The Mumday Times

My A/W 18/19 Want List 

I tried to stay away, I really did.

1. Ooh hello lovely plush leopard bag that will add a kick to any outfit. £32, Topshop 2. Cute cropped skinnies with spherical buttons at the ankle, £29.99, Zara 3. Softest and super useful jumper that will be worn to death, £29.99, Zara 4. A classic pump in an extra specially nice shape, £25.99, Zara 5. Desperate to try these luxe matte lipsticks, £28, Bobbi Brown 6. A starburst on your finger. £50, Rachel Jackson 7. Am saving, saving for these gorgeous pumps which have that decadent, romantic 80′s feel and would look great with denim or a taffeta ballgown (can’t move for taffeta ballgowns at my place). £185, LKBennett.

1.The double pocket, cross body bags in this shop are really good value. Love this mucky khaki colour £69.95, Massimo Dutti 2. Plum wine is good with everything. This cashmere jumper is nice too. £69.90, Uniqlo 3. This dress has transitional miracle written all over it £39.99, Zara 4. Pink cords because you just have to. £39.99 H&M 5. Love this glittery belt that will lift any outfit £50, Des Petits Hauts, Smallable 6. The cut, the crackled matte silver leather, the slightly louche slingback... £138, J. Crew

I’ve always enjoyed drawing and painting since I was a wee slip of a thing and when anyone ever asked me what I wanted to be when when I grew up I would say with absolute certainty, an artist. This didn’t change for years and I even got as far as a foundation course at St Martins in my quest for a bohemian, paint splattered life but then I did better than expected in A level English Lit, there was a pervy tutor on my art course and my fellow students hung actual used condoms off gnarled tree roots (which I innocently twanged asking “so what did you use to make such convincing sperm? PVA glueeeeeewwwww.” and soaked mattresses in pig’s blood and there was that day I had to spend drawing crumbs and thought maybe I’d go down the writing route instead...

Decades later (who hoovered up my life please?) I started painting large scale pictures for my kids as I couldn’t find any decent enormous posters or prints that would fill the space I wanted and I got the painting bug again. I barely feel that I finish doing anything in life at the moment so to start a project and finish it felt amazing and just the physical act of painting feels very relaxing and satisfying. My paintings aren't perfect by any means and they never turn out exactly how I want them to but they’re bold and bright and they make me happy and my friends have been very supportive and starting commissioning the odd piece too!

When I noticed that our local ice cream café had stopped exhibiting work for a few months I emailed them to ask if they would consider my work. A meeting later, I had three weeks to create enough work to have an exhibition!!! I was absolutely bricking it but I managed to get it done and the work is now up for everyone to see! Which is also terrifying. If I sell something it will be a huge bonus but ultimately I am so glad I gave myself a challenge and went for it. it may sound trite but if you’re thinking of going out on a limb and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone I can thoroughly recommend it! 

My exhibition is up until the end of September at Riley’s Ice Cream Cafe, Crouch End, London N8. Please visit and say I sent you! x

Boden A/W18 Preview

I haven’t been to the Boden press day for a few seasons and I had almost forgotten what a good show they put on. Stairways festooned with country flowers and mannequins with exploding bouquets for heads made a stunning backdrop for their upcoming collection which was full of pieces that made me think ‘Ooh yes please!!!’ A combination of indulgent treat-buys and staples with a twist that you just know will help you build that elusive capsule wardrobe that takes you from the school run to meetings to drinks (if only you hadn't already spent the college fund twice over), were all there in abundance. Favourite pieces included slouchy chunky cable knit sweaters, a bias cut liquid gold skirt and some navy wool tailored trousers with a gorgeous burgundy and dusty pink grosgrain tape running down the side seams (sadly my pics were no good of these). Oh, and let’s not forget those polka dot loafers! Heart eyes all the way.

 The stairway to heaven created by Willow Crossley Flowers

One of the chunky knits. Okay, I might have been a little entranced by the flowers...

