The London Mummy, Author at The London Mummy

Activities Events Gift Guides TLM Monthly Edit

TLM Monthly Edit : September 2017

Slightly early monthly Edit as have quite a few events that need to be flagged! It should really be entitled ‘What’s On For Us This Autumn’ but I have so much scheduled for The London Mummy over the next couple of months, both on the blog and events – I have put it under my monthly Edit!

ENTER THESE FABULOUS AWARDS

Firstly, the fabulous Good Web Guide – my go to on all web related businesses and recommendations – is hosting their annual awards and YOU can enter. It is perfect if you are a web based business, a new business or just want to raise your existing profile. They are well respected and a great way to get your name out there. This will answer any questions you have!

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MY FIRST FAIR

I am so excited to be participating in my first ever fair selling my TLM Edit goodies. It is for a fabulous cause – the victims family and friends of the Grenfall Tower.

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I will be selling hats, scarves, jumpers, belts, gifts and jewellery so please come and say hi (and no pressure to buy anything!) from TLM Edit including the below.

It is next Friday 29th Sept at St Mary’s Church, the Putney end of Putney Bridge. Would be so fab to see you there.

Follow the progress on Facebook Bring little ones as the Fire Brigade are visiting too!

I am alongside some other fab stalls including –

Ambersouk – Jewellery
Arbonne with Bronwen
Blabar – Nordic Interiors
Cece & Me – Children’s Shoe Fitting Service
City Paws Club
Florence and Frog
Harry Rocks – Unique Personalised Jewellery
Jewell Junkie Design
Marie & Lola – French Fashion
The Naked Olive
Pats Vintage Cartoons
Postive Sprit Massge
Rude Health
Serendipity Bakes
Tussie Mussie – Candles

NEW POP UP ON KINGS ROAD

My pal who runs Five Boys Clothing is hosting a pop up on the Kings Road 24th – 30th September so if you are cruising, do pop in and say hello.

Also in the shop –

Mobs – teenage and young men clothing
Five Boys Clothing – boys clothing and gifts
Pixie Dixie – children’s pyjamas w
Crafty Wrens www.craftywrens.co.uk – crafty kids for children
My Mia – girls clothing
Willow Cashmere – cashmere
Hermosa London – ladies handbags
Maimie London – Luxury Silk Womenswear
Pom Lampson – silky shirts and underwear
Lucy Simmons – jewelry

FUNKY EXHIBITION

Emma Van Zeller is having an exhibition of her wonderful jovial exhibition at The Corner House from 26th October. Do pop in and have a look. The Corner House is a perfect place to visit with little ones and allow you to have your coffee (excellent btw) in peace whilst they play on the gorgeous play equipment or do a class.

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HUGE CHRISTMAS FAIR

The Daisy Trust is hosting their annual fair at Hurlingham on Monday 2nd October. With a full list of excellent stalls I urge you to come down!

Check out the sellers…

Anna & Louis – Spanish Baby Clothes
Little Leggies – Cashmere and Neon
Pepa & Co – Spanish Children’s Clothes
St Bert’s Clothing – Boys Clothes
Facets
KC Collection
Laurie and Jules
Law & Co
Marie & Lola – French Clothes
Milliemanu – Childrens Clothes
Octavia Hix – Resortwear
Pom Lampson Ltd – Underwear & Lingerie
SLW
Susie Pringle – Cashmere & Pearls
Tessa Maynard – Scarves & Jackets
Vishana Ltd
Wingfield Digby – Accessories
Wyse – Cashmere
Banana Boxer – Boxer Shorts
Illann Cashmere
Indigo Island – Mens Shirts
Reef Knots – Mens Swimwear
Beau Britches – Activewear
Harper Scout – Beachwear
Philippa London – Clothes
Sister Design Ltd – Resortwear
Snow Finel Ski Wear – Ski wear
Toosh Clothing – PJ’s
The Holiday Shop – Holiday Accessories
Avanti
Happy Hats – Hats
Peachy Belt – Belts
Manyatta – Masai Belts
My Fashion Tribu – Shoes

DAYLESFORD’S AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Daylesford’s new after-school activity hours should become a regular feature in your back-to-school diaries. They provide the perfect opportunity for children to wind down after a busy day at school, giving their parents or a chance to relax over a cup of coffee.

