We’re waving Hello! to another new website signed up to our shopping directory; Mischiefkids.

If you are looking for children’s designer clothes and footwear then pay a visit to Mischiefkids.  They have an enormous collection to browse.

They also have the The Heirloom Christening Collections at Mischiefkids with lots of beautiful Christening, Baptism, Communion and other special occasion gowns and outfits.

Here at LittleStuff we are rather partial to gorgeous wooden toys. Even more so if they are eco and educational!

Treeblocks is an on-line shop specialising in eco-friendly children’s wooden toys, puzzles, building blocks and more. In fact, over 200 wooden toys!

When you visit the site, and you can tear yourself away from the wonderful selection of toys, make sure you visit the Treeblock Elves and their little interactive webpage. Just a lovely bit of fun that could be enjoyed with a little person.

So – you really REALLY loved the perfect hot water  bottle we ‘Spotted!’ on Gifted Penguin. And they spotted the fact that we ‘Spotted!’ it, and that consequently you loved it -  and in return for your enthusiasm they are offering ALL LittleStuff readers FREE P&P until the end of April.

No, really, they are! Look:

” Thank you for featuring us on your fantastic blog as a ‘Spotted!’ item and it was lovely to read the reviews about our ‘shop’. We would really like to offer your followers a little treat and will give them free p&p until the end of April on any purchase. They just need to use the code spotted at checkout and delivery will then be free.”

So – what are you waiting for? Go, visit Gifted Penguin, and I dare you not to have an ‘oooh!’ moment and reach for your cards…

Don’t forget to use the Gifted Penguin voucher code ‘spotted’ for free P&P though!

Ahhhh, children love bubbles…… they make me happy too and where better to fill every bubble-need than at one of the latest fabulous shops to join us at LittleStuff?…  The Bubble Shop!

From bubble liquid to bubble machines and giant bubble wands…. even grown-up bubble bath stuff, The Bubble Shop has it all. Gwan, think of something bubble related and chances are, they’ve got it!

Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles……

I read this article in the Guardian this morning two days ago (see? If I was a Proper Mum this post wouldn’t have been sitting as a draft for two days) sighing and nodding and feeling slightly cheered.

So – apparently it’s not just me then?

See, I don’t really mention this stuff much. My friends know me well. And I’m sure the teachers at school are fully aware that I’m a mother who rarely brushes hair, and frequently examines school jumpers to decide which will be okay with a quick damp-cloth-rub. But who exactly ARE the ‘Proper Mums’? Because it was made known to me recently that a couple of the Mums at school consider me to be one such because I frequently don’t cluster and chat in the playground (am too busy herding children in late – the Wake & Shake is to give us an extra 5 minutes to scurry in, yes?) and rarely join the up-in-arms groups of fretters. But that’s just because Jolly is third boy. With No.1 son I was just like them – I’m simply a bit longer in the school tooth now, so feel more relaxed in my lack of spellings practice and inability to fill in the reading diary.

So, they think I’M a ‘Proper Mum’. But we all know I’m not (ha! Those that know me are sniggering at the very thought). And what about those women I see cheerily striding around the playground? Well-dressed, hair gleaming, lip gloss in place, children sparklingly clean and pressed, effortlessly galvanising everyone for the latest PTA event? ARE they actually that perfect? Or is it all a facade, and at home they have a grey rim round the bath, black cat hair on the white towels in the airing cupboard, and a laundry pile that never shrinks? Or maybe they just have an army of cleaners, an au pair and no day job?

Or is it just numbers, and if I only had the one (or maybe two) I would be a real life grown up Perfect Parent like them?

No, I think not. I am not destined to be Smart. Not in the the gleamy, well-presented sense.

Nor am I destined for Perfect Parent status with my lack of dedication to my children’s spare hours, the inability to remember to sign them up for extra-curricular activities, my cupboards-bare approach to snacks (they get oh-so-healthy apples or nothing, because it’s all that’s left rolling in the fruit bowl  when I once again forget to buy/make anything more exciting for them). And as for staying at parties to chat… surely, that’s one of my few chances to have less of them at home, yes?

