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The gift of Frugi this Christmas #GiftOfGiving

If ever there was a time to make an effort, it’s at Christmas. Dressing up on the 25th December is just as much a part of the festivities as giving presents to loved ones, feasting on delectable food and loafing on the sofa. Seeing POD’s face when she discovers Father Christmas has been is magic. But I’m not sure it’s as exciting as sharing her birthday with baby Jesus!

POD was born at 10:46am on Christmas Day 2010. The past couple of years she’s has an ‘un-birthday’ party in the Summer, so she has a full day devoted to her, although we make sure she has a great birthday too. This means leaving a room free of Christmas decorations, separating her (birthday/Christmas) presents and having a cake. As any little girl would on her birthday, she always has to have a great dress too.

A peek at the SS16 collection from Clarks

It’s always a pleasure to preview the coming season and Clarks SS16 collection was no exception. Including an array of styles for women, men and children, here’s a sneaky peek at what you can expect to see in store from January onwards.

The First Shoes Collection features a vibrant mix of super bright shades and vintage influences. From baby shoes, booties and pram shoes for 0-9 months, this range is soft and supple. From size 2 upwards we really are spoilt for choice with Little Jam, a Mary-Jane style pre-walker, in navy patent embellished with flower detailing on the toe.

Have you had a Hotter moment?

There was a time I’d only ever wear heels so it came as a surprise when POD’s arrival marked a renewed love for flats. Don’t get me wrong, I still love heels but oh my word can they be uncomfortable at times! Despite various gel cushion options and continually making excuses to sit down, my feet still feel like they’re on fire if I’m in heels too long.

I only became aware of Hotter recently and not long afterwards they invited me to an event in their Winchester store. I’d browsed their range online beforehand and was drawn towards some rather fabulous boots – several pairs I might add! Truth be told, while I adore shoes, I’m a huge fan of boots and although I have quite a few, I work on the theory that you can never have too many! A bit like handbags.

The team at Hotter (head office and in-store) were so welcoming and provided us with some wonderful treats while we browsed their range. You’ll be pleased to hear I did have some sandwiches before tucking into the rather delicious profiteroles!

One of the things I hadn’t realised about Hotter is that their range is huge. Founded in 1959, they’re the largest shoemaker in the UK and they really do cater for all tastes. From comfortable lows to stylish highs plus of course gorgeous boots. Their Belle boots caught my eye almost immediately as I’ve been looking for a pair of boots like this for years. Made from super soft nubuck leather, they have an adjustable calf fitting and full length inside zip. They felt glorious in my hand but I wasn’t convinced my chunky calves would make them look quite as flattering as they did on the shelf.

But I was wrong, these black Belle boots fitted perfectly. They were so unbelievably comfortable too I didn’t want to take them off. I think this was referred to as “having a Hotter moment” and I definitely was. No, that’s not a euphemism if you’re wondering! The following day saw me back in some pretty but particularly uncomfortable boots at the Blog On conference – I’d have been in my Belle boots had I been able to change my outfit!

There were several other boots (and shoes for that matter!) which took my fancy in the Hotter store. The Briony boots, Ivy boots, Danielle boots and Vanity boots were a few of the favourites. The Belle boots were certainly the ones for me though! They’ve barely been off my feet these past days as they’re perfect for the school run – either over black trousers or beneath a long skirt. It might sound strange but they’re even more comfortable than my trainers!

Hotter Shoes are offering 10% off your first order, from any full priced item in the range, with free delivery up until 24th December 2015. If you’d like to take advantage of this, please use the code PNDTEN – this offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer.

Disclaimer: I received a pair of Belle boots from Hotter Shoes for the purpose of this review. Opinions are as always my own.

POD wears Mamas & Papas and Liberty

Two of the great quintessentially British brands, Mamas & Papas and Liberty, recently launched a travel, clothing and interiors collection inspired by the 140 year old retailer’s iconic prints.

