Writers Block, Wife, Mother, Domestic Slave.

I have writers block and have had it for the past 2 weeks.

Since starting this blog in May, I have really enjoyed the "Me Time" writing  has given me. Time where I think about the good and bad in my life, write about it and usually feel a darn site better than before I wrote it. A time away from the children (although I am usually writing about them) A time where I am not "Mummy" "Wife" "Domestic Slave", but a  thinking, breathing, human being and a whole entity all of my own.

So why the block? Their are a zillion boys clothes out there I could write about. I can't find inspiration. We have been on  trips to the New Forest, Bournemouth Beach, seen the fire works (I have written about them before) LBL is recovering well from his operation last week. LBR is being fabulous with him. The weather at last is great, hence the trips to the beach and yet no inspiration.

I have had great enjoyment in learning a new craft, namely New Media. How to write this blog. Tags, labels, search descriptions. How to promote it. Its been a long time since I learnt something new.  How does Google + and twitter link to the blog? A whole fabulous mind field. Yet I haven't so much as opened my twitter account and can't be bothered to even look at my google+. All the things I Loved!

I am writing this post to try and break the deadlock, hoping if I at least put pen to paper(well fingertips to keys) tomorrow, I will have inspiration and I will begin to get my creative juices pumping.

In the mean time, any ideas of what to do would be greatly appreciated!

Image by:

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Pinecone, Merino Wool Boys Wear

I have found this lovely clothing range from Baby Pinecone. They  are a "a merino wool clothing range for babies and children which was founded in Maida Vale, London. The clothes are very high quality, individually made from 100% superfine New Zealand merino wool and are machine washable. Merino wool is a luxurious, lightweight fabric which adapts to all weather conditions — keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

The collection incorporates timeless designs and subtle detailing, using a bright palette of colours with contrasting neutrals that look fantastic paired with other everyday fabrics, especially denim and cord. The clothes are simple yet stylish and perfect for keeping little ones warm without being bulky and great for layering. You won’t want your kids wearing anything else!"    I couldn't have said it better myself!

I found them because I was looking  to write a feature on boys jumpers. But after looking at their range I wanted to show you a few more of their things. . .they really are absolutely beautiful.

Baby Pinecone Pinwheel Hat

I love hats. These are really practical and they look fantastic and retail at £12 (a bargain!)

100% Superfine Merino Wool. Individually made.
The hats are available in blue and grey, white and grey, pink and white, pink and grey, pink and chocolate, chocolate and grey and black and grey in sizes small (0-1 year), medium (1-2 years), large (2-4 years) and extra large (4-6 years).
This hat has a great design and shape. Cosy and warm, they feel soft against little ones’ skin. The design also means that your baby’s face won’t look swamped, as its snug fit ensures it stays above the eye line! Pinwheel hats can be worn all year round, due to the special qualities of merino wool, which adapts to the body’s temperature.
Because the hat isn’t bulky, when it’s extra cold you can layer it under a hood, and in the spring and summer months, when you don’t want a heavy winter hat but still need to keep heads warm without overheating, these are the perfect solution. Perfect for newborns.
Machine washable at forty degrees and quick drying.


Merino Wool Baseball Jacket: Retail £46

100% Superfine Merino Wool. Individually made.
Available in blue with grey, grey with white, grey with candy pink, chocolate with grey, black with grey in sizes 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-4 years 4-6 years.

This baseball inspired zip jacket is a staple for any child’s wardrobe, it is a light weight jacket in Summer & Spring or can provide and extra layer in Winter without being bulky.

Machine washable at forty degrees and quick drying.

And my favorite. . . Retails at £29

Available in grey with blue, grey with pink, grey with chocolate and grey with black in sizes 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years and 4-5 years.

 This is a great everyday staple, which looks perfect paired with most materials, but especially denim, cord and jersey. This top is perfect for layering, as it keeps kids warm without being bulky.

