Hurrah, 10 am and I'm finished uploading the first installment of the new AW10 collection.
Check out the new playsuits, tshirts, bibs and hats, I hope you like them!
There's more to come next week - bubble dresses, biker playsuits, girls frill sleeved playsuits.... but that's another story.

Too tired... uploading new collection... school holidays so must do at night.... 2.30am and I've only done playsuits... must sleep or tomorrow will be a disaster... promise will do in morning if I wake up.... zzzzz.....

And so the first week of the holidays has bitten the dust, and all is well.
Tomorrow we go camping for a week, it's the first time for the kids, which I can't believe.
They're gonna love it, and with a little help from Math and Cath Go Camping I think I'm pretty prepared. Famous last words...

Believe it or not, this shot is post photoshop. I got the shock of my life when I zoomed in on this pic taken is the harsh light of day. I love getting older, really honestly love how I feel these days, but "no!" I thought, I don't have that many wrinkles! Surely this is a mistake! Sadly it was not, but all was fixed with a bit of gaussian blur. If I could only develop a programme that made getting rid of real wrinkles as easy as a photoshop wand I could be the next Bill Gates.

Anyhow, this was taken for an interview I did with Visit London, about my London; what makes London great for my kids and me, click here to read...

OMG! We love these little Mini Melissa/Vivienne Westwood shoes so much, we're launching our mini shoe boutique just so we can bring them to you. They are so comfortable, and practical as well as being super stylie - which in my book makes them perfect for kids!
Sizes UK 4 - UK 9.

Long have I coveted the heart stopping Vivienne Westwood/Melissa adult collaboration - it was love at first sight the first time I saw these Lady Dragons. Melissa is a Brazilian shoe company that has been making the softest pvc shoes for over thirty years, coming onto the UK's radar through their amazing collaborations with the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier and Zaha Hadid as well as the amazing Vivienne Westwood designs that are my personal favourites. They take me to shoe heaven, which is pretty much my favourite place to be.

Give a big welcome to the newest member of the Oh Baby London Family!
The lovely Jo has just started as our placement student for the next year. She'll be getting a taste of all aspects of the business as she completes her third year of a Fashion and Textile Management degree. And having some fun at the same time.
Jo showed initiative by contacting us last year in her holidays to ask if she could do a few weeks work experience, which she did and from that secured her placement. Note to young players - take the initiative, you don't get if you don't ask.

Welcome, Jo, it's great to have you on board.

We looked after one of Robins adorable chihuahuas this weekend. Poppy is half chihuahua half miniature daschund (which translates visually as chunky chihuahua), and is the sweetest dog I've met in a long time. My childhood dog, Mac, has held that title in my heart for the last 25 years.
So little Popster is a total honey, and won the hearts of Connie, Frankie and me in the first heartbeat.
Frankie and Connie have recently started arguing over who owns the rights to the top bunk. Connie had her sights set on it after Frankie decided that things were cooler on the bottom bunk during the hot weather. But when Poppy came to stay the argument was reversed, and all of a sudden, Connie was claiming birthright of the bottom bunk.
So lessons in sharing had to start again in earnest, and they didn't go that well. We split holding the lead on walks 50:50, but Connie had real trouble handing it over. Bless. Sort of.
At the end of the day, that little pup brought a big ray of sunshine to our home. Both Frankie and Connie are in love with her, so we're gonna make it a regular thing.

So we want to know what you want - in our quest to be the best.

If you're an East End London Mum, what would you like us to stock in our shop on Brick Lane that would make your life easier, something you love and have to travel or send for to get...

If you shop with us online - what would you like to see on our site - remember, with your newsletter sign up discounts you could make some big savings on items you love to love.

go on... email me:
hannah@ohbabylondon.com

Everyone who does will receive a special discount...

Just having a look on the V&A's website - a great place to go if you need a beautiful, unique gift, I came across this ring. And I want it.

