The London Mummy, Author at The London Mummy

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Kids Club at GOAT : Chelsea

We call ourselves the ‘restaurant clearers’. Usually before we have even started our main course, we look around and realise that other tables are empty – not through finishing their meal but because they have MOVED to a quieter spot. Not on Sunday though. We went to try out the Kids Club on Sunday at the GOAT in Chelsea and it was fantastic.

Not one to brag about my children (5ys, 3ys and 1yr), let alone their behaviour, I must say they were very well behaved. It obviously helped that they were only at the table to eat their lunch, but still – it was a joy. In between courses, the older two, instead of bribing them with a pack of colouring pencils and drawing sheet – were amused AWAY from the table at what can only be described as similar to a full on kids party.

Our usual motto with necessary things like feeding in public is ‘quick games a good game’ but we spent two hours whiling away lunchtime with red wine and adult conversation knowing our children were not only being entertained (in a different room) but they were loving every moment.

GOAT has cottoned on to the need that in order for parents to enjoy their lunch, it really helps if the little ones are amused. Every Sunday between 12-3, Mr Froggle is downstairs with games, magic and dancing and your children can come and go between courses. Each week there is a different theme so you could make it a regular Sunday tradition! The children’s menu is more sophisticated than the usual pizza pasta on offer and out eldest had calamari, followed by Mac and cheese, rounded off with a pistachio brownie and ice cream. (Ok, I actually I finished it as he was slightly too eager to get back downstairs!)

The restaurant was filled with children and high chairs but not in a headache inducing way. The staff were welcoming and accommodated our request for an extra high chair, a place to put our buggy and some straws!

GOAT

GOAT on a Sunday is a perfect place to meet friends with other children and judging by how busy it was, book a table pronto as this restaurant is set to be very busy in the lead up to Christmas with families combining eating and children. They have totally nailed a relaxing and fun environment, all very reasonably priced. Bravo!

goatchelsea.com

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Big Fashion Products Spotlight

Amelia Bainbridge : Auree Jewellery

Having had a jewellery sabbatical for the last five years – I haven’t trusted a little tot not to pull it out of my ear or off my neck – it is time I start adorning myself with something a little bit more glamorous than a lonely hair tie. I have just the place to start – Auree Jewellery.

Amelia always wanted to set up something for herself and having worked in the jewellery world for nearly 10 years, she thought it was about time to get on and do it. She saw a niche in the market for beautiful jewellery that would travel through life with you – but that was affordable and didn’t need to be kept safe. Auree Jewellery moved very quickly initially – from business plan to launching the website and their first collection.

She was inspired by her (highly!) spirited Grandmothers – one, a vivacious and daring traveler, the other a phenomenal multi-tasker – they both approached life with an enthusiasm and energy that influenced her from a very early age. Both they, and many of her friends have done (and do) incredible things and she thinks that these inspiring independent women should have jewellery that lives alongside them.

“Jewellery is only as interesting as the person who wears it. It’s the personal stories and the triumphs and sadness that your jewellery will experience alongside you. Auree is for people who love jewellery and who appreciate good quality and design. We use a lot of fresh coloured gemstones with rich association and powers – aiding sleep, bringing happiness, promoting well being. They have been used for protection for centuries, so if the Greeks can do it, what shouldn’t we?”

Chennai 18ct Gold Vermeil & Gemstone Necklace – £195 (short) and £295 (long)

Eivissa Aqua Chalcedony & Gold Vermeil Earrings £95

Walton Russian Wedding Ring – from £295 & Engraving from £20

Westbourne Pendants – £95 each & Chain £70

Panarea Gold & Blue Chalcedony Earrings £65

Amelia’s Favourite’s

Shop: Green and Stone of Chelsea Amelia has happy childhood memories of many hours browsing this Aladdin’s cave Art shop

Website: i-escape.com Amelia’s ‘travel guru’

Restaurant: Nuovi Sapori – New Kings Road, London

Hotel: Hotel Signum, Aeolian Islands, Sicily

Holiday destination: Paxos – unspoilt Greek heaven.