The range consists of purple floral print Ros, Emilia, a dense arrangement of red, coral and blue flowers, 1930’s inspired Thorpe which was drawn up by the Hayward Studio in 1968 and striking leaf and berry pattern Wiltshire which was originally designed for Liberty in 1933. The Caesar and Ares black and white prints are classic designs but these too have been given an exclusive Mamas & Papas twist. To find out more about the press show and collection, read this post.

The beautiful Wild Flower design was initially inspired by an early 19th Century book entitled ‘Field Guide to Wild Flowers in Britain’. Our absolute favourite piece is the Wild Flower Mesh Dress although it’s closely followed by the fabulous Wild Flower Tunic and Leggings set.

POD was recently sent the Wild Flower Tunic and Leggings set which is even more glorious on as it is off. Although the sun has made a re-appearance these past few weeks, this pretty tunic and leggings set is perfect for autumn days.

The tunic (80% cotton, 18% polyester, 2% elastane) has frill collar detailing and smocking with pleated detail and buttons on the sleeves. Fastening is at the back with buttons from top to bottom. The leggings are made of a ribbed knitted jersey fabric with an elasticated waist and foot holes.

POD currently wears age 3-4 clothes and will be five on Christmas Day. This time of year can be quite a challenge as clothes the next size up drown her despite being tall for her age. A case in point being her school cardigan which is 3 inches too long in the arms! What I love about this outfit from the Mamas & Papas and Liberty collection is that it looks great and there’s still ample room for her to feel comfortable. The leggings are really roomy so they’ve doubled up as a belly warmer too.

We decided to put the outfit to the test outdoors initially where POD headed for her swing once she’d had a race around. Much to her amusement, she found it highly entertaining to attempt to bop me on a the head with the branch of a tree while I photographed her. There’s a reason they say don’t work with children although I love capturing moments in photographs.

Not one to miss an opportunity, POD took it upon herself to wish for a dog – she’s been asking for one daily for weeks now! Below is her best wishing expression if you’re wondering. Slightly more exaggerated than the ‘please can I have a Fruit Shoot’ face.

POD loves the Wild Flower Tunic and leggings which have already had a couple of outings. It’s quite refreshing to think now she’s no longer at pre-school anymore the outfit will last even longer. The entire Mamas & Papas and Liberty collection is available to buy online here – clothing is from 12-18 months up to 4 year of age.

Disclaimer: We received the Wild Flower tunic and leggings set as part of this review. Opinions are our own (and the hairbands belong to POD).

The Mamas & Papas and Liberty collection

We recently attended an exclusive event at Liberty London to mark a unique collaboration between two quintessentially British brands – Mamas & Papas and the iconic retail institution which celebrates its 140th anniversary this year.

The Heritage Suite provided the perfect spot for a children’s tea party and a nose at the collection which launches this Monday (7th September). POD was thrilled she got to sup red lemonade while decorating her own cake and partaking in a few of the activities on offer. It wasn’t long before she’d gained a flower balloon for her wrist and a balloon dog which was certainly a substitute for the real one she keeps asking for!

She also got to have her nails painted for the first time with water soluble varnish. She decided against having her face painted although typically changed afterwards!

Being an especially style conscious four year old, POD loved that she could have a headband of fresh flowers created. Two of her favourite things from then on were certainly the cuddly dollies and a beautiful rocking horse she later rode on.

Liberty has inspired shoppers with their style and eccentricity since 1875, creating iconic prints that are recognised the world over. The Mamas & Papas and Liberty range consists of purple floral print Ros which was originally designed by Liberty’s in-house team for their A/W 2002 season. The Emilia’s Flower fabric is made up of a dense arrangement of tiny red, coral and blue flowers.

The brightly coloured Thorpe was drawn up by the Hayward studio in 1968. The dense floral design is reminiscent of Liberty’s 1930s floral prints. The joyous grey Wild Flower design was initially inspired by illustrations from an early 19th Century book, ‘Field Guide to Wild Flowers in Britain’.

