LAURA ASHLEYShop Online

A little while ago our youngest child Beatrice moved out of our bedroom and into her own nursery. It marked the end of an era but was also a good excuse to spend some time personalising her new space.

I like mixing new with old and it’s a look that can work really well in a child’s room too. Over the years my love of second-hand and re-cycling has meant I’ve accumulated lots of thrifted bits, family hand-me-downs and car boot finds, many of which have come together in Bea’s nursery. Some of my most treasured pieces include an antique chair that used to belong to my granny and is the perfect height for nursing or reading a story. I also love the fact that Bea now sits and plays on a beautiful crochet blanket made by my husband’s grandma over thirty years ago.

I also love mixing and matching patterns and fabrics. The thrifted curtains and lampshade don’t match but they still go together. They also complement the pink Lloyd Loom cabinet I found at a car boot and the dolls house, which was a great charity shop find. Now that Bea is growing fast, she’s ready for a new sleeping bag and this pretty Laura Ashley Sleeping Pod suits her room nicely. The matching floral edged hooded towel from the Bella Butterfly range will fit her as a toddler too.

Girls Bella Butterfly Set of 2 Scented Hearts / Bella Butterfly Sleeping Pod

I’ve tried to add lots of colour and personality to Bea’s room; things that make me smile but will hopefully inspire her too as she grows.  You can never have too many garlands as far as I’m concerned; bunting makes any room instantly cheerful. So I’ve left up a cute paper chain from Christmas-time and added a garland simply made by tying together my collection of vintage hankies. Added to these, the gorgeous heart-shaped cotton bunting and scented pomanders from Laura Ashley means Bea will have lots to look at and enjoy over the years (and so will I).

Girls Pink / Multi Heart Shaped Cotton Bunting / Laura Ashley dollies  / Bella Butterfly Sleeping Pod 

Hopefully she’ll also learn to love a bit of vintage style and a second-hand bargain too!

Looking to do up your little one’s nursery? Take a look at our full nursery range here!

Kathyrn from Kat Got The Cream

You might also like:

• Décor Solutions: Girl’s Bedroom
• Metropolitan Mum’s Girl Picks
• AT HOME WITH STYLIST MAGAZINE’S FASHION DIRECTOR

With festival season nearly upon us, it’s time to kick-start the summer action and amp up the family fun. With adult-only music festivals now something of the past, get little ones in on the action and double the fun! Delivering a jam-packed weekend of fun activities, there are a number of family friendly festivals springing up all over the country not to be missed. It’s time to dig out your wellies, scoop up the kids and jump in the car for a weekend of fun-filled entertainment! Get ready to sit back, chill out and soak up the lively atmosphere (and fingers crossed, sunshine too!)…

Camp Bestival  

Hailed as the Isle of Wight Festival’s younger sister, Camp Bestival is the well behaved sibling catered solely for big and little kids alike. Set up by Radio 1 DJ Rob da Bank, Camp Bestival is the ultimate family festival. Taking place in the magical Lulworth castle in Dorset, you can expect an amazing line-up of live music to keep all the family happy, from chart-topping Labyrinth, indie-rockers Ash and 80’s classic The Proclaimers. This year also brings the adventurous Around the World Theme, follow this magical mystery tour around the world with the captivating Indian circus, dine out at the pop-up Italian restaurant and dance away to the Belgian ska band. Don’t forget to try your hand at one of the many exciting activities taking place, whether you fancy your hand at medieval jousting, mastering your bollywood dance moves or getting to grips with nature in the magical woodland area – this weekend promises to pack a punch of family fun!

- When: 1st – 4th August 2013, Lulworth Castle, Dorset 4

- Camping highlight: If you’re a camping newbie then book your slot in the Tangerine Fields Campsite, simply rock up to your tent, sleeping bag and equipment all set up for you, with hot showers and plush loos on your doorstep – a campers dream!

- Not to be missed: Pull out all the stops with your fancy dress costume for the infamous Carnival taking place on Sunday!

