The London Mummy, Author at The London Mummy

Food

Date Night : Zizou Tagine, Balham

When it comes to date night, if we don’t plan, we drive around wondering where to go and invariably end up at a favourite.

However, I love a recommendation and trying somewhere new, so we were delighted to be invited to Zizou Tagine in the heart of Balham. This was one date night we knew what we were going and couldn’t wait!

We arrived at Zizou Tagine, to an authentic entrance with the embroidered Moroccan straw bags lining the heavy set Moroccan style door. You can see my debut YouTube clip off of me outside about to go in here. (Don’t laugh – I am just learning, it took a few takes!)

[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMiCRPTpPzA[/embedyt]

It was like stepping into a restaurant in Jemaa el-Fnaa. We were greeted with a warm welcome by the manager (who was the manager at Momo’s in the West End for 5 years) and showed to our table in the corner.

The lighting was low and colourful and the tables low with genuine Moroccan wares dotted around.

One of the great things about this restaurant, is it’s Bring Your Own, so no searching a wine menu for your old favourite – just bring it with you.

We started with lots of small sharing plates. A highlight was the honey coated bitesize beetroot plate and aubergine dip.

We were gently advised not too eat too much as we had plenty more to try on the next course. We went with the manager’s recommendation of trying the Lamb Barkouk Tagine (prunes) and the Chicken Djaj Tagine (with lemon and olives) accompanied by cous cous and Moroccan bread. Yummmmmy.

We finished with Moroccan sweets and the most delicious mint tea. I am usually adverse to anything ‘herbal’ but it was sensational.

Compliments to the chefs! Loved the open kitchen.

At the weekends, the downstairs is open too.

If you are a loss and want to branch away from your usual haunts – you won’t go wrong going to Zizou Tagine! We are thinking of taking the kids back one weekend to give them a different cullinary experience…

Rating 0-5

Ambience : 5 This is a great place in the evening, especially as the nights draw in.

Service : 4 We didn’t feel rushed but they were attentive when we needed them.

Value : 4 Very reasonable and the BYO is a good way to keep the cost down.

Taste : 4 If you like Moroccan, you will love it!

Overall 4/5

zizoutagine.com

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Events

Have You Heard of Kidtropolis?

No, I hadn’t either until an email dropped into my inbox about a 3 day event over October half term, aimed at kids under 12… Kidtropolis is a brand new family event coming to ExCeL London this October Half Term on 25th, 26th and 27th October.

It sounds like the perfect fun-filled experience for all the family (I can’t wait!) and a good reason to stick around the capital in half term.

The main aspect I was most surpised about was the price – just £13.50 in advance and £15.50 on the door. Your all-inclusive ticket includes admission to all activities including interractive activities and new experiences. Bargain for a days fun! You can buy tickets here

Here are the activties I we are going to head to, in no particular order!

The 8.5 metre inflatable helter skelter.

Meeting Optimus Prime & his Truck

KIdtropolis Optimus Prime Truck photo DSC_5535

Testing out the Nerf Tri Strike & Vault

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Getting creative at the Playdoh workshop

Meeting Paw Patrol characters & Angry Birds characters

Exploring Equistria on the My Little Pony double decker bus

My Little Pony Tour, Intu Trafford Centre

Virtual Rockpooling

Racing Scaletrix Arc Air

Boot Course Inflatable Assault Course Challenge

And – excuse the cliche – so much more!!

We are going to drive & park in the excel car park, but you could also take the Emirates cable car over from the docklands. Plenty of tranport options here

Looks good, doesn’t it? See you there? If you want to see it first hand, follow my Instagram as I will be doing a few Stories when we go on Tuesday 25th… xx

kidtropolis.co.uk

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Family Life Services

How To Host A Kids Party At Home

At the end of August, I had 48 kids to a party. In our house. Sometimes I can’t even handle a playdate with a couple of kids, so what possessed me? I thought it was time that my sons, less than two years apart, both summer boys – should have a joint party. They like the same things and have ALOT of pairs of other sibling friends, so it seemed ludicrous to have 2 similar parties within a month of eachother.

