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Business Spotlight: Choose The Right Childcare With Koru Kids

Finding the right childcare can be a challenge for parents and kids! So when I discovered Koru Kids, I was blown away. It’s a childcare service that simplifies finding a good match to look after your children and helps to dispel the worries that arise with wondering if someone is suitable. I caught up with its founder Rachel Carrell to find out more and share this brilliant service with you all.

Koru Kids has kindly offered me a £50 discount to share with The London Mummy readers when they sign up (T&Cs apply). Visit Koru Kids through a link on this page to apply the discount. 

Visit KoruKids.co.uk

What is your business and what makes it unique?

Koru Kids is a modern childcare service, providing part-time childcare to thousands of families in London. I wanted to make it unique by having us do all the hard work for families when it comes to getting the perfect childcare. Koru Kids helps with everything from start to finish – which we don’t believe you can find anywhere else!

From vetting, training and reference checking all our nannies, to all the admin. We’re totally obsessed with making our families’ lives easier, we’ll do almost anything to make it happen!

Find out more

koru kids

Through our service parents find a fantastic person to come to their house and look after the kids, and we make sure they’re all perfectly set up on the legal side, and provide a ton of ongoing support – more than I could even go into here. You’re not alone, we’ve got your back.

How did it all begin?

Before founding Koru Kids, I worked at McKinsey and in health technology for years. It was only when I had a baby – and all my friends had babies – that I realised how difficult childcare was in London. It’s hard to arrange, incredibly expensive, and common options like nursery just don’t work for lots of families.

I kept hearing horror stories from friends who weren’t happy with their choices but felt powerless to change them. I also saw lots of female friends unable to go back to work or making career choices they didn’t really want to make, just because they couldn’t find the right childcare. I felt deeply that this was unfair and bad for society. I decided to quit my job and make it my life’s work to create better childcare options in London. I set up Koru Kids to be all about three things: really great childcare, as affordable as possible, and as convenient as possible.

Visit KoruKids.co.uk

What is the meaning behind the business name?

I’m from New Zealand, and koru is a Maori word meaning ‘unfurling fern frond’. I love the idea of our children unfurling before us, and the loop of the shape represents the loop of Koru Kids care around our families and nannies. My daughter’s middle name is Fern, so it just felt right.

Who is your ideal client?

Sounds strange but my favourite type of family is one that is in a REAL pickle! Families that feel out of control, parents that are slowly losing their minds, not enjoying their parenthood. That’s where our service can make such an instant, immediate and obvious difference. Every day I hear from parents like this who have brought in Koru Kids and it’s so wonderful to hear about how everything has become easier. Recently, one mum told me we’d saved her marriage. (That result is not guaranteed!)

Find out more

koru kids

What is your top parenting tip?

Focus on intrinsic motivation rather than extrinsic. That means avoiding rewards charts and bribes where you can. Those things can work ‘in the moment’ but over the long term create more problems than they solve. Instead, wherever possible, focus on trying to help your child understand ‘why’ things are important, then give them control over their own decisions. This isn’t easy – and you shouldn’t beat yourself up for not doing it 100% of the time – but it does lead to the strongest foundations of a great life for your children.

Interviewee’s favourites

Holiday destination: New Zealand, where I’m from! I’m happy my friends and family are safe there as it is Covid-free, but also devastated that I couldn’t go home for Christmas

Restaurant: During the pandemic, I’m loving Dishpatch, which sends high-end restaurant food you cook at home.

Hotel: Woolley Grange – a wonderful family-friendly place in Wiltshire. We managed to escape there in the summer and it was an incredible oasis, one of the highlights of our year.

Podcast: My favourite podcast is The Braincare podcast – it’s short (15 mins), practical and insightful about how the brain works, and how we can use that knowledge to improve our own lives. I’m obsessed with that child development and the podcast covers the ‘grownup’ version of the topic!

Visit KoruKids.co.uk

Koru Kids has kindly offered me a £50 discount to share with The London Mummy readers when they sign up (T&Cs apply). Visit Koru Kids through a link on this page to apply the discount. 


Looking to update your wardrobe, buy a gift or treat yourself?

