Baby & Child « From Britain With Love

We Love Lammie & Kirstie

Wednesday 24 August 2011

There’s been a distinctly Devonshire feel to the news dropping into our inbox this week – in fact, this is the first of three blog posts highlighting news from the county. First up, a spot of celebrity spotting! At the recent Chagford Show Devon-based designer Victoria Lammie of Love Lammie was surprised and delighted when craft guru Kirstie Allsopp stopped by her stand and left with one of her ‘Martha’ oilcloth aprons, while filming her new TV series Kirstie’s Crafty Britain at the fair. Make like Kirstie and grab your own Martha apron while stocks last at www.lovelammie.co.uk.

Posted By Nicky at 11:25 pm | Filed under: Baby & Child, Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas, Home & Garden, Travel & Events | 0 Comments

That’s Pinteresting

Thursday 11 August 2011

This guest blog post was written by Kellie Spicknell of new craft blog HMade. Whether you’re a Pinterest addict or novice, Kellie shares her thoughts on the latest social media phenomenon, with a summer holiday crafting theme, and warns that pinning can be very addictive!

The summer holidays are here and it’s time to hit the parks, beaches, theme parks and zoos… but what happens when it rains and you can’t go out? There’s only so much CBeebies you can watch before going slightly mad…. so next time the little ones are enchanted by Peppa and Dora, why not take a look at Pinterest to find some novel things to make and do over the summer break?

If you haven’t discovered Pinterest yet, make sure you have some time on your hands because it is quite easy to become lost in time on this beautiful site. Did I say Dora was enchanting? Well this is the adult equivalent. Don’t forget the task at hand though… you’re meant to be looking for something creative for the kids, remember?

The concept of Pinterest is quite simple – if you like an image then you ‘pin it’ to a virtual pinboard. You can pin images that you find on other websites, or simply re-pin images you like which other people have pinned. The main page is a continuously updating array of other peoples ‘pins’ (a bit like the public timeline on twitter but with pictures instead of words). If you see an image you like, simply click ‘Pin It’ and save it to one of your own pinboards. Don’t wait until later to pin a good idea as they quickly disappear as new ones come up.

To start pinning, you first need to request an invite – the easiest and quickest way is to ask on facebook or twitter for one. I’m sure someone will oblige, with a line saying ‘I can’t believe you’ve only just found Pinterest!’. To get started, it’s a good idea to follow a few other peoples boards – just like on other social networking sites – and see what they’re pinning. There are so many different images to browse through – from interiors to fashion, craft projects, recipes, beauty tips and even wedding ideas. You’ll soon be pinning like a pro!

You can use Pinterest in so many different ways, such as moodboards, tearsheets, research and even blog ideas. Just remember when you’re pinning to give credit where credit is due and wherever possible to link to the original source of the image. Below are a few creative ideas I’ve found on Pinterest to keep the kids busy over the summer holidays. But this is just the tip of the iceberg – so why not have a go yourself? You can request an invite to join at www.pinterest.com.

Clockwise from Top Left: Vintage Book Bunting via Papercrave; Butterfly ‘Feet’ Canvas via Project Balancing Act; Crayon Hearts via Flickr; Banana Split Mini Bites via Bakers Royale.

Posted By Nicky at 3:10 pm | Filed under: Baby & Child, Food & Drink, Gift Ideas, Home & Garden | 3 Comments

Win £100 of Lasso The Moon Goodies

Tuesday 9 August 2011

For this month’s competition we’ve teamed up with gorgeous online boutique Lasso The Moon to offer one lucky winner over £100 worth of handmade goodies from talented UK designer makers including Snapdragon, Elsy & Vine, and The Vintage Magpie. Lasso The Moon offer a hand-picked selection of individual gifts, homewares and accessories made with heart and soul by over 70 designers. For a chance to win this fabulous prize, enter the competition here…

Posted By Nicky at 12:53 pm | Filed under: Baby & Child, Competitions & Offers, Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas, Home & Garden | 0 Comments

Five Years Young

Thursday 28 July 2011

More birthday celebrations… this time for Cleveland-based Pins & Ribbons who celebrated five years in business this month with a vintage themed tea party and balloon release outside their shop. Having started as a home-based business around the kitchen table, the company now boasts a successful online store, a recently opened retail shop in old Eaglescliffe, and their own manufacturing unit, as well as supplying hundreds of stockists around the UK, including several well known department stores.

