Meredithe Stuart-Smith grew up down the street from Hallmark’s head offices in Kansas. As a child she would hand make cards and tape them to the windows hoping someone from Hallmark would walk by and see them. From there her company Meri Meri was born, growing from hand made greetings cards to stationary and party supplies. Of course, it is echelons superior to Hallmark and provides the most beautiful, creative kit for children. We meet Meredithe (or Meri Meri as her friends call her), the name behind the brand:
You began your business in LA – what made you branch over to the UK, and why Cheltenham?
I met my English husband in NY at the Stationery Show. He also had a greeting card company and he convinced me to move to England. I had lived in London a few years prior. I figured I would either get married and live happy ever after or have another great year abroad. I moved to Cheltenham for my daughter to attend Cheltenham Ladies College.
Could you describe what it’s like in the Meri Meri studio?
It is a hive of creativity, There are about 30 creatives on the team. It is truly a magical place. There is a lot of drawing, cutting, sewing and general making going on.
What does a working day look like for you?
I spend about half my time in the studio working with the design team or graphics team keeping everything on brand and connected. Our work is very collaborative and all of our designers are achingly creative. While I might connect the dots, they create the magic. The rest of the day is often spent with strategy meetings or very boring admin things, that I would never hire me to do!
How have children’s parties changed over the years?
I think they have become incredibly creative. People seem to be having so much fun decorating. I think putting the parties together might even be more fun than the actual parties.
You have so many great new designs at the moment – we love the circus particularly. Where did the idea for this come from?
This was completely inspired by the bohemian festival feel of Gifford’s Circus. I have gone to it every year since they opened. I started taking the whole UK team and their families a few years ago. Nell Gifford was a genius.
What are three things every party should include (even in a crisis)?
Cake, ice cream and games.
Do you have any top tips for keeping children entertained during these times?
We are putting together some craft projects and downloadable activities to share with kids at home. Watch this space!
What’s your favourite Easter cake?
My favourite is an Italian traditional cake like a panettone called Colomba de Pasqua. I was in Italy once during Easter week and they are in every bakery. The slight sweet yeasty, doughy cake/ bread is delicious.
Where’s home?
I would have to say both (sides of the Atlantic). When I’m in Cheltenham that feels like home and when in Maine, that feels like home too!
Which items from your home make you especially happy?
My Leonard Baskin pieces from his Native American series and my Kartell, Mademoiselle chairs by Philip Stark with Missoni fabric.
What the best party you’ve ever had or thrown?
It would have to be my wedding. I was 40 when I married my husband so we did it ourselves. The wedding was at Westminster Abbey and the reception at the Liberal’s Club in Whitehall.
Is there anything in the pipeline for Meri Meri that we should know about?
We are having a lot of fun with fancy dress and costumes and of course we’re also getting ready for Easter!
Growing up, we were very fortunate to have a very ‘crafty’ mother who could turn her hand to anything – be it hatmaking, baking or Christmas tree decorations. We’ve tried to keep up the tradition with our own two daughters and now during this time of the CV lockdown, these arts and crafts have really come into their own.
Hand flower bouquets
Ask your kids to draw around their hand and cut out this shape. Then get a pip cleaner (preferably green with another colour for the stamen) and twist the stamen colour around the top of the green pip cleaner. You might need to cut off half or so of the stamen colour otherwise it will be too big. Then get the hand cut out shape and twist it around the green pip cleaner with the ‘stamen’ popping out the top. Finally curl the ‘fingers’ with a pair of scissors to make your flower.
Toy Parachute
Draw around a large plate on top of a plastic bag and cut out. Mark four crosses on the cut out, north south east west, put cellotape over the crosses and then put a hole punch over the crosses. Tie four pieces of string to make the parachute, then attach difference weight parachutists to see how they float down.
Paper Dolls
My kids find endless fun in dressing up their paper dolls. Tip – it is easier to give the clothes tabs so that they stay on the dolls and to make them out of thicker card.
Flowers
Get some paper (tissue paper works well but as you can see above, we even used kitchen roll) and cut out about 30cm x 30cm with as many layers as you would like. Then fold about an inch one way, then another, repeating until you are finished. Then make small cuts in the edges (if you want this effect). Take a pipe cleaner and wrap it around the folded paper in the centre keeping the pipe cleaner facing downwards. Then pull the paper outwards to create the flower – you can always add some more pipe cleaner at the base of the flower to make it more secure.
Other craft/online creative sessions we have loved include Drawing with Rob with Rob Biddulph, author of books including GRRRRR! and Odd Dog Out.
Chances are some of you reading this may have fallen victim to trying to be all things to all people in your family: meal planner, entertainment manager, teacher, therapist, fitness coach and at times you are close to losing the plot. Might this be the time to Take Back Control and lay down a few rules and routines. The starting point should be your wellbeing. The Dalai Lama talks of being ‘selfish wise’ – a bit like putting the oxygen mask in a plane on yourself before helping other people. It is not an instinctive thing to do but a necessary one for everyone in the family’s long-term happiness.
Of course no two family make-ups are the same but having talked to a number of families with kids of varying ages over the last few days, there are a few universal themes.
FAMILY ROUTINE
Eat, exercise, think, sleep – repeat: that’s it really.
Eat: it couldn’t be a more important time to eat healthily. It doesn’t help having too much sugar in their system if the kids aren’t running around as much as usual burning it off.
Exercise and fresh air: however and wherever you can get this it is vitally important for everyone to use their allocated time outdoors, every day.
Think: a bit of brain stimulus is so important – it doesn’t need to feel like school work.
Sleep: many children are finding it hard to have a good night’s sleep at the moment. I’m sure this will ease as we all become familiar with the new normal but it might be good to get a few tips on good sleep practice.