You will find a gorgeous range of jewellery, accessories and clothes on TLM Edit, all hand-picked by The London Mummy.


Take a peek at my ultimate directory for the best parent, style and business recommendations.

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Family Life Services Spotlight

Business Spotlight: Apparently Kids – Services & Support For New Parents

Apparently Kids is something I wish was around when I was a new parent. It’s a network of parenting professionals who can help you wherever you need support on your family journey. Of course, it’s easy enough to Google whatever service you’re looking for and get hundreds (even millions) of results but then you worry (1) can they be trusted?, (2) are they certified?, and (3) are they recommended by other parents? So, that’s where Apparently Kids steps in. I spoke to its founder, Lara Russell-Jones, to find out more.

What is your business and what makes it unique?

Apparently Kids is your new parent support system and we’re here to help you find the trusted, professional support you need from pregnancy through to the toddler years.

There are a huge and diverse range of services available from private midwives and breastfeeding support to pregnancy massage, mental health support and baby first aid. Now, parents can find them all in one place and book online support, or search by postcode for in-person professionals local to them.

We invest time to background check all our professionals to make sure they are:

  • Fully certified and accredited with relevant organisations
  • Experienced for advice you can trust
  • Recommended by other parents

How did it all begin?

I started Apparently after my own experience of becoming a mum. Like many new parents, my son and I had birth complications and, combined with a few weeks of sleep deprivation, it became a toxic mix physically, emotionally and mentally.

I looked for support but didn’t know where to turn and was overwhelmed by conflicting advice I read online. I was lucky to find some amazing women who helped me through stitches, tongue-ties, reflux and pelvic floor issues all through tears and lots of laughter.

On my maternity leave, I met so many new mums in the same position and realised that everyone had their own story. Many had not been so lucky and still hadn’t found help. It seemed deeply unfair to me that women, new parents and their babies were struggling just because they didn’t know help was out there or who to trust.

Read also: Business Spotlight: Slow Fashion With the seen collective

I knew that I wanted to help. New parents deserved a place where they could easily see and understand the full breadth of support available to them and find experienced and trusted professionals. I couldn’t find an online source that did this, so I decided to give it a go – Apparently was born!

What is the meaning behind the business name?

We’re starting as a website right now, however, we aim to be the go-to app for all parents….hence Apparently!

Who is your ideal client/customer?

All new parents or parents-to-be. I love meeting people who are recently pregnant and opening their eyes to this whole new world!

Which services do you strongly recommend?

Each family is unique in the services that they may need to best support them, however, I always recommend three things:

  • Baby First Aid Course. If you do one thing, this course could honestly save a very important little life.
  • Women’s Pelvic Health Physio. Incontinence and pelvic pain is not a normal part of giving birth. I can’t stress this enough and no woman should ever be dismissed if they suffer from it.
  • Lactation (breastfeeding) consultant. Breastfeeding can actually be quite challenging! Lactation consultants have done years of training and can support you in all of your feeding choices.

How do you manage a work/life balance?

Planning. I left a career in strategy consulting to start Apparently and now really value being able to control my own time. When you say you’re going to stop, stop.

 

What is your top parenting tip?

Stock up your freezer with as much food as possible before a new baby comes long. COOK parent bundles were the best present I ever received!

Interviewee’s favourites

Shop: The White Company. I always find the perfect gift in The White Company no matter who I’m shopping for.

Website: Etsy. We’re decorating our son’s room at the moment and getting all the most gorgeous and personal things from Etsy.

Holiday destination: In the UK, Salcombe in Devon. It’s the scene of all my favourite childhood memories and also where my husband proposed! Abroad, you can’t beat the coral reefs, wildlife and beaches of Indonesia.

Read also: New Business Spotlight: Sustainable Cleaning Essentials From Seep

Restaurant: Murano – a real treat and special occasion destination

Hotel: Whatley Manor in the Cotswolds. Gorgeous hotel, stunning countryside, lovely spa and one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had!

Anything else you’d like to add?

‘It takes a village to raise a child – we are your village’ – Apparently Kids

Visit ApparentlyKids.co.uk

And don’t forget to follow Apparently on social media:

Instagram | Facebook | Twitter


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22 Christmas Decorations To Get Your House Ready For The Big Day

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Looking for something else? Take a peek at my ultimate directory for the best parent, style and business recommendations.

