fellow Swedish brand Happy Socks, known for their quirky colourful foot attire, have teamed-up with the digital app creator in its first ever collaboration for children. 'Toca Boca has been a loved brand in App Stores for several years now. And due to popular demand, we have decided to start transferring the brand to physical products too – this is a great first step,' explains Björn Jeffery, co-founder and CEO of Toca Boca. They will certainly stand out when sorting out the weekly sock mountain.

£14 for a pack of two at www.happysocks.com

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J Crew comes to London

After months of anticipation, J Crew has finally opened up shop in London, with new branches in Regents Street and Draycott Street joining its menswear branch on Lambs Conduit Street. But does it live up to expectation? The American export, originally started as a catalogue brand in 1983 and known for its quality cashmere knits, has a cool subtle glamour that snappy dressers including Michelle Obama can't get enough of. Jenna Lyons, J Crew's creative director, knows how to create wearable-but-covetable clothes and that applies to Crew Cuts, its children's wear line too. CLB nipped into the Regents Street branch on the launch night and headed straight for the kids' department on the first floor - we dig the brightly coloured knits, punchy-hued padded jackets and cute pea coats. For girls we also love the sequin shift dresses and glittery desert boots. Just the thing to brighten up a dreary winter day.

J Crew, 165 Regents Street, W1; 171-175 Draycott Avenue,SW3 and 38 Lamb's Conduit St, WC1. www.jcrew.com

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