Why so many? I like to be inclusive! Ok, if I am truthful, I thought as it was summer alot of people would be away, but you know what – people aren’t on holiday ALL THE TIME and so they around. (I am very happy everyone could come btw.)

So, here’s my advice to make it as smooth as possible, also without breaking the bank.

Email the invitation. Go to Canva and design a funky one yourself. It’s free too.

The party should be two 2 hours max. Don’t want any meltdowns. From you.

Get a good entertainer. A great one should be able to keep the children happy & engaged and take the pressure of you by organising them for tea and the cake etc. We have used Mr Marvel 3 years in a row as he does precisely this. He has become a family tradition!

Another recommendation is The Bubble Lady who gives an interractive bubble display.

Check out Hot Hire if you have a fire engine lover. They park outside the party, let the kids explore the engine and then give them a drive around the block!

Kids don’t eat much do they? Especially when they are excited. I spent a lot of time constructing a lunch box in previous parties only to see so much waste. Now I just do a plates to hand round. It is slightly chaotic and survival of the fittest but if children are old enough to walk and talk, they can express to an adult that they are famished and the food has passed them by!

What I would serve –

Jam on brown bread or cream cheese on white bread seems to be popular.
Fruit shoots (take all the plastic lids of first so you aren’t treading on them for the rest of the party – ouch)
Bowl of hula hoops. Old school.
Bowl of mini sausages.
Half a pineapple with pineapple (from a tin – you don’t want to mess around with the actual pineapple) and cheese chunks on cocktail sticks (my attempt at a hedgehog!) and a tomato and cucumber crocodile!

Then pudding is the cake… I ordered and collected these football boots from M and S

For something more bespoke and special, try Victoria Defty Couture Cakes.

If you want to make one yourself… Try Craft & Crumb. They will send you everything you need to make your own celebration cake!

If you don’t have time to do the food – M and S also do kids party platters

Children's Jigsaw Platter - 24 Pieces

If you have tables and chairs for your little darlings, you really should get Lottie from Crate a Party to kit you out with plates, napkins and cutlery all to your chosen theme.

7.PiratesPackage 5.PrincessPackage

She delivered a huge box filled of Star Wars themed goodies – including balloons, confetti, personalised Happy Birthday bunting AND two giant helium darth vadars. Now that is service! All we had to do was blow up the balloons!

Lottie is offering 20% off her HALLOWEEN package if you mention The London Mummy.

Below is a photo of the personalised Halloween bunting! (The numbers were from when we took the boys to Lords!)

If your kids want a pinata, get a pull one, not a whack one. That means everyone gets to hold a piece of the string and pull at once. It saves time and a few broken noses too. We actually had two – one for the 4 year olds and one for 6 year olds. It was amazing how ordered it was.

As a bit of fun, I bought a helium Storm Trooper from Card Factory. The only problem was getting it home in the car….

With regards to party bags, Jasmine Guinesses honeyjam do great party bags and fillers if you want to do them yourself. Personally I go to poundland and buy 50 toys. If you can, wrap them!

If a party at home doesn’t appeal, here are some great London venues.

I hope this post has helped. The most important aspect to remember when you are having a party at home is to make sure you have a chilled bottle of vino in the fridge for you afterwards!!!

For more recommendations, check out TLM Directory.

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Big Fashion

School Run Style : 16 Winter Coats

This is my fourth attempt at this post on coats. Each time I start to compile it, I lose my mojo as I just think it looks like a car crash with so many different styles, colours & price ranges included.

Instead, I am not going to be a perfectionist (not hard, that’s something I’m not – you can probably tell with the occasional typos), I’m going to embrace the chaos. Bottom line, I hope it helps!