Repeat: this can be problematic – it’s a challenge for us all but we need to mix things up within our routines as much as possible.
Tensions are sky high even in little ones who have picked up that something (a lot!) isn’t quite like it usually is, so don’t do anything to rock the boat. A good mantra is: Dial the volume down, choose your battles and keep it simple.
Young children
Being at home all day with young children during this time is hard work; acknowledge that you are doing a fantastic job! Routine, routine, routine is what is going to get you through not least because you then have set times when you can do something that is just for you. If you have more than one child, finding something they can all together is tricky but incredibly rewarding; I have heard that Cosmic Yoga is a winner. Then variety within the routine: from different foods they eat to new games and finding something a bit out of their comfort zone (a challenging bit of Lego, a tricky word puzzle). If anyone has tips for exhausting an energetic six year old please wing them our way.
Older children
To much moaning and groaning we have introduced a 3/5 system of activities to keep our twin 11-year-olds off screens. We are only on Day 3 of the holidays but so far at the end of the day they have gone to bed saying they have had a really good day. However much kids rail against rules, they want and need boundaries.
We have 3 compulsory activities a day: Joe Wicks’ 9am work out, a reading hour after lunch and one-hour outdoor activity (football skills, practising netball, trampoline).
Then we have a long list of activities from which they can choose 5. Today’s choices were: Kids’ TED talk (they chose one on deception …); painting/drawing project; Lego; baking; general knowledge quiz (Twitter is a good resource for this); games hour such as cards, Scrabble, Risk; Meditation/yoga from Youtube or online streaming; Appreciation journal writing and chores (this was surprisingly popular). The rest of the time they can do whatever they like, including screens.
For us all this is the worst but also it can be the best of times: time for greater understanding and involvement in our kids’ lives and maybe for them to teach you a few things too. Some days will be easier than others and, if you’ve all had a tough day, remember there’s always tomorrow.
Finally do not underestimate the power of an afternoon nap. You deserve it.
Small things have become treasures; flowers on the table, a pair of socks, a bar of luxurious soap. Here are some treats you can order online, all below £35:
Free Digital Magazines
Conde Nast are offering free digital downloads on all their May issues. British Vogue will be available from Friday 3 April with Conde Nast Traveller and Tatler due to drop on Thursday 2 April (keep an eye on their Instagram for the head’s up). You’ll need to download the app onto your iPad or tablet first – just type Conde Nast Traveller into the App Store for example, and once you’ve downloaded it all the previous digital issues are there for £3.99, with the new May issue available for free and packed with destinations to dream about. It’s also worth knowing that all digital issues of the FT’s supplement, How To Spend It are free via their app so it’s time to catch up on some of their features – we enjoyed Lou Stoppard on the art of the swimming pool.
Spring restaurant have opened an online shop and unsurprisingly it is full of the most heavenly treats. Find cut flowers and veg boxes from Fern Verrow biodynamic farm, eggs from Heckfield Place and baked goods that are made at Spring on the morning of delivery including this sticky, dense ginger cake for afternoon tea. Delivery takes place on Thursdays between 12-9pm and the zone is within a 12-mile radius of Spring, Somerset House. Ginger cake, £10 springrestaurant-shop.co.uk
We never expected to classify a puzzle as a treat but such are the times. Word is they’ve sold out online – we have found that you can still order them from Waterstones along with lots of other great games including Banangrams and Dobble. Delivery takes 4-6 days and is free for orders over £20. The World of Shakespeare puzzle, £14.99 at Waterstones
Oh how we’d like to sink into Bella Freud’s Friday night bath. Recreate it at home – her candles are currently in the sale along with cashmere trackies, cushions and jumpers that would all make life at home more luxurious. Candles £31 at bellafreud.com
Red poppy is going to make us smile as we wash our hands, again. Conran are offering free UK delivery and they have lots of beautiful Claus Porto soaps and hand creams too, as well as bubble baths, soaks and oils. Favorito soap, £28 at Conran
In previous years Smith and Munson tulips would have been brightening up many of the traders stands at New Covent Garden. Now that the flower market has closed the family company have adapted, and you can order directly from their Lincolnshire flower farm to your doorstep in recyclable tubes. The quality is very good and they come in so many varieties which is why they are beloved of florists – we like the fringed edges and the parrot tulips particularly. From £20, smithandmunson.com
Salmon from the most-renowned Scottish sustainable farms and oak smoked in London. Secret Smokehouse supplies top restaurants including Bibendum, Quo Vadis, Core by Clare Smyth etc. and you can order it to your doorstep needing to add only brown bread and butter, a crunch of pepper and a slice of lemon. 200g London Cure smoked salmon, £13 at Secret Smokehouse
You need to live south of the river to benefit from the new delivery service from Peckham’s popular pasta spot, Artusi. Order forms drop three times a week on their Instagram page – be quick and snap up favourites like their beef shin ragu and fluffy tiramisu.
We’ve enjoyed making tea and coffee breaks more of a ritual, instead of grabbing on the go. The very best tea for a treat is JING’s Jasmine Silver Needle – it is so light and calming. Order it loose along with one of their glass tea-iere tea infusers. These make loose-leaf tea drinking less of a faff and look pretty on a desk. A little goes a long way. Jasmin Silver Needle, £11 at jingtea.com
Our winter skin needs a good scrub. We were sold by the name, Riviera Postcard: it smells delicious and does the job too. Follow with the moisturising jelly. £11 at And Other Stories
Daunts are now offering free delivery to those living locally to their London bookshops. Choose from hundreds of titles online – they will also post to all UK addresses for free when you spend over £40. We’ve got our eye on Raven Smith’s Trivial Pursuits for some light relief. £10.99 at Daunts. Also high on our list is Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet, published this week.
