Every cloud…

this modern life

This Modern Life

I’m not one to get down about the weather, after all we live in the UK; we’re professionals at bad weather. But I have to say, this lack of sun is now starting to wear thin even on me. Firstly Florence has an entire summer wardrobe yet to make use of, secondly I’m bored of packing sunglasses, umbrella, rain coat, sun cream, rain cover, sun hat; just make your mind up weather!!!

Looking on the bright side though, the grey clouds did inspire me for this blog post, there is soooo much cool stuff for kids whatever the weather, be it cloudy, sunshine or showers.

Here’s my edit of the best…Click on the image for details.

Easter made Easy

For most (and by most, I mean me) Easter is about eating as much chocolate as humanly possible. However if you want to buy someone a more thoughtful present that’ll last longer than 30 seconds then check out our eggsellent (sorry) gift ideas; they’re the perfect excuse to spoil that special little person this Easter…

 

Easter final

[Credits]

1. Sleepsuit £15.50 Little Dandies2. Shoes £9.95 Baby Gap3. Lamb £19.78 Jellycat at Smallable4. Building Blocks £12 Myla & Oscar5. Comforter £19.95 Moulin Roty at Cuckooland.com6. Hat £40 Oeuf at Nine In The Mirror7. Knitted Body £58 Stella McCartney Kids at AlexandAlexa. 8. Stacker £24 Little Baby Company at Notonthehighstreet. 9. Sleepsuit £17 (part of a set of three) Next. 10. Book £10.51 The Book Depository. 11. Rattle £17 Anne-Claire Petit at Amara. 12. Slippers £14.95 Cuckooland.com. 13. Beatrix Potter outfit £16 Mothercare. 14. Musical Eggs £22.99 Babipur.

Matchy matchy

£28 £18 Tease and tote

T-shirts £18 and £28 available from Tease + Totes

Ok I’m not suggesting you head down to your local Sainsbo’s in an adult baby-grow, but I’m noticing a growing trend for Mum’s and their little ones in coordinating outfits and I’m liking it. We had a taster last winter when Dolce & Gabbana sent their models down the runway with a matching mini-me in tow and others have since followed suit. Tease + Totes have their brilliantly empowering ‘Girl Power’ tees (above), where proceeds go towards Worldreader, a non-profit mission to get digital to books to all children. 

Now there’s ways of doing this, and doing it well as it could go very wrong indeed. Keep it simple, don’t go matching head to toe, a top or jumper works best. Like these sweatshirts; now I love a sweatshirt, I love a grey sweatshirt, I love a grey sweatshirt with a slogan on it (still with me?), so this little combo from Bob & Blossom is tres bon in my view…

Bob and Blossom

Sweatshirts £38 and £24, available from Bob & Blossom

And it’s not just apparel either, Sophia Webster jumped on the twinning is winning bandwagon with her Mini collection. The ‘Chiara’ style below is very sweet in teeny sizes. I’m not sure I’ll be rocking the heels round Peckham Rye Common pushing the Bugaboo but then again you never know…

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£294 and £95, Sophia Webster

If in doubt, keep it simple. These monochrome tee’s from Threaded Tees are a winner, just add a flash of red lipstick (on you, not the baby), your well-loved jeans and you’re good to go.

threaded tees @ etsy £24.41

Threaded Tees £21.41, available from Etsy

This post isn’t complete without a special shout out to Selfish Mother. Any cool mama in the know has a ‘Mother’ sweatshirt in their wardrobe (or in their clothes mountain, or on the bedroom floor). The brain child is founder Molly Gunn and her clothes are a hit with celeb Mum’s such as Fearne Cotton and Myleene Klass. I live in mine and am contemplating getting a t-shirt for the summer. For those who aren’t familiar, Selfish Mother don’t just make quality cool clothes, they do a lot of good for the world at the same time. They’ve raised over £50K for charities including Women for Women International, The Refugee Council UK, KIDS, and Help Refugees UK so buying one of their pieces goes a long way. Do it.

£45

£45 Selfish Mother


£13

£13 Selfish Mother

Click on brand for stockists:

Tease + Totes

Sophia Webster

Bob & Blossom

Threaded Tees

Selfish Mother

Molly & The Wolf

£30 FOX PRINT DAN WALTERS

£30 Fox Print

I stumbled across Molly & The Wolf when I was compiling a page of childrenswear for one of the Sunday supplements. I was pregnant at the time and didn’t know what I was having but found myself compelled to buy something…you know, as you do. I settled on the Fantastic Fox Jumper and to this day, I bring it out the wardrobe and try it on Florence only to find it’s still too big. Most days I find myself wishing she’d stop growing up so quickly, apart from this; I want her in that Fox jumper!

Molly & The Wolf have nailed the quirky, cool and individual market. Whether you’re a Mum, a Dad, Godparent, colleague or friend buying a present for a little person, there’s endless gifts to choose from. Some such as the Balsa Wood Plane  or Kaleidoscopes will send you on a trip down memory lane whereas the shark tail or Lobster bonnet & mittens are fun and unique in their own right.

Head over to the website now and grab a bargain in their amazing sale. Also you lucky MOTHERSHOP readers can enjoy a exclusive discount on all full priced items. Just enter ‘Mshop20’ at the checkout for 20% off. 

As for me, I’m off to try the Fox Jumper on Florence one more time…

Clary & Peg

 

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Clary & Peg is the brainchild of two London Mothers; Edwina and Johanna. With celebrities such as Rosamund Pike and Sophie Hunter (aka Mrs Cumberbatch) in their garms as well as awards from Smallish and Baby&Me magazines, they’re set to go far. Oh, and the small fact that Edwina’s cousin is none other than Cara Delevingne who caused a social media storm when she posed with a fake bump wearing a Clary & Peg design.

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The pieces are designed to be worn with a bump and also beyond so you won’t feel like you’re spending a lot for something you’ll only wear for a few months. Many of the styles have a vintage inspired feel to them; from Sixties pinafores, Seventies smock dresses and Eighties jumpsuits, Clary & Peg have the decades down in style. My personal favourite is the denim pinafore dress; worn with a plain polo neck and black opaque tights it has a certain Alexa Chung feel to it…

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The bambino’s haven’t been forgotten about either, with the sweetest range of baby bloomers to choose from. They can be worn bare legged in the summer or over tights in the winter. Super cute!

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See the full Clary & Peg collection here

Mama Owl knows best

OEUF NYC Alpaca Sheep Hat £40

If you’re little ones are feeling the cold (I know I am), then look no further than MamaOwl for all your wooly needs this winter. The London based company sells the most gorgeous organic and natural wool clothes for little ones.

Organic merino wool dungarees £35

Alpaca dots sweater £68

Organic wool / cotton tights £12

Merino sweater £40

 

From sweaters to scarves, blankets to booties; MamaOwl has all your knitted needs covered. These Alpaca bonnets in hard-to-chose tones are going straight to the top of Florence’s Christmas wish-list.

Alpaca bonnets £24 each

And with sizing ranging from newborn to 8 years, MamaOwl will no doubt see a regular spree from me. For now though, I picked these little grey Booties for Florence which when delivered, came wrapped up with a little wooden horse!

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Organic Fine Knitted Merino Booties £15

Click here to view the whole MamaOwl collection.