The loafers are firmly on my list!

The Mini Boden collection was one of the best I’ve seen for a long time and again the styling and props were on point. Lots of cheeky touches like this horsey arm cardigan with rainbow mane and a brilliant space hopper motif jumper for the boys (which should be made in adult size too) as well as Boden’s usual sigh-out-loud baby clothes. My absolute favourite piece was an apple embroidered blouse with a crochet lace trim - again something I would like for me! How about running up a one off, size 12 one Johnnie Boden?! 

How do you like them apples?! LOVE this apple embroidered blouse!

Boing! Need this for my boy! 

My Picks from SJP’s GAP Collection

Ooeee! Sarah Jessica Parker’s kid’s collection (plus two dresses for grown-ups) hits stores tomorrow. As someone who arranged their social life around screenings of SATC and scoured shops for lucky horseshoe necklaces for months I am pretty excited about this. Yes, yes, SATC ended in 2004 but this woman has never failed me at the Met Ball, she loves rabbits (just like me!), one of her favourite words is serendipity (Mine too! She told me this at a perfume launch. We have SO much in common) and she is married to Ferris Bueller. Can’t get any cooler than that. This is a really cute collection that marries trad heirloom pieces with more modern unisex ones. Here are my favourite buys for kids and I might even splurge on a grown up dress too. 

I love this sweet little embroidered cheese cloth dress featuring little hoppy rabbits.

Aww! 

I think this is my favourite piece from the collection. Love the faded check and think it would look great on girls and boys. 

Love this Preppy Dress for adults. Could easily dress this up or down.

This week I’ve been burning the midnight oil researching Cornish holiday lets big enough for ten people for our annual Summer break on the coast. I had no idea how many super chic, high spec holiday homes there are down that way! No chipped crockery and furniture that smells suspiciously of cheese here - these houses are genuine interiors lustathons! How dare people have holiday homes that are nicer than my actual home? Most of the houses I found we couldn’t afford in a month of Sundays (always such a shock when I leave my footballer’s wife fantasy world) but I thought I would share some of my favourites so that you can swoon along with me or if you’ve got a huge family gathering and a lottery win in your tealeaves you can book one. Note: there were some weeks available at time of press but it turns out you’ve got to be a very early bird with these places i.e. book the year before. I know.

1. Alsia Mill, Sennen, Sleeps 11

This is SO beautiful! The gardens are stunning, there’s a swing over a babbling brook and it’s next to an award winning organic farm so lots of fresh veggies to eat and animals for the kids to meet. Short drive to Sennen on the coast. Idyllic. 

Sigh.

Look at the staircase!

You know you’re old when carpentry like this gives you goosebumps

More pics here: Alsia Mill, Sennen

2. Tregullan Cottage, nr. Camelford, Sleeps 12

OH. MY. GOD. were the words that I attached to this link when I sent it to my husband. This place is absolutely stunning with the most incredible interiors. With a beautiful pool and a dining table that stretches for miles, this would make the perfect getaway for a large family group. Warning: not cheap.

Love the dovecote. 

The Pool. Bit shabby.

This place has to be owned by a stylist/interior decorator/pinterest addicted oligarch

More drool worthy pics of Tregullan Cottage here

3. Salt House, St Ives, sleeps 10 + 2 cots

Sleek, minimal, spacious with a panoramic sea view and a James Bond fireplace. If it was mine I would never let strangers sleep in it. 

Gin & Tonics ready

Wow

eeee

More pics of Salt House here

4. Bosneives House, nr Wadebridge, sleeps 14 + 4 cots

This one has Wisteria and a flamingo in the billiards room. Would like to live here please.

Wisteria Hysteria starts here

Aga love

Blue baize, a love sign and a flamingo. Adopt me.