Latitude 

Latitude © Mark Sethi 

Recently crowned the UK’s ‘Best Family Festival’ we can certainly see why. A true music lovers festival, Latitude plays host to an impressive line-up of musical acts from Bloc Party, The Macabees and The Foals. This indie extravaganza combines chilled out vibes with a party atmosphere in equal measure. With over 500 live acts, Sean Lock leads the show in the comedy stakes, with Carole Anne Duffy taking centre stage in the poetry tent. Moving away from the main stage, relax in the enticing Children’s Arena where activities span from early morn till late keeping little ones entertained, from pond dipping to helter-skelter rides! For Latitude loving teens the Inbetweeners Area is a place to get away from cringe-worthy parents and get stuck in the fun too, with musical workshops and wildlife survival courses on offer. Proving effortlessly cool, Latitude festival mixes must-see musical acts with a laid back vide – no wonder it’s a sell out!

- When: 18th – 21st July 2013, Henham Park, Suffolk.

- Camping highlight: Push the boat out and camp in serious style and opt for Boutique Camping in a Yurt, fully decked out with a proper double bed and plush décor it’s a comfort home from home! Complete with a pamper pop-up tent on hand for preening and a drying service (just incase the weather stays in true British form).

- Not to be missed: With the Latitude Boutique Babysitting club on hand to look after little ones there’s no reason for the grown-ups to miss out on a little night-time dancing too!

Larmer Tree Festival 

One of Salisbury’s best kept secrets, Larmer Tree Festival takes place in a sprawling eleven acres of Victorian gardens. Head on deep inside the country side and escape reality at this friendly intimate festival. Keeping all ages entertained till the sun comes down, Larmer Tree festival has a whole host of entertainment lined up. With over 150 free workshops taking place, try your hand at African drumming, get moving with Swing dancing classes or even get in some quality down time and knit your own tree cosy – the list is endless! Not forgetting the exciting musical line up taking place on centre stage, sing along to the likes of Van Morrison, KT Tunstall and Dexy’s. Tuck into the many handpicked food stalls offering top quality nosh. With home comforts on hand, Larmer Tree Festival surely has upped the stakes with free hot showers, a tent dedicated to nappy changing (genius!) and for extra peace of mind, a wristband for children that contains their contact details (how did they know?!). Without a doubt Larmer Tree Festival is one of a kind and if you fancy staying a little longer, why not extend your pass to the five-day festival and snap up a mini-break in between.

- When: 17th – 21st July 2013, Larmer Tree Gardens, Salisbury.

- Camping Highlight: Move on over to the Quiet Camp site to ensure you get a goodnight’s rest – ready for the next day of adventures.

- Not to be missed: Get in touch with your hip-hop side and watch human beatboxer Sholomo show you how to get to grips with this crazy musical masterpiece and even take part in a beat box face-off!

CAMP IN STYLE WITH OUR PICK OF THE BEST ACCESSORIES

Spring Garden Melamine Plate / Spring Garden Melamine Tumbler / Girls Flower Print Packaway Mac / Pink Glass Tealight Holder / Spring Garden Storage Tubs / Spring Garden Melamine Jug 

Are you visiting a music festival with your family this year? Do let us know which one you will be visiting!

You might also like:

• FESTIVAL FASHION SURVIVAL GUIDE
• CURTAIN CALL
• WALLPAPERED WOODLAND: FESTIVAL BRIDES SHOOT

Transform your little girl’s bedroom into her very own chic, playful retreat. With a few simple steps you can achieve a fresh, clean feminine space for her to rest, sleep and play. Fit for a princess (and her teenage self a few years down the line!) finding bedroom décor to suit both your needs and taste couldn’t be easier…

Pick a Theme

Kitten’s Bedset / Kitten’s Wallpaper / Kitty Soft Toy 

Choosing a key theme or colour palette is central to the success of starting your project. Whether that be washes of girly pastel tones, vibrant floral bloom prints or retelling a whimsical fairytale story of it’s own, play to your little one’s interests with unique, personal touches. Push the boat out with a focal wall; a bold colour or eye-catching print keeps décor looking modern with a funky twist. Invest in well-made cream furniture pieces that can remain through all stages of childhood. These can always be revamped with a lick of paint and fancy hooks later on in teen years for a more sophisticated look.