I think pinecone get it right. Their clothes are practical, warm and stylish. They really are absolutely lovely. . (am I gushing too much?) I will be getting a few of these items for my boys (I will show you the picture on a later post)

Sickness and Danefae

We've had a stressful few days, resulting LBR being sick in both our bed and his own. I slept terribly as I had half an ear open ready to pounce with the sick bowl! So LBR is off school for 2 days. (school policy on sickness) Children are amazing, he is absolutely fine in himself now, well enough to go down to the beach and torment his baby brother!

I suspect the reason you are reading this blog is because it is "slim pickings" out there, trying to find exciting, good quality colourful boy's clothes. I have found another lovely designer out there that might excite you as much as me.

danefae. A Danish company. Why do the scandinavians think there children look great in colour, but the majority of the shops in the uk don't?

They have loads of fabulous clothes, I thought I would show you something from the baby range.

The velour is renowned for its softness that doesn’t disappear even after many many washes. Adjustable elastic waistband and elastic at the ankles, which give these pants a great looking and comfortable fit. Lovely rainbow stripes. Retail at 40euro

Cute baby body made in Danefæ’s renowned super soft material. The garments made of 95% cotton and 5% lycra are dyed through and not just printed on so the colors keep wash after wash. Buttons on the shoulder make our bodysuits easy to put on.
A striped bodysuit in indigo and white colors with "Viking" print. Retails at  26.77 euros. Only comes in 3months OR 2 years. So if your inbetween, you have to wait!

Froglets and Jubilee Red.

It's very exciting in our household. The tadpoles have finally turned into froglets. I know it happens every year and billions of frogspawn turn into frogs every year. To watch it happen is a true miracle. The little froglets are how sitting on a rock in the middle of the bucket, their tails are shrinking fast. They are so sweet.  (keeping in the frog theme, how fabulous is this outfit by anne kurris



 Unfortunately one didn't make it.  LBR spotted it. So we have had a full burial with flowers laid and a frog memorial stone in the garden!

As I mentioned yesterday it is still the Jubilee weekend and so keeping with the theme,  I am going to show you some Red baby clothes  from Mini Rodini. I love Red on my boys, it really is a unisex colour.

green Baby has this really sweet  soft bright red organic cotton top, with 3/4 length sleeves and a cute applique giraffe. It has an envelope neckline for easy dressing and to show off that giraffe-like neck.

Jubilee & Maxomorra

As I walked towards LBR school yesterday morning you could hear in the distance "Land of Hope and Glory" followed by the National Anthem. We entered the gate and wow it was amazing! Bunting everywhere. It was jubilee party day. The whole school was going to have one big party on the playground. It bought a tear to my eye. It is moments like this that become first memories.  The Headmaster was also in the party mood.

This weekend I am going to follow the theme and bring you some beautiful Red, White and Blue clothes.



Bright red long-sleeved top from Maxomorra with all-over white stars print. Contrasting navy blue trim on neck and cuffs. This would look great on boys  and is a bold and colourful look!
Made from 100% organic cotton. Retail price £15.99



Also how lovely is this vest, also from Maxomorra ?

bamboo baby

How lovely is this outfit by bamboo baby. All of bamboo baby's clothes are  made from bamboo & are organic. I love this colour. It is bright but not neon! it comes in 0-3 month 3-6 months and 6-12 months and the best thing is, the outfit is only £10!

Now the jeans below are advertised as girls jeans. I would definitely put both my boys in this colour. I think they are fantastic! I would change the belt (as it is a bow belt)

They come in sizes 6-12 month through to 6-7 years. (Remember if your buying for a big boy, I would go for a size up.) They also cost £10

Changing Weather and Piccalilly Clothes

 As you know I have just got back from a trip to my parents in Cambridge. I just wanted to share with you the British weather. These pictures are within 24 hours of each other!