More lovely pics of Bosneives House here

5. The Old Manor House, St Michael’s Mount, Sleeps, 12 + 2 cots

To be honest this is probably the only house out of the five that I would allow my children in. The thought of them with snot or jam near any of the others makes my eye twitch. The Manor House has a lovely friendly feel, amidst huge panelled rooms and more period features per sq metre than the Natural History Museum (just been there forgot how amazing it is). And there’s a pool.

Professor Plum with the lead piping in the drawing room...

I have this thing with floors!!!

Panelling galore

You can see the sea from the house

GUILTY as Debit Charged

Just bought this. It’s called Prairie Babydoll Midi. I LOVE it. Over and out.

I’ve been a very busy Christmas elf compiling Gift Guides for Junior and City Kids Magazine for the past couple of months. Still a few more pages of giftspiration to come on The Mumday Times (thought I might have used up all the presents in the universe but it turns out I haven’t) and in the meantime here are some links to the day job edits I’ve put together. Merry Christmas! 

Beautiful Christmas Present ideas for all the Family

What to get for Baby's First Christmas

Party Time! What the kids will want to wear over the festive season

50 Stylish Christmas gifts the kids will love!

City Kids Christmas Gift Guide

❄️Christmas Gifts For: Trad Mums 

❄️Christmas Gifts For: Rad Mums

Basically everything I would like from Santa. Stay tuned for GIFTS FOR: TRAD MUMS. Also, everything I want. Yes I do love my multiple personalities equally...

More Wardrobe Maths

Winter Wardrobe Maths

Sometimes a few new basics (and one or two fripperies of course)  can help bring your wardrobe into step and make getting dressed on a cold grim morning feel a lot more doable. Here’s my perfect equation for super easy dressing for work, play and school run (like the clappers).

Marie-Chantal’s New Season Dreaminess

Sometimes children’s fashion shoots are just as exquisite and inspiring as the ones for grown-ups. This A/W17 campaign for Marie-Chantal is so beautiful I’ve decided to share a few of the images to get you in the mood for winter dressing and to provide some inspiration for party season. If you’re in love with the MC aesthetic but don’t have a baronial budget right now, head over to M&S where their gorgeous Marie-Chantal collaboration is on sale. I’m off to Google pink velvet sofas and give all my children major side partings. Happy scrolling. 

Four Monsoon Blouses I NEED

Remember that chunky lace Monsoon blouse with the flouncy collar and cuffs that every fashion journalist and blogger in the upper hemisphere owned last spring? Well, it’s as if Monsoon have laid down their own lace trimmed gauntlet and challenged themselves to be THE high street blouse destination forevermore. The original chunky lace shirt called the Lacey Victoriana is still available and look at theses beauties! I want them all! Especially the flouncey one with the high neck detail. Oh, wait...

1. Briar Lace Shirt, £59, Monsoon Love the bold flower motif and the frilly tux detail.

2. Ariel Blouse, £59, Monsoon Very Isabel Marant Etoile. Perfect with jeans.

3. Nareena Dobby Top, £45, Monsoon A little bit Disco a little bit Dodo Bar Or... Great for dressing up or down.

4. Charlotte Rose Lace Top, £59, Monsoon Gorgeous vintage feel that makes me think of Jennifer Connelly in Labyrinth, which is never a bad thing.

 Baby’s First Haircut

Sadly, my son’s very first haircut was nothing to do with the chic powder blue leather seats and mesmerising aquarium above and was all to do with me chasing him round the sitting room with a pair of orange handled kitchen scissors, making enough horizontal snips and jabs to give him a hugely unflattering Friar Tuck. He was blissfully unaware of this awkward, clerical hair phase but friends and family would gasp and then laugh hysterically when they saw him and I started to put him in a hat. At all times. Fortunately and very serendipitously we were asked to review a junior haircut at one stop kids shop Trotters (above) and I leapt at the chance to reintroduce my son into society without a Fedora. The hairdressing staff at Trotters are amazing and even though my post-nap (Noooo!) son screamed blue murder from the moment he was strapped into his swivel chair they remained calm, friendly, upbeat and most of all determined. Like an experienced shearer of feral sheep, stylist Ana managed to perform a precision hair cut in what felt like seconds and not only erased all evidence of my insane hackings but left him looking more Prince George than Queen’s Pudding. (that is a real pudding by the way  - my mum makes it)

The hair cut a couple of days later.