Content in partnership with Apparently Kids
Spotlight

New Business Spotlight: Fine Jewellery From Coco Clara

It was so refreshing to stumble across Coco Clara, a fine jewellery business making pieces that are made to last and be passed down the generations. I caught up with Natalie to find out how Coco Clara came to life and why you should make a natural citrine pendant one of your family heirlooms.

What is your business and what makes it unique?

We specialise in fine antique jewellery. We don’t believe in mass-produced sparkle. We believe in heirlooms: rare pieces to be treasured and passed down through generations. We have just launched our antique, natural citrine pendants which have been a big success. They are designed to be worn on a long chunky gold chain and are an original alternative to a signet ring. Initials and crests are proving particularly popular, but anything goes.

Antique natural citrines, from £800 (including engraving), children’s from £500

How did it all begin?

Coco Clara is a family business. My mother-in-law was a jewellery trader all her life; she taught me and had such a good eye for fabulous pieces. Sadly, she passed away last year and we wanted her legacy to continue. Wow, did she love some sparkle! Her mother was Clara and my daughter is Coco – hence the name. That’s three generations of strong women and exactly why we are so passionate about passing down family heirlooms.

1. Emerald cut diamond & platinum ring with diamond baguette shoulders, £6,995
2. Cartier panthere gold ring, £8,995

You might also like: 10 New-In Hush Pieces I Couldn’t Resist

Who is your ideal customer?

Women who are a little bit different and a little bit quirky, looking for something really unique to treasure for a lifetime.

What are your hero products?

Coco Clara Citrines

1. Emerald and diamond ring, £59,995
2. Princess cut fancy yellow diamond three stone ring, £99,995

What is your top parenting tip?

Baby – milk

Toddler – snacks

Pick your battles

1. Diamond bangle, £9,995
2. Cartier heart virgo earrings, £4,995

You might also like: New Business Spotlight: Dinkydeaks Handmade Jewellery

Natalie’s favourites

Shop: Pom London, pomlondon.co.uk

Website: Jessica Russell Flint, jessicarussellflint.co.uk

Holiday destination: Lenzerheide

Restaurant: Horse Guards Inn, thehorseguardsinn.co.uk

Hotel: Claridge’s, claridges.co.uk

Cartier panthere brooch, £18,995

Find out more on CocoClara.com


You might also like: 21 Christmas Gift Ideas For The Man Who’s Hard To Buy For


Looking for something else? Take a peek at my ultimate directory for the best parent, style and business recommendations.

Spotlight

New Business Spotlight: Sustainable Cleaning Essentials From Seep

It’s not often (or ever) that I get excited about cleaning but I’m thrilled to be writing about Seep, the new sustainable, eco-friendly cleaning brand. While your cupboard may be full of eco detergents and washing up liquids, the department of sponges and things you use to actually clean has rigidly remained pretty “un-eco-friendly”… until now! Seep is in the business of producing greener alternatives to your green-topped sponges and polyester cloths, which can help us all reduce our plastic waste and be a little kinder to the world around us. I spoke to Laura, founder of Seep, to find out more. 

For 10% off Seep, please use the code TLM10.

What is your business and what makes it unique?

At Seep, I am hoping to bring real innovation to household cleaning essentials which is a category that hasn’t changed in decades. Household essentials are products like sponges, cloths, dusters and washing-up gloves which are all pretty unsexy, mostly made of virgin plastic and can’t be recycled. It feels like the forgotten aisle in a supermarket and I want to bring people a genuinely better alternative.

The three core values that make us unique are:

Gentle on the Eye – We design better-looking cleaning products that can be displayed with pride above your sink rather than being hidden away.

Gentle on the Planet – Our products are compostable, plastic-free, made from renewable sources and designed to last longer than conventional products. We are also committing to being carbon neutral by offsetting our carbon footprint.

Gentle on You – Made with natural materials with no irritants, microplastics or toxins. Easy products to order and use.

  

Seep Sponge With Loofah Scourer, £8.50

How did it all begin?