Sleepy Head

Clementine Patchwork Bedspread / Emily Ivory Bed / Esme Pink Storage Boxes

Ensure she has the perfect night’s sleep with our Emily Ivory Bed, its classic style will work with any chosen theme, providing a soft haven to lay her head. With girly sleepovers in full flow, simply pull out the under-bed mattress and let the fun begin! When choosing bedlinen, go full steam ahead mix and matching different prints, colours and textures – for an extra pop add a colourful throw to create a den like feel!

Stylish Storage

Ruby White Cabinet / Esme Pink Storage Boxes / Cream Heart Shelf

Keep bedroom space clutter-free with clever storage solutions. Bookcases are a trusty favourite of ours, let it showcase her favourite toys, collectables and bed-time stories. It will soon become an eye-catching feature of the room! Get clever with space, whether that be girly storage boxes or adorning walls with hooks and shelves – savvy storage spells the end of messy rooms!

Make Space 

Butterfly Cushion / Pink Bean Bag / Bella Butterfly Rug

Bedrooms are not just for sleep, let her imagination run wild by creating a chill-out play space, scatter cushions and bean bags to make way for hours of fun. Find space for quiet time, when school rolls around and homework starts, a fuss free desk is a must to help keep focus.

Added Accessories

Three Hanging Frames / Heart Bunting / Felt Butterfly Stickers / Medium Glass Jar /  Butterfly Wall Mirror

Here are a few of our top decorative touches:

-  Frame the room with our Heart Shaped Buntings. This super easy touch adds a playful element.

-  Get personal by adding favourite family photos or hand-made drawings to funky frames

-  Wall art stickers are a budget friendly way of jazzing up a plain wall, creating a visual impact in minutes.

-  Be creative with glass jars – add memories, mementoes and keepsakes of special occasions neatly stored in these cool see-through jars.

-  Light up her room with these cute fairy lights, woven around a bed frame they provide a soothing atmosphere when winding down for bed-time.

What is your favourite theme for a little girl’s room? We LOVE the pastel pink shades… Do you have any top tips for styling up a girl’s room?

You might also like:

• AT HOME WITH STYLIST MAGAZINE’S FASHION DIRECTOR
• CLUTTER BUSTERS
• Styling your home office

The sea of shiny wrapped chocolate eggs lining the aisles of the local supermarket have already got our little ones counting down the days to Easter with eager anticipation. Feed the glint in their eye this Easter weekend with some full-proof fun… a local Easter Egg hunt! If you haven’t had the time to organise a Easter egg hunt at home / in the garden, take the pre-preparation hassle out of things and enjoy a family afternoon out at any one of these novel UK Easter egg hunts and trails. Here, we’ve pinpointed our favourites…

Logan Botanic Garden, Dumfries and Galloway

Join the magical Easter Egg Hunt this Sunday amongst the unusual blooms of Logan Botanic Garden (10.30am – 12.30pm). Branded as the ‘country’s most exotic garden’, it is warmed by the Gulf Stream, allowing southern hemisphere plants to flourish. They’ll also be some children’s face-painting and decorating your own easter egg!

Photograph by: Eamonn McGoldrick

Lindt’s Big Egg Hunt

You may have already spotted the spectacular giant eggs popping up in cities up and down the country.  The touring 101 giant Easter eggs (the world’s biggest Easter egg hunt) is in support of Action for Children. This week the eggs have returned to London, hidden in and around the streets of Covent Garden. The spectacular two and-a-half-foot high fiberglass eggs have been designed by acclaimed artists and designers including Sam Taylor-Johnson (previously Sam Taylor-Wood), Alexis Harding and Billy Childish. For more information visit The Big Egg Hunt website here

The Alternative Easter Egg Hunt: Design Museum

The ultimate in urban Easter Egg hunts- call it an ‘egg-sultant’ journey! The Design Museum invites you on a printed trail throughout the museum’s ‘now showing’ exhibitions to be rewarded with a chocolately prize at the end (mini egg courtesy of luxury chocolatier Rococo Chocolates). Great excuse to see the latest design on show whilst entertaining the kids, or perhaps it’s just one for the adults?!