Parenting Tip : “Get a dog – the perfect child sitter”

Amelia is offering 10% off your first order to The London Mummy readers (valid until 31st December)

Discount code : THELONDONMUMMY

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Big Fashion Little Products Spotlight

Georgie Jones: Arambha

Georgie was living in Ethiopia with her husband and 2 small boys for 2 years. She was inspired by the rich culture, vibrant colours and century old techniques there, so she decided to look into working with some of the very talented local artisans. Through meeting various people along the way, she came across groups training and working with people from some of the poorest areas in and around Adidis Ababa and founded Arambha, which sells ethically made clothes, shoes and accessories.

Georgie with one of her sons

The groups Georgie works with provide sustainable jobs and lifestyle for all their employees – they are housed, fed and their children are educated. They also pay a fair wage which is very rare in Ethiopia. Along side all of this, all the materials used for her Arambha collection are locally sourced, handmade using traditional techniques and equipment and where possible, recycled.

At her shoe workshop seeing her first children’s moccasins sample!

5 gorgeous colours to choose from

Not only are the children’s moccasins amazing, Georgie also has a fab collection of things for women too. I adore the women’s moccasins – uber cool and very comfy.

Ladies mocassins with the Asaita scarf

There is a great selection of colourful accessories including scarves and ponchos and the little girls skirts are so sweet! Below is one of my favourite scarves and a beautiful necklace that comes with a touching story.

Mojo Scarf

“Bullets to Beauty” necklace made from recycled bullet shells and glass beads

Take a look at all the gorgeous things at Arambha whilst knowing that anything you buy supports women and families in Ethiopia. Who needs more of an excuse to shop than that?

Georgie’s Favourite’s

Shop: Merkato in Addis Ababa – largest open air market in Africa

Website: Barnaby Gates – beautiful wallpaper and fabric, especially their Star designs

Restaurant: Soushi in Cirencester

Hotel: Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge in Nepal

Holiday Destination: The Luberon Valley in Provence

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Big Fashion

Jumpers With Detail

There is nothing better than a cosy jumper to throw on when you are in a rush and don’t have time to check yourself out in the mirror. Here are a few jumpers that feel as good as they look and the subtle detail on each of them will make you stand out from the (at times – very muted!) crowd.

Ladies Light Grey Cashmere with Neon Green and Yellow £140 Little Leggies Gorgeous cashmere jumpers and also worth looking at the section for the little ones.

Love Thy Neighbourhood – Golborne £60 On The Rise Store A choice of neon colour and Borough – come in ‘mini me’ styles too. Although Fulham doesn’t quite make the grade. Unsuprisingly.

Scatter Star Jumper £85 Hush You can’t fail with a Star Jumper!

Pleated Back Jumper £55 Cos You could play hide and seek in this back – LOVE

Cobalt Leapard Sweater £118 J Crew As the nights draw in, animal print will see you from day to night.

Evi Pullover £90 Anthropolgie Lovely pop of colour, consistently delivered from Anthropologie

Zip Sleeve Jumper £59 Boden I love the zip detail on the wrists and the contrasting ‘collars and cuffs’.

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Interiors Products Services Spotlight

Alexandra Geddes : Love From Ophelia

Love From Ophelia creates bespoke stationary featuring illustrations of real people. Most commonly children, but also fashion portraits, family groups and recently Christmas scenes and new homes. The cards can be personalised with text, addresses and a gorgeous range of fonts and colours. Here is a set of notecards with a picture of my youngest son in his blue check pyjamas with his name above in ‘Greswell Grey’. They are so smart – they are almost too good to send to anyone!

Alex started Love From Ophelia for many reasons. She loves stationary and since having children has enjoyed buying them lovely cards and paper to write their thank you letters. She was always looking for something a bit different and unique and struggled to find it. So, Alex spent the last year learning about graphic design and how to turn illustrations into printable products. It has been a huge learning curve and she has loved every second. Having had a career as a Management Consultant, she knew she wanted to work for herself so Love From Ophelia fits the bill perfectly. She can work when she wants and is also doing something she loves.

“When I started designing the range, I envisaged it would mostly appeal to mothers with pictures of their children or a family portrait. However, my customer’s have been so diverse – from a pilates teacher leaping through the air to a Society’s Christmas Card!”