I decided to set up Seep because I was just really frustrated. In my local supermarket, I buy products that are better for the environment where I can like Ecover and Method but when it came to sponges and cloth, I couldn’t find any greener alternatives in mainstream shops. I was going through lots of sponges especially the green-topped ones which go bobbly really quickly and the micro-fibre cloths which are made of polyester. I waited for ages for a new brand to appear and when lockdown happened at the beginning of the year I finally decided to set something up myself and take the plunge!

For 10% off Seep, please use the code TLM10.

What inspires you?

I used to work for Selfridges and learnt so much from the incredible team there about branding and putting creativity and story-telling at the heart of everything. A great company story with a purpose beyond just making money is super inspiring.

Bundle of Seep – All-Purpose Loofah Cloths + Sponge With Loofah Scourer, £14

What is the meaning behind the business name?

My husband came up with it! He’s normally not the most creative but I immediately loved it. Seep is short for Sustainable Essential Everyday Products but it also reflects our products which will all be compostable and seep back into the earth.

Who is your ideal customer?

Our ideal customer is probably someone a bit like me but hopefully a bit cooler! We think there are lots of people who are forward-thinking, conscious consumers that like independent brands with a bit of a soul. Our ideal customer also has a home they are proud to show off and that they like to keep clean. Like me, they are also probably pretty busy and perhaps don’t have the time to hunt for eco products in niche stores.

Seep Natural All-Purpose Loofah Cloths, £6.50

What are your hero products?

We will be launching our first two products in October. The first is a fully compostable sponge with a loofah scourer – this replaces those green-topped, classic, plastic sponges. The second product is made of loofah cloth and is a replacement for the traditional J cloth. It is super absorbent and can be machine washed. The aim is to then launch additional products at regular intervals over the next 18 months.

What is your top parenting tip?

It’s definitely “don’t sweat the small stuff”. It is so easy to get really stressed out and obsessed with things that don’t matter much e.g., a stained jumper, slightly messy hair, odd socks, finishing every bit of broccoli. I think I’ve made my life so much happier and easier once I let go a bit more and my kids are better for it.

Laura’s favourites  

Shop: Selfridges – no one else does shopping like them, there are so many hidden gems.

Website: Wild – I’ve just discovered them and I love their natural deodorant subscriptions. Holiday destination: Fiji – somewhere that you can live simply, surrounded by nature

Restaurant: I love Kricket in White City.

Hotel: Sindabezi Island Camp in Zambia which was one of our honeymoon stops

Find out more on TheSeepCompany.com

For 10% off Seep, please use the code TLM10.


Looking for something else? Take a peek at my ultimate directory for the best parent, baby and business recommendations.

Spotlight

New Business Spotlight: Dinkydeaks Handmade Jewellery

My friend Georgie has set up a fantastic handmade jewellery business called Dinkydeaks. If you’re looking to effortlessly spruce up any everyday outfit, I can’t recommend enough picking up some of the beautiful mix-and-match earrings and charms from her Etsy shop.

What is your business and what makes it unique?

I have set up a handmade jewellery business which specialises in affordable fun pieces most of which can be interchangeable to hang off huggies or charms. I have also evolved into making larger statement pieces using feathers and tassels and coordinating bracelets and necklaces. I would like to expand my products as the mood takes me – when I spot something that inspires me – I don’t seem to be able to resist combining colours and making original pieces that I would like to wear.

 

How did it all begin?

On hitting the big 40, I took the plunge and headed to London with friends to get the — seemingly obligatory — additional piercings in the ear. Being on the fence, I ended up getting two additional ones in my left ear much to my friends’ surprise. From there I spent some time seeking the perfect look to dress my ears. I wanted to track dainty elegant drops up the ear lobe but couldn’t find any anywhere… so I began to tinker.

What inspired you?

So much has inspired me! I teach part-time in learning support which I adore and have two busy boys to run around after. I have found that tucking myself away listening to ultra-chilled tunes while tinkering away, gave me some headspace and it allowed me to explore my interest in colour, style and femininity in an otherwise male-dominant household, bar Tiggy the dog!

1. Handmade power pop tassel and bead earrings, £20
2. Handmade tassel and bead earrings, £18

What is the meaning behind the business name?