Hosted in all of the London Farmshops (Marylebone, Notting Hill and Pimlico Road) every Wednesday from 3:30pm-4:30pm, the activity hours are free to attend.

Each week they will be doing a different, fun, and educational activity that children will love, such as colouring, making jam jar posies, flower pressing and herb planting.

Locations:

Daylesford Marylebone, 6-8 Blandford St, Marylebone, London W1U 4AU
Daylesford Notting Hill, 208-212 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill, London W11 2RH
Daylesford Pimlico, 44B Pimlico Rd, Belgravia, London SW1W 8LP

It’s free to attend and no booking required. Result!

Have great week and hope to see you at one of the events!

Love Lucinda xx

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Days Out Events

A Little Heads Up

Needs must and this is a need. Otherwise I wouldn’t mention Christmas (!) in September. However, last night I was doing a little research into what shows there are on for kids at the moment, thinking the theatres won’t have listings beyond half term – and woe and behold – the Christmas shows are out! And one show in particular that piqued my interest is actually sold out. (Beauty & The Beast at The Royal Albert Hall… click here to feel my pain!) WHAT? How on earth are people so organised as to get their shizzle together in the second week of school and BOOK CHRISTMAS SHOWS.

So, let’s not let any more get booked up – and if they are going to be booked up – let them be booked up you lovely peeps.

Here are my top picks!

Slava’s Snowshow – Royal Festival Hall

18th Dec – 4th June

The Tony and Olivier award-winning hit returns to Royal Festival Hall this Christmas!

Slava’s Snowshow is now established as a leading London Christmas show, having delighted theatre goers of all ages around the world for over 20 magical years.

Created by multi-international award-winning performance artist Slava Polunin, Slava’s Snowshow introduces a joyous dream-like world, unlike anything you have ever seen; a world in which a cobweb envelops the audience and one tiny piece of paper begins a heart-stopping blizzard of snow.

Snow White & Rose Red – Battersea Arts Centre

29th Nov – 30th Dec

Snow White likes to tell stories and paint. Rose Red likes to race with the deer and the wolves. When a friendly bear knocks on their door, the mischievous sisters have no idea that it’s the beginning of a magnificent adventure.

Based on the original fairy tale by The Brothers Grimm, acclaimed RashDash present a musical quest for justice, love and friendship.

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Pinocchio – National Theatre

1st December – 7th April

If anything has sure-fire bankable hit written over it, it’s this new family musical. In a good fairy-worthy stroke of luck, the National Theatre has managed to land stage rights to Disney’s legendary movie ‘Pinocchio’, which means that it’ll boast all of the original’s best-loved songs, including ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’.

The Christmasaurus Live on Stage – Apollo Hammersmith

20th – 28th December

Based on the novel of the same name, The Christmasaurus is set on Christmas Eve, a story about the magical adventures of a boy named William Trundle and a most unusual dinosaur called the Christmasaurus. There are sleigh bells and singing elves, Santa Claus and flying reindeer, music and magic. It’s a tale about adventure, family, friendship and discovering that the impossible might just be possible…

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The Nutcracker – Royal Albert Hall

28th – 31st December

For the first time ever, Birmingham Royal Ballet brings an enchanting production of this Christmas favourite to the Royal Albert Hall. This magical ballet, with its ravishing Tchaikovsky score, is the quintessential Christmas treat for all the family.

We join Clara in the Victorian setting of her family home. As midnight strikes, the magical Christmas tree grows and grows, Clara’s nutcracker doll and his army of toy soldiers come to life, and Clara is swept away into a fantasy adventure through an enchanting winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes to the magical Kingdom of the Sweets.

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The Snowman & The Carnival of The Animals – Cadogan Hall, SW3

20th December

Give the whole family a magical Christmas treat as The Snowman is shown on the big screen while the Mozart Symphony Orchestra provides a live soundtrack.