Yes we have started talking to our toes. These Chatty Feet socks make it so easy. Pick your favourite character, there’s Meghan Ankle and Kate Middletoe, David Sock-Knee, Yayoi Toesama, Virginia Wool and more. With nowhere to go, socks are definitely the new shoes. Socks £8 at Chatty Feet
We’ve definitely been feeling more anxious recently so we turned to a friend, Katya Orrell BPC, TSP, FPS 2020, who is a trained psychotherapist to give us some tips:
During this time of heightened stress and global anxiety relating to COVID-19 there are some simple techniques you can use if you or those who you might be self-isolating with develop symptoms of panic and want to find some reassurance. Alongside balance with sleep/diet/exercise etc if you are struggling with depression, anxiety or relationship issues it might be helpful to consider some of the following EMDR GTEP techniques:
1. Ground yourself: this involves sitting in comfortable upright position in a chair and putting both feet flat on the floor and literally grounding yourself.
2. Breathe: try to extend your out breath, counting up to four as you breathe in and then up to six as you breathe out for a few minutes.
3. Taste: we often develop a dry mouth when we feel panicky and fight/flight hormones like cortisol kick in, try to imagine a lemon or else put your tongue on the top of your mouth, this stimulates the saliva glands immediately.
4. Tapping: ‘butterfly hug’ bi-lateral stimulation; if you cross your arms and tap alternate shoulders this activates the parasympathetic nervous system and is another method of self-soothing during times of stress.
If you already have a therapist, do suggest continuing your sessions by Zoom or FaceTime. Alternatively if you are looking for somebody to talk to, then you can contact a psychotherapist or psychoanalyst through the BPC register or get in touch with the London Clinic of Psychoanalysis. If it’s a counsellor you need, then use the BACP website to find a counsellor in your area (or a Psychotherapist) or the Counselling Directory. Alternatively, you could use an online resource such as Feelya.
There are also lots of calming apps available. We particularly like Becalmed with Yoga Nidra which is great at helping you get to sleep. Calm is the number one meditation and sleep app and is currently offering a free trial and Yin Yoga (you could try this Yin Yoga app) is highly recommended to help calm anxiety through controlled breathing.
Whisk your children (and yourself) away to the land of make-believe with the help of a wealth of free audio books, generously made available by Audible Stories to all kids while schools are closed. We have selected three of our favourite books in each category, based on the stories themselves of course but which are elevated to another level by the exceptional talent of many of the narrators to bring the stories to life.
Elementary
1. The Children’s Homer by Padraic Colum read by Robert Whitfield (4 hours 43 mins). Totally brilliant introduction to the amazing stories within Homer’s Iliad and the Odyssey.
2. The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle, read by Christopher Cazenove, superbly bringing the words to life. (10 hours 36 mins)
3.Great Poems for Children exquisitely read by Alex Jennings, Emilia Fox, Geoffrey Palmer and Julia McKenzie. (1 hour 9 mins)
Tween
Lots of classics with a smattering of new talent:
1. The Call of the Wild by Jack London read by Pablo Schreiber (3 hours 22 mins)
2. Shoebag by M E Kerr read by Josh Hurley. Our kids loved this. (3 hours 6 mins)
3. The Return of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle read by Simon Prebble (11 hours 21 mins)
Teen
A rather eclectic range of books in this category:
1. A little History of the World by E H Gombrich read by Ralph Cosham (9 hours 11 mins) Great book to dip in and out of.
2. A way in the World by V S Naipaul read by Simon Vance (11 hours 40 mins) What a mesmerising voice.
3. Who Done it? by Jon Scieszka, read by Rebecca Gible. Hilarious (7 hours 3 mins)
Literary classics
An awesome collection of classics for children and adults too:
1. Hamlet dramatized by cast of Oregon Shakespeare Festival (2 hours 49 mins)
2. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F Scott Fitzgerald read by Alan Munro (1 hour 9 mins)
3. Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein read by Dan Stevens (8 hours 35 mins)
Many books might appeal to grown-ups too – we’ve already downloaded Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre narrated by Thandie Newton.
We all need comfort reads at the moment and this is one of our favourites. It seems the perfect time to look to how formidable individuals coped in times of crisis and Jessica (known as “Decca” by her family) Mitford was certainly formidable. She is JK Rowling’s heroine to the extent that the contemporary author named her daughter after her and described her idol as “the least ‘politically correct’ Communist imaginable”. Mitford may now be best remembered for her bestseller The American Way of Death(1963), her book on the funeral industry’s practices which has since been named by David Bowie as one of his favourite books. It is her memoir of her early life, Hons and Rebels, however which ignited Rowling’s fascination and ours.
Hons and Rebels tells of Mitford’s early life as the sixth of Lord and Lady Redesdale’s seven children. Her eldest sister was Nancy Mitford, the much-admired author of the comic novel The Pursuit of Love. Another sister, Diana, married Oswald Mosley, the leader of the British Union of Fascists and the couple were jailed in Holloway Prison during the Second World War. Her youngest sister, known as Debo, became the Duchess of Devonshire but it is Unity (who was close enough to Hitler to have been rumoured to be pregnant by him) to whom Decca was closest. It was somewhat unfortunate that the two had opposing politics which became apparent when, as children, they carved swastikas and hammers and sickles into the windows of their family home.