"Quirky, eclectic and colourful this oval raven ring is inspired by 1940s and 1950s bakelite jewellery. Each piece is handmade, with the images reproduced from the artist's collection of vintage advertising and ephemera."

My birthday's in September... just in case you didn't know.

Yesterday was glorious, not too too hot in the a.m. turning into a scorcher in the afternoon.
We spent the day - 11am - 5pm at London Fields Lido and it was awesome. Yes! it was pretty damn hard to get in each time (for me the heating could be turned up a notch) but how refreshing, and what a lovely relaxed vibe. Nice people, lovely pool, excellent cafe (go for the mezze - it rocks).
We had a brilliant time, although too much sunscreen is never enough.

We have just made some further reductions to the Oh Baby London summer sale... with 50% off:
The Future is Mine t-shirts in pink and blue
The Future is mine Playsuits in pink and blue
Doll face tshirt
You are all Dinosaurs tshirt
Undercover Princess playsuit
The future is Mine bibs in pink and blue

and...



The gorgeous girl's bubble dress in pink or blue.

So grab a funky tshirt, playsuit or dress for the baby in your life, and happy shopping!!

Happy Birthday to my little sweetheart, 5 today!



We had Connie's Party on Sunday, hottest day of the year so far...



I was all set to make it difficult for myself, making hand made sausage rolls a la Jamie Oliver when Ali set me straight; "just whack a sausage in a bun, make it easy!". Best advice ever. A whole lotta Tescos Finest chipolatas and fresh rolls from the 24hr beigal bakery on brick lane plus king size tomato ketchup (and a few bottles of cava for the grown-ups) later and we were all happy campers. I did make cupcakes, and I did make a cake - although Connie HAD to have a store bought Disney Princess cake as the main event...

The weather was so good, and it was a lovely chilled out picnic, with egg and spoon and sack races to liven things up. A medal for all, cause everyone's a winner baby - that's the truth.



And then there was the face painting... I now believe it's essential.

I found a fantastic face painter, Shantala Sacco 07980 179338 who I would recommend to one and all.

She was absolutely lovely, the kids all loved her, and man she gave good face. She is very talented and a league above most of the face painters I have come across.

baby doing the samba in brazil @ Yahoo! Video

Yes, today we are going to Paradise Gardens. Great family-oriented free festival in Victoria Park in London. It's really worth going, beautifully put together. There's kids face painting, art activities, dancing, music, street theatre, bubbles, great food and of course... a fun fair! But it's Carter's Steam Fair - the loveliest fun fair there is.
"Carter’s recreates the pleasures of a visit to the fairgrounds of days gone by with rides dating back to the 1920s. All rides, games and side stalls have been lovingly painted and restored to their former glory. "

It's a bit of a secret that as I have got, ahem, older I have become a little more of an anxious traveller. The tube can freak me out, and I have to be very firm with myself in the air to help myself stay calm.
It's not a biggie, I'm just a lightweight these days.

Anyhow, on my my back from Auckland to Wellington on a 'Pacific Blue' plane (which reminded me of an old bus) I realised I was sitting next to the safety door. Not my favourite place, as my sister's flatmate was tragically sucked out of an Aloha Airlines plane via the safety door back in the 80's, and so I have a little issue with sitting there. But on this airline, we, the people by the doors, were asked by the steward that should there be an accident, would we mind being the ones to open the door and help carry the life rafts. What can you say? No? Move me please? Get me off this goddamn rust bucket? I smiled and said of course, it would be my pleasure and immediately looked at the guy sitting next to me right by the door, checking that he wasn't the sort of guy who might freak out and open the door spontaneously, killing us all.

To my relief he seemed like a nice, normal guy and having noticed my anxiety proceeded to chat with me throughout the journey, very kindly distracting me from any further thoughts of freakiness.

Turns out he's a talented guy, a kiwi artist called Matt Guild from Martinborough. Here's and example of his work, and a bit about him. I want this print for my kitchen wall. This and may others are for sale on his website, and he ships around the world. Every ex-pat household could do with a bit of this. Lovely.