And actually – I don’t really mind. Life’s just too short to worry about such stuff.

My children are bright, independent, healthy (well, if you ignore No.1′s chronic illness), fun… and best of all happy. They are also welcomed wherever we go as polite, well-mannered and charming.

For me, that’s Job Done.

Go have a read for yourself - and let me know if you are also nodding in agreement. Or (come on, confess) do you finish it feeling faintly smug?

So – this weeks Blog Love is for one simple, beautiful, perfect post.

I’m actually not going to say any more – I’ll just let you go and read it for yourself.

We’ve had the Fisher Price Kids Tough Digital Camera on review – ostensibly for Jolly, who at 6/7 is just too young (and ham-fisted) to trust with a proper camera. But as much as he loves it, as soons as he puts it down it is picked up by Pink. Well, it’s supposed to be tough enough to handle a toddler, so we let her to see what would happen (in the interests of serious reviewing of course, and nothing whatsoever to do with tantrum-avoidance defence mechanism if we tried to remove it from her hot little grasp).

Well.

What a surprise this turned out to be.

The full review is coming oh-so-shortly over on LittleStuff, but I thought you might like a sneak peek at just what kind of pics a camera which can be bounced all the way down the stairs (oh yes, it can; we’ve seen it) takes in the hands of small children:

(NB – these are all straight out of camera, no photoshop has touched these images…)

This is one Jolly took when he snuck up on Pink.

And this is her once she knew he was taking a picture...

Pink decided Boy would enjoy a photo shoot 30 seconds after he got up. He didn't.

The first of many self portraits... Naturally she is her own favourite subject.

I so love this. I also love that she figured out putting the camera on the floor and lying down in front of it.

No, the quality isn’t the best, and the file sizes are small, and the colours are off. But they remind me of old polaroid images, and I LOVE downloading them, seeing what they’ve come up with. Not to mention the fact that I don’t wince too badly when I hear the camera clatter to the floor or bouncing down the stairs. Again.

Eight Silver Cross prams are among the star lots that have been donated by the winners of the recent BRIT Awards, and Silver Cross to raise money for War Child, the BRITs’ official charity partner.

Lily Allen opened the 30th Anniversary show with an unforgettable performance of ‘The Fear’ before taking home the award for Best Female.  Silver Cross have donated eight amazing Balmoral prams used during Lily’s performance. Each of the iconic prams will be auctioned on Ebay in an online auction that will begin on 25th March and run for ten days.

Each of the classic Silver Cross prams will come with a picture of the pram being used at the awards, signed by Lily Allen, and an authentication certificate signed by Alan Halsall, the Chairman of Silver Cross.  The prams usually retail for over £1,000 and are favoured by everyone from members of the Royal Family to Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman and Gwyneth Paltrow.

All proceeds from the BRITs Auction will go to War Child who make life-changing differences to the lives of many children in countries affected by war.  The charity currently works in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq and Uganda and it will use the money it raises from the prams to help protect children from the brutal effects of war and its consequences.

If you want to bid for one of the prams you’ll need to be quick as the Balmoral prams (known affectionately as ‘Bentleys for Babies’) are likely to be snapped up.

Here’s the link to the page they’re at – happy bidding!

For some strange reason I have had a longing to make one of these for ages. Maybe because the school has FINALLY started up school dinners, and the tales of what-they-ate-today has brought all sorts of memories back (but they have no pink or brown or white custard? What’s with that?). On chatting to various friends-of-a-certain-age about school dinners, one dish was universally clamoured after, no matter where we went to school. The Cornflake Tart. You remember it? Pastry base, layer of jam, then crunchy golden cornflakes spread on top?

Well.