Jessica was so at odds with her right-wing aristocratic family that she began to establish a running away fund at the age of 12. Much to her chagrin, she didn’t manage to flee her family until she was 19 and met her rebellious second cousin Esmond Romilly. Romilly, in spite of being Winston Churchill’s nephew, shared Jessica’s politics and the two cashed in her running away fund so that they could elope to join the Republican side in the Spanish Civil War. Mitford describes this in her funny, appealingly terse fashion. Her family opposed her engagement to Romilly and even tried to tempt her away from him, when the couple were in Spain, by means of a delicious feast on a ship. You will have to read the book to understand exactly how that scenario came about but Mitford reflects “I could practically feel my gastric juices working at the thought of the roast chicken and chocolate cake, but I remained firm.”
Mitford stays with Romilly, describing him as “the fascinating companion of my whole adult life – three years, already – and the centre of all happiness.” From living in East London to Corsica and then off to the United States, they hide from the bailiffs (nobody had explained to Mitford that electricity needed to be paid for), get offers from a Hollywood movie magnate and get into many more scrapes and adventures. It’s a brilliant memoir and one which will transport you away from current living. If you enjoy this early slice of her autobiography, then you might also enjoy Decca: the Letters of Jessica Mitford edited by Peter Y Sussman.
Other comfort must-reads include Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day, Cold Comfort Farmand, of course, any Jane Austen novel (particularly Emma, Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice). Other favourites of ours include Our Mutual Friend, the last novel Charles Dickens completed and his masterpiece to our mind as well as Elizabeth Jane Howard’s Cazalet Chronicles. If you have whizzed through the Cazalets, you might also like Howard’s earlier novels The Beautiful Visit and The Long View as well as her brilliant memoir, Slipstream which can be very rewardingly read alongside Artemis Cooper’s biography of her: A Dangerous Innocence. If you want something more contemporary and very funny, Rachel Johnson’s account of her time as editor of The Lady magazine, A Diary of The Lady, is an underrated comic masterpiece. Plenty of people are taking advantage of the lockdown to finally tackle Proust or Ulysses. If you are less keen on the delayed gratification of reading a long novel, can we suggest The Great Gatsby instead? Only 47,000 words and it always rewards re-reading. Let us know what your comfort reads are and what you think of ours, we are very keen to hear other recommendations!
Whilst we’re kicking ourselves for not having made it to more of London’s exhibitions before the doors shut, we have enjoyed discovering that so many permanent collections and past exhibitions are online. Here’s where to find the world’s best art in static, video and audio format:
Some curators and presenters bring their subjects to life more than others and here are a selection of brilliant examples of the best that Youtube The Art Channel and galleries make available free to the public. I loved a reminder of the Anthony Gormley exhibition at the Royal Academy with a short video, narrated by the artist himself. And they have just uploaded in the last day a whole host of other videos of exhibitions and interviews with artists. The show I most regret not getting to is the Picasso and Paper exhibit; you can watch here curator Ann Dumas talking through the pieces. The National Gallery has videos about their past exhibitions and permanent collection here. The National Portrait Gallery does too, and the brilliant Bridget Riley exhibit that was at the Hayward Gallery is discussed and shown here. The Dulwich Picture Gallery is one of few that make an audio tour guide available online.
Gallery Resources
A few galleries offer up their own collections such as the Uffizi with every piece in its collection here, as does the magnificent Prado. Virtual 360° tours have a long way to go in terms of slick presentation but two worth watching are Buckingham Palace followed by in-depth info about the artworks particularly in the Queen’s Gallery, and the Sistine Chapel in all its glory.
Joe Wicks, aka The Body Coach, isn’t the only fitness phenomenon to be reaching out the nation’s homes this week. Whether you are craving a high-intensity gym workout or a dynamic yoga session, boxing with a pro or mat Pilates, there really is something for everyone winging its way into our living rooms. Lots of pre-recorded workouts have been made available but it is the live streaming that really has the power to work holistically in this time of national crisis. Each one of the classes below takes a different approach and that’s the beauty of it: their unique set-ups, banter and camaraderie, and sheer positive energy that they all exude will get us all through the coming weeks.
Many individuals and companies are uploading classes for free and others are giving amazing offers so it’s the perfect opportunity to try something new. I have reviewed a good number of classes over the last week (so many, I can now hardly walk …) for both the amateur and more seasoned fitness enthusiast and here’s the verdict.
Cult cycle studio Psycle does a few things other than cycling and currently has three live stream classes (free) each day in gym, yoga and strength building. Join their instagram @psyclelondon for the next day’s schedule. I joined the 12.30 Fit in 30 (Upper Body) strength workout and really loved it. Coach Sam was fantastically cheerful and checking up on us all all the time – it was a hoot. Tough though – when it came to ‘plank whilst throwing one arm extended’ I was certainly out of my depth. I tuned in the next day to a Cardio Dynamic yoga session. A couple of teething problems setting up the computer/mic (but it only added to the charm/we’re in this all together vibe) and it was a great class. More dynamic than I am used – with music.
Kit Rich is live streaming a general bodyweight workout from her home in LA (3pm UK time) each day until 31 March. She’s good. It’s slick, not much chat, no music. Sometimes a bit of calm training is what is called for! Her training philosophy is 3 or 30 each day, which translates to 3 miles walking, running, swimming etc or 30 minutes walking, running etc and that way you achieve an achievable, long-term workout routine.
This was my first introduction to live streaming fitness – I logged on with my brother’s young family in Abu Dhabi and it was great to see them getting so involved. Joe is a bit of a Marmite character – I can see why kids love him. After the twenty-minute workout I felt I had used every muscle in my body. Shout-outs to the 1,000,000 viewers from all round the world slightly annoying but then, even if you are doing it on your own, you don’t feel like you are.
Free live streaming weekdays 8am and 8.30am and 6 and 6.30pm through their Instagram stories. This is for seasoned gym goers. Bit too intense for me; slick production from the instructors’ homes and a good bit of banter/encouragement.