"My paintings are about light, shadows, reflections and about the way things look in their environment. I love capturing the detail, the way a certain object looks in a moment of time. Capturing New Zealand icons and pulling on the heart strings, helping us to remember where we have come from, this the over all passion of my work.

Realism painting for me is about capturing every day bits and pieces, the reality of living."

http://www.redbarnart.co.nz

I do whinge about the weather in Wellington (a bit too much), but when it turns on a winter's day like this I have to keep my trap firmly shut.

My Grandmother feeds the birds in her garden every day. Sparrows, Fantails, and these big guys; the Pukekhos - who muscle on in and kick the little birds out.

"Weather bomb alert as storm advances on NZ" is what it said as we arrived in Wellington , New Zealand on Sunday. I know I can be a little difficult, but surely that's going a bit too far. To add insult to injury, my leaving England on Friday brought on a heatwave. What is the universe trying to say? Have I been that bad?

All I can say is enjoy that sunshine folks, and you have me to thank.
New Zealand, what can I say. I'm sorry.

We had a spring clean on Tuesday, and made a whole lotta reductions on our sale items. This has resulted in shopping mania, and despatch is now up to 3 days from order.

My Grandmother, Connie, is 96. she has always been the youngest mature lady I've ever known.
Her hair didn't go grey till she was eighty. At which time she gave up smoking as well.
She bought a grey wig when she was in her 60's because she was sicjk of the ladies from the bridge club thinking she dyed her hair. She was a shark on the bridge table, only giving it up late last year.
She got a hole in one at Waikanae golf course in 1973.
She lost her drivers licence a couple of years ago, and man, was she mad about that.
I wouldn't like to be on the wrong side of her, but have always respected her need for total honesty. If she doesn't like what someone cooks she feels it's her duty to tell them it's rubbish - otherwise, how will they know?
We've always been close. I have a touch of the 'Connie' about me, which has got me into lots of trouble with people over the years.
And I love her.

She's always been so strong and I always thought she'd go on forever.
But things are crumbling and my strong, sharp, wicked Grandma is not happy about it, not one bit.

She's in hospital, and wants to see me and Frankie and little Connie (who has a touch of the 'Connie' about her too!).
So yesterday we booked our tickets and are flying to New Zealand on Friday to give her some big love.
Mum says the news we're on the way has given her the shot in the arm she needed. So I refuse to think this is the end.

I forgot to mention on our trip back from France during the ash cloud chaos (which I hear is threatening disruption again), I picked up the Eurostar's travel magazine 'New In'.
It's better than your average international London tourist guide publication, more cutting edge, the art, the clubs, the shops, all very well researched and trés chic.
As I flicked through I kept thinking "This is cool, Oh Baby London should be in here!" and made a mental note to contact them.
Then I turned the page to the kids section et voilá! There we were, stonkingly highlighted in blue, standing way out from the rest.



I showed Frankie and Connie who were suitably impressed. I had to hold myself back from sharing my joy with the other passengers around me. It was hard, but I managed...

In March we welcomed Robin to Oh Baby London HQ, where he has already started blazing a trail looking after our lovely stockists in the UK and around the world.

This is Robin's baby, Higgins, looking lovely modeling our Spacies T Shirt.

You'll be seeing a lot more of Higgins (sporting the latest Oh Baby London gear), as he embarks on his new career as roving reporter on all things 'it's a dog life' in East London.

Oh I love a city beach, so I was overjoyed when Hurwundeki opened up a cafe on Cambridge Heath Road last year.



We went there last Saturday on our way to Victoria Park for a Picnic. What a perfect place for a coffee with kids in tow. Frankie and Connie played Cinderella going home from the ball while we waited for our coffees. And waited. And waited. This may well be the slowest coffee in London. So slow it got pretty hilarious 'cause it seemed like everyone there was in the same boat. Thank god for sunshine and sand and vintage fairground ride-ons.