Ha, Dinkydeaks was my nickname from when I was at school: a combination of my maiden name and the fact that I was vertically challenged for the whole of my education! I took it as an endearment but perhaps it wasn’t…?

You might also like: Shop Stylish & Unique Interiors With Turnbull & Hooch

Who is your ideal customer?

My ideal customer would be someone who likes to mix and match their look: someone who enjoys popping a bit of colour, either an elegant dainty drop or smashing it with a fistful of a statement with my beaded tassels. My products are affordable and so my clients are gently encouraged to start with a set of huggies and hoops then they can pick and mix a selection of charms and drops to compliment any number of piercings.

1. Sterling silver huggies sold individually for hanging my charms off, from £6
2. Handmade tassel and bead earrings, £20

What are your hero products?

My hero products are the charms that hang off huggies and hoops. These are great and can be interchangeable to match any outfit or occasion. I can custom make these charms to be put on hoops or posts. My favourite is to wear a huggie and charm in the first piercing, followed by two drops on posts up the ear in the second two piercings; this makes them track up the ear which I just love!

You might also like: Don’t Plan A Birthday Bash Without My Little Party

What is your top parenting tip?

Pick your battles and stick by your guns. Also, try and allow them to follow their own paths even if it’s not yours — I’m working on this one.

jewellery

Handmade earrings with optional complementing drop for additional piercing, £6

Georgie’s favourites

Shop: My high-street favourites are Zara and H&M but I would say my best kind of shop would be the ones that aren’t ‘out there’. I love to find an item that no one else has got their hands on yet. I was recently in London in the bucketing-down rain, walking through Covent Garden and came across an epic vintage, second-hand shop, Pop Boutique, where I found the most beautiful Indian dress. We were a match made in heaven!

Website: A tricky one but I would say Etsy is a good contender as not only have I managed to navigate it to use as a platform to sell my jewellery but it’s also full of unique creations that have been made with love by small sellers like me. I so often find an original gift for friends that fits the bill perfectly.

Holiday destination: My all-time favourite would be the south-west of Portugal, waking up and pondering on which piece of perfect beach to lie on between Zavial and Ingrina. My dream holiday destination, however, would be Mauritius. My friends laugh as I cherry-pick beautiful items for my capsule wardrobe – not to be worn until that obviously inevitable dream trip.

Restaurant: Anything Asian in particular Pho. Oh, I’m missing that from living in London!

Hotel: Anywhere with wall-to-wall sunshine, heat and access to a picture-perfect swimming pool. Actually I’d take a pool with slight imperfections at this rate as we had to cancel our plans this year, like most of the world. I’d go back here to this AirBnB in Ouarzazate, Morocco, any day though.

jewellery

Handmade earrings with optional complementing drop for additional piercing, from £6

Visit Dinkydeaks on Etsy.com


Looking for something else? Take a peek at my ultimate directory for the best parent, baby and business recommendations.

Spotlight

New Business Spotlight: Don’t Plan A Birthday Bash Without My Little Party

If there’s one good thing that’s come out of lockdown, it’s My Little Party. Envisaged and created by kids’ entertainer Emily Rose Adams, this new party platform is going to revolutionise your kid’s party planning. My Little Party is a huge directory of everything you’ll ever need to plan a party. From supplies and invitations to entertainers and any theme you could ever dream of, it’s all here! I know from experience if you want to host a party with a particular theme, it takes hours of research to get everything perfect. My Little Party has basically done all that for you. I love that you can go to the website, click the theme you want and it gives you a list of the best suppliers and entertainers out there. You get in touch with suppliers through My Little Party and you can leave reviews on there. If you’re based in London, there’s a list of the top party planners too!  

I wanted to find out more about My Little Party, so got in touch with Emily for a quick chat.

How did it all begin?

I worked as a kids’ entertainer and music teacher for several years. After working for dozens of families each year, I realised that many of them had a difficult time arranging birthday parties for their children and often complained about having to spend hours looking for party providers. During lockdown, I decided to build a platform which would empower both customers and local businesses to find each other.

Read also: 10 Things You Shouldn’t Miss On Netflix This Summer

What inspired you?