Sessun, 4azumi Short Coat £232

So elegant, love the length and the leather fastening detail.

Hush, Elsa Coat £220

If I was heading onto the office, rather than to a playgroup – this would be my choice.

Ted Baker, Classic Trench £249

Ted Baker is top quality and this classic trench looks well made and also flattering.

Topshop, Rain Mac £55

I do actually own this and I love it!! It isn’t going to keep you that warm, but go a sixe up so you can fit a jumper underneath. Also comes in navy and pink. If you want to see me in, head to Instagram)

Hush, Duffle Coat £170

The duffel is over taking by stealth… I associate them with school but I’m sure I will change my mind come December when i’m a bit nippy.

Sessun, Winter Cape £248

So chic, so French, so how I could… never be! Love it though.

Scotch & Soda, Star Leather Jacket £399

I stumbled across this and despite it not being particularly practical, warm or understated – I couldn’t resist including it!

Khuji, Winter Olive Coat £164

The Parka is firmly set to stay for another winter, so why not jazz it up with a bit of colour on the hood. I love this colour combination.

Maje, Gove Parka With Embroidered Detail £529

A Parka with detail. Yes! You will be the first with this twist…

Schott NYC, Down Jacket £199

If was heading to a Christmas market in Europe this year, this is what I would wear. Winter white and warm. Heaven. Alas, I’m not, so I won’t…

Scotch & Soda, Technical Rain Coat £249.95

The word ‘technical’ in this title speaks for itself. This is your coat if you are a soccer mum or dog walker. Won’t show the mud, will keep you toasty AND it is oozing with swag.

Mint Velvet, Blue Blend Biker Coat £299

I love a funnel neck and this navy one is gorgeous.

Reiss, Classic Black Coat £294

I love seeing a classic occasionally as they are often so hard to find amonsgt all the forward thinking fashion. Grab whilst you can before they add neon buttons (I have no idea if they are doing this but just in case!)

Tommy Hilfiger Isabel Coat £249

Elegant beyond belief. I couldn’t pull it off but I know alot of mums at the school gate could.

Sisley, Short Coat £134

When I did my ‘styling’ course 8 years ago, an interesting little tip I learnt was that the most flattering coat lengths stopped on a natural break on your body ie waist, hip, knee or ankle (mid thigh the worst unless you are a giraffe btw). With that in mind, this knee length is a goody.

Isabella Oliver, Maternity Jasmine Short Coat, £249

For those that are pregnant, this will see you through the whole of Autumn & Winter, dressed up, dressed down – you know the score.

Which is your favourite coat? If you are in the mood for persuing mood, why don’t you head to TLM Edit. I have just updated it!

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Services

Urban Massage : Massage Service Delivered On Demand

You should have seen the look I received from my other half this morning as I answered his ‘So, what are you up to today?’ question (as he knows I don’t work to a routine!) ‘ummm a bit of work…. like reviewing Urban Massage… it’s like a masseuse that comes to your home… yes, they are coming here this morning… ‘

You get the picture. It seemed unbelievably indulgent, but hey, everyone needs a massage sometimes and if you can’t get to a salon, they can come to you!

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Urban Massage is a website (or download the app) to book a massage to take place at your home, office or hotel within 60 minutes. All individual therapists available to book on the platform have completed an on-boarding process where their qualifications and insurance are checked.

They have also passed a trade test to ensure users can expect the highest standard of treatment and exceptional aftercare advice. To ensure a convenient service, Urban Massage gives users the ability to choose their preferred treatment, therapist and appointment date, time and location. All therapists using the Urban Massage platform provide the oils and a professional massage table for their bookings. All you have to do is supply two towels.

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My lovely therapist, who works full time for Urban Massage, arrived at 1025 and was set up by 1030. I chose deep tissue (it was a toss up between that and a sports massage but seeing as I don’t do any sport…) The hour went so quickly and I feel like she took away the worries of the world – and every knot in my whole body!

