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Wicklewood at Liberty

We are great fans of the way Liberty introduces small and independent brands to its interiors department – and next on the list is Wicklewood. Lovers of colour and pattern should look out for their new spring collection that launches there this April with woven and printed cushions and throws like these Lilly oversized oblong cushions, £165.

We also love Liberty’s new line of risograph prints from Norfolk-based designer Petra Boase. The 50’s style prints would be lovely framed for a children’s nursery or as a Christening present. Giraffe on roller-skates, £18 at Liberty

 

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London Craft Week Workshops to Book Now

London Craft Week is now into its fifth year, and each time there seems to be more and more on offer. There are plenty of free events that you don’t need to book – browse the full list here and just drop in. For example Erdem is showing his personal art collection (including works by Andy Warhol, Axel Geis, Jean Cocteau and more) at his South Audley St shop, Open House 8 – 11 May. You can customise your jute espadrilles at Penelope Chilvers, there’s digital embroidery at the Apple store, Live Screen Printing at the Conran Shop in Chelsea and a John Smedley exhibition celebrating 235 of British Craftsmanship at St James’s Market Pavillion. There are also lots of ticketed events that you need to book ahead. Here’s our pick of the best:

Appliqué Bag-Making for Beginners with Fine Cell Work

We are great fans of Fine Cell Work, the charity that teaches skilled needlework to prisoners, with the aim of helping them build fulfilling and crime-free lives. This fun, interactive workshop will give you a taster of the training that the ex-prisoners receive. Taught by two of Fine Cell Work’s experienced prison teachers, learn how to make a stylish appliqué bag, yours to keep after the workshop. 11 May, 10am – 4pm, £80 finecellwork.co.uk

The Art of the Paper Flower 

Renowned paper florist, Karen Hsu will be collaborating with Italian paper-maker Cartotecnica Rossi and The London Flower School for this 4-day exhibition at Old Spitalfields Market. Sign up to a masterclass and learn how to create your own paper bouquet. 10 May 6.30 – 7.30pm and 11 – 12 May 12 – 1pm, £20 londoncraftweek.com

Craft of the Tabletop at Daylesford 

Daylesford are running a series of evening workshops dedicated to the tabletop at their Pimlico Road farmshop – top of our list is a watercolour workshop with illustrator Emma Block where you’ll learn how to paint your own wreaths to make beautiful invitations, menus and stationary for events. There’s also napkin block printing with Louisa Loakes, furniture caning with Electra Read-Dagg and ceramics with Kana London. 8 – 12 May, 6.30 – 8/30pm, £75 – £145 daylesford.com

A Journey Through Taste with Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse 

The great Parisian chocolatier opened its first UK store at Coal Drops Yard – hear a talk about how the traditional chocolates are made, and enjoy a tasting. 10 spaces, free. 9 May, 6.30 – 7.30pm. Sign up here.

Design the wedding dress of your dreams with Kate Halfpenny

Go behind-the-scenes at the Bloomsbury atelier of one of London’s top bridal designers, Kate Halfpenny. Explore the boutique, hear a talk from the makers and join a workshop session on 8 May. £35 halfpennylondon.com

UK-Japan Craft Picnic at Chelsea Physic Garden

England and Japan share a rich history of picnicking. Celebrate with a ‘craft picnic’ at Chelsea Physic Garden. Bring your own favourite craft object to use at the picnic – and Japanese food and drink will be provided. 11 May, 12 – 3pm, £40 londoncraftweek.com

Wallpaper Making with Allyson McDermott at the William Morris Society

There are scarcely more idyllic houses in London than Emery Walker House, the home of William Morris that sits right by the river in Hammersmith. At this event historian Allyson McDermott will be leading a talk and workshop inspired by the collection of William Morris wallpapers, that includes a tour of the house and a chance to see the decoration in situ. 8 & 10 May, 10am – 1pm, £30 londoncraftweek.com

Shoreditch Design Rooms: Upholstery Open Weekend 

Shoreditch Design Rooms is a busy and vibrant upholstery workshop and school in the heart of the East End – sign up to a workshop and learn how to upholster a stool. 11 May, 10.30am – 3pm, £95 londoncraftweek.com

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Penguin Classics Pop Up Bookshop

This March, Penguin Classics are celebrating happy reading with the opening of their first ever pop-up shop in Shoreditch. Walking in, the shop feels like a bookworm’s heaven, with over 1,200 titles displayed on the shelves (that’s every Penguin classic ever published).  The space is dedicated entirely to the unadulterated joy we feel we when get stuck into a really good book.

From Plato to Virginia Woolf, Penguin fans will love having the opportunity to rediscover old favourites, to pick up those titles they’ve been meaning to read, or discover something completely new. Penguin will also be selling merchandise – we particularly like the mugs.