One of the most popular – and free – ways to do yoga is with the online sensation Yoga with Adriene. What a marvellous person to welcome into your sitting room. I was floating after following her 15-minute Meditation for Anxiety video. A must for these troubled times.
The kids introduced me this: dance videos that you follow on your own or with a partner. It’s brilliant – and addictive – and possibly all you need to stay fit. Marries coordination with a serious workout. Puts a smile on your face too.
Peloton has extended its free trial period to a whopping 90 days; then £12.99/month. There are lots of preloaded classes in all categories: running, strength, yoga, stretching and bootcamp. Too many of the lives streams are late at night but this may change. I tried the 20-min full-body workout with Jess Sims. There was music blaring in the background; serious energy was channelled through my computer screen. I will definitely be trying this and other classes again.
Barrecore offers two weeks’ free and then it’s £25/month (you can trial a class for free also). Currently three live classes a day during the week and one on both Saturday and Sunday. I found my class surprisingly tough. I still can’t believe how much effort I exerted making only tiny movements and I really felt it the next morning. I have a few friends who go to their regular classes; I can now understand why they have such lithe bodies. I’ll definitely do this again.
Livestream 5-class bundle £37.50 (£7.50 per class). This is my yoga studio of choice in West London, now live streaming all their classes via Zoom. I joined my regular lunchtime session and it was just as good as the real thing. Elina Iso-Rautio is the founder/owner and she is one of the best yoga teaches I have ever come across. She really manages to deliver the chiaroscuro needed for a great yoga session, mixing strength and softness and leaving you energised, relaxed and focused. Another Lumi instructor to look out for is @lisalotuslondon. Follow her instagram to join Zoom sessions from her home in the coming days/weeks. The joy of Zoom classes is that you really can’t duck out of them. You can see them but more importantly they can see you!
Download the app for free training until 22 April. Also daily Instagram live workouts; check for schedule – because this is streamed from West Coast US, some classes are late at night.
The app is brilliant, featuring loads of pre-recorded lessons, focusing on different parts of the body. Many are filmed on the beach so you can really imagine you are escaping. Good section on healthy cooking an added bonus.
This has been my go-to online yoga app for a couple of years now. Dip in for 10, 20, 60 … minutes and choose from Vinaysa flow, yin or specific areas of the body to work on. I have my favourite teachers (Tiffany Cruikshank, Jason Crandell and Gopi Kallayil to name a few). They have a lovely feature in that you can share up to five classes a month with friends for free. $18/month. And during this time of need, they are offering anyone nine free classes to use themselves or share on their From Our Hearts page.
Keep well nourished without having to leave the house thanks to these delivery services in London and beyond:
Natoora
Natoora usually supplies the trade – it’s the app chef’s use to order the freshest produce for their restaurants. Since these have nearly all but closed their doors, Natoora have opened up to domestic customers too. As well as fresh fruit and vegetables, find bunches of herbs plus exceptional dairy, charcuterie, cheese, oils and store cupboard goods – flour, rice, tinned tomatoes, dried pulses sourced straight from independent producers. Be aware that the app was designed for chefs, so things come in varying sizes – Unit, Kg and Box. Avoid box and stick to unit or kg unless you want vast quantities! The delivery area is currently London Zones 1 – 4, Teddington, Kingston Upon Thames and Twickenham. home-delivery.uk.natoora.com
Pidgin
From Wednesday to Sunday you can order a set three-course meal from the new Homing Pidgin concept from Pidgin. Here’s what’s on offer this week:
Cold smoked mackerel, charred asparagus, napa cabbage, treviso, yuzu kosho buttermilk dressing, black lime and sunflower seed togarashi
Fermented black bean and sour cherry sticky toffee pudding, jerusalem artichoke caramel, hazelnut, Galliano creme fraiche
The offering will change every week with a vegetarian choice too – you can also add negroni (2 servings) and bottle of wine to the order. A top choice for a birthday or date night in confinement. pidginlondon.com
Santa Maria Pizza
Living in dangerous proximity to this pizzeria we can attest to the fact that the delivery guys are spacing their mopeds 2m apart up the road as they wait to pick up stacks of hot pizza boxes ready to whizz to your door. Their all-Italian staff are the kings of Neapolitan pizza – our favourite is the Santa Valentina with yellow datterino vine tomato sauce, smoked mozzarella and ‘nduja, and good news for vegans in that they have just added a new 100% vegan pizza menu to the mix. Find them in Fulham, Fitzrovia and Ealing for collection and delivery locally – they are currently offering 10% all Deliveroo orders. londonsbestpizza.com
Pophams Bakery
Lucky people who live within a one mile radius of Pophams Bakery in either Islington or Hackney. They will now deliver their legendary pastries to the door, including Bacon & Maple and Marmite, Spring Onion and Schossberger Cheese along with a morning coffee. There’s also the option to add sourdough bread, focaccia, fresh pasta with sauces, yoghurts, cold press juices, honey and biscuits too. You must place your order by 5pm on Saturday 28 March for all deliveries the following week, and 10% of all orders will be donated to Made In Hackney helping feed the vulnerable during the COVID 19 crisis. pophamsbakery.com
Daylesford Delivered
Seasonal soups, bone broths and sweetcorn chowder plus signature meals like fish pie and Thai chicken curry are on the menu at Daylesford. They have also added pantry staples like linguine, tins of organic lentils and tomatoes, freshly-ground coffee, Leoube wine, and organic milk and eggs to their offering. There’s a lot you can order via the Online Shop – but for those living close to their London farmshops (Westbourne Grove, Pimlico and Brompton Cross) you can order via Deliveroo or their own delivery service, Daylesford Delivered by calling 0207 591 1510 or emailing delivered@daylesford.com. Demand is very high so you may be quicker going via Deliveroo. daylesford.com/shop/
Sally Clarke’s
The restaurant has already closed but the shop will be open until midday on Friday 27 March. Hot cross buns, simnel cake, yoghurt, sweet tarts and savoury quiches, roast chicken pie, breads, coffee and chocolate truffles all need to go before closing. If you are stuck at home you can email shop@sallyclarke.com or call 020 7229 2190 and they’ll help with delivery. sallyclarke.com
Co-op via Deliveroo
If you’re in need of basic supplies – milk, nappies and soap for example, it’s worth knowing that Co-op is available via Deliveroo. There’s not a huge amount of stock on there (depending on where your local store is) but items can be delivered within the hour and could be a useful stopgap for those waiting up to two weeks for a home delivery from a bigger supermarket. Minimum order £10.