The Peter Rabbit Egg Hunt 2013 (Lake District)

Catch Beatrix Potter’s beloved Peter Rabbit in the Lake District on Thursday 4 April with 50 limited edition ceramic eggs to seek out. Eggs will be hidden around the waters of the jaw-droppingly beautiful Lake District. The watery theme is in support of The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction’s nominated charity Wateraid (raising funds and awareness for the charity).  We wouldn’t mind winning one of their star prizes including a week for 6 in a luxury holiday apartment!

There are 50 eggs to find, once each egg is found its lucky winner lets them know by calling or texting the Egg hotline and takes the egg home.  That egg will then be removed from the live map. Very interactive!

Blenheim Palace ‘A Knight’s Trail’ Easter Egg Hunt

One for the boys? The spectacular Blenheim Palace will be hosting ‘A Knight’s Trail’ Easter Challenge from the 29^th -30^th March. Only this year the little ones will be hunting out the knight’s shields (rather than eggs) hidden in around the Marlborough Maze, Butterfly House and the Pleasure Gardens to win a prize which can be claimed from the Children’s shop. We’ll be stopping off for Easter yummies at the Pleasure Gardens Deli for cupcake decorating and ‘Yoo Moo’ yoghurt shakes! Yum.

Cadbury’s Easter Egg Trail: National Trust Locations (UK)

The hugely popular Cadbury’s Easter Egg Trail returns to National Trust and National Trust for Scotland venues across the country at over 250 locations. Every entrant bags a scrummy Cadbury Egghead at the end of the completed trail! Enter your postcode into their handy map to find your nearest trail venue. We hear there are lots of other family fun above and beyond the Easter egg trails (at selected locations) including egg and spoon races, sack races and face painting.

Easter egg hunt at Petwork ©National Trust Image by Stuart Cox

Easter Eggstravaganza – Whitehouse Farm – Northumberland

Arrive early doors at Whitehouse Farm (9am – 10am) this Easter weekend to catch the Easter bunny hopping about with his basket of eggs. Expect an Easter egg hunt PLUS the rare chance to bottle feed the lambs or head over to the petting farm to cuddle a fluffy bunny or cute little chick!

Are you planning on visiting an Easter egg hunt with the kids this weekend? Perhaps you are planning your own Easter egg hunt at home? We have lots of tasty Easter treats available on our website and instore to treat the little ones here…

You might also like:

• The Easter Gift Guide
• Getting your Easter Bunny Bake on!
• EASTER TWITTER GIVE-AWAY!

With Easter about to spring on us, we have rounded up our favourite egg-tastic gifts to keep everyone ‘hoppy’. Rule the roost with simple and effective Easter décor or keep friends and family sweet with these must-have tasty treats…

Little Chicks

With a wide selection of scrumptious sweets on offer, create a tasty DIY Easter basket for the family including the mini Easter Eggs or Chick Marshmallows. If you fancy getting creative, enlist your little chicks and get your bake on with the handy little ShortBread Bunny baking set.

Make Your Own Shortbread Biscuits / Chocolate Easter Characters / Jar Of Mini Easter Eggs / English Breakfast Tea With Heart-Shaped Infuser / Flower Garden Cake Tins

Egg-cessories

Spring a surprise on your loved ones and adorn your home with these eggs-tra special finishing touches. We especially love the Spring Bunting (fab for summer garden parties too!) and the very fancy floral cake stand, perfect for hopping into the Easter spirit.

Tulip Decoupage Eggs / Matilda Small Hen / Egg Candles / Spring Garden Cake Stand / Spring Bunting /  Spot Print Ceramic Egg Tray 

We would love to hear what you’re up to over Easter – be sure to leave your comments below or hop on over to our Easter-Inspired board on Pinterest for some great ideas!