Lockdown has been a really difficult time for small businesses and self-employed entertainers. Most of them lost all of their work overnight and were forced to cut back on expenses. I wanted to use the downtime to create a platform that would make it easier for party providers to connect with customers as soon as restrictions were lifted, and to help them save on advertising costs by being promoted on our website. Lockdown has also been hard on children, many of whom have celebrated birthdays without their friends. By selecting the best entertainers in the business, I wanted to give customers the option to have parties as soon as possible in a safe environment.  Most of our providers offer socially-distanced parties, and many of them are now busier than ever!

Read also: 12 Fun Men’s Holiday Shirts That He Will Actually Wear

Who is your ideal customer?

Parents and carers who want to bring some birthday magic to their kids!

What is your top parenting tip?

Relax and let our entertainers do all the work for you.

Emily’s favourites

Shop: Wholefoods

Website: Kinderlist – recently discovered this. It lets you shop for children’s gifts and create wishlists

Holiday destination: Italy

Restaurant: London has too many amazing ones to pick a favourite!

Hotel: I recently stayed in a converted cave hotel called Aquatio Cave in Matera in the south of Italy which had stunning views!

Find out more on MyLittleParty.uk

Looking for something else? Take a peek at my ultimate directory for the best parent and baby recommendations.

People Products Spotlight

Clare Haxby : British Contemporary Artist

Today’s Spotlight is on British artist, Clare Haxby. Her bright, vivid work caught my eye on Instagram Each piece is eye catching and spectacular and would be a striking addition to any home that needs a lift.

Clare is a British Artist, painter and printmaker who has just returned to London after spending 8 years living in Singapore. She moved there in 2007 with her husband and 2 children, Scarlett & Teddy, and set up a professional studio. (She has subsequently had a 3rd – Alfie!).

Family picture - Clare Haxby Artist & family Photographer - Amber Roberts

In Singapore, Clare held regular open days inviting people to her home and studio on the edge of the jungle in one of Singapore’s Black and White old colonial homes and she attracted a strong International following. She got a breakthrough when the manager of The Fullerton Hotel “loved my art inspired by Singapore and offered to host my solo show which eventually became a springboard for my success there. I had spent 3 years painting the collection of large canvases!”

HAXBY_CLARE_MagentaMeetMeAtTheGingerlilies

The Expats in Singapore loved Clare’s vibrant and contemporary paintings and many of them were bought as a treasured memory of their time in Singapore to take home with them when they left!

HAXBY_CLARE_Sunbird

Clare has produced a large collection of Singapore Landmark Paintings such as the colonial building of Raffles Hotel and the contemporary landmark Marina Bay Sands alongside other much loved collections of botanical’s, an equestrian collection and a motherhood collection.

Transition to motherhood 30 x 30 cms mixed media on paper by Clare Haxby

Clare’s paintings are in private collections all over the world and her clients include The French Embassy of Singapore, The Swedish High Commissioner of Singapore and corporates such as BNP Paribas.

The Botanic Gardens_ Clare Haxby Studio 72dpi

Since returning to England during the summer of 2015 Clare has set up a new studio in the Surrey Hills, exhibited in Venice, London, Rome, Columbia and New York and one of her new gingerlily paintings has been featured in British Vogue!

Clare Haxby - My Beautiful Ginger Lilies Painting

“I love being back as despite the weather and no helper… Oh how I miss my amazing helper from Singapore! London is such a dynamic city and there is always so many exhibitions to see. My clients in Singapore all asked me when I was starting my London Landmarks, I have just started – I am painting the ‘Liberty London’ building at the moment!”

 

Clare produces art on 2 price points. Firstly, one off original paintings on canvas either from her own collection or a commission as a bespoke painting, the second is her affordable art prints (from £249) which are often bought online as gifts as she ships them worldwide in a lovely gift tube. (She has a special offer for free international delivery on all prints!)

Studio Visits are very welcome if you fancy a jaunt to the Surrey Hills to discuss any requirements.  Please email Clare at clare@clarehaxby.com

Buddhas & Botannicals _CLARE HAXBY STUDIO 72dpi(1)

Clare’s Favourites

Website : English Folly Brie is a fellow Singapore expat and like me back also now back in England. we met in Singapore and bonded over juggling being an entrepreneur & mother, I have bought lots of her gorgeous personalised textiles.