By Maya Yousif

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Isabel Spearman’s Dress Pop-Up on Motcomb Street

Who doesn’t love a new summer dress? Make a date to visit Isabel Spearman’s pop-up shop that opens for a fortnight on Motcomb Street this May, entirely dedicated to the dress. The idea is to create a real-life version of her instagram account @DailyDressEdit, where the fashion columnist, consultant and ex Director of Anya Hindmarch PR, shares dreamy pictures of dresses each day.

Whilst scrolling you can see hundreds of brands in one place, but it’s harder to find such a broad range in real life. Enter this one-stop-shop where there will be Isabel Spearman’s hand-picked selection of over 25 labels – think Cefinn, KITRI, Lily & Lionel, Coco Fennell, Innika Choo and Pink City Prints, and more still to come all under one roof. View and try new season styles before making a purchase for free delivery via in-store iPads. Isabel will also be on hand on select days to help customers choose their dream dress.

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Kids Fashion for Spring

You’d be hard-pushed this season to tell which item of clothing is designer and which is high street. Here’s our pick of the best of both worlds:

Best of the High Street 

Arket: This spring find a perfect collection for newborn and 2–10 years with plenty of unisex items.

1. Hickory Dungaree Dress – this wonderful pinafore is reminiscent of Osh Kosh dungarees. Wear it on its own with a T-shirt, £35 at Arket
2. Veja trainers have reached iconic status. Now widely available in kids’ sizes. £67 at Arket
3. This season’s Liberty line includes this sweet bucket hat £19 at Arket

Zara: Especially good this season for tweens and teenagers. Highlights are:

1. This basic denim jacket is asking to be customised with iron-on patches, £22.99 at Zara
2. Unisex plain seamed sweatshirts £12.99 at Zara
3. This season find an excellent range of boys’ shorts, like these Bermuda shorts with side stripes £22.99 at Zara

Best of the Designers

La Coqueta: Classic kids’ clothes doesn’t come more ethereal.

1. Miraflores girl dress £69 and Mary Jane shoes £49 at La Coqueta
2. Boys’ Indigo shirt £44 at La Coqueta

Bobo Choses: This is stocked in a number of online boutiques but their full range is worth a look.

1. We love the Vichy Ruffle dress €89 at Bobo Choses 
2. And brilliantly unisex and comfy T shirts like this one, Unisex Cherry T shirt €33 at Bobo Choses

alexandalexa: After a couple of slightly off seasons, alexandalexa.com has a new collection of fab designers. Top of our list is Swedish brand, Acne Studios.

1. With the trends for kids wearing beanies all year round, invest in a bright pink summery version. Mini Pansy beanie £60 Acne Studios at alexandalexa
2. They’ve picked out the best of the high street too, like this Gap T-shirt, £12 at alexandalexa

Farfetch: Another large designer boutique with big kids’ section. Expect to see Chloe Kids and Balenciaga Kids and other top designer brands but there are some other more reasonably priced brands too. Good if you want to adhere strictly to this season’s trends (in mini versions).

1. This season activewear is a huge trend and this jacket is a hit, Les Coyotes de Paris casual sports jacket £145 at farfetch
2. Like it or not logos are everywhere this season. This unisex one works well, Levi’s T-shirt, £30 at farfetch

Smallable: Smallable is based in France yet has one of the best delivery and return services. They are always on the hunt for new European designers. Ones to particularly look out for this season are Stella McCartney Kids, Bellerose and Hartford. Their own, super fun label, Hundred Pieces, has made itself a niche in affordable designer clothes.

1. We love their Disco Summer swimsuit £53 at Smallable
2. And Boheme Floral dress £76 at Smallable

Boutique Shopping

To enjoy an actual shopping experience, head to Westbourne Grove in Notting Hill, which has morphed over the last couple of years into a kids’ fashion shopping paradise. You’ll find Mini Rodini for animal-themed leisurewear holds centre stage but other fashion pieces too and Velveteen  – think floaty dresses in silk and other fine fabrics for girls and slick casual style for boys.  The French are here in force –  Bonton has fun kids wear, homeware & presents, Bleu Comme Gris has very expensive but exquisite French style, as well as Bonpoint, worth watching out for their excellent sales.  Nanos, the Spanish label sells baby and kids clothes with a fun but definite European look and around the corner on Ledbury Road are two labels with a more traditional look: Marie-Chantal, which often as an outlet rail and La Coqueta, whilst the more quirky but no less winsome Caramel Baby & Child is further down the road – look out for their great homeware department downstairs and that also sometimes doubles as a children’s hairdresser.

