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People Services Spotlight

Samantha Bishop: Website Wizz

You may have noticed that The London Mummy’s website has changed! My aim was to make it look more professional, easier to navigate and above all, more stylish. Samantha Bishop from  Occomedia has done all the leg work for me. I knew I was in experienced and capable hands and so let her work her magic. I think she has succeeded, but most importantly – I love it and hope you and your friends will too…

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Samantha seamlessly upgraded, tweaked and pimped my blog with not one little glitch.  She completed it efficiently and professionally without ever losing her rag at my constant changes (!)  I have had a baptism of fire in the ‘web design’ sphere and it takes a very special person to do what she does – namely bright and patient, which she is both as a friend and professional.

“My father made my twin sister Kinvara and I study computer science at uni. I was desperate to do art but he wanted us to do something that we could use afterwards”   

After university and then working for a few big corporations including Sky, she decided to go freelance. It was the best decision she ever made! Kinvara and Samantha love it because they can work from home (and with a combined total of 6 children under 5 between them, this is a necessity). They also love being their own boss, although the downside is that they never switch off and often work into the night and at the weekend.

Samantha and her twin sister Kinvara

A few examples of website’s they have completed –

Celebrity chef James Martin’s

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Milliner Jess Collet

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Architects Allies and Morrison

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Samantha has has compiled a concise list of what to think about before you set up your own website.  (Perhaps a few things I should have thought about before embarking on my initial blog).

  1. The main aim/goals of your site. What is it going to be used for and who will be using it. Once you have decided this you (or the designer) can think about which system will be best to use. This is most important!
  2. Copyrighting. Before you start writing it is important to think about the tone of voice you will be using on the site. Also, how much copy – remember on websites – less is more.
  3. Images. They should match the style of the site, they can really make a site.
  4. A list of competitors sights. What you like and don’t like from their websites.
  5. SEO. Very important if you want your site to appear in the top of the Google search results. Think about your keywords, and try and populate
    them around the site as much as possible. Also links (with your keywords in) and keywords used in page titles.
  6. Scalability. Important for sites built on a budget, make sure your site can scale up if needs be – when you make it big time!
  7. Hosting. Who or what company will host, manage and maintain the website.
  8. Mobile friendly. Very important as a large proportion of visitor to your site will probably be using a mobile or tablet.  Also, Google discredits sites which aren’t optimised for mobile, so make sure your designer adds one in!

If  you thinking of upgrading your current website or want to set up a new one from scratch, I strongly urge you to contact Samantha who will be able to help with any requirements. She gets that the average Joe doesn’t understand all the technical jargon and will explain what she is doing clearly and simply, whilst keeping you in the loop on every matter.  You would be in the best possible hands and whenever anyone asks for a recommendation from now on, I will always say to contact Samantha for a chat.

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Samantha with her three beautiful children

Samantha’s Favourite’s

Website: http://designspiration.net
Shop:  Wondaland
Restaurant:Ostuni, Queens Park in London
Hotel: Mango Bay, Phu Quoc, Vietman
Place to go: Gospel Oak Playground, Hampstead Heath

http://www.occomedia.com/

Interiors People Services Spotlight

Talia H. Cobbold: Interior Designer

 

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In this current climate, there aren’t many business that are inundated with requests that they can afford to pick and choose which jobs they take on, however one that can is interior designer, Talia H. Cobbold, based in Kensal Rise.  She started up Talia H Cobbold Interior Design 4 years ago after her son was born and she is now endlessly sought after by property developers and private clients.

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“If asked, I think most of my boarding school friends would have said, from my obsessive approach to the look of my area in our dormitories that I should have immediately gone into a career in interiors”.

However, it took her 9 years working in newspapers and magazine as a Picture Editor, and a chance opportunity with a developer friend to get her there. Whilst on maternity leave, a friend and developer David Harragin, who knew her (obsessive!) interest in interiors, was too busy to do the interior design for a house he was working on so gave her the opportunity to head it up. The job was a huge success and she has since worked with his company, Oryx Partners, on a number of other high end residential projects.

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Talia H Cobbold Interior Design also works with private clients, fulfilling their needs and expectations, and creating individual and exceptional homes to really live in. She has just completed a 5 bedroom development in Chelsea, and is currently working on a townhouse in Westbourne Grove.

Talia is inspired by designers such as Turner and Pocock, Suzy Hoodless and Caroline Riddell, and tends to lean towards classic design with a contemporary twist.

