Category Archives: Fashion

The baby legging brand loved by celebs… and made in an Essex shed

Posted in baby, Fashion, Katy Pearson, motherhood, Mummy life, Shopping, Today I'm loving, What Katy Wants by
Fred & Noah, Fearne Cotton, Katy Pearson, #whatkatydidUK

Fred & Noah fan: Fearne Cotton

YOU kind of know you’ve made it in the fashion stakes when Fearne Cotton posts a picture of herself on Instagram on Christmas Eve in one of your creations.

And then shortly after that posts another of her little girl Honey in one of your designs too.

Such is the rise of baby legging brand Fred & Noah – an empire run from a shed in a mum-of-two’s garden in Rochford.

Natalie Reynolds, 34, started making trousers for 0-4-year-olds while on maternity leave with her second son, Freddie.

Natalie was a lecturer in fashion design at South Essex College, running the fashion course, and initially making the leggings was just about her getting back into her hobbies.

But it very quickly turned itself into a serious income.

Natalie, who is an ex Thorpe Bay High School pupil, recalls: “It was exactly a year after starting the business that I was handing in my notice to the college and taking the leap to work full time on Fred & Noah at home with my husband. Continue reading →

I’m loving… Sew Heart Felt children’s slippers!

Posted in baby, Fashion, Katy Pearson, Shopping, Sonny, Today I'm loving, What Katy Wants by
Sonny Jim, Katy Pearson, Sew Heart Felt

Super sweet: Sonny Jim’s slippers

Sometimes you discover something so sweet that you have to swallow a squeal every time you look at it.

Sew Heart Felt’s children’s slippers fall ever so easily into this category – especially when they are on Sonny Jim’s little feet.

These Darci Donkey delights, £24.95, are just one of 26 different styles designed here in England by Sonia Spencer and skilfully hand-made by women across the world, using local traditional crafts handed down over many generations.

From Pete the Penguin and Sally the Seal to Billie Badger and Finlay Fox, the collection is made using organic fibres and eco-friendly pigments (wherever possible). Continue reading →

I’m loving… SS17 Laura Ashley

Posted in Fashion, Katy Pearson, motherhood, Mummy life, son, Today I'm loving, What Katy Wants by
Laura Ashley SS17, Spring Print Petticoat Pinafore

In store soon: Laura Ashley’s SS17 collection

I think all mummies have in their head an idea of the kind of mother they’ll be.

And the spring/summer 17 Laura Ashley collection (in stores nationwide on January 31st) basically brings to picture perfect life the look I’d love to live.

Seventies-inspired, its nostagic touches bring to mind a more innocent time.

A dash of hippy, and more than a bit milkmaid-esque, it’s Laura Ashley back to its mummy-at-kitchen-table-designed best.

Click here to take a look through the Laura Ashley archive

Previous seasons have drawn inspiration from the Fifties and Sixties, but this year, designers are positively revelling in the Seventies, and I honestly adore it. Continue reading →

Oh baby, it’s your first Christmas!

Posted in baby, Fashion, Katy Pearson, motherhood, Mummy life, Shopping, The adventures of Sonny Jim, Today I'm loving, What Katy Wants by

Okay. I admit it. I’ve gone a *little* bit overboard this year. But it is my first baby’s first Christmas, and I figure if I can’t indulge my inner Mrs Claus this year, then when can I?

Anyway, in pursuit of the perfect festive-wear for Sonny Jim (there are rather a lot of outfits in his wardrobe. Xmas pud? Check. Elf? Check. Reindeer? Check. Candy cane sleepsuits? Check…) I’ve come across some really lovely outfits.

So, here are some of my favourites…

Baby Shoes Rudolph, £18.95, Annabel James
Penguin Sweater, £38.90, The Bonnie Mob Doppler at Crab and the Fox
Robin Baby Leggings, £10, Blade & Rose
Star sleeping bag, £79, Mira Mira

And some, ahem, bloody brilliant sleepsuits… Continue reading →

Today I’m loving…these crochet baby shoes!

Posted in baby, Craft, Fashion, Katy Pearson, motherhood, mum, Mummy life, Sonny, The adventures of Sonny Jim, Today I'm loving, What Katy Wants by
Crochet basketball shoes for babies

Crochet basketball shoes for babies

A few years back when rather a lot of my friends were having little ones I had a bit of a crochet phase.

Quite a lot of those babies spent their first weeks of life snug in a tiny hat lovingly crocheted by me.

And even though I’ve not actually got round to crocheting one for Sonny Jim yet (sorry babe, but you were a spring baby) I’m still a sucker for sweet knits for babies.

So I’m totally loving these crochet baby basketball shoes (from Baby Shoes to Crochet, by Lucia Förthmann, £7.99, published by Search Press)  – even if it is totally unlikely that my little guy will actually get these made for him by his mummy!

What to give it a go? Here’s the pattern… Continue reading →

Today I’m loving… Sparrow & B children’s costumes

Posted in baby, Fashion, Katy Pearson, motherhood, mum, Mummy life, Shopping, son, Sonny, The adventures of Sonny Jim, Today I'm loving, What Katy Wants by
Sparrow and B children's costumes, Katy Pearson, Dino costume

Awesome Dino costume by Sparrow & B, £39.47

Admittedly Sonny Jim is a *little* young to start rocking this, but OMG how CUTE is this Sparrow & B dino costume?!

Sparrow & B was founded in 2013 by creatives Sandi & Belinda and the pair are designers and creators of gorgeous children’s costumes and accessories.

All products are 100 per cent ethically handmade in Melbourne, Australia, by the pair and a small team – but, yay for us here in the UK, they ship worldwide. Continue reading →

Today I’m loving… Fred & Noah trousers

Posted in baby, Fashion, Katy Pearson, motherhood, mum, Mummy life, Shopping, son, Sonny, The adventures of Sonny Jim, Today I'm loving, What Katy Wants by
Sonny Jim, Sonny Pearson, Fred and Noah, baby fashion

Having a whale of a time in his Fred & Noah trousers

When it comes to dressing my baby boy, the more colourful the clothes the better.

I figure there’s plenty of time for boring clothes when Sonny Jim is grown up.

But finding fun fashion for the little guy isn’t always that easy. Much of the High Street, when it comes to boys – baby girls are another matter entirely! – is much of a muchness and even a little bland.

Which is why discovering Fred & Noah (www.fredandnoah.com) on the Neliana (www.neliana.co.uk) stand at the Baby Project, in Leigh-on-Sea, made me *so* happy!

From whales and foxes to raccoons and hummingbirds, the prints on the uni-sex leggings and shorts are exactly what children’s fashion should be all about.

Continue reading →