It was super easy to book – you get to choose your therapist – and they can arrive within the hour! This was my set up…

Claire Nash, head of marketing explains –

Not everyone has the time or the inclination to plan their health and beauty schedule in advance. The Urban Massage technology uses live data to match the closest and most suitable therapist for each treatment, ensuring travel time is reduced and that a convenient service is delivered.

Treatments can also be booked for a later time in the day or on a different day if the want is less immediate.

The company, which operates in five UK cities – London (within the M25), Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow – and has over 500 therapists.

Download the app from App Store or Android or head to their website urbanmassage.com

Use Code RLUCIND1 for £10 off your first booking!

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Products Spotlight

Camilla Warren : Memories of Growing Up

I have been collating Christening and various Christmas present gift list guides for the coming season (watch this space) and this website has caught my eye for quality and originality. Memories of Growing Up was started by mother of 3, Camilla Warren. She sells unique baby & Christening gifts ranging from a portable tape measure to solid silver trinket boxes.

Memories Capsule & Bee Necklace £120

The capsule could hold their first lock of hair, a special message or even a first tooth (or lots of teeth!)

bee

Solid Silver Trinket Box £95

A perfect Christening present that is a lovely present for a baby that they will also be able to use when they are older and even pass on (but let’s get too carried away, just coming to terms with being a mother – let alone a grandmother!)

box

Memory Stick

The ‘Memories of growing up’ USB stick enables you to preserve all of your child’s precious milestones – photos, videos, artwork, even school reports – from birth to adulthood on one safe, portable and universal device. Beautifully packaged in a white presentation box with gift tag, this compact white leather and chrome hi-speed memory stick comes with masses of storage capacity. Comes in 2 sizes.

memorycard

Talltape

Camilla came up with the idea of a roll-up height chart that would be portable and would make a long-lasting keepsake to pass on
through the generations.

“Talltape was inspired by two friends moving house. Their stories made me realise I was not alone. One was so upset leaving all those memories on the kitchen wall, another just took the door frame with her!”

She sourced her base material – a sturdy, flexible plastic that can be rolled and unrolled easily and has a write-on surface for recording measurements with a permanent marker pen.

pink ruler

She came up with her design – a metric and imperial measure running from 0 to 2 meters and 0 to 6’ 6” – producing it in pink, white and blue and commissioning British artist Charlotte Bampfylde to create her first illustrated version.

ruler
Camilla began market testing and realised that her new product had an additional hidden benefit: unlike many height charts, Talltape can be used horizontally as well as vertically.

“There’s a gap between when a newborn comes home from hospital and when they first stand up. Of course your midwife plots your baby’s height at the beginning – I had the NHS’s little red book – but then there’s a long while until your child can stand. Talltape enables you to measure your baby from birth to adulthood, giving you a complete record for posterity.”

Manuactured in the UK, Talltape is now available in even variations – white, baby blue and baby pink and four illustrated designs by British artists.

Talltape – White £10.99

Tall_Tape_2 copy

Talltape, Pink £10.99

pink ruler

Camilla’s Favourites

Shop : Indian Summer, SW6 – Gift Shop

Website : Vente Prive – Exclusive Designer Flash Sales

Hotel : The Datai, Malaysia

Restaurant : Manicomio, SW3

Holiday Destination : Denis Island, Seychelles

Parenting Tip : “Never compare yourself or your children with others!”

Camilla is offering The London Mummy readers a 15% discount in October. Use ref LonMum15 at checkout.

memoriesofgrowingup.com

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Big Fashion Products

School Run Style : Tops With a Twist

Blah. I am bored of my clothes. I want to go full on into winter gear as I am bored of my ‘Sautumn’ clothes. My check shirts have had it, my jumpers are a bit tired, my t shirts have mysterious holes in them (do you get them too? Not moths…) and I am on the hunt for some throw on tops that I don’t have to think too much about – like wash n’ go but for your torso (speaking of torso, that aren’t too tight either…) Bye bye embroidery and bye bye off the shoulder. Time to buy some investment pieces (for this season atleast!)