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Talia’s Favourite’s

Shop: The Cloth Shop – Portobello Road

Website: Pinterest

Restaurant: Ostuni – Queens Park

Hotel: Hotel Talia, Modica Sicily (the name is a coincidence…)

Place to go with kids:  Hampstead Heath

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www.taliahcobbold.com

People Services Spotlight

Miranda Lewis : Private Yoga Classes

Want to indulge in something that makes you look and feel a million dollars? I don’t need to go into the benefits of yoga but I can introduce you to a wonderful private teacher, who can either visit you in your home or in her stunning studio in SW6.

Miranda first started practising yoga as a form of exercise. She quickly found, however, that there was so much more to it than just the physical benefits. While it is physically rewarding it also allows you to let go of the constant chatter of the mind, pent up emotions and frustrations and to listen to something deeper.  Something much needed in the frenetic hum drum of London.

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Miranda qualified as a yoga teacher in Australia, Byron Bay (www.yogaarts.com.au) in 2005.  She began teaching part time whilst completing a postgraduate course in psychology and she now teaches yoga full time.  With her gentle manner, she will put you at ease straight away whilst also pushing you to your max, so no second (or money) is wasted.  Invigorating!

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Miranda’s ‘5 Favourite’s’

Shop: Lulu Lemon in Chelsea, London

Website: www.honestlyhealthyfood.com

Hotel: Spa Samui in Thailand

Restaurant: Nama in Notting Hill, London

Place to go: Battersea Park, London

 

For more information

www.privateyogaclasses.co.uk/myyoga.php#

 

People Property Services Spotlight

London Property Management

One look at Amelia’s smart and concise website, A & L Property Solutions, would entice any homeowner who has a property that needs to be let or managed, to enlist her to do it for them. Her website is an extension of her professionalism and her background in property gives her the experience to take the pain, time and paperwork and do it all for you. She will find trustworthy and professional tenants and manage to process from start to finish.

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Amelia has many years of experience in the industry. Her entrepreneurial mother has a property portfolio, so she has always helped find her tenants and manage properties from a very young age. At the end of University, she worked as a property stylist in Central London, which gave her a fantastic insight into what tenants wanted, before finally moving into residential agency.

After she had children, she decided to use her resources and set up on her own.
Thank goodness she did. London needs a personal service with someone who you can trust implicitly – and Amelia is just that.

Amelia with her gorgeous children

Amelia with her gorgeous children

Amelia’s ‘5 Favourite’s’

Shop: Fara Kids

Website: www.tripadvisor.co.uk

Restaurant: Princess Victoria, Shepherds Bush

Hotel: Xara Palace, Malta

Place To Go with Children: Wellington Country Park, Hampshire

To see a list of services www.aandlproperty.co.uk

To contact Amelia  07813 215 851

Want more?

Interiors People Services Spotlight

London Carpenter & Craftsman

There are some numbers you need on speed dial and Lance’s is one of them. He is an exceptional wood craftsman who can turn his hand to anything, whether it’s a house, a boat or a camper-van! He will make what you require to a very high specification – quickly and efficiently. He can source the wood, make it and paint it to your requirements. Carpenter & Craftsman.

Here is a list of things he is able to do – image

  • Wooden Flooring
  • Paneling
  • Cupboards
  • Tree houses
  • Fences
  • Bin Storage
  • Skirting
  • Decking
  • Children’s Beds
  • Bespoke Cornicing
  • Built in benches

Lance has been building things from a young age. He used to help his Grandfather making things as he was growing up and this natural ability shines through in his work.

He is also a pleasure to have around the house, working discreetly and tidily. Having two young children of his own, he understands the necessity to clear up after himself and I guarantee he will also raise a few smiles from your young ones.

Lance’s Favourite’s

Shop: Just Kampers

Website: www.pinterest.com/

Restaurant: Le Vacherin in Chiswick, London

Hotel: The Doña Filipa in Vale do Lobo, Portugal

Place to go with children: LaserZone, Brighton

Everyone has a pending to do list (I fancy a bike shed in the front garden and new paneling in our hallway…) and I urge you – if you need a carpenter, contact Lance for more information!

Lance 07884 042 115 or email lancelawson1976@gmail.com

Family Life People Services Spotlight

Little Learning Seeds: Help You Help Your Child

Little Learning Seeds imageoffers many services to support a child’s learning; including 1:1 tuition, homework help, parent workshops, school workshops and online support through her blog.  It  was founded and established by Laura Clifford.

