What a day!
As everyone was asleep on Wednesday night and I was on my own having a few crackers and cheese (as you do at 1 a.m.), I started reminiscing… Exactly two years before, I was sat on the sofa marking A-level exams and trying to finish a blog post when mild contractions started. I had no idea Wriggly would make such a speedy arrival in our bathroom a mere seven hours later…
How can you be two already, little one?
The morning started with a moody toddler. Wriggly had no intention of getting up at 8 a.m. and she pushed away every single attempt from your siblings to give you a cuddle and a birthday kiss.
Our birthday girl cheered up when it was time to get dressed (we were late, naturally). The candles on her birthday porridge left her rather puzzled, and she had no intention of blowing them, so their siblings helped.
We had to run to school so Crevette and Beanie were not late and we took Crevette to preschool. She immediately started working on a special card for her little sister.
As we got to the train station, we found a parking space miles away (sort of) from the entrance and it dawned on me it might not have been a good move not to take a stroller. My bag weighed a ton and Wriggly wanted to be carried. Hummmm… Great start.
Our train was not leaving for another 20 minutes so we got an almond croissant to share and had a pleasant journey.
but were late to meet Reneé and her lovely brood. At this point, I felt completely frazzled but Ren was kind enough to meet us at Euston station. They even had a handmade card and lovely present for Wriggly! There, we enjoyed a chat, coffee and babyccinos before we embarked on an epic bus journey to Oxford Circus.
We went to the launch of Outside the Lines, a new girlswear label for ages 3-10 launching this autumn. I was immediately drawn to the tops, jumpers and scarves, with their soft colours and delicate prints.
What really appealed to me in the collection was the fact all pieces could be dressed up or down and were pretty interchangeable. The collection as a whole felt like some of my French boutique favourites in the likes of Jacadi, Tartine et Chocolat or Cyrillus.
Outside the Lines is the brainchild of two friends, Philippa Cloete and Kate Please. They both travel quite a lot, find inspiration everywhere, from markets to high street stores and have 2 boys and 2 girls between them. They even live in the same village! I had a good chat with both of them and I am really looking forward to the launch of the ethically-made collection at the beginning of August.
Prices start at £25 so overall, people who buy on the high street can also aspire to get a few pieces. Beanie would absolutely love this casual chic outfit and the whole look would cost you approximately £65.
It is not exactly cheap, but not unaffordable either. We get most of our children’s clothes handed down to us so when I want to buy something nice for them, I always go for special, unusual pieces. I wish I could have that Breton top with soft metallic Peter Pan collar for myself! Every detail has been considered. The finish is impeccable, and each collar is hand cut.
After a run to the tube station and a short tube journey, we got on our train. A couple of treats saved us from a full-on meltdown and exhaustion got the best of Wriggly.
Wriggly fell asleep as soon as the train departed Euston.
My friend Aimee picked up the big ones from school and I collected Jumpy from preschool with Wriggly and we had a quick play date.
Back home, we all celebrated together, with fillet steak and vegetables followed by cake, and more cake.
My grubby baby needed a shower, and after that she brushed her teeth.
Crevette read The Book With No Pictures by J. Novak to his sisters. As usual, the book caused much hilarity and Wriggly fell asleep within minutes. What a day!
Today, our birthday girl wore a gorgeous outfit by Petit Bateau my Nan bought for her as well as the Twist sandals Bobux kindly sent us for Wriggly’s birthday.
How cute is she?
Disclosure:
We were invited to the launch of Outside the Lines and I chose to write about the press event as I loved the clothes so much, as well as Philippa and Kate’s carefully considered clothing that is affordable.
We were sent the shoes from Bobux free of charge. All opinions and photographs are my own.
A spa weekend!
You’re my kind of girl!
So thrilled that we got to share Wriggly’s special day, it was such a lot of fun 🙂 beautiful girl and gorgeous shoes xxx
Loved spending the day with you and your gorgeous brood on London buses, he he. It was actually perfect to catch up and chat xxx
my dream present would be a break away somewhere with my family or just something simple like a homemade card
It’s often extremes that work, isn’t it? A homemade card is so simple yet it takes time, effort and love whereas a break away would cost a fortune and take no time to book, but gosh it would be good to go away with all the children 🙂 I agree 100% with you lovely!
for the house to stay clean for a whole day, id even take half a day!!
Me too! If you crack that one, just let me know, OK?
A dream present for me would be a spa day with a lovely massage x
A family day out somewhere. This year we are seeing the Firework Champions on my birthday and hopefully it will be as good as it looks.
I recently spent my birthday picnicing on the beach , paddling and then skimming stones perfect.
to have all my family at home
Relaxing spa daym
An unlimited book token so I could buy as many books as I wanted forever! 😀
I’d love that too!