As the sun  is still shinning in the UK (yeeha) I thought I would carry on showing you a few more bits to wear in the hot weather. Perfect for the beach, after an afternoon of paddling.

Sunshine and Cucumber.

Gosh what a day. Lots of bike riding. . .we are now down to one stabiliser and Little Boy Redd wants the other off tomorrow (mummy isn't quite ready for that. . .there is still a lot of falling over!)I have recently found Instagram and am taking loads of photos, playing around with the filters. Redd was sitting on a sun lounger and for some reason wanted cucumber on his eyes.

I think the outfit Lexx is wearing is testament of "less is more"  Sometimes just a number or a pattern on a plain Tshirt or top is enough to brighten an outfit up

Here comes the Sun (and Sunuva)

I sit here at my parents house near Cambridge in balmy gorgeous sunny weather. My goodness have we wished for this over the past month! The boys and I have spent the whole day out doors, I am  absolutely shattered!

I thought it might be appropriate to show you a few things suitable for this weather. (yippee!)

I love the range from Sunuva. Obviously the rash vest is not only essential whilst on the beach but stylish. It has a UV protection of 50 and will make your little one stand out from the crowd. Thank you Sunuva for not assuming we want our boys to be clones of each other.

The rash vest costs £36 and comes in sizes 6 months - 12 years. The trucks cost £34 and also come in sizes 6 months - 12 years.




















































There is absolutely no excuse for your little men not to look amazing and safe on the beach!

Animal Tails & Chicken Pox!

I have been off line for a few days, for various reasons. Firstly, not only has little boy Lexx again been put on antibiotics for an infection, he also has chicken pox,  hence the reason I had a very clingy boy on Tuesday. My computer in sympathy, not only picked up one virus on Wednesday, but 4. It has completely destroyed everything. My lovely DH has spent the past 4 days trying to coax it back to life. So at the moment I am unable to access any photos of my lovely boys.

I can however, show you some lovely things from animaltails.  What is great about animaltails, (other than their amazing clothes, which are made from the best quality, long lasting organic cotton jersey and organic print) is that they support the work of the WWF.

So you can justify buying a few things from them as your also supporting a great cause!

Sunny but grey

Little boy Lexx is unwell again, so I  have had a clinging child on me all day, with both of us having three changes of clothing, because of his illness. (need I say more)

I've been thinking of Grey today. I really like grey, which is unusual for me as I like my boys in something a little less traditional. Then I thought about one of the nicest items of clothing I brought Lexx.  A fluffy grey/silver coat when he was about 9 months old. I loved him in it. Of course it was meant to be for a girl. It was far too interesting for a boy to wear!

I also dress Lexx  in his grey skinny jeans, a v neck sweater and a bright t-shirt underneath, to give it a pop of colour.

Sunny Bournemouth and Little Mashers

After a reasonable weekend, It's raining again and cold! So I thought I would cheer you up with some lovely sunny pictures taken a few weeks ago in Bournemouth, when the sun last shined!

 

I have been busy really looking for unique boys clothes, which I hope to share with you. I have come across these lovely long sleeve Ts from little mashers. The fruit and vegetable T's below are  for 0-2 year old's, but they have amazing designs for all age groups. The retail price is £17.00




You also have to have look at  the new fantastic Chalk and Tees. The Tees have a chalk board space so you and your little boy can design your own look! They retail at £16.50.

Little Ducking's splash of colour.

As Redd catches bugs in the garden for his venus flytrap, I sit here looking through many, many websites looking for trousers for Lexx. I just want a solid colour. To be honest "there ain't alot out there!" I did however came across these lovely linen bright blue trouses from Little Duckling.  at  £31.95

I also love the Jersey pants, which come in yellow and white. £22.95

I also love this tank top £29.50. You could put your little one in a bog standard  navy blue trousers and a plain long T and pop this on them and he would look bright and sunny. I think it's gorgeous!

A Gentle Stroll to School.