The striking leaf and berry pattern of Wiltshire was originally designed for Liberty in 1933. The Caesar and Ares black and white prints are classic Liberty designs, but they’ve been given an exclusive Mamas & Papas twist.

The Mamas & Papas and Liberty range consists of a travel collection of strollers and accessories decorated with Liberty’s striking Caesar and Ares prints for strolling in style.

The glorious patterns that adorn the children’s clothing include delicate vintage styles that are brought to life with a distinct look. While the stunning interiors collection includes ditsy florals, intricate details and vintage inspired toys to transform any nursery or bedroom.

We loved the entire Mamas & Papas and Liberty range which is suitable for children up to four years old. Our most loved piece is the Wild Flower Mesh Dress below centre (£45).

Other favourite pieces include the Wild Flower Tunic and Leggings Set top left (from £34), Emilia’s Flower Cardigan top centre (£32), the Wiltshire Frill Neck Dress top right (from £38), Thorpe Mess Dress bottom left (from £45), Wiltshire Collared Dress bottom centre (from £45) and the Thorpe Frill Neck Dress (from £38).

The Mamas & Papas and Liberty Collection launches on Monday 7th September.

Beautiful woollies from Wool Overs

Although in the blink of an eye summer seems almost over, there’s something rather special about this time of year. The air is beginning to feel slightly fresher and the wonderful hues that come with Autumn are within our grasp. Even better, it’s the perfect time to treat ourselves to cosy woollies we can wear when we’re admiring the great outdoors.

Wool Overs is a world class knitwear retailer with a range that consists of 160 classic styles in 180 different colour combinations. Their ethos over the past 26 years is very much focused on bringing excellent value to lovers of wool, cotton and cashmere knitwear. Working in association with the British Wool Board and Woolmark, they offer yarns of the highest quality which are made from 100% natural fibres and fully machine washable. A huge bonus for us time short parents who don’t need the faff of hand washing or a trip to the dry cleaners.

The Wool Overs range includes cardigans, jumpers, tops, shirts and scarves for both men and women. There are also unisex options available. What I love about their website is that you can select the styles that you really want. From the fabric, the colour and the style to the neckline, the sleeve and the length. The POD Father is a huge fan of the men’s jumpers, particularly the merino and cashmere blend.

The V neck jumper is a personal favourite of his as its great for layering, luxuriously soft and more cost effective than the 100% cashmere alternative. He’s spoilt for choice with 23 colours to choose from, not just in the v neck but also the crew neck variant too. From staple black, charcoal and navy to sea green, turquoise and kingfisher or at the other end of the spectrum red, rose and royal blue.

Wool Overs offers many different styles including Aran, Cable, Guernsey, Jersey and Nordic as well as tops, shirts, tunics and scarves. If a V or crew neck isn’t to your taste, there are a wide range of other styles including polo/turtle necks and zipped options. As well as selecting the wool, style and neck, you can also choose the gauge (extra fine, fine, medium or heavy) and the type of front (buttoned, closed front or zipped).

Wool Overs makes shopping for quality knitwear so much easier. They has the best selection of mens jumpers I’ve seen in quite some time whether for the great outdoors or wandering round a golf course. They also have an wonderful collection of quality knitwear for women too including cashmere jumpers, silk cardigans and ballet wraps plus of course the day-to-day essentials.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post and we were compensated for our time. Opinions as always are our own. Photographs courtesy of Wool Overs.

Back to school with Marks and Spencer

It really doesn’t seem that long ago since we took POD to nursery for the first time aged 11 months. Yet here we are with just a few weeks to go until she starts school. It will be a big change having spent over three years at the same place but one I’m sure it will be good for her. POD has been ready for school for some months now and she’s desperate to learn how to read.

Trespass 3-in-1 jacket review

Five years ago we made the decision to leave the big smoke and upped sticks to Surrey. Although in Guildford we’re still within easy reach of London, it’s one of the best decisions we ever made.

The Surrey Hills is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty which provides us with endless opportunities to explore with daughter POD. It’s the best feeling seeing the World through a child’s eyes and she absolutely loves the outdoors.