I was chatting with the lovely mother in law a couple of weeks ago about this – she was a teacher, and ALSO remembers it fondly. In fact she exclaimed “Oh! I have the recipe for that! I asked the school cook for it at my last school (circa 1978). Would you like it?”

Would I!

And so – here, for you, is the real, actual, proper, straight-from-the-school-cooks-mouth recipe for School Dinners Cornflake Tart. Enjoy.

Shortcrust Pastry

6oz/180g flour

3 oz/80g butter (original recipes says half margarine, half lard… I stuck with butter!)

1floz/30ml water

Filling

4oz/110g Golden Syrup

3oz/80g Cornflakes

2oz/40g Butter (again recipe says Margarine)

1oz/30g Sugar

4oz/110g  Red Jam

Method

1. Line the tart trays (I used a flan dish, and remember my school serving this up in enormous tray bake tins) with the pastry and crimp the edges

2. Prick the pastry all over and bake blind, for approx 20 minutes at Gas 6/400F/200C/180 Fan

3. Melt the butter, sugar and syrup in a large heavy bottomed saucepan, then stir in the cornflakes.

4. Spread a thin layer of jam over the pastry case and place the cornflake mix on top.

5. Return the tart to the oven for 5 minutes to allow the mixture to set.

Extra steps not actually in the original recipe:

6. Do NOT leave the tart in the oven longer than 5 minutes, or you end up with one that looks like mine…

7. Serve with a heap of gloopy thick yellow custard (or take the school dinners pink custard option) – and tell me you don’t feel better afterwards. And also about 9 years old.

And yes, I MIGHT have left the tart in the oven a bit long. And I MIGHT have broken off the worst of the burnt bits before I took the photo. And it MIGHT be in a rather dated pink flowery dish that was a wedding present nearly 20 years ago. And I MIGHT have forgotten to photograph it looking beeyootiful with custard because everyone was too greedy to wait, so had to photograph the seconds instead. But don’t care – it was still a thing of deliciousness, and comfort-in-a-bowl.

Now, I absolutely don’t use the word ‘absolutely’ very often, promise… but, this is a competition you Absolutely want to enter. (Wait! What am I saying?! I should cancel it and keep them all for myself mwahahaha!)

But seriously, we have a gorgeous set of the truly delightful Mae children’s room wall stickers to give away in our latest competition. Come, click here to find out more and to enter….

So, last week I was whisked off for a spa break by my loveliest of lovelies friend. Fabulous, yes?

Well… actually… Cue much angst. What the heckster was I to put my things in? I needed a big-enough-but-none-too big bag, perfect for overnight-ing sans small people. As is always the way, only when I need an object do I suddenly realise I haven’t one in my possession. Such was the case last week (case? Did you see what I did there?)… and I stood a while, gazing at my (slightly large) collection of baggage, trying to choose the right one.

I did find one in the end, which did the job adequately. But not in as much style as I’d have liked – it’s a big bag, very pink, very loved, and just a bit too family-day-out-ish for a girls spa break.

And then, this week, browsing one of my all time favourite web sites what did I spy? Only the most perfect of overnight weekender bags, that’s all.

Oh yes I did.

Serendipity.

Look…

Fully lined, wipe cleanable (yes, forever the mother, even when I’m shopping for me) and best of all  a pocket like an airmail envelope. How could you not want this? I think I may need to take said friend on a return Spa trip, just so that I *need* to buy this bag.

While you’re taking a peek at Cloth Ears, do stay and have a mosey round. Seriously – you’ll thank me. Profusely. Between the sighing ‘Oohs’ Of Want.

Though you may just hear in the background your credit card groaning a little.

PS – did you spot my new ‘Spotted!’ ladybird? Did you? You like? I like. Why do ladybirds make me happy?

The original idea for the Maternity and Nursing website was to be an outlet for the Yes! Nursing Bra and it soon expanded to a wonderful on-line shopping stocking hard-to-find items from all over the world for mums and mums-to-be in the UK.