A short trip with my daughter during the summer holidays too remove her from MINECRAFT for a least a few days! 🙂
A luxury holiday!
A nice little break away even for a night 🙂
I would love to go exploring a new city with my husband – that would be my dream birthday 🙂
to have a day of work xx
love a family meal out
All my family together on an awesome adventure holiday x
For us to be healthy and happy 🙂
A short break with my family.
My dream present would be a holiday with my husband and daughter.
breakfast in bed and lots of hugs from the kids all day
Perfect!
A nice night in a luxury hotel!
My dream birthday present would be a family holiday somewhere hot and sunny
a spa day would be wonderful 🙂
A weekend trip staying at a luxury hotel with Spa treatments included. Somewhere nice, good for shopping with a good Theatre Show included.Bliss.
That would be ideal. Add a bit of spending money to that and it’s heaven!
I would love to go on a balloon flight (with champagne) for my birthday. I need to start hinting…
Sometimes you just have to tell them what to get you!
To have Gary Barlow come & sing at my house!
How amazing would that be?
A surprise holiday
Looks like a lovely pair of shoes x
a trip to chelsea!
My dream birthday present would be an all expenses paid trip to Fiji!?
weekend in spa
Good health
A spa weekend xx
A week off of work would be a fantastic gift, fully paid or double pay of course.
A nice break to the coast and then being treated to a scrummy afternoon tea
Definitely a break away somewhere. A change of scene always does us good I feel! 🙂
Money! >.<
A family holiday abroad
Probably a day at the spa just time to relax! xx
A full 8 hours sleep and a coffee in bed in the morning lol x
My dream!
Being honest, a cottage in Cornwall for the week, nothing makes me happier than escaping to the quiet corners of England.
A holiday! Or a hot air balloon ride. 🙂
A relaxing break in the sun with lots of wine
A holiday, somewhere hot.
A Spa Day with my bestie xxx
A luxury hotel weekend break just for me with a spa, lots of grounds to walk and money to spend at the bar or on room service and a really good book to read! perfect !
A meal out with my husband or night away with him. Or trip to Disneyland Paris with the kids 🙂
A weekend away child free
Oh, I’d love a weekend away somewhere lovely and relaxing.
Ooh I’ve not really given it any thought but I quite fancy a telescope! I live somewhere with really great night skies and lots of stars so it would be a great gift. I just need to get my neighbour to turn off his security light *grrr*
Adorable and practical…hard to find in a shoe! An ideal day would be a hike in the morning and the rest of the day at the spa and for someone to cook for me. Happy wishing!
My dream pressie – something that they’ve really thought about not something that I’ve asked for!
A chocolate factory
A new laptop. I’m a bit of a geek when it comes to tech but never can afford the latest stuff so am always making do 😉
I’m getting to be home with my family for the first time since 2008, so this year is going to be up there. Otherwise, a holiday with family and friends (maybe where my husband and I lived in Japan) would be a dream come true.
I’d love a family history course
A 5 star holiday to New York… a girl can dream!
I’d love a hot air balloon ride
A sleep in and a meal out
a parachute jump
a motor bike
A trip to disney land!
An all inclusive Caribbean cruise.
A day with my grandchildren
A spa weekend with hot stone massage..bliss
I would love a fun park day with all the family then a spa night for me and my husband!
a holiday to barbados
a short break away for all the family
an extra hour in bed would be heaven
To be taken away somewhere 🙂 … on a holiday I mean.. Not kidnapped of anything lol
A lovely, relaxing Spa Day !
A pandora bracelet
i would love a wardrobe full of clothes 🙂
My dream present would be our first family holiday in a lovely cottage somewhere
A luxury spa!!!!
I would love a family day out to Paultons
An uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep would be top of my agenda …
A dream present would be a little cabin of my very own in the garden where i could escape to and have peace and quiet and enjoy the flowers and wildlife.It would be fun to furnish it too.
My own private desert island to escape to.
I would love a chef to prepare a beautiful meal in my home just for me, my daughter and grandson, then take all the dishes away with him so I don’t have to think of washing up at all.
Spa break
I’d love a spa day!
To be whisked away to a luxurious spa treat with all inclusive access to all treatments
i think ideal present would be a trip somewhere like a city break away
A night away in a gorgeous hotel – including a looooong lie-in the next morning! The thought of waking up naturally is a total dream at the moment – the little one likes to wake early…!
In Fantasty Land – a brand new Range Rover Sport. In real life – a laptop that works!
Cat x
I’m not fussy……anything that has thought and love behind it and I’m happy x
A nice weekend away or something sentimental would be nice.
My dream present would be to spend time in my garden with my friends and family whilst the weather is reasonable! xx
my ultimate dream present would be a holiday/travel t somewhere amazing 🙂
A lovely holiday
weekend away in a rural spa x
being able to eat whatever i want for my birthday and not put on weight! haha! otherwise I’d like it if my little boy could make me something
a tiffany necklace
A spa weekend spent with my daughter
A weekend away in Blackpool!