Shop : Graham & Green  for colourful and unusual interior finds

Holiday destination : Ubud in Bali for Yoga retreats, Aix en Provence in France for Art and culture & Bhutan a tiny landlocked country between India & China for the ultimate step back in time ‘global nomad’ experience. The next on my wanderlust wish list is Peru…

Restaurant : Terminus Nord The Bouillabaisse is amazing and the little butter pats are wrapped in beautiful paper.

Hotel : Raffles Hotel Singapore – colonial elegance and afternoon tea in the Tiffin Room.

Parenting tip :

“It’s just a phase – give yourself a pat on the back and a glass of wine”

 

clarehaxby.com

Activities Family Life Fashion People Places Products

A Quick Review of 2015

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I hope you had a really Happy Christmas and you are enjoying the family time (and not just biding time till they go back to school..)

Here is a little review of The London Mummy in 2015. These were the posts, pictures and articles most engaged with, by YOU!

 

PEOPLE

A & L Property is growing rapidly. If you have any property management requirements, she is your girl!

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5 Services in London that may help you in the New Year.

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If you are thinking of starting your own, Samantha Bishop has top tips to think about before you even contact a web designer (which should be her by the way – she did TLM!)

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I love my daily emails from Wear & Where… Fashion & Lifestyle Blog from 2 mother’s in London.

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PLACES

We went to The Goat in Chelsea who now have a kids entertainer over Sunday lunch. Win!

kids birthday example

Farm Trips Close To London was popular, especially useful over October half term.

pig

A Festive Train Ride on board the ‘Orient Express’ at Christmas was magical and very original.

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Pitch & Putt in Wandsworth & Battersea – a gem of a place for when you have a short window of time.

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PRODUCTS

School Run Boots and School Run Trainers were my most popular posts of the whole year! From feedback I have received, I think it worked as we are all too busy to research ourselves so like it when it arrives in our lap!

Useful Baby Items was a very reflective post and actually now I am 8 months on from that post, I think a ‘Part 2’ is in order.

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Personalised Stationary with your own painted picture on it!  Alex’s stationary is going so well, you can now commission her to do a ‘proper’ painting!

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Harriet Hoult’s Art is one to watch. I love the bright colours. I have just the right spot on my kitchen wall… 🙂

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Of course, not forgetting the post I wrote on if you want 3 kids – Time For Number 3! and my ‘reflective’ Birthday post 35 Things I have Learnt in 35 Years.

 

I started a Facebook page in October to post articles and these were the most ‘clicked’ on.

The Key Jar is a jar that you put in 48 questions to pull out whenever you are all together as a family. My 3 year old answered every single one ‘I want to go to a fair’ as he is still slightly young (!) but if you have any 5+ it is a great idea to get them thinking.

This article A Fat Lot of Good Enough was encouraging to those of us who have moments that we aren’t doing as well at parenting as we hope for!

One Question one mother asked her now very successful sons every night…

Maybe a little too late, but this article on Not Over Indulging Your Children is great.

 

 

These were a few of my favourite snaps on my Instagram page

 

 

THANK YOU

  • If you have read The London Mummy from the beginning, thank you for taking a chance on me when I launched in April 2015 and if you have just started following me, hello!

 

  • If you have any recommendations for things to do, places to see or friends who are launching their own business and want a Spotlight, please email me hello@thelondonmummy.com

 

  • It would also be great to hear what you would like to see more (or less) of… TLM is predominantly about supporting small companies like Crane Bump Baby and Muklet

 

 

  • Lastly, please forward this email to any friends who you think might find The London Mummy useful. I don’t plan on world domination (yet) but I have lots of exciting posts planned in 2016 so don’t want anyone to miss out 🙂

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HAVE A WONDERFUL 2016 XXX

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nb. A special thank you in particular to Katrina, Julie, Lucy, Emily, Hen, Flora, Laura, Tania, Hannah & Caroline for liking, poking, suggesting, sharing and commenting…