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Laura

She has over 10 years of teaching experience and after speaking to many confused parents and researching what parents really wanted, Little Learning Seeds was created.

Her main focus is on early learning and supporting children through pre-school and the first few years of formal education. Her aim is to give confidence to parents in supporting their child’s learning at home, so if anyone is struggling with how and what to help their little ones with, Laura is your lady.

Laura’s Favourite’s

Shop: Darts Farm in Topham, Devon
Website: www.pinterest.com
Restaurant: Busaba Eathai
Hotel: La Petite Ferme in Franschhoek, South Africa.
Place to go: Any beach in the West Country

I urge you to contact her if you are not sure about the UK school system, your child is struggling in a particular area or you don’t have a clue what you are meant to be doing!

See her website for more information

www.littlelearningseeds.com/services/

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Family Life Services

Word On The Street

It’s that time of year again. The Au Pair search.  Our lovely Spanish Au Pair is leaving at the end of the month and I need a Mary Poppins replacement.

Earlier this month, I wrote about the advantages of having an Au Pair and questions to ask a prospective one.  I am going to heed my own advice and start by putting up a profile on Au Pair World This will hopefully narrow down a couple of goodies that I can ask this list of questions to!

These are current positions available that I can recommend, so drop me an email if you want to be put in touch.

CURRENT

Available

A1. Lovely 29 yr Venezuelan nanny, looking for two full days on Mondays and Wednesdays. Greater London.

A2. Delightful and hardworking 24yr Spanish girl who has completed a year as an Au Pair and deserves to become a become a Nanny. From September. London.

A3. Excellent experienced 30 yr old Turkish nanny looking for a new live out nanny job. From September. 7 years experience. CRB Checked and First AID.

A4. Experienced part time midwife available for adhoc days and nights with newborn. She is a great help with siblings too.

A5. Spanish University student wanting to come to UK to be an au pair for two months in the summer to practice her English.

A6. Early 40s Filipino lady. Qualified nanny – firm but very fair and adores children.  Free Available Monday’s, Tuesdays and Fridays.

A7. Jessica, Spanish, 23 years old. Looking for work as aupair/live-in. She only speaks Spanish.  She is a very honest helpful girl.

A8. Julia, from Macedonia, 27 years old. She speaks English fluently, always has a big smile on her face, and is looking for work in the mornings (she works in the afternoon). She can do housework and take care of children.

A9. Afternoon nanny/housekeeper available. Cleo is fabulous and comes highly recommended by her her employers who are moving to the country. Pref Fulham.

A10. Wonderful Argentinian Au Pair available from 3rd August – 3rd February.

Let me know if you can recommend a person for Word On The Street.

Family Life People Services

The Nub Theory

I am writing this post with trepidation as I know it is not everyone’s cup of tea, however a few people have asked, so here we go…

DISCLAIMER: IF YOU ARE PREGNANT/PLANNING ON BEING PREGNANT AND DON’T WANT TO KNOW WHAT GENDER YOU ARE HAVING PLEASE MOVE ON

When I was pregnant with number 2, intrigue got the better of me and I ‘Googled’ Old Wives Tales on what gender I could be having. I stumbled across a post from America about The Nub Theory.

What an earth am I talking about? The Nub Theory is basically a ‘theory’ that can tell you what gender you are having from your 12 week scan ultrasound photo.

Between 11 and 14 weeks’ gestation both genders have a protuberance between the legs. They look incredibly similar at this point, except for the angle at which they are pointing. Sometimes there are males and females at this stage which are in the ‘grey area’, but essentially a boy’s protuberance is 30 degrees up relative to the backbone and a girl’s is below 30 degrees, or parallel to the base of the spine. The starting point is to look for a bright white line at the base of the body.

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If you get your scan at 11 weeks, it can be difficult to tell the difference between the genders. A scan at 12 weeks is around 75% accurate and at 13 weeks it’s closer to 95% accurate.

I often get sent my friends 12 week scan pictures who want me to hazard a guess. When you know what to look for, it is quite obvious. However if you do want to know and you think what I am saying is barking mad, you can always pop to The London Ultra Sound Centre for a Gender Identification Scan from 15 weeks to hear it from a professional!

www.thelondonultrasoundcentre.co.uk