All kids who have their hair cut at Trotters get a sticker and a cute certificate that can be put in the baby book which is a lovely touch. I will definitely be going back to Trotters for the next haircut as we have since been to another local salon that did an appalling job and granny has also had a go recently with very ‘directional’ results. You can book a haircut at Trotters here.

The only thing you have to watch out for with a Trotters haircut is the fact that you will inevitably leave the store with less hair and extra shopping bags. Their selection of gorgeous clothes and toys are just too lovely to pass by. We ended up buying a pair of canvas slip ons from their Hamptons range which are great for slightly wider, chubbier feet and I just managed to prize a wooden fire engine out of his fists before we left.

Trotters really is a destination store (they have six stores in London and Surrey)  and is the perfect place to go if you need to stock up on holiday buys, back to school buys, occasion wear or anything at all to do with kids really! Definitely worth a visit. 

 I had my haircut at Trotters and I only screamed at the top of my lungs and scared everyone in the shop for 6 minutes exactly. 

My Favourite Summer Day Trips in London for The Bonnie Mob

I was super chuffed to be asked to compile a list of my favourite places to go in London as part of kidswear label The Bonnie Mob’s series of city guides. Click this > link < to read the full article if only to see another shot of  this little fella in his Bonnie Mob Romper of Dreams (TM) and to shop their rather tempting summer sale! Apologies in advance for any extra budgetary spending...

My Mini MOT

Wrinkles and age spots and greys OH MY! Time to take action...

The last two years have been the most ageing years of my life. Obviously I am the oldest I’ve ever looked because I AM the oldest I’ve ever been (and yes, I know that is a blessing in itself) but man, oh man the process has definitely sped up recently. I’m identifying a year and a half of baby broken sleep, trying to get work done late at night and not really looking after my skin (read: uses shower gel to wash face on a regular basis) as the major culprits. 

Now that I am finally getting some sleep and the milky haze of tiredness is clearing *clutches lucky paw*, I’ve been throwing my parched, wrinkled skin regular pity parties in the bathroom mirror and gasping at the zillion extra threads of grey in my roots. Add to that the regular clobberings I’ve been receiving from my infant son (two black eyes and a split lip that resulted in an trauma lump that had to be removed by surgery) I’ve felt more squeezed out than a tube of Cilla Black’s toothpaste ( Can’t think of any contemporary people with big teeth so feel free to insert more relevant alternatives here. God Bless Cilla). Time to play Cher songs and hold back the hands of time.

Step 1. Book a Facial at The Light Salon

At the depths of my skin woes I was invited to try an Express LED Light Facial at the The Light Salon in Harvey Nichols. Cue harp music and grateful sobbing. I have to admit I was a bit scared about lights being beamed at my face through something that looks like a hair dye processor but I did some reading up on the treatment and it sounded amazing and I really liked the fact it’s a super quick treatment that gives an instant boost, meaning that I could drop my son with my mum, have the facial and be back before her blood pressure was on the ceiling. I had an introductory session that lasted 15 minutes (cost £35) and was really impressed with the results as well as how ‘up’ I felt afterwards. Apparently one of the side effects of this treatment is a mood boost! Bonus! The treatment consists of a thorough cleanse and exfoliate, a session under the LED lights which flash continually for 11 minutes (you can wear an eye mask if this annoys you) and is followed by a heavenly face massage and moisturise. I genuinely thought my skin looked a lot more glowy and less line ridden than before the treatment but the real benefits are cumulative, with 10 treatments over a fortnight recommended for serious results. There is also a blue LED treatment that targets acne and congested skin that I hear people swear by. 

