Category Archives: Shopping

The Art of Gifting (just in time for Mother’s Day…)

Posted in Features, Shopping by
Laura Marrs, SageLoves, #whatkatydidUK

SageLoves: Founder Laura Marrs

Sick of shopping, but still want to get gorgeous gifts for the people you care about? I chat to Essex mum-of-two LAURA MARRS of personalised gift-finding service SageLoves about present buying and hint-dropping…  

Q When did you set up SageLoves, and how does it work?

A SageLoves has been my brain child for the past year. I was always on the hunt for small unique brands to gift to friends and family, and in turn was always asked to hunt out gifts for them… that’s when my idea was born! Finally, I was able to put finger to touch screen six months ago, when I launched SageLoves website and social media platforms.

In a nutshell SageLoves is a personalised gift finding service with the added benefit of membership deals and discounts. You sign up, give me the brief and leave the rest to me. It’s the red-carpet treatment, no trawling the shops, internet etc…I work closely with a huge range of independent and unique brands and together a gift for specific occasions can be found. Continue reading →

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Review: Cambridge Satchel Company 15 inch bag

Posted in Fashion, Mummy life, Shopping, Today I'm loving by
Cambridge Satchel Company, Sonny Jim, #whatkatydidUK

Little fan: Sonny Jim seems to approve of my new Cambridge Satchel Company number

Sonny Jim is only a few months away from turning two – and my changing bag is even closer to reaching that milestone.

I bought it when my due date was looming and I had no idea of what I would actually need in a changing bag, but I liked the fact it didn’t look too mumsy, was leather and it had decent straps.

And in fairness, my Mothercare number has more than delivered. It’s seen me through the newborn days, epic walks with a tiny tot who would only sleep in the buggy. Trips to the beach. Picnics. Our first family holiday. Leaking bottles. Forgotten bananas. Poonami nappies.

It’s only now that the inside sections have ripped that I’m kind of over it. And I didn’t really want to go buying another “changing” bag, when the amount of gear I need to cart around for Sonny Jim isn’t really in the newborn baby league anymore. Especially now he’s got his own (super cute bumblebee!) rucksack/reins for his snacks.

So, I needed a new bag. A less mummy, more me bag. But that would still be able to fit a few nappies, a beaker, an emergency toddler vest/trousers in. It needed to be practical. But stylish. And good quality. Something classic. But not boring. And a decent size.

And, this was when I discovered the Cambridge Satchel Company (www.cambridgesatchel.com)

Continue reading →

Aldi’s Baby and Toddler event is back next week!

Posted in baby, Shopping by
Aldi, sleeping bag, #whatkatydidUK

Bargain: Baby sleeping bag

Ahem. Feeling the pinch after Christmas?

Aldi’s popular Baby and Toddler event is back and available online (aldi.co.uk) from Thursday, January 11 and in stores on Thursday, January 18.

The average British family spends up to £800 celebrating Christmas, with £473.83 on presents alone… so some super cheap baby and toddler buys can only be a good thing.

Top of my must-have list for mamas and mummies-to-be are the and 2.5 tog baby sleeping bags (£9.99) and oh-so-handy cellular blankets for only £2.99.

Plus for anyone with a little one on the way, that hasn’t already got the nursery sorted… the Aldi Mamia furniture set is luuuuurvely.

It includes nursery wardrobe (£119.99), nursery cot bed with drawer (£129.99), and nursery changing unit (£99.99). With a combined cost of £349.97, its 75 per cent cheaper (!!) than the popular Silver Cross Nostalgia Complete Room set that retails at £1,402.50. Continue reading →

Exclusive discount code for Twerpy Threads

Posted in Shopping by
Twerpy Threads, Katy Pearson, Sonny Jim, #whatkatydidUK

Top rompers: Sonny Jim in his whimsical Twerpy Threads outfit

My little man is a brand enthusiast for the fabulous Nevada-based children’s range, Twerpy Threads… which means you can bag 20 per cent off EVERYTHING with our discount code, SONNY20.

We utterly adore this whimsical romper, which you can order in different sleeve lengths AND with short or long legs. We went for the tank version so Sonny Jim can wear it with different long-sleeve vests underneath through winter – but also rock it on its own come summer.

Made from 100 per cent organic cotton, all fabrics are prewashed/preshrunk before sewing begins — so they wash up lovely. And every item is handmade to order, by Twerpy Threads’ Ashley, who set up the brand after making outfits for her little lad, Merrick.

Continue reading →

Bookalicious’ Llydia Bannocks reveals her top Christmas-themed kids’ books

Posted in Features, Mummy life, Shopping by
Llydia Bannocks, Bookalicious, #whatkatydidUK

Bookalicious’ Llydia Bannocks with daughter Blossom Primrose (photo charlottegreenphotpgraphy.com)

When it comes to Christmas-themed books for children, Bookalicious‘ Llydia Bannocks knows exactly what she’s looking for.

“Pages that create those magical memories, nostalgia and evokes that emotion that stays with us for years to come,” she says.

“Babies will want to discover new and exciting textures, colours and sounds and start to experience those first special sensory memories that conjure up what makes it Christmas.

“Creative, interactive reads are a huge winner, captivating even the most reluctant of little readers. Bold and beautiful laser cut detail, elaborate pop-ups bring stories to life in a three dimensional way.

“But most importantly you want an awesome story that you just want to share for years to come with your friends, loved ones and future family yourself.

“It’s never about the most famous of authors or top sellers and its never about design over substance.  When it comes to selecting the most beautiful jacketed books or detailed 3D reads, they must deliver that fabulous story too!” Continue reading →

Six of the best… picnic picks

Posted in Shopping by

School’s out for summer and these will have your picnic game on point (if the sun ever comes out again that is…)

Dovecote floral two person hamper, £45, dovecote floral picnic blanket, £19.50, both M&S
Viva Cuba wicker picnic basket, £24.99, TK Maxx
Acrylic bottle with straw four pack, £6, Wilkinson
Beau and Elliot brokenhearted 12 piece melamine picnic set, £44.99, Argos
Set of two inflatable drinks holders in Beverly stripe, £12, Amara.com
Striped roll-up picnic blanket, £12, M&Co

Continue reading →

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 →