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A couple of my favourites, Chiswick House and Fulham Palace haven’t released their dates yet – just the big theatres, so watch this space for smaller performances nearer the time! xx

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Big Fashion

When It Rains, It Pours

Today, I am talking light weight, throw on, colourful and waterproof. The humble rain mac. It can be left crumpled in the boot and still has the ability to make you look pulled together when thrown on and zipped up. Buy a size up and you can fit a snug jumper on underneath or when spring approached looks fab undone with a t-shirt peeping through. Every women should have a biker, a parka, a smart winter coat, a blazer and a waterproof coat – and the latter is what I am covering today because when it rains, it pours…

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Other than a variation of colours and patterns, they are generally thigh length, with hood and zip. I bought a white one from Topshop last year and it is still going strong and despite the light colour, it is pretty versatile and goes with most things. Although, it isn’t a great look when my 3-year-old needs carrying after a long muddy walk!

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The Humble Raincoat

Here is a selection of colours in varying prices (although reasonable) that will see you though a downpour.

Seafolly Redcurrent Raincoat £120

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Topshop Hooded Rain Mac £49

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Marks and Spencer Dark Green Waterproof Hooded Anorak £79

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M and S Twin Pocket Zipped Anorak £55

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Joules Waterproof Hooded Jacket £129

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Maison Di Nimes Rain Mac £89

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La Redoute Wax Hooded Waterproof Jacket £59

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Petit Bateau Iconic Raincoat £132

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Rains Pale Pink Jacket £79

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Which one takes your fancy? I think it has to be red seeing as it is the colour of the season and it is rather lacking in my wardrobe! xx

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Services

What To Do Once You Have Exhausted Your Network…

Having started a sideline to The London Mummy in the last 6 months, it has been so interesting to be on the other side. With The London Mummy, I am the publisher /editor and basically get to choose what goes in and what doesn’t. With TLM Edit, I have to market my own products and hope that it hits the right people. However I have learnt a few points to make sure it does hit the right people! So, what do you do though after you launch your own business/brand/product and you have exhausted your direct network?

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Rather than a scatter gun approach to getting your small business out there, I wanted to give you some tips that I have learnt along the way (winging it all the way and a lot of trial and error!)

BEFORE YOU LAUNCH

1) If you haven’t launched yet, other than the obvious website, set yourself up on Facebook (a page not a group – this makes you in charge rather than your audience), get an instagram handle and if you want to widen your net further a Twitter account (although I hardly get any traffic from Twitter – FB is my best as people can click straight through to your website)

2) Make sure your handle’s (this is basically your social media name i.e. @thelondonmummy is the same across the board. Publishers do not have time to look up what your handle is all the time! Make sure it starts with the first word of your website!! I started with @londonmummylucinda and no one could find it as they were searching thelondonmummy.

3) If your desired handle has been taken, do as in number 2, but perhaps put a number at the end.

4) Whilst I am on the subject of names and handles, you have to think long term. I have slightly stitched myself up by choosing The London Mummy, as we know live in Hampshire (although renting out London – selling would be too final!) and will Always be a Mummy? Yes I will, but in 20 years I hope my sons will call me something else!

5) So, once you have sent an email out to your friends and family and asked them to buy, share, forward you will get a rush of sympathy/support sales and then unless you are picked up by mainstream media, it will all go quiet.

YOU HAVE LAUNCHED. WHAT NOW?

6) Link all your accounts so when you publish on one they publish on all. (Ok I haven’t done this as use different social media for different things – FB for interesting articles, Instagram for personal photos and fashion and Twitter – for contacting customer services!! ha) This will save time and save you from having to think about it.

7) Reply to comments – not generic – try and be personal.

8) Find a similar brand/company to you and engage with them and their audience.

9) Whatever you do, don’t buy followers – it is so obvious and it is much better to have s small engaged audience than a large fake one!

10) Host a competition and ask people to enter by sharing your page or tagging a friend. This will get you out there. You can see how I am doing one today on Facebook and Instagram and you can enter if you want to win this lovely selection!

11) Pay for a sponsored post and see if it works for you. I did it loads at the beginning and it really helped accelerate my following on The London Mummy but I spent far too much money on it.

12) Pick a few bloggers whose audience you would like to reach. Send them an email and an image and ask if they would like to give you a mention. If you don’t ask you don’t get! I am going to do a New Business Round Up again after the last one was well received, so email me and I will add you too (if you are a 1/2 man band and have started in last year). hello@thelondonmummy.com

13) Find journalists you like on Twitter and tweet them with a product idea for their next article.