As you’d expect with a four-year-old in tow, our adventures are a leisurely affair. And we’re certainly not dictated to by the weather, we just dress appropriately. Walking boots are the staple with wellies and waterproofs the welcome addition if its raining.

I never get it right. I’m the owner of many coats but until recently, none have been fit for purpose. This Trespass 3-in-1 jacket however is just brilliant and already I love it.

Made from Tres-tex, the waterproof and breathable fabric, this jacket is superb for outdoor pursuits. It has a 260gsm detachable inner microfleece which keeps me gloriously warm. This can be removed with the outer jacket worn on its own when it’s mild.

As well as being waterproof to 200mm and breathable to 300mvp, there are taped seams to shield me from the weather. A clever layering system enables me to control my temperature and draw moisture away from my body.

It also has adjustable cuffs, an adjustable concealed hood and a drawcord on the hem so you adapt the jacket to suit. The front has two zip pockets for keeping essential items safe. Or warming your hands if you forget your gloves!

The versatility of this Trespass jacket means it can be worn all year round whether you’re hiking, out with the kids or walking the dog. Its high performance ranking (TP75) highlights comfort and protection for those of us that demand a little more.

For me, it provides a genius layering system that didn’t exist in my wardrobe of many coats. Being warm is hugely important to me but staying dry and regulating my temperature is too. This Trespass jacket offers all of that plus it’s really comfortable and looks great too.

Trespass caters for men, women, boys and girls – you can check out the full range, which also includes equipment, on their website. There is up to 60% off in their Summer sale.

The jacket featured in this post has an RRP of £149.99 but is currently in the Trespass sale for only £33.99 (77% off).

Disclaimer: We received a Trespass Women’s Melony 3-in-1 waterproof jacket for the purpose of this review. Opinions are our own.

Immink organic childrenswear

As an adventurous family there’s always a need for good quality clothing that lasts. POD is involved in a range of crafting and painting activities at nursery with bouts of outdoor play. The weekend however sees us exploring the outdoors – we’re often off discovering what Surrey has to offer. There’s nothing better than breathing in that fresh country air and blowing away those cobwebs.

Immink is an organic childrenswear brand. Their clothes are made in Norfolk and they’re designed with active children like POD in mind. Their clothing is perfect for her outdoor adventures as it’s comfortable, practical and great quality. Immink clothing is made from 100% jersey cotton too so the fabric doesn’t irritate her sensitive skin.

POD absolutely loves the long sleeved t-shirt and skirt she received from Immink. They work well together but if we’re going somewhere especially messy can wear the long-sleeved t-shirt with jeans or jeggings.

She loves that it has a yellow duck print on the front and often requests to wear it! Despite numerous washes it still looks great and its retained its softness. As has the skirt. Both have aged beautifully.

POD enjoys wearing Immink for breakfast, in this instance accompanied by a frilly skirt,

and while she’s re-organising Cinderella’s bed. Although sometimes she’ll just relax in it and watch Tangled on DVD.

Most importantly this 100% organic cotton jersey is perfect for layering when we’re out in the countryside. Here’s POD looking very thoughtful wearing her duck tee before we set off on our forest adventure.

Immink have such fabulous clothes that really are designed to last. To view the full baby and childrenswear ranges, please visit the Immink website. Alternatively, you can see them at Bubble London on 26th and 27th January 2014.

Disclaimer: We received a duck print t-shirt and twill skirt for the purposes of this review. Opinions are our own.

The new one

First came the red one. A beautiful coat purchased for POD when she was a year old. She was out of it so fast we bought a bigger size of the beige one.

You couldn’t see her hands initially but she grew into it quickly. Here she is skimming stones with Daddy.

The beige one survived many a muddy puddle.

And it was loved by everyone right to the very end.

The new one is from the same retailer as the red and beige ones. It’s wonderful. Soft to the touch and comfortable. POD is disguising her joy in this photograph.