Grey & Grey, Silk Violet Top £135

Comes in black, grey and another favourite – stars.

Conquista, Sheer Jersey Top £50

Show off that tan, whilst you still have it.

Bomee. Alacasia Top £150

Pale pink mesh and blue silk. Viola.

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Yunion T, Deep Scoop T£45

They do 5 different styles of T shirts all designed meticulously not to stick, but skim and to wash really well. So flattering. Stock up!

Livotte London, Gabrielle Short Sleeve T Shirt £135 (also in black)

Fab selection of T Shirts with a difference. I particularly like this one with the tie waist.

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Whistles, Shirt/Sweater £120

This style slightly reminds me of baby vests with a jumper attached – means you only have to choose once and you know they work well together. A definate time saver.

Indi & Cold, Heart Print Flowy Top 97 euros

Love this. Simple & a bit edgy (in a mum kind of way). I like it so much actually, I might buy it! (whoop!) Such a cool Spanish brand, could get carried away…

MARINO

Cos, Triangle Panel Knit Top £59

These are becoming a bit of a ‘school run mum’ uniform and I can see why. Simple with a bit of detail.

COS image 2 of Triangle panel knit top in Indigo

Scotch & Soda, Woven & Jersey Top £49.50

As above. Also comes in grey and black. (Trousers are pretty awesome too aren’t they? Will do trousers soon as they are also on the list!)

Woven & Jersey Top

Maison Scotch Colour Block Sweater £59

Love.

Happy Shopping! x

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Family Life People

Mouth To Mouth With Daisy First Aid

It has taken me 6 years, 1 house move, 1 renovation, 1 dog & 3 children to finally get round to completing a first aid course. I am relatively laid back when it comes to health and safety and compassion isn’t my strongest character trait (I am not an ogre but just don’t pander to man colds or minor scraps and scrapes) but I knew it was time to learn a bit of mouth to mouth…

I have a thing (ie. paranoia) about choking…. I wouldn’t have a clue what to do. Maybe impulsively I would give a thump in the back but, precisely, a thump is probably what’s not needed!! Everyone has a thing. Some people’s is there children going missing or fingers being caught in the hinges (yes that’s one of mine too) but whatever it, there is no harm in brushing up on your first aid skills and learning what to do in an emergency.

Daisy First Aid is a fantastic business that was set up my a mum 3 years ago and it now has 40 franchises across the UK that visit you in your workplace, home or even a restaurant and school. They are the number one provider for Mothercare so you know you are safe when you are persuing the babygros! Daisy are also the ‘First Aid’ teachers to very high profile individuals (I am not sure I am allowed to say on here – but ask me if you want to know) and I can see why.

Caroline who came to my home to teach myself, my husband, our au pair and 2 friends a 2 hour first aid class was very professional, informative, friendly and approachable. I thought I would lose concentration after half an hour, but by the time we wrapped up, i was still enamoured despite my brain being full with new information (and it also clarified any nonsense I had gathered over the years from too much Casualty).

It was especially interesting doing the practical and learning what to check and when to call an ambulance. When it was our turn (I was paired with my beloved) I was quick to criticise him when he couldn’t remember what we had been told earlier but as soon as it was my turn I had total brain freeze! (guilty)

If you have been meaning to do a first aid course, get a few friends together (minumum 4), put some wine on ice (Caroline won’t judge) and have an enjoyable fun evening, whilst also adding more strings to your bow.

£25 each for 2 hour paediatric first aid class.

Babies under 12m welcome.

Contact Caroline directly on her website for Wimbledon, Tooting & Raines Park and she is soon to cover SW11, SW15, SW18

For Nationwide enquiries

www.daisyfirstaid.com

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