14) Be listed in as many Directories as possible. Start with The Ultimate Directory!

15) Start a blog. Sounds exhausting but if you are trying to sell a product you have to sell a lifestyle around it. Sell boys T Shirts? Write about activities for boys in the garden. Sell women’s necklaces? Write about Autumn Jewellery Trends. You get the picture?

16) Don’t just sell all the time – this will lose you followers sooner than you can say cake.

17) Show yourself occasionally. If people can visualise the person behind the brand they are more likely to proceed.

18) Keep your inventory up to date! I have learnt the hard way and it is very unprofessional to have to refund because you have sold out.

19) Don’t quibble about refunds. If anyone has any probs whatsoever I will refund no questions asked and be pleasant with it too.

20) Remember the customer is always right.

21) Offer some products for a raffle.

22) One month, give a percentage of profits to a chosen charity.

23) Send a few ‘influencers’ 1 or 2 items in the hope that they tag you in it.

24) Get you press releases sorted. Have you put together your Christmas one yet? Most publishers start thinking about Christmas in September, so get onto it (email me hello@thelondonmummy.com if you have a good product – have a lot of gift guides to fill and would love to support small businesses!)

25) If you need a bit of business coaching – I highly recommend life coach Olivia Read’s group coaching sessions, The Bird Table

Whilst I am at it – I am doing my first fair in Putney selling my wares, on Friday 29th September at St Mary’s Church, so please come and say hi!

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Big Fashion

Jumpers With a Twist

The first thing you see after a jacket and shoes is what’s on your top half. The school run staple seems to be a cashmere jumper with a little colourful detail on it. Marks and Spencer has got wind of this trend and rolled out some pretty gorgeous jumpers this season that have yet to be discovered by the school gate mums. Here is your little heads up!

Colour Block £99

With dark grey jeans, ankle boots and a colourful scarf – this is a sober look with enough detail to prevent it looking dull. I love the elongating stripe down the arm.

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Cashmere Star Print Jumper £109

This jumper has come under the radar of Instagram as it looks anything but M and S and it is a fantastic price point for such a pretty design and a good fit.

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Cashmere Round Neck Jumper £109

Ah, a pop of pink always goes down well and this is just enough not to be too in your face.

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Striped Round Neck Jumper £35

This jumper and the one below are amazing! At only £35, they are snazzy and slightly sparkly. I love this one as who doesn’t love a stripe.

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A little shop floor selfie!

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Cream Round Neck Jumper £35

If you can avoid jam at breakfast (which I can’t) snap up this cream number asap. They also do a vibrant red/orange one.

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Pure Wool Flared Cuff Jumper £45

For the those that love a strip without any sparkle, this jumper has a lovely flare detail on the wrist.

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As night are drawing in, it is definitely time to get your jumpers out and if they are feeling a little tired one of these will do the trick! xx

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Family Life

How To Find and Keep a Good Au Pair

This post has been on the tip of my tongue for so long. Having had 6 au pairs in 8 years, I now what I like and think I know what to look for. We pioneered the way amongst our contemporaries with having the first au pair as we wanted help with dog walking and babysitting and the economics of it made sense. Our first Au Pair Tati was so lovely it set a trend for lots of my pals to try one too. Most became hooked but for a few, it wasn’t for them. One thing I can tell you though, is that whilst I was in the thick of pregnancy, babies, toddlers and tantrums I am so pleased I had that extra pair of hands…

I must admit that it hasn’t all been plain sailing. Pregnant with number 3 I made some bleary eyed rash decisions and failed to notice that a girl WASN’T that enthusiastic (I thought it was a language barrier) but all was confirmed after a slow start when I returned home and she was gone. It has happened to the best of us. Do not judge! I was kind and patient but she was missing her boyfriend.

This bring me to my first point of many when thinking about what to ask when you are interviewing. It is imperative to discuss these things upfront so there are no surprises.

BOYFRIEND

We had some with boyfriends and some without. The former didn’t stay as long and were more focussed on coming over, concentrating on their English and heading back home. Those without were more open to seeing what happened. If what was happening was going well, they were more likely to stay.

