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.....

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.

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...

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!!

"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.

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.

Here's a little preview of some of the new styles from SS10, coming in the first week of February...
You like? Email me what you think, what you would like to see more of, less of... shop@ohbabylondon.com

This year I am going to concentrate on being kind myself rather than pushing myself. After a two month break I started running again today. And rather than my usual go, go, go, faster, faster, faster attitude I took it at a friendly pace, and had this eureka moment. Yes, note to self; this year will be about achieving calm and being kind to myself. It's so easy to load on the pressure, to make expectations of ourselves so high we can never achieve them. So this year I'm going to celebrate small victories and take life at that friendly pace.

Here's our latest super fantastic style - The Biker Playsuit.
A strictly limited edition, only 200 made, and up until Christmas it comes packaged in our signature Oh Baby London tin lunchbox packaging.
What could be more fantastic for baby's first photo on Santas knee? Perfectamundo.
The Biker Playsuit comes in 0-3m/3-6m/6-12m and 12-18m.
It zips from shoulder to ankle, with a gorgeous YKK rounded tooth brass zip.
It really is so cool I could cry.
Thick, ultra-soft 100% cotton jersey, brushed on the inside for extra snuggliness.
It's a dream.

It comes in on 10 December to Oh Baby London HQ and we'll send them out to you straight away, so pre-order it now to be one of the first to get it.

Here it is closed, looks great...


and here it is in the tin lunchbox packaging...

For I am a Lazy Blogger.
I read the Sunday Times Style magazine religiously every Sunday. It ain't gospel, but alongside a steaming cup of (now decaf) coffee, it is one of my many pleasures in life.
So I was truly shamed to see on the "Going Down" list "lazy bloggers - if you're not updating daily we're blogging off".
I promise to change my ways from this day forward.

Cross my heart.

They've been doing it off an on for a couple of months, and now it's big news. Royal Mail's service is seriously disrupted due to the strike action, and it's hitting small and large businesses and their customers hard.

I pray they come to some resolution, and that this time they find a way to make it work. I do feel for them, but hey, I'm trying to run a business here sending out supercool gifts to our newest arrivals, and they want them on time!

So from now until a reliable service resumes we will deliver all UK orders by courier using a 3-5 day service at no extra cost to you.

You are invited to the opening of
SCATTERBRAIN
an exhibition of photographs reflecting childhood in an urban environment
by
Daniéle Da Meda

Opening and Sale Evening
Thursday 1st October 6-8pm at

Oh Baby London HQ
162 Brick Lane, London E1 6RU

Oh Baby London poses as a gallery on the first Thursday of the month and does a special 40% discount on clothing for the opening.
So pop in this Thursday 6-8pm to get a bargain - or use the code “40%” in the discount code box at checkout right here at ohbabylondon.com ...

So the funky new collection of baby playsuits and cool kids tshirts is in! Phew, it's been a long time a-comin'. It's been looking good on Frankie and Connie all weekend - I really must have another baby to get a weeny model at my finger tips again. Is that wrong? Maybe... maybe not.

Anyhow, the new collection is certainly very cool. Baby and kids alike will look a million bucks/pounds/euros/whatever, in these threads. The whole lot look great together, strong colours, lovely graphics, irreverent ideas - yes I am a happy camper.

The lovely Mai-ling is shooting the garments as we speak, so will get pics up on site next week, in the meantime you get the picture...

Now, on with the next collection...

I don't know what it is about manufacturing, why there always has to be a problem. Is it me? Is it because I knew nothing about manufacturing before I started Oh Baby London back in 2002? Mmmm, sounds like it. But what do they say?; "God loves a trier" or something like that. Or is it because there are so many things that can happen over the course of production that can lead to delays that it's almost inevitable? Yep. Is it because I am such a small player compared to the big guys on the high street that I'm the first one to be bumped if there's a problem? Yeah, maybe a little of that too. For the first time we have worked with manufacturers who get things done on time, and hurrah, hurrah I was celebrating. I didn't figure on delays once it actually arrived in the UK!

So close it truly hurts.

Anyhow, The Been Inside for 9 Months playsuits that we were so happy about getting yesterday are now arriving on Friday 3 June...
The waiting is surely going to kill me.