You might also like:

• EASTER TWITTER GIVE-AWAY!
• A SPOT OF EASTER GARDENING
• VINTAGE PATISSERIE JUBILEE PARTY TIPS

Take a look at where our Junior Home Designer Olivia’s daughter Beau wore her new Laura Ashley Dress.

Deciding what your daughter should wear to her friend’s birthday party can often be as much a conundrum as picking our own occasionwear outfit. Last weekend our Junior Home Designer Olivia was keen to squeeze in a stroll along Great Suffolk Street (local to their home) to visit their favourite fruit and veg shop and grab a brew in one of their nice cafes, so she needed a dress that worked comfortably during the day but looked equally fun and dressy for the party in the evening. Say hello to our new Girls Sweetshop Print Cotton Sleeveless Dress with sherbet stripes.

Having a dress which ‘swooshes’ was an absolute must for Beau- she likes to spin round lots! So she was happy wearing this for our outing…

After our lovely day out in Great Suffolk Street it was time for a spot of dancing at Beau’s friend Kaeden’s 5^th birthday party in Bermondsey Square Hotel. The DJ’s bubble machine was a huge hit as was the dress!

Next day we joined my sister at her house to celebrate her birthday. They are huge Laura Ashley fans so their home is brimming with familiar home items. Note her Darwin chair and Toile Cerise bedlinen!

This was the perfect opportunity for Beau to catch up and play with her cousin Layli. For this outing Beau wore this pretty floral number, which reminds us of a painting. This dress is available instore and online soon.

The full Laura Ashley kids collection is available to browse here

You might also like:

• VERSATILE MUMMY & DAUGHTER PARTY PIECES
• 1 LITTLE LACE SHIRT DRESS, 3 WAYS
• BLOGGERS ON FILM: ‘ONE-UPON-A-TIME’ BLOG PARTY

Our Kids Behind the Shoot film (below) is a charming recap of all the fun we had shooting the Spring/Summer campaign with all our little lady models back in November.  After a speedy make-up, hair and outfit change, we headed to retro sweet shop Suck & Chew on Columbia Road. Huddled in to the cosy interior, the photographer, crew and parents captured the magic of our little ones taking in the surrounding sweetie jars and nostalgic yummies…

OUR NEW KID’S COLLECTIONS WILL BE INSTORE & ONLINE BY THE END OF THE MONTH

You might also like:

• Behind the SS12 Fashion Shoot
• FILM: BEHIND THE SPRING/SUMMER GIRLS SHOOT
• CREATIVE WALLS

Last week we went on an art meets educational tour of London Transport Museum. In 2011 a staggering 1,107 million passengers used London transport (Laura Ashley head office staff included). Feeling curious about our city’s transport history (we were avid watchers of BBC2’s The Tube) and sighting their October half term ‘make-and-take’ family craft workshops we urge you to grab the little ones and head into London for a day out.

Kick off your tour with some London transport history, from the first escalator invented by Jesse W Reno (originating from New York- the first one was built for an amusement park on Coney Island) to ‘Madame-Tussauds-esque’ mock ups of what it would have been like for ‘men and machines’ digging out the London tube system. Did you know over 300km (190 miles) of Tube have been dug under London since the 1880’s?

A popular hit with the kids whilst on our visit was the replica old fashioned buses and vehicles which you were welcome to hop on and have an explore…

This little chappy was especially happy in the driving seat of this modern day red double decker…

Partial to a retro print or two, the Laura Ashley team were eager to explore the ‘mind the map’ exhibition showcasing the journey of the London underground map over the last 90 years plus some of the most famous ‘art on the underground’ creations including a wonderfully nostalgic array of posters, design and cartography.

Travel back in time and see how the iconic London underground map has evolved from this in 1908…

To this in 1933…

To our the familiar modern day 2012 tube map…

We often admire the cheery ‘art on the underground’ pieces splattered across the London Underground system so it was fascinating to see some of the most famous underground inspired prints and drawings. Most famously the original three dimensional artwork by David Booth of Fine White Line, created in 1986. This poster is the most popular modern Underground poster and is still in demand 20 year later…

Travelling Blind (the artwork above) contains 20 drawings of London’s Underground network. They were made by passengers from memory as part of an art project.