New Covent Garden Market
Lots of the traders at New Covent Garden are adapting to the demand for home deliveries. The complete list of companies offering delivery services is here, but after scouring through, a lot seem unable to take on new customers. We’ve had luck with Nature’s Choice, who deliver fruit and vegetable boxes, plus bread, fresh juices, dairy and eggs to a wide range of London postcodes. natureschoice.london
Panzers Deli
Fill out your shopping list from the list of daily provisions and Panzers will deliver to the door (W1, W2, W8, W9, W10, W11, W14, WC1, WC2, SW1, SW3, SW5, SW7, SW8. SW10, SW11, N1, N1C, N4, N5, N6, N7, N8, N16, N19, NW1, NW3, NW5, NW6, NW8, E1, E1W, E2, E8, EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4). There’s Dusty Knuckle bread, their famed smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels, marmalade and fruit and veg boxes, with ready meals coming soon. panzers.co.uk
Popins, Pimlico
Find fully stocked shelves bursting with organic food at Popins, Pimlico. Send then a message on WhatsApp (07957534426) and they will reply with a guide to what’s available that day. You then send them over your shopping list and they will deliver to most London addresses or you can collect through the hatch outside Pimlico station with no contact. Their custard tarts are exceptional and there’s plenty of pasta, milk, bread and wine too.
Pasta Evangelists
London-based Pasta Evangelists send fresh pasta by post across the UK. During current times they’ve developed a Care Package in partnership with Age UK. These include three pastas and sauces that provide a delicious meal in under 10 minutes – and can be frozen too. At £25, £5 from every order goes to Age UK to help the older generation. Send a package to someone in need – the elderly, exhausted parents or stressed self-isolators.
Berber & U – for the NHS
And finally, consider donating to Berber & U, a brilliant fundraiser from Berber & Q who will be delivering their delicious Middle Eastern food free to NHS staff in hospitals surrounding their two London restaurants. They’ve currently raised £30K and hope to raise £100K to keep this going for 12-weeks. Donate here.
Former Fashion Buyer, Amy Hemmings-Batt, founded the luxury bedding and lifestyle brand Coco & Wolf whilst pregnant with her daughter: she couldn’t find the clothes she was looking for, so started making her own. In 2015, the company evolved to include homewares and bedding all using iconic Liberty fabrics – particularly the Tana Lawn pattern – and hand made in Somerset. Here Hemmings-Batt tells us more about her company, favourite flea markets and her home renovation project.
How did you come to set up Coco&Wolf and what was your inspiration?
I set up Coco & Wolf because I couldn’t find for sale pieces I wanted for my family and my home. I have long had a love affair with Liberty’s quintessential British prints and the quality of their fabric, their intricate and colourful designs provided (and still do) a huge source of inspiration. I used to travel all over the world for my job, submerging myself in different cultures, these travels provided a basis for my early inspiration.
You also run a design consultancy – what do you specialise in?
We work with a Design Consultant in order to provide our customers with a full service.
We love the idea of your bespoke service (making bridesmaids dresses, curtains etc). Do you ever offer adding initials onto bedding?
Yes, we offer personalisation on all of our heirloom quilts and can do this to our duvet sets too.
In the past year alone you have made a special Floribunda collection for Liberty, collaborated with Ele Grafton Studio and introduced new products such as tents and napkins. Please can you tell us what you have planned for this coming year?
Yes, the last year has definitely been full on. We have the next phase of Floribunda planed and some other exciting collaborations. Our lifestyle shoots are always something to watch out for and we also have a little summer party planed. A lot to look forward to!
We know that you are inspired by vintage finds at flea markets. Can you tell us some of your go-to markets?
My favourite market is Shepton Mallet Flea and I also love Frome Market and Portobello every Friday. Rose Bowl in LA is also great. These markets are all going to need out support more than ever in the summer months.
Who are your three favourite accounts to follow on Instagram?
Oh its tricky to choose just three! @goodnews_movement for their uplifting news satires at the moment, @rocketstgeorge for their endless inspiring interiors @alicetemperley a fellow Somerset lady who is always positive and upbeat and makes some sensational clothes.
You are currently renovating your home in Somerset. What room are you working on at the moment and what is your favourite spot so far?
We are, its is a labour of love! We have the stair runner being fitted on Monday and then we are moving to the upstairs, bathrooms and bedrooms. Outside we are having a big patio area landscaped with an outdoor pizza oven going in ready for long summer days! My favourite spot so far is the view from the kitchen window over the Mendip hills in the spring and summer and sitting in the sitting room in front of the woodburner in the winter.
Why do you think that the Liberty prints are still so popular?
They are synonymous with England and part of our British heritage. So many people have childhood memories of Liberty fabric pieces and seeing them again evoke happy feelings for them. To sleep on though, there really is nothing nicer.
What are your top beauty products?
My rose quartz facial roller, Aesop facial cleanser, a Diptyque candle and a silk pillowcase.