A lie-in is the stuff of dreams these days!!
A family holiday! 🙂
A holiday
What would be your dream birthday present? . . . . my WHOLE family around for a sumptuous meal in a restaurant
A pony!
My dream birthday present would be cruise around the Fjords of Norway and Scandinavia
Me and the hubby having a weekend break away without the kiddies x
Divorce papers (joking not) a treat of anything
a 5 star holiday to thailand
A spa day would be lovely
Cottage holiday in the peaks with a hot tub and my family including my fur babies
A new car
A family day out
a weekend break x
A cruise
A new wedding band! Since having my daughter 2yrs ago and putting oioin weight I’ve out grown mine…oops
a cruise holiday 🙂
A party with all my friends and my family! 🙂
A weekend away somewhere fun 🙂
a weekend by the sea alone!
A nice relaxing weekend away.
my dream present would be a new car
a night away and a meal in a nice restaurant
I’d live a moped!
Without a doubt a day at the spa. On my own!
A big sparkly ring
A spa day with my best friend of over 20 years Emily – child free!!
A weekend in the country
a trip to the opera
My Dream present would be a relaxing cruise holiday xx
a holiday to new york! a girl can dream!
I’d like a new car!
A new car or a cruise!
A holiday x
A nice holiday in the sun!
a lovely family holiday
A romantic night away
To have a shopping spree for me and not just for the kids!!!
Willie Nelson turning up on my doorstep with his guitar and a bottle of bubbly.
A weekend break would be lovely.
A family day out or spa day
A cleaner or a gardener
at the moment.. a better mobile phone
A pamper box of delightful treats
A full body massage followed by a champagne lunch!
A Spa weekend away – aaah bliss
a romantic night away
A trip to see a london show
A house!
I’d love to have a proper afternoon tea in a posh hotel, I keep dreaming
a winning lottery ticket 🙂 or some tickets to a show and an overnight stay in west end
I could do with a new laptop
A weekend break for me and hubby with a spa and massage incuded
I would love an ipad
My dream birthday present would be a short city break with my family.
a holiday or designer handbag
A lie in
My dream birthday present would be a lovely newy pair of PJs and having a nice family meal with my partner and our 3kids in our local brewers fayre 🙂
A hugee piece of chocolate cake
A spa experience, for some well-deserved pampering
A tandem skydive 🙂
My dream birthday is actually really simple.. Just one day where I don’t have to worry about anything, a day where someone else does the household chores and cooking etc, whilst I just relax
A holiday to the beach with my boys
A child free weekend in Paris – I’ve never been!
I would love a lie in and breakfast in bed.
A weekend away with my husband! <3
Oh a west end show followed by a lovely dinner
A holiday to Australia.
I would love a family holiday abroad with my entire family. ☺
A mini makeover hair and nails and then a family holiday xxx
Would love to be taken away for a romantic night in a 5* hotel but with 4 boys its not likely. That would be my dream though x
Maybe a walk in wardrobe FULL of new clothes and shoes 😀 Haha!!
I’d love a holiday in Turkey with hubby and the kids – plus some generous spending money! I haven’t been away for years and all the cash always goes on repairing or replacing things that have worn out.
a huge yacht
My dream present would be a meal for just me and my boyfriend, we don’t go out without the kids so a meal for just the two of us would be perfect.
My dream birthday present would be a party with all the family and home made cake from the little ones! 🙂
New camera 🙂
Some pretty shoes 🙂
Holiday to New York! Is that being greedy lol
Peace and quiet to have a hot bath a glass of wine and read a good book.bliss!
A day at the beach with my fiance and children xx
a surprise trip to disney
Would love to get a holiday for my birthday, but I always love anything that my boys make for me.
A night out at the theatre.
my dream present would be quality time with the husband
A day off from everything would be amazing
😮 mine would be a cuddle from my little man and a sleeping day 🙂
a trip to New York with my fiance
A weekend away! 🙂
Dollars for my holiday 🙂
A cuppa, cake and cuddles from my little ones
a bigger house!
a break with my other half
I suppose it’s a bit unreasonable to say one million pounds, so I’d settle for a new pair of wellies, my old pair have holes in and need to be retired.
I would love a weekend away for my birthday. It’s at Xmas time so nice to get something you can use later in the year 🙂
A trip to the Lake District
a relaxing spa day
I think nice holiday far away from home on the beach would be a perfect gift or even a new home that’s all I want just to enjoy every single day being surrounded by my family 🙂
A city break just for a night or two
My dream gift would be an all expense holiday with my family to a water park!!
A weekend break to Zurich!
A nice big family meal out with pudding
I would love my husband to surprise me with a weekend away