This week there is plenty of additional activity on at The London Transport Museum to keep the kids entertained, including their make-and-take arts and crafts workshops and storytelling sessions inspired by their new temporary exhibition Ahead of the Games. Take a look here for more information.

You might also like:

• KIDS DAY OUTS FOR SUMMER IN THE CITY
• GIRLS ON FILM: AUTUMN / WINTER 12 KIDS SHOOT
• A VERY MODERN BREAKFAST

We caught up with Judith (mum to Lola, 11) , Fashion & Lifestyle Editor of Prima Baby + Practical Parenting & Pregnancy magazine to find out how to have fun with the kids in the sun without compromising on style.

When school breaks up for the summer, the need to keep your little one occupied for six weeks can seem like a daunting prospect. However, our capital city has plenty to offer both in terms of educational and budget-friendly activities, ensuring that pint-sized visitors are always learning and rarely bored. As we head into the last few weeks of the summer school break, here is some inspiration…

1. One of our favourite pastimes is heading to Parliament Hill in Hampstead Heath to fly Lola’s kite. With beautiful views across the city, it also provides the perfect perch for an afternoon picnic on the grass. As Lola loves to chase the kite around in the breeze, the girls cotton jersey tunic top and leggings set, from £14, provides the ideal combination of comfort and style…

2. Should we be blessed with a full day of glorious sunshine, Hyde Park is always our destination of choice. Little toes can paddle in the Diana Memorial Fountain, while the more adventurous can take a refreshing dip in the Serpentine Lido. The girls navy and white striped jersey playsuit, from £12, is a must-have for poolside chic.

3. The perfect Sunday is spent taking a leisurely stroll through Columbia Road flower market. Everything from bedding plants to 10 foot banana trees are on offer and as the day progresses, prices drop dramatically. Mini Picassos can buy a few stems and use them to create beautiful artwork, while older children can keep a scrapbook of their summer adventures to fill it with photos of flowers, postcards and stories – a lovely gift for grandparents.

We love the girls green floral print cotton twill pinafore dress, from £14, for boundless artistic fun…

4. With over 70 million specimens from all over the globe, from dinosaurs to diamonds, the Natural History Museum is packed with interactive facilities to keep curious minds occupied. The best bit? Admission is free! Little ones can take a walk on the wild side through the Jurassic exhibit in the girls Dalmation print cardigan  from £24. For something a little more intrepid kids can also explore the corridors at night and bed down under the dinosaur shadows for their monthly sleep-overs – ‘Dino Snores’.

5. A visit to London just isn’t complete without a tour of Buckingham Palace - Open to visitors throughout August and September, you have the chance to view the State Rooms and walk through the garden to admire the 19^th-century lake. Pay tribute to the monarchy with the patriotic girls grey cotton British ballet shoe t-shirt top, from £14, and girls cotton chambray tiered skirt  – an outfit fit for a queen.

To read about more fun activities for little ones, visit Made For Mums.

You might also like:

• FILM: BEHIND THE SPRING/SUMMER GIRLS SHOOT
• VERSATILE MUMMY & DAUGHTER PARTY PIECES
• Metropolitan Mum’s Girl Picks

Back in March we set up camp in a quirky warehouse studio called Snap in Hoxton (North London) for arguably the most fun of our fashion shoots – the kids! The rustic setting made the perfect back drop for our hero kids story ‘Back to School’, complete with exposed brick walls, big industrial windows and streams of welcome natural light. It was all fun and games on set with our little lady models playing conkers, bouncing on our beds as though they were giant trampolines and putting their strength to the test with a team tug of war! Our adorable twin models were again up to their usual mischief having fun with and taunting our well-known kids photographer Dan.

Take a look behind the scenes and see the fun in action! …

You might also like:

• FILM: BEHIND THE SPRING/SUMMER GIRLS SHOOT
• FILM- BEHIND THE WOMENSWEAR AUTUMN / WINTER SHOOT
• Behind the SS12 Fashion Shoot