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Anish Kapoor at Pitzhanger Manor

It’s hard to believe that Ealing was once considered the countryside and a suitable place for a weekend escape for Sir John Soane and his family – whose town house stands tall in Lincoln’s Inn Fields just over eight miles away. When Soane bought Pitzhanger Manor in 1800 he demolished the existing building nearly in its entirety in order to showcase his own architectural vision and create a fantasy neoclassical manor where he could entertain clients and friends. Yet it was not in the family for long – just until 1810 – when Soane sold it allegedly after a major bust up with his sons who both rebelled against their father’s intentions of a career in architecture. After changing hands many times over the years from private families and eventually to Ealing Council, the magnificent Regency building has undergone a £12 million redevelopment and opened to the public this March for the first time in its history.

Pitzhanger Manor. Photo © Andy Stagg

Under 10 minutes walk from Ealing Broadway tube, you’ll find the house – distinctively Soane (who also designed the Bank of England and Dulwich Picture Gallery) – sitting within the green surrounds of Walpole Park. Restored to its former glory by architecture firm Jestico + Whiles, discover Soane’s classical design with domed ceilings and inventive uses of space and light – and interiors that feature dramatic marbling in the entrance hall and hand-painted Chinese wallpaper in the Upper Drawing Room – recovered from snippets found beneath layers of Victorian white-wash.

Marbled entrance hall ceiling. Photo © Andy Stagg

The house and gallery space is going to host three exhibitions per year, starting with a solo show from Anish Kapoor. The artist’s use of material and form echo Soane’s complex use of mirrors and light to double and dissolve space. The exhibition includes new works that use the surface of the mirror to alter and shift perspective.

Photographer: Dave Morgan, Artwork © Anish Kapoor, courtesy Lisson Gallery

Tours of the house run on Thursday’s at 1pm and as well as the exhibitions there will be a full program of talks and events at Pitzhanger – starting with charming Easter activities for children this April. We’ve got our eyes on Emile de Bruijn on Chinese Wallpaper on 23 May – where the interiors expert and National Trust curator will be discussing the spectacular restored wallpaper in the Upper Drawing Room. 

 

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Easter Holiday Fun in London

The Easter holidays are upon us. London abounds with fun activities for children, here’s our pick of the best:

Peter Rabbit Live at Theatre Royal Haymarket

Straight from the Lake District, Peter Rabbit Live hops the West End this April after a stint at the Old Laundry Theatre in Windermere. Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, Jemima Puddle-Duck, Mr McGregor and the whole gang will be brought to life on stage with handmade puppets, songs from Sir Alan Ayckbourn and voice overs from Miriam Margolyes and Griff Ryhs Jones. 5 – 28 April, tickets from £15, Theatre Royal Haymarket SW1Y 4HT, peterrabbitlive.com

Underbelly Family Fest at the Southbank

Underbelly is launching its first ever Family Fest this Easter at the Southbank. Running every day of the Easter holidays there will be theatre, circus, music, comedy and variety performance for all ages. Highlights include eternal favourite The Gruffalo, as well as Julia Donaldson’s The Witch and The Warthog and a new stage adaption of The Wind in the Willows (6-7 April). There’s also AniMalcolm – a musical from award-winning Story Pocket Theatre written by comedian David Baddiel.  Plus Shakespearience – a whistlestop introduction to the Bard’s best-loved words (11-12 April) and Mostersaurus (15-22 April) that follows young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of incredible monsters, and much more besides. 5 – 22 April 2019, Underbelly Festival Southbank SE1 8XX, most tickets £10, underbellyfestival.com

William Curley Chocolate Workshops at the Gherkin

Take children into the City to see The Gherkin this Easter for a special chocolate masterclass with William Curley, master chocolatier. The morning session for families will introduce children to the process of making chocolate from bean to bar. The classes promise plenty of opportunity for tasting, and decorate your own Easter eggs too. 12 April 2019, 10-11am, ages 5+, £12.50 children £25 adults (all children must be accompanied by an adult) searcysatthegherkin.co.uk

Sketches for Madeline at the House of Illustration 

  

This tiny exhibition is nonetheless perfectly lovely – find Ludwig Bemelman’s sketches for the Madeline picture books beloved by children everywhere. The show includes rough drawings with rubbings out and dummy books that go to show that even great masterpieces take a process of hard work. Until 28 April, 10am-5.30pm, 2 Granary Square, Kings Cross, houseofillustration.org.uk

Easter Egg Hunts at Chelsea Physic Garden

Find out if the Easter bunny has hopped its way around Chelsea Physic Garden at these Easter Egg hunts for children on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. 19, 21, 22 April 2019, 11am, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London, SW3 2PH, £7.50 chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk

Sculpture Workshop at the Royal Academy

Inspired by Phyllida Barlow RA’s ‘cul-de-sac’, discover how to create your own contemporary sculpture. Phyllida Barlow transforms everyday materials (timber, concrete, fabric) into bold sculptures that shift our perspective of space. Take inspiration from her forests of sculptures and make your own work to take home. Ages 7+, 10 and 12 April 2019, £10, Royal Academy, Clore Learning Centre, Burlington Gardens, royalacademy.org.uk