Alex with her gorgeous family

Each pack is beautifully presented, carefully in a cellophane envelope finished with a ribbon. They would make a lovely present for a Godchild or a cool change of address cards with a drawing of your new house.

If you can’t decide, what about a picture of your family pet?

Alex’s Favourite’s

Shop: Katie & Jo or J Crew

Website: The Model Method

Hotel: Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco

Restarant: Petersham Nurseries Restaurant

Holiday Destination: Crabbing in Aldeburgh

Love From Ophelia

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Fashion Little

Winter Warmers : Girls

If you have a little fairy who needs to be kept warm over the next few months, I am sure something from this list will give you a push in the right direction… If you are fully stocked already, just admire the creativity!

Superfine Fur Bobble – Winter White £35 Toastie Pig Relatively new to our shores, they are onto a very good thing. Lovely range of colours.

Ribbed Tights Burgundy £10 La Coqueta Kids Upmarket range of colours and styles – knee high socks too!

Ivory Dorothy Pom Pom Scarf £18 Greenberry Kids This whole website is far too tempting!

Red Knitted Cape £15 Little Bird at Mothercare Little Red Riding Hood here we come…

Chelsea Boots in Leopard with Pink Detail £68.50 Four Fairies and a Prince Scandinavian goodies and they sure know how to do Winter stylishly!

Diva C Boots 29 euros Gaia Kids These take yeti to a new level. Cuteeee!

Floral Gilet on sale £7 Sainsbury’s Loving my new local Sainsbury’s – I always pick something up (that doesn’t look like I bought it at a supermarket! 😉

Starry Bow Clips £5 Rockahula Kids One always needs new bows and the sparkle on these ones are fab for a party!

If you like this post, check out

Winter Warmers : Boys- From Park To Party

Winter Warmers : Parkas For Women

TLM Loves… Jumpers With Detail

Winter Warmers : Babies

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Books Products Spotlight

Poppy Fraser: 10 Minute Suppers For Children

Thank goodness for this wonderful book. Even my 1 year old was starting to have an opinion on the limited choice of what was on offer, especially over the holidays when, after 36 hours worth of children each day (3 x 12hrs!) the frozen drawer became my best friend. I have admitted before that I am not a natural at whipping up something imaginative from scratch, so I am delighted that Poppy Fraser has brought out her second book 10 Minute Suppers For Children.

A cookbook full of delicious, nutritious and lightening quick recipes is music to all parents’ ears. The recipe’s are created that the whole family can enjoy them too. I know my husband would think Christmas had come early if I served up any of Poppy’s recipe’s. I particularly like Poppy’s ‘Raw Banana Flapjack’ – we always over order on the bananas and they are multi purpose – to have as a snack, pudding or instead of breakfast.

No one understands the pressures of a kitchen full of tired, hungry children better than Poppy, who has four of her own, two of them Irish twins. Poppy wrote the book because she was desperate to come up with a system to help her cope at that time of day when the children are exhausted (as was she). She knew she was about to have 2 babies under 1, as well as the 2 elder boys, so things were going to be tricky. The less time spent cooking, and the more time being freed up for other things was vital.

“The charitable element of the book, with money from each sale going to Cancer Research, was also something important to me, having watched my beloved father die from cancer.”

Poppy in the back with her 4 children and very hands on mother

Poppy’s Favourite’s

Shop: Gardiner and Gardiner – an antiques shop in Cromarty, Scotland

Website: Ebay – a wonderful source for Children’s books that she collects.

Restaurant: Roka – Charlotte Street, London

Hotel: Hacienda de San Rafael – near Seville, Spain

Holiday Destination: Home – the Highlands of Scotland

The book is as lovely as Poppy is. So buy buy buy AND a percentage goes to Cancer Research.

Click here to order 10 Minute Suppers For Children

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Fashion Little Products Uncategorized

Children’s Liberty Clothes : High Street Prices

Mamas and Papas have collaborated with Liberty to make a gorgeous collection for little ones, all at (the steeper end of) high street prices. As I have mentioned before I love a bit of Liberty print, so I was delighted when I walked into Mamas and Papas this morning and saw this collection. There is even a a bow tie/braces combo for the little guy!

Lots of their pieces are selling quickly, so go go go.

Liberty Wiltshire Floral Gilet £38