Students from Frankie's schoool came to the shop to do an interview for their Trade and Industry studies. They were very professional - one asked the questions, one transcribed the interview, one took pictures and they all looked interested. It took me right back to my primary school days - I would have been way to shy to ask the questions. It's a great way for them to get their heads around the way the world works, and to realise how many different things they could do when they grow up.

We have had a few interviews in the shop, but this was by far the sweetest.

We had a nasty man in the shop yesterday, who forced his way behind the counter and took my laptop.
I feel sick, I loved my laptop, we spent all our time together.
But am consoling myself with the fact that the laptop is not in fact a real person, I hadn't started designing next season, it's desktop what a complete mess, no one got hurt and I've still got my health.

Boo.

Joy oh joy, I am running again!

And to celebrate I'm gonna do the Asics British 10km London Run on 12th of July and raise money for the wonderful Rainbow Trust charity that supports families with children suffering from terminal illness. As a mum, it doesn't get much closer to my heart than that.

So here I go, at the moment I'm running 4km a day, and you better believe I'll be knocking out 10km in no time!
I've never done this before, but I've gotta say it feels good.

So if you would like to sponsor me click here or on the link below to go through to the Just Giving website where you can securely sponsor me and back The Rainbow Trust and the wonderful work they do...



If you want to know more about the rainbow trust, click here
And if you want to know more about the Asics British 10km London Run, click here

Oh Baby London is now on Twitter. So I get to say stupid stuff that interests no one except myself somewhere else. Hurrah. Follow at your peril. Mind you, I may just give our twitter followers some discounts, just to see what happens, so it may just be worth your while.

Sign up for our newsletter too and get even more lovely discounts...

Oops... I awoke in Wellington this morning to a light drizzle.
Come back sun, I promise not to mention it again.

The lovely Elle Morgan of Elle Morgan Kids in Marbella has run the "Face Oh Baby London Spain - 2009", and we are about to choose the winners!
Elle is bringing pictures of all the entrants over to us in London, where we will begin the seemingly impossible task of choosing the winners.
We can't wait to see them, and as soon as they are picked their pictures will be posted right here...
Watch this space...

So, we have our first Time Out First Thursdays opening for 2009 this Thursday!
Please come and joing us for a special 25% discount and liquid refreshments at
Oh Baby London, 162 Brick Lane, London E1 6RU
6-8pm, Thursday 4th February

Essence
Photographs by Fran Hergessel

"I have been involved with young children for over a decade. During this time I have been fortunate enough to be able to capture many poignant and magical moments in their lives.
I can fully appreciate a parents desire to hold on to the precious childhood years and empathise with their anguish, which comes with the realisation that they are powerless to halt the passing of time.
I was encouraged to exhibit my images by the warm comments I received from many of the childrens parents who felt that I had faithfully captured the essence of their child and the emotion of the moment.
Whilst a parent will see in a image of his child the character and history they share, the same can not be said of a casual viewer yet I have been intrigued and surprised to witness the response of such people to my images. It would appear that the face of a child holds a universal attraction, as it is not dependent on a knowledge or relationship with that child.
This exhibition marks the beginning of what is to be an on going and growing project."
Fran Hergessel

www.franhergessel.com

So here they are the winners of the Face of Oh Baby London 2009!

Last year, I worked with Fairy Non-Bio on their Fairy Godmothers campaign. Together we came up with the great idea of running a competition to find some of the most characterful babies in the UK.

This little girls and guys were chose from an incredible number of gorgeous babies. I must say it is the hardest thing in the world choosing winners; every entrant was a little character and potential superstar!

The winners will be brought to Shoreditch, London from as far away as Guernsey to take part in a photoshoot next Saturday. We are all so excited to meet them and capture their personalities on camera. As always with our photoshoots, there is strictly no-posing - it's come as you are, and just be yourself.

They will be gracing the pages of the first ever Oh Baby London mail order catalogue, a long time coming as we have been providing cool but cute babyclothes to the world since 2002, but hey, as mums I'm sure you understand "to much to do, too little time"! - there's only so much multi-tasking you can do! Anyhow, it's happening now, and these will be our star models.

Watch this space!

