Spring in your step with Gap

This week i got a quick sneak peak at the new Gap Spring Summer collection which will hit stores this May.  Its so enticing to see gorgeous new season clothes, although quite depressing at the same time since it looks like a long way off before we can wear them! Here are a few of my favourite picks from the collection...

This season is the first for new Creative Director Rebekka Bay and what makes it so exciting is the fact that the women's, mens and kids collection all link together in their style, colour and flavour. This jungle print and green floral theme was one of my favourite. The clutch bag is for me (so very Beverly Hills Hotel i think) but this waterproof bomber jacket and ditsy print skirt is from the Kids range.

Another big part of the collection was all the indigo. This ombre crop sweatshirt and star print skirt will be right up Mini's street.

I love this ombre indigo denim shift dress

and i can totally see Mini and Ottilie sporting these paisley summer dresses

While Phin would rock these faded striped denims, star t and raffia sunhat

You know how Mini loves a playsuit and i adore these star espadrilles. What i love about this range is the colour palette is a range of blues, so its easy to mix up the patterns from stars to stripes, ombre to batik it all works together to create a classic yet off-beat look.

For little boys, a gorgeous pair of sky blue striped cotton drawstring pants and a linen shirt

or how about these faded stripe shorts, batik printed shirt and striped indigo flip flops

Patchwork denim from shirts to jeans

And grown ups can coordinate with an ombre tote or these amazing make up pouches in red or blue stars. I think i will use mine as a small clutch. nothing looks more modern to me.

And for us grown ups we can also jump on the Indigo and paisley band wagon. Here are two of my favourite looks for me. You all know how much i love to coordinate!

Chignon chic

Mini is definitely in a 'let's copy mummy' phase and since I so often scrape my hair into a tight top knot she fancied doing the same this morning.
So to go with our French theme we added a Bonton scarf tied around her neck, a striped Stella sweater dress and her Minnetonka for JCrew moccasins.

Peek-a-boo you!

Mini, ever the fashionista decided to emulate Victoria Beckham in her ads for Marc Jacobs with the help of her new Anya Hindmarch bag. What fun!

Eating Ottie

Ottilie is taking to eating like a duck to water. She loves nothing more than sitting in her bumboo (here in her gorgeous floral liberty print style pj's with pie crust collar from Little Bird by Jools Oliver) and eating her carrots, peas and pear purée.

Happy Birthday Papoo

It was Mini's Papoo's birthday on valentines day and what better way to celebrate 85 years than with a birthday tea with a few of his grandchildren.
Mini went for a summery white broderie dress from Maan despite the monsoon weather conditions outside and Ottilie looked resplendent in her grey linen Caramel dress while Phin kept his uniform on with great swagger.
Lunch the next day was at The Wolsley. 'Can we come here every day?' Asked Phin. Oh wouldn't that be dandy I thought.
Schnitzel with chips and hot chocolate with cream. Mini and Phin had a blast. And we followed up our half term holiday with a trip to the Lego movie. A must see! And I never
Thought I'd say that!

Super Star

So whilst I was at Gap yesterday checking out their Paddington Bear collection I couldn't help but buy a few of their new spring pieces for Mini too.
They have a great pair of cream jeans with neon pink stars and the most gorgeous denim floral playsuit for once the sun comes out.
And this gorgeous grey star print jumpsuit. Mini styled it up with a stripe t and cream cardi and her Minnetonka suede boots to make sure she could wear it ASAP.
And I made sure we had matching hair for the day too. What a super star!

Paddington's in Town

Ottilie made her debut press appointment today at the launch of Gap's Paddington Bear collection. And there couldn't have been a more perfect way to introduce my newest addition to the fashion scene. Decked out in her Bonpoint dress, cardigan and feather print pony ballerina's we bumped into fellow fashionista and blogger Pippa Vosper ( a must read if maternity chic, weddings or even spinning is on your mind) and her son Astala.

The Gap Paddington Collection hit stores today and it was a real treat to see it up close. We loved their Peter Rabbit range inspired by the cheeky Beatrix Potter bunny and this other favourite British icon has been treated with equal finesse and care. There are joyful nods to the little bear from Peru with the range of toggle duffle coats but they've been turned on their head in the form of a polka dot poncho or an illustrated blouse featuring Paddington doodles as well as his infamous yellow wellies. There are also some great summer dresses, chunky knits and printed denim chambray. It's just a shame that it only goes up to 24 months.

Here are some of the pieces i cherry picked for Ottilie. The rain poncho is heaven and the soft cotton jumpsuit is comfy and chic with a ditsy print.

My favourite for the boys has to be the chunky duffle knit cardi and block coloured sweatshirt and a cool pair of grey sweats

And Mini was most put out that they didn't make the red embroidered sundress and the quilted indigo jacket in her size

I'm a real sucker for days of the week anything, from vests and underwear to babygros and bodies. These make a great baby gift present for anyone who's expecting.

And thanks to Joseph and the Gap team for the illustration of Ottilie and her pot of marmelade!

The Tiger Who Came to Tea

We were invited last week by our lovely friend Dana to have a very special tea at The Kensington Hotel in Queen's Gate London. Its a new event at the Hotel and on every last Thursday of the month they have a children's tea party followed by story time. Its such a lovely idea and what makes it that little bit more special is that the books are read or performed with actors from The English Youth Theatre, making for a very visual and vocal story time indeed! 

Can you guess which story was going to be read? Its one of my favourites!

Mini wore her Tiger mask and her favourite silver sparkle coat from H&M for the event. 

There's lots of room to spread out and listen to the story. Perfect for lolling about and eating your tea.

Phin and Mini enjoyed joining in with the telling of the story with lots of roaring and shouting and Phin was especially good at all the sound effects, there were screeching and door bells ringing and pots and pans banging and all sorts.

And the scones with clotted cream, gingerbread men and perfect triangle sandwiches went down a storm

Did you guess who came to tea?

If you fancy joining their next one on Thursday 27th February at 4pm call The Kensignton Hotel on 0207 589 6300. Tea costs £20 per person and includes as much tea and cake as a Tiger could eat plus a lovely little goody bag. Now i wonder what book is next.... i hear he has a very long trunk