Here I am recording my latest album.  Okay, here I am under the LED lights which helps boost collagen production, elastin and hyaluronic acid.

My face post treatment. It looks a lot better than it did before trust me. The positive effects of the facial last up to three days if you have just one session. Would thoroughly recommend. I’m booking my next session with some friends so we can have a nice afternoon and a glass of something (green juice, not) together. 

Step 2. See a Hairdresser

Next on my list of de-aging treatments was a Kerastase Touche Chromatique treatment and a blow dry from a very understanding man who didn’t flinch when I told him my hair was eighty percent boot polish (root touch up) and the water *might* not run clear when he washed it. Having not made it to the hairdressers for around eight months my hair was looking very brassy and unflattering where the colour had gone sort of orange so I was given a Touch Chromatique treatment in Cool Brown which is mixed in with Kerastase Masque Chromatique and left on to enhance and tone your existing colour/dye. You can choose from different shades to either enhance your colour or tone down and neutralise any brass or yellow tones and the idea is to use it at home to prolong and enhance your colour in between dying it. Sounds like a great plan! I will try to remember to book myself in for a home treatment when I’ve remembered to book myself in for a salon session with my hairdresser who probably thinks I have left her by now. 

Sorry. More of my face with some make-up this time and no I won’t show you my three inch grey roots. Again, this hair looks 100% better than it did pre-treatment! Unflattering orange tones are significantly reduced! And yes I am going to get my haircut before it eats me.

Step 3. Make Time for Good Skincare

A huge part of feeling better about my skin was committing to a regular and nurturing skincare regime. Like Duh! I hear you say. But having been so tired that groping for the wipes on my bedside table felt like a Herculean effort the thought of this earlier in the year was laughable. And anyway, I had lost all my creams on a camping trip. Make that, couldn’t remember which wash bag i’d put them in and then moved house…

I am currently using Aurelia Probiotic skincare (two weeks and counting) and I LOVE it. My skin is usually super dry and these products are so cosseting, rich and creamy with all-natural ingredients and the most gorgeous smells. They really make each cleanse and moisturise feel like a mini treatment every time you use them. I use the Miracle Cream Cleanser which you wash off with a muslin a bit like Eve Lom but not as sticky and doesn’t smell like a pet shop, followed by the serum and then either the day or night cream. I feel so uplifted by the essential oils and the ritual of using them and I definitely see smoother, happier skin. I will not be taking these products camping. Ooh, unless someone gets me the travel kit for my birthday! Hint, hint! Other products that I really like and that do make a difference to my skin are Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Cream and Bobbi Brown’s Extra Repair Moisturising Balm which is definitely for very dry skin.

It’s another... LUST LIST!

Let’s face it, I’m never not lusting after things I shouldn’t be buying. Here’s my current list just in case you’re not on a self imposed (read: I am skint after moving house and buying furniture I don’t really need) shopping hiatus. 

1 This mutton chop sleeve blouse is going to be another & Other Stories sell-out. It’s still in the website’s coming soon category but as soon as it’s on I’d commit to basket ASAP. Red blouse, £59, & Other Stories

2. Pink faux leather and wicker bag, £49.99, Zara.  Brigitte Bardot would have carried this to the market in St Tropez. If she was a time traveller. (comes with long strap too)

3. Striped Sundress, £210, Diane Von Furstenberg. Love this light breezy sundress that you can actually wear a bra with!

4. Cherry hoop earrings, £19.50, J. Crew Pair with Red lipstick and permanent smile.

5. Striped Pointed Flats. £50, Boden Love these flats. Would wear with frayed denim jeans and a simple tee.

6. Two tone Jordaan sunglasses, £59.90, Mister Boho A fab retro shape with stand out ivory corners for something a little bit different.