Chocolate Face

Mini is proving rather tempestuous of late. She's more 2 going on 16 at the moment with plenty of strops and eye rolling. She's definitely keeping the rest of us on our toes.
However at her friend Sophia's 2nd birthday party she couldn't have been more charming. Decked out in her cousin Josie's old knitted Ralph Lauren Argyll dress she joined in all the party games while big bro Phin ran around in his Spider-Man outfit. If there's a party, he NEEDS to come as a superhero. It took a huge amount of persuasion to get him not to wear the mask, he just couldn't understand why this would terrorise a bunch of under twos!
Phin and Mini also relished the raffle prize I won at the SF Christmas fair. Two pretty little cups with chocolate swizzle sticks ready to melt into a warm mug of hot chocolate. I think both their chocolate taches look a tad Guy Fawkes to me and their little chocolate faces made me smile.

Christmas Fair

So after all our hard work we got to enjoy the fruits of our labour. The kids got their gifts from the wish tree, we bought lots of home baked cookies and picked a folk summer dress for mini for £5 and of course we got to meet Santa. Mini was a little scared but Spider-Man was full of confidence and bantered with our bearded friend with ease. Mini garnered much praise for her Ralph Lauren reindeer dress and we all went home a little high on sugar and an early appearance of Christmas spirit.

Christmas Fair 2

I got busy this year not just with the gingerbread houses and wreaths but also with decorating the church hall with nine trees. I love decorating but this took things to the limit. Luckily we have a few more weeks before I decorate our own tree. And I can't wait to hear how much we raised for the Colville primary school garden project.

Autumn Leaves

I love minis outfit today all made up of some rather fabulous hand me downs. Especially these chocolate velvet shorts from Bonpoint courtesy of cousins Gigi & Josie and big bros cashmere cardi. I even managed to finally get Mini to wear a hair band all day! It's from H&M's for the children range and is a gorgeous antique flower print corduroy band.
While papa and Phin went to a school birthday party mini and I enjoyed the glorious sunshine pushing baby Betty around the park, swishing our boots through all the leaves and jumping in muddy puddles. Such fun!

Autumn Days

Just a few pics of how glorious Holland Park is looking at the moment

Boden'tastic

 What a surprise i had today when i went down to Somerset House to view the new Spring Summer collections from Boden. Gone were their sweet but often brash motifs and primary colour palette and instead we were enticed with playful retro prints and an electrifying colour palette of watermelon and citrus brights as well as soft ice cream colours and some fantastic accessories. Its definitely taken a leaf out of JCrew yet given it its own British spin. The verdict: I want it all for Mini Now! Bring on Spring.

JOHNNIE B

Another exciting addition to the Boden range is Johnnie B. It ranges from 8-16 and this retro sundress is heaven as are the pieces below

Colourful denim

Love these hot pink sandals

these multi coloured high tops are sizzling

The perfect summer Kaftan for teens

Love the contrast detailing on these floral print sneakers

fun espadrilles. i especially love the sunglasses ones

And this quilted Indigo jacket lined in a rose bud print is quirky but practical

                                                              MINI BODEN

Mini Boden is where i will now be going to shop for Phin & Mini this spring. I adore these Bensimon style plimsoles. my fave is the citrus yellow

Love the gros grain ribbon tie round these slouchy fit pants

Retro swimwear

This linen skirt is embroidered with bright neon sequin circles, the top is your classic breton stripe turned on its head in neon orange and its paired with a neon pink polka scarf to finish off the look. But its the silver glitter sandals edged in yellow that are making me smile.

I'm loving this bold circle print tunic top and rolled up shorts but maybe that's the Marni girl in me.

Naive bright print sundress

How adorable is this parrot print skirt and turquoise ruffle sandal?

So Talented Mr. Ripley. Amalfi here we come

And finally something for Phin! There were also some great pieces for boys including candy coloured oversized gingham shirts and off beat coloured Breton stripes, great coloured chino shorts and trousers and fun swim trunks too, but I know these trainers are going to capture his heart.

Cookie Monster

Mini took to baking and conjured up these enormous choc chip cookies the size of flying saucers. So big they even cover Phin's face!
It was my turn to bake up a storm with this year's Strawberry Fields ginger bread houses. The Christmas fair is next week so it was all hands on deck to help decorate these glorious gingerbread mansions.
First off was a traditional affair with a festive red, white and green theme. There were candy canes, jelly hearts and giant strawberries. No.2 was a more gothic affair. Halloween is still hanging in the air with Tim Burton and liquorice informing this ghoulish grotto. Whilst no.3 was light hearted and whimsical with love hearts adorning the roof and yellow jelly beans carpeting the garden. The question is can we wait til Christmas to eat it?