Founder Kerrie Murray explains her motivation: “Pins and Ribbons came about as a result of my love of sewing, coupled with the fact that I was fed up with seeing mass produced items that were made abroad in the UK’s high street shops. So when I set up my company I was determined that it would involve high quality home accessories, handmade from start to finish in the UK.”

The collection is constantly evolving and now includes made-to-measure curtains, blinds, headboards, cushions, footstools and pinboards in a choice of fabrics to suit your scheme, as well as personalised gifts and wedding items. Browse the range at www.pinsandribbons.co.uk.

Posted By Nicky at 1:07 pm | Filed under: Baby & Child, Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas, Home & Garden | 1 Comment

Making it British

Saturday 25 June 2011

This guest blog post was written by Kate Hills of Make It British, a website dedicated to supporting British made clothing and accessories – visit www.makeitbritish.co.uk.

There are 80 billion new garments produced annually worldwide, most of which will end up in landfill. In fact, clothing makes up 1.5 million tons of the rubbish that we throw away in Britain every year. Such is our appetite for fast, throwaway fashion, that the majority of orders for clothing and accessories now go off-shore to enormous factories in the Far East, because the smaller, specialist units that were making our products in the UK just cannot compete on price or turnaround time.

The statistics tell the shocking truth; in 1981 the British clothing and footwear market imported 29% of the fashion that we consumed, by 2001 that figure had risen to 90%.

Many factories in the UK have had to close down in the last few years as a result of this decrease in demand, and as a consequence not only have skilled workers here in Britain been left without jobs, but there is no one left to train up a new generation of machinists and pattern cutters should we need them in the future.

With a desire to put things right, Make it British, a website dedicated to supporting British made clothing and accessories, carried out a survey to discover if consumers are starting to turn their backs on this mass-produced clothing, and the results were quite encouraging.

More than two-thirds of respondents do now look at where their garment is produced before they buy it, although they say that this information is not always easy to find. Not surprising then that nearly everyone surveyed would like to see clearer labelling to show the country of origin of a garment.

And whilst design and price are still the most important factors for the majority when choosing clothing and accessories, where a garment is made was the principal factor for more than 30% of those that answered the survey.

So the British public does care, and they want it made easier for them to discover more about the provenance of their clothes. That is why websites like Make it British and From Britain with Love are doing the best that they can to provide a resource to those fantastic brands and individual makers who are keeping their production here in Britain. So together, let’s make it British!

Clockwise from top left: Childrens knitwear by Pride & Joy, Leather bag by St Leonards, Boots by Celtic Sheepskin.

Posted By Nicky at 8:25 pm | Filed under: Baby & Child, Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas | 0 Comments

Best of British for Kids

Saturday 18 June 2011

This guest blog post was written for lifestyle site West London Mum - www.westlondonmum.co.uk.

As mums we’re always trying to do the best for our children… from feeding them homecooked organic food, to buying eco-friendly nappies and ethically sourced clothing. As consumers, we’re more aware than ever of where and how products have been made, and as parents the last thing we want is to buy products for our little ones which have been made by equally little hands on the other side of the globe.

What started with ‘food miles’ is now beginning to filter into other product areas as people opt for products with provenance, and make a conscious decision to choose handmade and original over mass-produced and disposable. But it’s not always easy to know where products have been made, which is why From Britain With Love was created to showcase, inspire and celebrate the wealth of creative talent that exists here in Britain.

This online guide to ‘all things beautiful and British made’ features a handpicked selection of Britain’s most creative designers, producers and retailers of style-led British made products, alongside interviews, competitions, offers, events, travel features, creative course reviews and a blog highlighting all the latest discoveries. So next time you’re looking for an original birthday present, personalised new baby gift, individual fashion accessory or statement piece for your home, why not take a look and discover the homegrown talent that exists on your doorstep?

By choosing to buy British you’re not only helping to support local businesses and the wider economic community, but you’re also being kinder to the planet by reducing your carbon footprint. But most of all, you’ll discover exciting products which have been made with love, care and attention, and which will transcend trends to become the heirlooms of the future. Here we’ve picked a selection of delightful British made baby and children’s products from a few of the creative businesses that you’ll find on www.FromBritainWithLove.com.

West-London-Mum

Top Row: Handmade Personalised Glass Bunting by Red Brick Glass, £30. Handpainted Boat Hooks by Chantal Devenport, £8.00 each. Framed 3D Paper Artwork by Sweet Dimple, £55.