Where do you get your interiors inspiration from?
My style and taste is eclectic and I am inspired by original features and the rooms position in the home. I am experimenting more with colour and loving it @sophierobinsoninteriors is my current colour inspiration source.
I asked friends on Instagram to share their ideas for crafts to do at home and I’ve never been so inundated with messages. They kept whizzing in – quilting and calligraphy, lavender bags and lampshades – so many wonderful ideas! This list is just the beginning – I hope we can share lots more over the coming weeks to keep everyone busy at home. If you have suggestions or ideas to add (amateurs welcome) then email me daisy@a-littlebird.com and do please share your creations with us on Instagram by tagging us @alittlebirdcom.
Illustration of a favourite place or view
What you need: Pencils, felt pens, brush, water, paper
What to do: Pick a place like your home or garden, or perhaps a favourite beach, mountain or church. Find a photograph to help you with the visual details. Roughly draw it out quite fast with pencil without worrying too much, then add some colour. Felt-tip pens work well for illustrations if you have a bit of water and a brush – just brush over them to blend into a watercolour effect. Tack your take on a favourite place to the bedside wall so you see it when you wake up or as you fall asleep. If you like this you could try doing a view from the window – by day and by night.
Top tip: Be bold with colour and keep things zingy
What to do: Think about your design before you begin. Graphic patterns can be tricky to execute freehand, so instead go for curving lines or designs that allow more freedom of movement. Go for it and try not to be a perfectionist; these are going to look hand-painted and therein lies the charm.
Top tip: Avoid water – it runs and leaves a water mark
Inspiration: Simple line works effectively for Frances Costelloe (above), or if you’re feeling more ambitious we love Svenskt Tenn and something like these tulips would look lovely.
What to do: Create your own still life scene by arranging a bowl of fruit, a jug of flowers, some shells or interesting shaped bottles. Dip your brush in the bottle of ink and pool some ink onto a palette (use an old plate or similar). Use water to dilute the ink a little – more water allows for a smoother line. Set to work on your still life, try to be bold and confident with your lines instead of delicate. If you’re happy with your handiwork these look great framed in sets – an inexpensive way to fill some space on the wall.
Top tip: Wear an apron as the ink stains.
Inspiration: We learnt from the ink pro, Frances Costelloe at one of her workshops. Check out her instagram (@francescostelloe) to see her work.
Pressing spring flowers
What you need: Flowers, a flower press (or lots of heavy books and 2 pieces of blotting paper). For instant gratification, use a Microfleur.
What to do: Pick a few flowers from the garden or out on a walk; at this time of year winter pansy work best and you can catch the last of the anemones. Blossom on willowy twigs are stunning and narcissi (daffodils a bit tricky with their bigger tubes).
Top tip: Papery-petals like anemones work better than juicy flowers like muscari.
Inspiration: We learnt from the pros at Jam Jar flowers, who sell this Flower Press so you can DIY at home. Decorate handmade paper to send cards to friends and family; arrange flowers in a photoframe and put by your bed.
Send a calligraphy postcard or make a wish tree
What do you need: Calligraphy pen with nibs, ink, thick paper or card, blotting cloth.
What to do: Beginners should start with a worksheet from The Postman’s Knock and practise! These can be bought on the website, or there are some free sheets to download and print at home here. Then when you’ve honed your technique (or near enough) write someone a few lines on a postcard and make an extra swirly envelope – think how pleased they will be when that arrives. Alternatively arrange some branches of blossom and hang calligraphy wishes off the tree – it could things you’ll do when life proper resumes again.
Top tip: Hold the pen in line with your wrist and arm – in a straight line and not at an angle like you would with a normal pen. Start with non-joined up writing giving each letter a long tail to give the illusion it’s flowing, and progress into joined up as your confidence builds.
What to do: Before Instagram and inspirational quotes hit the big time, there were Commonplace Books. A more private way of journalling all sorts of things, all you need is a notebook and you can begin. Add thoughts, sentences from books, stick in old tickets, photos and postcards, and write in quotes, poems and recipes. They become a cross between a scrapbook, a diary and a notebook and can be added to across a lifetime. I recently found my Grandpa’s and it was full of wonderful things.
Top tip: Make it a family effort and each add to it so that it becomes collaborative.
Inspiration: The 6th Duke of Devonshire’s commonplace book is shown above – snapped at Chatsworth.
Sew a lavender or rosemary bag
What you need: Aim for a roughly 7cm square bag for which you’ll need two pieces of fabric the same size (or one piece folded into two) and a 10cm length of ribbon, and a handful of dried lavender or rosemary.
What to do: Place fabric right sides together (or one piece folded in half) with the length of ribbon doubled over and positioned inside the fabric; pin all the way round the square and machine-stitch three-quarters and a bit all round, leaving only enough fabric to turn your bag the right way round at the bottom or one of the sides. Iron your square making sure you fold down the edges of the unstitched line. Insert dried lavender (or rosemary – although you’ll need a thicker material as it tends to poke through). By hand or machine, stitch the gap closed. The same instructions apply when making an eye pillow – fill with flax or similar-weighted seeds/beans scented with your favourite essential oil.
Top tip: Mix and match fabrics and ribbon – raid your wardrobe for fabric. You don’t need much. Place a lavender bag by your pillow for a good night’s sleep.
Inspiration: @luckyfinds makes them with gorgeous Indian block prints and velvet ribbons.
Lino block wrapping paper
Image credit: Susie Hetherington 2020
What you need: Soft lino block, cutters, water based paint, rollers and nice paper – as big as you can get it. A roll of brown paper would work too. You can buy kits here.