LENGTH OF STAY

The normal length for an au pair to stay is a year however many prefer 10 months – arriving in September and leaving in June JUST BEOFRE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS. If you have young kids who aren’t old enough for clubs, I would definitely confirm that they are happy to stay over this period of time.

HOLIDAYS

Also, say in advance your general holiday pattern and suggest that it makes sense if at all possible for them to take their holidays at the same time. Any reasonable girl will see this makes sense.

CONTACTS

It is really nice if they know a couple of people in London but I would be concerned if they knew loads as it might mean they are just here to socialise (which of course is fine but you don’t want a tired au pair midweek)

TOWN OR COUNTRY

One of the questions we asked when we were interviewing was ‘where would you like to ideally be an au pair?’ When they immediately said ‘only London’ it is worth delving to see whether they want to be an au pair or just come to London…

CHILDREN

How much experience do they really have with children? Don’t know about you, but before I had kids I would have been a terrible au pair. (I still would) Unless they have looked after children sole charge and had experience working in schools or camps, I would think twice about whether they are right for your family – especially if you have more than one or they are particularly wild (like mine – I needed someone who wasn’t phased!)

So, you like them. You have a good feeling. They are smiley. Respond to emails. Are good communicators. You have had a couple of good references. They were keen to see your children on Skype. They haven’t asked about money yet.

It’s time to ask if they would like to join your family as an au pair!

It is important to remember, they are joining your family rather than being employed by your family (although obviously you pay them). They probably don’t want to have dinner with you and your husband but generally we started each season of au pair by suggesting 1 meal a week with them.

Ask them about their family, their life, their culture. It is so interesting getting a different take and also so good for your children to hear.

Be Kind

THE KINDER YOU ARE AND THE MORE YOU APPRECIATE THEM, THEY QUICKER THEY WILL BLOSSOM.

Buy them the odd bunch of flowers or bar of chocolate.
Always pay them back for the bus or the bread they picked up.
Respect them.
Say please and thank you.
Encourage them.
Leave them to it. Children are MUCH nicer and easier to manage when you aren’t there.
Don’t always take the good jobs and leave them the crummy jobs. Let them take Timmy to the party. Let them take Jane to the cinema. You stay home with the drunk toddler this time.
Send them home with traditional English presents for their parents.
I always had a thing about them crossing the road. Rather than saying ‘be careful when you cross the road’ I said ‘I am so wary of how I cross the road as the cars come in all different directions.’ It is not manipulative it is tactful.
Once they have settled, let them discipline. If they have done their time, they have learnt it.
Don’t take liberties and take advantage of their willingness to babysit. Pay them extra.
Don’t make them work bank Holiday Mondays unless you give them a day off in lieu. It isn’t fair. If they join at the beginning of May before 2 bank holidays, lump it – it isn’t their fault!

Now the kids are slightly older and we have moved, we are forgoing an au pair and swapping it for a few extra hours cleaning instead. The one advantage is I will have to take charge again. There is no sloping off when they kick off and I realise my au pair has more patience to deal with it than me.

I am worried if any curve ball like a party invitation comes our way, but for the time being I am enjoying us all being together all the time. (Famous last words?) and when enough is enough, I will call on my gorgeous most recent one, Ara, to come and stay with us for the weekend and give us some much needed respite!

If you are deliberating whether to get an au pair, you may find this previous post helpful too.

PS. I always found our au pairs on Au Pair World but my Directory has a great list of agencies I recommend.

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Activities Events Fashion Little

Pop Up featuring Familiar

The British market is not an easy market to crack, especially when it comes to baby and children’s clothes. However, one that has the UK in its grasp is Familiar, a popular Japanese brand famed for it’s high quality clothes. Any mother with young children in Japan will have been gifted a Familiar item at some point as it lasts through all your children and looks is well designed.

Familiar was founded in 1950 by four Japanese women who were in a middle of raising their own children and their mission was to create clothes they themselves want to dress their children in.

Isn’t this a lovely photo?

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Familiar is considered as a luxury brand and is known for its high quality clothing.

Due to this good quality, Familiar’s products are often used as newborn baby’s gifts.

Familiar creates their own fabrics and their number one selling product in Japan is a simple newborn baby underwear.