Well what a day. Redd was 5 last week and like alot of boys his age, he wanted a bike.  We decided this morning we would ride it to school. (he’s only been on it a couple of times) So we set off.  Me, Lexx in his buggy and my 2 flat coated retrievers and Redd on his new bike. . . . . . .BIG MISTAKE!  The first 400 meters of the path are near a busy road, with a very small path, which slopes into the road.  Redd was worried about falling into the road, so was going so slowly, he WAS falling into the road!. The two dogs were between Redd and me and Lexx. So when he fell, he was landing on them or going over their foot.  200 meters into it, I could of cried! I was completely out of control! We eventually got to school, 10 minutes late. It should have taken 25 minutes, but took 50! I think I aged 20 years!

Once Redd was safely at school and a friend had taken Redd's bike home. Lexx the Dogs and I walked home in sunshine. We then stopped at a friends house for a medicinal cup of tea (i needed it!) and a bounce on the trampoline.

Lexx is wearing skinny grey jeans which I love him in. His top is a very "in the moment" union jack T with red, white and blue, ribbons. I think it was meant to be a girls top. But I don't think it's girly at all!

sgt.smith T-shirt

I have to share this fabulous t-shirt. from sgt.smith . . .I could have picked all of the range to show you. They are original, and beautiful to look at, as well as being fun. My boys would love one.


Just add your child's name, pick your Alien species or design  your own and enter the year your little alien landed.

Also look at the detail on the back. How lovely is that?

Made from superior quality bright green cotton jersey, with short sleeves and crew neck. Screen-printed alien design in navy on the t-shirt front and glow-in-the-dark flying saucers on the front shoulder and down the back of the t-shirt.

Yankers union suit

I absolutely love this retro jumpsuit from Yankers.  I love the colour and the simplicity of the design.

 

Yankers also use sustainable natural fabrics and eco friendly dyes. Yankers are super soft, ultra cute one-pieces created with an innovative design that lets moms yank stretchy legs off fast for changing (no snaps, buttons, or Velcro) and then easily slip them right back on while the top stays put. definitely worth a look as they have some lovely colours

Baby Blues

I was so excited taking my boy home. I had these amazing ideas of dressing him in fun original clothes. I was one of the few people now a day’s that didn’t know the sex of their baby before it was born. So other than a few baby grows in white, I didn’t have a thing.

The first trip was to mother care. All very sweet things, reasonable quality, but unless you wanted to dress your boy in baby blue, or beige you were stumped. I then went to pretty much all the other well known shops that sell baby clothes and came up with the same things. Blue, blue and more blue.

What is it with clothing manufacturers? Why oh why do they assume the mothers of boy babies do not have any imagination. That we all want our “little men” to be clones of each other?

I eventually gave up and went on line. . . it still wasn’t easy. But I found some lovely stuff that was made in Holland and Finland and the uk (you will see from my previous posts how much I think of dijjie   http://www.dijjie.com/) Lovely quality and not baby blue!

Little Men

I went shopping over the weekend for my 3 year old and my 9 month old boys.  It was pretty depressing. Row after row of pretty, sweet, girly clothes. Sequins and frills. Bright colours. Leggings, tights, skirts, tutus, sparkly things. Girly things. 

The boys rail was less than half the size, full of blue, beige the odd “fun t-shirt” and not much else! Why do we dress our boys as little men and not as little boys?  Why do we put our boys in plaid shirts at 2 years old? A boy goes to a party. We dress him in a shirt and a nice pair of trousers. If it’s a really special doo, he might wear a jacket (of course in navy or the equivalent!)Pretty much what his father would wear.  A girl will wear a pretty pink, girly dress. Or sparkly things.  Clothes that only a child would wear, not her mother.

I want my boys to be boys. I want them to be individuals. I want them to be confident in who they are. Why do we then try and make them look like every other boy and then expect them as men to have imaginations