From breastfeeding support products to birthing pools and beyond. I can personally vouch for the Preggie Pops/Queasy Drops as they really helped to keep that morning sickeness feeling at bay during my last pregnancy *shiver*.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has recently raised concerns about “bag-style” baby carriers. It is thought that 14 deaths have occurred in the US over the last 20 years, including a number linked to the “bag-style” sling. UK Sling retailers and manufacturers are taking steps to ensure that parents have the information they need to continue to use safe designs of baby carriers and position their babies in the safest way possible.

One design of sling now seems to have potential risks. In “bag-style” slings, the deep pouch where baby sits puts the baby in a potentially suffocating curved position. Excess fabric with an elasticized edge may cover baby’s face and inhibit breathing. The design may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward the carer’s body, potentially smothering the baby. It also obstructs the baby from the parent’s view, due to the high and gathered side panels.

The majority of baby carriers and slings are still safe to use, if they hold baby in proper alignment and fit snugly by design and instruction. These safe designs of sling include shallow pouch-style slings, ring slings, soft carriers and wrap slings.

Advice for Parents

If you carry your baby in a bag-style sling, Rebecca Ward, of the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers advises you to contact your local babywearing group through Sling Meet, www.slingmeet.co.uk, for advice on alternative slings. She says, “While we are unaware of any fatalities in the UK in these bag style slings at the present time, we would caution against using them in light of the recommendations by the US Safety Commission”. If you have another sort of baby carrier, Rebecca advises, “No safety problems have been brought to our attention with any other baby carriers. Make sure you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.” When using a baby sling, the advice provided by the Consortium of UK Sling Manufacturers and Retailers is to follow these basic principles:

Keep your baby close and keep your baby safe. When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S.

Tight

In view at all times

Close enough to kiss

Keep chin off the chest

Supported back

Sigh.

Such pretty things.

From the just-perfect colours used in the design of their website to the gorgeous wares to be found there, Tillie Mint is a lovely, lovely website to wander around. They have gorgeous applique t-shirts, stunning handmade stationery and possibly the most beautiful house number signs I’ve ever seen!

With some friend’s getting married in a few weeks, my favourite thing on the Tillie Mint website has got to be their Mr & Mrs framed print. Just perfect!

Oh yes, another wonderful website has joined us here at LittleStuff (are we on a roll here or what?!). Welcome to Tootsie and Fudge, a great place for funky, fabulous, fun and oh-so-cool clothing for 0-6 year olds.

Tootsie and Fudge stock many gorgeous Scandinavian brands such as; Katvig, Molo, Melton, Hugin Mugin, ej sikke lej, Mala, Bipi Stuff, Smafolk , Ziestha,Green-Cotton and Swedish brand DucMocs.

Their gorgeously designed site is really easy to use with features such as price, size and gender filtering to help customers easily find what they are looking for.

I think we have established by now that I have a bit of a ‘thing’ for soft stuff. Knits, blankets, cushions… anything cosy makes me happy.

And call me old fashioned, but nothing makes my heart happy quite as much as seeing my girl in an old fashioned cotton nightie. Like proper button up cotton pj’s on boys, there’s something so charmingly innocent and perfect about a small person in gorgeous nightwear – either fresh from the bath, damp and huge-eyed and ready for sleep, or else mad-haired, flushed sleepy-cheeks and demanding breakfast.

But it’s so flippin hard to find really nice night wear. Even my ever faithful traditional reliable fallbacks like Marks & Spencer have gone down the Dora the Explorer jersey set route. Pah.

So imagine my excitement when I happened across Snugg Nightwear. A lovely new site – almost entirely devoted to really oh-so-lovely nightwear. Come on, go ‘Oooh!’ with me…

So I did speak to the lovely ladies at Snugg, and in oh-so-short order a smallish package flopped on to my doormat. It was opened, it was oooh-ed over, it was worn.. and it was universally adored.