Hannahx

I am working from home today as HQ has turned into an Ice Office, and not in a hip and cool Ice Hotel sort of way. So am lovely and warm, but the fridge is calling to me; "...come Hannah, eat all my Green and Black's Milk Chocolate with Almonds...", which is kinda scarey. Shades of "Requiem for a Dream" if you know what I mean...

Have also rediscovered some weird work/music habits I have. When I'm working at home I listen to the same CD on repeat, all day, and something I never listen to at any other time anymore.
Joni Mitchell, For The Roses
Fifth listen now.

Seems like everyone's had this evil flu that's sweeping the nation, so I suppose it was my turn. The flu arrived on my doorstep last Saturday, and one week on I am still a mess. I soldiered on on Christmas day, cooking a turkey dinner for the first time ever (Jamie Oliver you are my kitchen angel, I follow your recipies to the letter and you never let me down), but I couldn't taste a thing. For the first time in history I have not put on half a stone in a week over Christmas, which gives me a small amount of comfort, but when my nose finally unblocks I think I'll have Christmas dinner part two, with all the trimmings.

Christmas Sales seem to be the mode de jour for businesses this year, and while they look like they spell trouble, in actual fact I think they're a beautiful idea. Much more in tune with the way I reckon the world is moving; into a caring, sharing way of living. It makes me feel good to be able to offer a great deal at Christmas. I've always thought it was kinda yuck for the sales to start the day after Christmas, a pretty gimme gimme gimme mentality. So giving a discount before Christmas instead of after seem so much more like getting into the spirit of the season... Hurrah!!

Enter "SALE" in the discount code box at checkout to receive 20% off until 20th December.
Don't forget to join the family for advance notice of sales and special 'family only' discounts....

Wow, what a week. Apologies to anyone trying to find Oh Baby London last week, we were offline for the whole week! What a nightmare. A kinda technical, kinda "Hannah you complete idiot" issue. Yes, I have given myself another written warning, and if it happens again it I will fire myself immediately. I promise.

If you fancy a spot of late night shopping come to the first ever Brick Lane Christmas shopping night, and hey, while you're at it, get a babysitter and have a night out! My picks? Bowling at the new All Star Lanes, then drinks at The Carpenters. You can leave your Oh Baby London shopping with us to pick up the next day...
Go on, you deserve it!

Here's the press release...
"Offering you a unique opportunity to shop 'til late in Brick Lane on
Thursday 11th December. For the very first time The Laden Showroom,
Rokit, Oh Baby London, Mendoza, Heba, Eastside Books, @Work and Shop172
will all stay open later so that you can Christmas shop in style and
at your leisure. Most shops will be offering great discounts and
offers on the evening (up to 25% off!), with mince pies and other festive treats in store.

Fabulous Christmas gifts can be purchased from all participating shops
including vintage treasures from Rokit, cute but cool kidswear at Oh
Baby London, modish menswear by Mendoza, gorgeous womenswear at Laden
Showroom and Shop 172, jewels and gems from the At Work Gallery and
books galore from Eastside, plus lots of stock to be unveiled
especially on the night!"

We're thinking mince pies, mulled wine and a very tasty discount for the night....

Our latest model Gus shows 'em how it's done.
At 10 weeks, Gus already looks like he's got star quality. So cute everyone at HQ wants to eat him up (not literally of course... that would be kinda gross).
Click here to see him modelling our hot new playsuits....

Everyone who saw the baby catwalk show at the Baby Show, Earls Court last weekend got a great preview of the Oh Baby London AW Collection.
It was hilarious and so cute.
We featured most in the "Hip Hop Baby" section, and the funky babies rocked the stage with the Olympic 84 camo tracksuit, Stripey Bubble Dress and "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful" tshirt as shown here:



I'm pretty rubbish on the camera, Daniele (who has a parrallel life as a photographer when not working with me) took better pics on Saturday, which you'll see here soon....

We were part of the Fairy Non-bio "Softening Your World" stand which had baby massage demos and a fab relaxing area for all the tiniest show visitors to chill out. It was great to meet so many fantastic, excited new parents and I offered everyone who came on the stand a special discount for joining the family before 26th October.... just 'join the family' and wait a few seconds for an email giving the special code...