What to do: Most of us probably did this at school – it is so easy and there’s something therapeutic about scraping out the soft lino. You can draw your design on with a pencil before you begin carving out the negative space. For wrapping paper make a pattern, like these leaves above (though you could simplify this) and then print multiple times to make a larger design.
Top tip: Practise printing onto old newspaper to get the hang of it.
Inspiration:Susie Hetherington (picture above) is a pro. Follow her on instagram for lots of design ideas.
Hand-made greetings cards
What you need: Fabriano Medioevalis watercolour cards with envelopes (buy a few to get the lovely yellow boxes they come in). Dip pen (or the wrong end of a paintbrush would work), Winsor & Newton black waterproof ink and colours.
What to do: Draw the outline of your picture with your dip pen. Let the the pen drop two drops of ink before using it, then draw the outline and let the ink dry. Paint inside with watercolours/felt tips/coloured pencils/inks. You can always trace the image to begin with if that’s easier. The secret is that everything looks good on this kind of paper.
Top tip: Don’t worry if the ink blots it will still look charming!
Inspiration: Annabel Dover started making cards years ago for Harvey Nichols and Smythson using this technique – see her instagram @la_rousse_illustration for ideas.
Sew a tapestry to make into a cushion
What you need: Needle, scissors and a needlepoint tapestry kit, such as Ehrman Tapestry. Or freestyle with your own canvas and wools – draw your own pattern and pick a colour scheme.
What to do: Most kits come with instructions to tell you exactly what to do including which colour goes where and the number of holes for each stitch. Start in the middle and work out, keeping the stitches going in one direction (ie. vertical). When you get to the end of the thread you wind it back through the stitches on the reverse and snip off the end. It’s utterly absorbing and therefore relaxing – plus at the end you’ll be able to make a cushion.
Top tip: When picking a pattern don’t be put off by the colours on the packet as you could always swap these out for wools of your own choosing.
Inspiration: Butter Wakefield (whose handiwork is pictured above) makes Christmas stockings and cushions for her home, and do check out Fine Cell Work for needlepoint ideas.
Hand-sewn patchwork quilt
What you need: Cardboard, ruler, pencil or pen, fabric, scissors, glue stick, needle and thread
What to do: Choose a quilt pattern. Draw the pattern onto your cardboard and cut out the pieces individually. Back each cardboard piece with your chosen fabric, gluing down the fabric on the back to keep it in place. Line up individual pieces with the side of fabric facing each other and hand stitch along the seams. Repeat this stitching until each piece is sewn together.
Top tip: If you’re doing a quilt that’s made up of lots of different sections, like a traditional log cabin quilt, do each step in bulk (eg. creating cardboard templates) rather than having to complete an individual square from template to sewing in one go. So spend a full afternoon cutting, then another sticking, then sewing.
Inspiration: Little Women, American Colonial quilts and antique Canadian Log Cabin quilts. This idea was sent in by Kinship Quilting – a group of 7 women (also of @kinshippress) who are self-taught thanks to Google and YouTube. Why not start your own group and share tips and progress.
Make a Polish Pajaki (or hanging mobile)
Pajaki are a traditional festive Polish decoration – bright chandeliers made from wooden or seed beads, lengths of straw, paper disks and beautiful, jewel coloured tissue paper pom poms. Born of bitterly cold Eastern European winters and long days spent indoors, Pajaki can take time to make so we’re including step one here, which is how to make the paper pom-poms. More next week on how to thread them together to make the pajaki!
What you need: 40 tissue paper disks, each around 15cm in diameter, scissors, something smooth, narrow, and cylindrical – a narrow pencil or the handle of a crochet hook both work well, glue stick, needle and thread, single small bead or button
What to do:
Once you’ve cut your paper disks you will need to snip 8 equally spaced incisions into each: mark the centre of each disk with a pin prick or pencil mark and starting at the outer edge cut towards the centre, taking care to stop around 1cm from the mark. Once you’ve made your first cut, rotate the paper 180 degrees and repeat. Repeat the cuts to create four equally sized ‘petals’, and then again to create eight. It is of course quickest to cut multiple sheets at a time, but take care not to take on too many at once – you can loose accuracy.
Next is shaping and sticking each section of your disk to create a tube. Run the glue stick along one cut side of one paper petal. Placing your pencil over the other edge of the same petal, roll the paper upwards and around the pencil all the way to the glued edge to secure. Repeat this until your paper disk becomes eight tubes joined by a flat central section with your pin prick right in the middle.
Pop the radio on, and repeat for the remaining 39 paper disks.
Thread your bead or button on to one end of a length of thread around 60 cm long. Fold the thread in half, thread your needle with the two ends so that the bead hangs secure.
Take your first paper disk and using your central pin prick or pencil mark as a guide, thread each disk pushing right down to the bead each time.
Once you have all 40 paper disks threaded, take the two ends of thread and pass one over the other to tie a knot, gently tightening the knot until the discs bunch together, and the tissue paper tubes take on the form of a ball. Tie one more knot to secure the pom pom’s shape.
Top tip: Don’t worry if you make a mistake, tear the tissue or accidentally break one of the tissue tubes off. It’s easy to do, and once you assemble your disks you’ll never know.
Inspiration:@shiptonoldpost – who makes these for children’s bedrooms. Based from the oldest Post Office in England, The Old Post near Chipping Nortonhopes to open for craft workshops, supper clubs and screenings in the summer of 2020.
Once again, if you have suggestions or ideas to add (amateurs welcome) then email me daisy@a-littlebird.com and do please share your creations with us on Instagram by tagging us @alittlebirdcom!
It’s goodbye for now…
The team at A Little Bird are taking a break to recharge and make some exciting changes behind-the-scenes. We look forward to seeing you again soon.