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These are my favourites –

2 Way Playsuit

How cute is this playsuit? Makes me slightly giddy looking at it and it feels even better.

Baby Grow

Pom Pom Cotton Socks

As a Pom Pom fan, there is no escaping these cute baby socks.

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Cotton Toweling Blanket

I love the pop of primary colours on this 100% cotton towel.

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Removable Pocket Feeding Bib

I wish I had had one of these when my children wear bibs (actually think they might be handy still!)

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Not only can you buy all these gems online you can visit Familiar as they are doing a Pop Up in Hampstead this month! This is the first time they have showcased their brand in Europe!

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In this first effort to set up space in the European market, the focus has been on materials, handiwork, and children’s experiences, expressed as the Japanese concept of HITOTEMA, which refers to those extra small touches that enliven their clothes.
To further enable customers to realize the quality materials in use at Familiar, there will be a HITOTEMA Experience throughout the duration of the popups, where five types of adult ponchos will be available for try-on so that people can experience the feel and quality of Japanese fabrics.

There will also be exhibition spaces where children can interact and create their own designs, with patterns on thick paper stock, fabrics, and buttons. At this POP-UP STORE, Familiar’s delicate and detailed craftsmanship is expressed through the HITOTEMA theme. By affording clients not only with products but with an experience, we will transmit real value and inspiration that only Familiar can provide.

SO, WHAT WILL YOU FIND AT THE POP UP?

Exhibition of Familiar’s past products 1970s – 1990s

They will show the design changes through the year and show how the founders have created designs that they themselves would want to

“create clothes that they themselves want to dress their own children in”

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Making Fami-chan’s Bow-tie

If you purchase our “Fami-chan” brand character cuddly teddy bear, you can choose which fabric to use for his bow-tie. This will be put on at the shop!

Adult’s Undershirts

They made adult-size undershirts made of their same fabric as Familiar’s baby underwear so you can feel the difference in the quality of Familiar’s baby’s and children’s clothes.

Ponchos made of five different fabrics

They make adult-size ponchos out of 5 different kinds of fabrics: Tompkin, Fraiche, Italian Mesh, Wool, and Silk.

Complimentary OBORO towel

This is a special opportunity only for this pop-up shop! If you come and feel the different fabrics, you will receive a complimentary OBORO towel that is made in Japan with 100 years of history.

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Kids Workshop

Kids can attend a workshop to design a T-shirt from cardboard, using colourful tapes and buttons. Familiar’s designer will be there to help you!

WHEN AND WHERE?

Sunday 17th September to Wednesday 20th September.

Opening Hours:

17th 11:00 – 17:00
18th 10:00 – 18:00
19th 10:00 – 18:00
20th 10:00 – 16:00

Livingstone Studio
36 New End Square
London
NW3 1LS

Hope to see you there! x

You can also buy on Familiar on Farfetch and follow Familiar here –

Website
Facebook
Instagram
Online Shop

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Big Fashion

A Night at The Palace

On Monday evening, I was invited to the relaunch of Issa London with House of Fraser at Kensington Palace. Issa may ring a bell as it caused a huge stir when Kate wore the label in the form of a midnight blue dress (and looked fabulous) for her official engagement photos. After a few years out of the spotlight, it is back and better than ever with more patterns and prints but still with unusual details and flattering fits.

Engagement Dress

The launch was at The Orangery in Kensington Palace as a venue and it didn’t disappoint.

The table was beautifully decorated with rainbow coloured flowers and glassware.

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I was on the orange section! Pretty hey!

All the bloggers and celebs looked stunning in their Issa dresses and it made a huge difference seeing them in ‘real’ life.

These 5 dresses were stunning and would work for black tie, cocktail party or even a wedding.

Eden Printed Midi Dress £99

I love the colours of this dress and it has a pretty cut out low back.

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Darcy Pleat Wrap Dress £109

The classic wrap dress in a new striking print.

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Scarlett Bi Colour Wrap Dress £139

This dress just looked incredible. This is my pick – I just need something to wear it to!

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Milla Embellished Dress £139

I didn’t look twice at this on the website but seeing it on Zoe from Dress Like a Mum definitely has made me look at it in a very positive way. It also comes in mustard yellow if you are brave enough!

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