Oh my yes.

Full review is coming over on LittleStuff soon, but in the meantime – get ye to Snugg‘s online boutique for children’s nightwear (they go up to age TEN! Oh yes they do!). Apart from the achingly pretty nightdresses, there’s pyjamas, slippers, dressing gowns, sleepsuits, babygrows, sleepbags, blankets… Softness enough to make me dizzy no less.

Go, say ‘oooh’ and don’t smudge your screen when you try and stroke the pretty nightdresses.

We are shouting a big HELLO to another fantastic website joining us in the happy home of LittleStuff.

Art Adventure is a wonderful place to go if you are wanting to decorate your child’s bedroom with some bright, colourful and even personalised art.

We especially love their growth charts and the animal alphabet one is a particular favourite.

Emma from Mellow Mummy has been reviewing the raggy tag blankets for us -

The Raggy-Tag comfort blanket was exactly what I was looking for to keep Lara entertained in the car and in her pushchair. She’s at an age where she wants to grab EVERYTHING, and if it has a label then you can guarantee that’s the part she’ll grab first.

Lara loves to clasp the Raggy-Tag in her fist and wave it about in the air violently. She picks at the multi-coloured tags with her tiny fingers. I don’t know how she does it, but of all the brightly coloured tags of different textures, she keeps coming back to the boring old white one with the printed washing instructions!

The Raggy-Tag comes in its own mesh bag tied with a co-ordinating bow. You’ll probably never put it back in the bag after the first use but it does mean that it looks great as a gift. The label on the bag tells us that the Raggy-Tag is designed for curious little hands to help them develop their dexterity by fondling each of the tiny tags around the perimeter of the blanket.

The Raggy-Tag Lara tried had one soft side and one patterned side. The soft velour was a favourite with Lara – she loved it when I stroked the blanket against her face! The patterned side was made from a really fine, light Liberty fabric which looks bold yet suitably girly. As a grown-up, I felt the bold, brightly coloured tags clashed a little with the girly pink colours of the blanket – I know, I know, bright colours are best for babies. My favourite tag to look at was a purple gingham ribbon; the best to touch and feel was a bright blue ridged tag with a rough texture that contrasted nicely with the soft blanket.

The Raggy-Tag is available in a great range of fabrics and colours (and even sizes). The Raggy-Tag is such a simple concept, so with prices ranging from £14.99 to £19.99 I don’t think I could justify it as a purchase for my own baby. But as a gift, well that’s a different story… I’d highly recommend one as a gift for a new baby because it is a little piece of luxury with an incredibly practical application.

Action Shot

Being good and posing nicely

Bored with 'good', going for uber cute instead.

Raggy Tags are gorgeous baby comforter blankets, made right here in the UK in a tempting array of gorgeous fabrics – including some classic Liberty prints (as demonstrated by Emma here). A perfect gift for Babies Who Fiddle.

“Oh. Just. Gorgeous.” – is what you will be saying, outloud, a few minutes into a visit to the website of  Quick Brown Fox of Dulwich.

Soooo many beautiful, quirky, whimiscal, vintage fabrics to sigh over. You’ll find yourself smiling at your screen and redecorating your children’s bedrooms in a happy heartbeat.

The Love Mae wall stickers are divine, simply and utterly so.

A very warm welcome to the Quick Brown Fox of Dulwich indeed!

So how lovely is this? I’m a bit of a sucker for pretty typography, and I just love this wall print (fret not, Mothers of not-boys – there’s a girl version too).

It is hand made here in the UK, comes as an A3 poster so you can frame it any way you like (my personal choice would be a big ole chunky wooden frame). What a fab, unique gift for a new baby – and at £15 it’s bargainous.

While you’re there, be sure to browse the rest of Taylors Typographical Art Posters shop on MISI – there are some very lovely things hidden inside (I’m rather taken with these tea towels too…).