Still, when the coffee came it was good, and I will definately be back. Soon.

Later, a picnic under the cherry blossom at Victoria Park was pretty sublime. It's no secret that cherry blossom takes me somewhere pretty special and this time of year in London is a time of real joy. I just get sucked up into all that blossom and am all the better for it.

A ladder, some apples and a bit of imagination later on Columbia Road, this gave me a smile and confused the kids.

I've told you about this great idea before, but here's a recap:

Rentabuggy was launched in 2008 by a couple of smart ladies to allow families to ease cash flow and rent top selling pushchairs on a monthly basis.

By hiring a pushchair, it takes out having to spend money on a big pushchair but it also means you can afford the one you may want. Their top two best rentals are Phil & Teds Vibe and the Bugaboo Bee. You can rent the Bugaboo Bee for just £30 Per Month when the retail price of this pushchair is £420. They also now offer a service that if you hire it and you like it you can buy the pushchair for a discounted retail price. Nice.

They also provide holiday rentals Nationwide on baby equipment including Highchairs, Travel Cots, Stairgates and more.

They have a SPECIAL OFFER on for April only, which is if you rent one item from their 'Holiday Rentals' then you receive a second item half price! The great thing is, your holiday rental dates can be for whenever, as long as you book in April!

So for all you organised peeps who have already decided on your holiday dates, hurry! cause the offer finishes at the end of April...
For more information, please visit www.rentabuggy.co.uk

A big congratulations goes out to my lil' sis Olivia and her partner Jeremy on the birth of Sylvie on the 17th April in New Zealand.
6 days late, but an hour to deliver - when she makes her mind up she doesn't mess around!
Can't wait to see the pictures, and wish I was there to have a squeeze (a gentle one of course).

And sadly Guru died yesterday after a battle with cancer.
Jazzmattaz volume 1 was a soundtrack of my early 20's. It's lovely. This is one of my favourites.
R.I.P.

I took Frankie and Connie to France for a week over Easter, and had no mobile reception or tv for a week. And what happens? Malcolm McLaren dies, a plane crash kills the Polish president and a volcanic eruption causes total chaos across Europe. It was all quite a shock. Luckily I hadn't been able to find cheap enough air fares for the three of us to France so we went Eurostar (which was still a small fortune, but that's life travelling with kids isn't it) . So (so!) lucky we went by train or we'd still be there. Saying that, I bet Frankie would have loved a ride on a naval ship although that would be about my worst nightmare. No to boats, thanks. Or diving for that matter. Or snorkelling. I mean, would you wander around the Serengeti on your own? No. You would not. I know my place in the food chain out there in the big blue and I don't like it.

Of all the news of the week, it was Malcolm McLaren's passing that touched me the most. Madam Butterfly takes me back to my teens, when I had just left home and started work. This alongside The Pixies Surfer Rosa were my walkman staples.



and Double Dutch, always makes me feel happy. What a track.



He recently came on my radar with his kidswear line, very... very... cool.

What a force of nature, what a visionary. Makes me think about the amazing mass of energy and potential we contain, and how unfair that death can make waste of it all.

R.I.P.

Decorate an egg as a storybook character, setting optional - so went the brief. And then game on. Several eggs later Frankie's Elmer was born.
Meanwhile Connie created "Sleeping Beauty". Uncanny resemblance, no?

I have a guilty pleasure. Actually I have many. But the one I'm talking about is clogs. High heeled clogs. I want some.
They feel all 1970's Fleetwood Mac glamour to me, which may be a hazy memory from my childhood, I don't know if Stevie Nicks or Christine McVie ever wore them, but they should have.
So on the left, Alexa Chung in Chanel clogs, on the right good ol' Topshop doing a fantastic pair for the ininitely more swallowable price of £75.
The other option, and it is good, is Swedish Hasbeens. Such a great name, such great cloggs.

I don't know about you, but since I had kids I swear my feet have got bigger. I wonder if putting on a couple of stone during pregnancy had anything to do with it...