Second Row: Little Love Letter by Jonny’s Sister, £29.50. ‘Nelly The Elephant’ Fine Art Print by Betsy Benn, £35. Handcrafted Baby Photo Album by Blighty Books, £159.

Third Row: Handknitted Scottish Wool Bunny by My Little Loves, £28. Ice Cream Baby Shoes by Funky Feet Fashions, £17.50. Personalised Name Painting by Vicki Disney, £19.50.

Bottom Row: Butterfly T-Shirt by Littlechook, £17. Blue Anchor Romper by Carry Me Home, £19.50. Rosebud Baby Skirt by Hopscotch Handmade Gifts, £10.

Posted By Nicky at 2:41 pm | Filed under: Baby & Child, Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas, Home & Garden | 0 Comments

Now We Are Six: Reader Giveaway

Sunday 5 June 2011

Congratulations to childrenswear boutique Carry Me Home who are celebrating their sixth birthday this month. From their early days in Spitalfields Design Market to their current retail shop off London’s Carnaby Street, designer Gayle Haddock has successfully combined her own designs with those of other carefully selected designers to create a delightful collection of original fashion, gifts and accessories for little people and their parents.

Exclusive Reader Giveaway! To celebrate their sixth birthday, Carry Me Home are offering one lucky reader a £35 gift voucher to spend in their retail shop or online. For a chance to win, simply name a product sold by Carry Me Home other than those featured below. You can leave your answer as a comment below, or email it to editor@frombritainwithlove.com by 30th June. To browse the collection, visit www.carrymehome.co.uk.

Top Row: ‘Rock Baby’ T-Shirt £16.50, Blue Alphabet Wall Chart £15, Reversible ‘Animal Fair’ Dress £36.

Bottom Row: Limited Edition ‘Thomas’ Bear £28, Boo Boo ‘Mummy & Me’ Pamper Kit £30, Handmade ‘Buddy’ Blanket £72.

Posted By Nicky at 8:02 pm | Filed under: Baby & Child, Competitions & Offers, Fashion & Beauty, Gift Ideas | 25 Comments

Sweet & Lovely: Reader Offer

Tuesday 24 May 2011

If you’re on the lookout for an original and distinctive wedding, Christening, new baby or even a birthday gift, take a look at these delightful three dimensional framed artworks from Sweet Dimple. Each bespoke picture can be personalised, and because the designs feature retro papers, vintage buttons, fragments of maps and old postage stamps, every one is unique.

Exclusive Reader Offer! Sweet Dimple are offering our readers £10.00 off all orders placed before the end of June – simply mention ‘From Britain With Love’ when you call or email to place your order. To browse the collection, visit www.sweetdimple.co.uk.

Posted By Nicky at 10:27 pm | Filed under: Baby & Child, Gift Ideas, Home & Garden | 1 Comment

Lovely Letters

Friday 11 March 2011

Today I received two letters in the post… nothing unusual about that I hear you say. But these weren’t just any letters… they were two of the most delightful personalised cushions known as ‘Love Letters’ which are hand-made by Somerset based Jonny’s Sister. I ordered an ‘S’ and an ‘L’ for my two boys, four year old Sam and ten week old Louis (I still can’t quite believe I’m a mum of two and have to keep pinching myself!). Not only did they arrive super-quickly but the quality of the fabric and finish far exceeded my expectations and I’m really thrilled with how they look in my boys’ rooms. With prices starting at just £29.50 for the Little Letters, they’d make ideal new baby, Christening or even wedding gifts. Browse the designs and buy online at www.jonnyssister.co.uk.

Posted By Nicky at 11:21 pm | Filed under: Baby & Child, Gift Ideas, Home & Garden | 0 Comments

Get 20% Off at Harry Duley

Thursday 3 March 2011

While I’m still dreaming of packing away my maternity jeans, I wish I’d discovered Harry Duley’s wonderful maternitywear when I was still in the full bloom of pregnancy. Simple, elegant and flattering, Harry’s capsule maternity collection has been designed to include wardrobe staples that will take you through pregnancy and beyond. While her non-maternity collection includes simple and stylish pieces in fluid knitted jersey which are as ideal for yoga and pilates as they are for just lounging around. Not only are her garments all made in Britain, but the fabric is knitted and dyed here too.

This month Harry Duley is offering our readers an exclusive 20% off her entire collection. Simply use code ‘FBWL11′ at the checkout before 31st March. Browse the collections and buy online at www.harryduley.co.uk.