Easter Egg Workshops at the Museum of Chocolate

This tiny museum in Brixton run brilliant workshops throughout the year, although the call for Easter Eggs does make April the ideal time to visit. This workshop will show you how to create an egg, animal or lollipop, learn how to temper chocolate and how to decorate your own creation to take home. Under 7’s must have an adult with them, 7+ can be dropped off. 11, 12, 16 and 19 April 2019, 11am (arrive 10.45am), £14.50, The Chocolate Museum, 187 Ferndale Road, SW9 8BA thechocolatemuseum.co.uk

Family Festival: Love Your Landscape at Dulwich Picture Gallery

Spend a day at the Gallery exploring nature, inspired by the world of Harald Sohlberg: Painting Norway. Build a flower field, craft a fabric patch, take your inks and paper outdoors for some wild life drawing, plant a seed bomb and join the hourly sensory walks through the gallery gardens. 14 April 2019, 10am-5pm, free, Dulwich Picture Gallery, SE21 7AD dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Pitzhanger Manor

Bring your teddy for tea, make recipes, decorate your plate and cup and share stories around the table. Dressing up encouraged. 16 April 2019, 10.30am-12pm, ages 2+, £3 per child, £2 siblings, The Rickyard, Walpole Park W5 5BS eventbrite.co.uk

Petting Farm at Canopy Market

The weekly independent Canopy Market in Kings Cross is hosting a series of events for families this Easter – including it’s own petting farm where you can meet baby chicks, ducklings, and rabbits from Vauxhall City Farm. There will also be an Easter egg hunt, face-painting as well as acrobats, dancers and freerunners from The Roundhouse putting on circus acts. 19-22 April 2019, Friday 12-8pm, Saturday-Monday 11am-6pm, Canopy Market, West Handyside Canopy, Kings Cross, free, kingscross.co.uk

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Women for Women Car Boot Sale

Now a firm fixture in the annual calendar, fashion’s top car boot sale returns to Brewer Street Car Park this May. The fourth #SheInspiresMe Car Boot Sale is hosted by Alex Eagle and The Store in partnership with THE OUTNET and aims to raise funds for the international charity Women for Women that helps female survivors of war rebuild their lives.

Brewer Street car park – the original home of London Fashion Week – makes the perfect setting for this chic car boot sale where brands include Alex Eagle, Maria Kastani, Alice Temperley, Charlotte Olympia Dellal, Noor Fares, Eugenie Niarchos and Tiphaine de Lussy and more. Gather some friends and snap up some bargains – there’s also the chance to have your make up done at the Charlotte Tilbury beauty counter. Book tickets ahead to avoid queuing on the door – we love this year’s design by illustrator Fee Greening:

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Hear Grayson Perry, Scarlett Curtis, Editor of Cabana and more

There are plenty of talks coming up this spring that have caught our eye – these are our top picks.

On 4th April from 10am – midday, Martina Mondadori Sartogo, the editor-in-chief of Cabana magazine is presiding over a breakfast at 5 Carlos Place.  She will reveal her secrets to hosting a dinner and how to dress your table.  RSVP here.  And while you are there, do check out the Cabana debut collection of homeware (also online at MATCHESFASHION.COM) on the first floor for printed tablecloths, vases, plates and other accessories (April 1 – 30 2019).

On 8th April, 5 x 15 are having a particularly brilliant set of speakers at 7pm at The Tabernacle (if you haven’t heard of 5 x 15 it’s an evening of 5 speakers having 15 minutes each to speak).  First up is Scarlett Curtis, below, feminist and author of the recent book Why Feminists Don’t Wear Pink (and other lies). Caroline Criado Perez will talk about the data bias in a world designed for men from her best selling book Invisible Women. Campaigner and author Nicci Gerrard discusses her book What Dementia Teaches Us About Love. Isabella Hammad reveals the story behind her much talked about debut novel The Parisian and David Spiegelhalter, academic, guides us through the Art of Statistics. Book your tickets here.

Next up, Sarabande: The Lee Alexander McQueen Foundation has Martin Parr, Grayson Perry and Yinka Shonibare speaking as part of their ongoing Inspiration Series. On 11th April, Parr will talk about his life and major new exhibition Only Human now on at the National Portrait Gallery. On 16th April, Turner Prize Winning artist Grayson Perry speaks out about art, gender and politics and on 13th May, artist Yinka Shonibare will discuss his multi-cultural work and national identities.  All talks start at 7pm with a free Ketel One cocktail followed by the talk at 7.30pm.  Book your tickets here.

Sorrento, Italy, 2014 © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos

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Vogue Essentials: Lingerie

Did you know that images of lingerie have been shown in British Vogue since it’s launch in 1916 and in the 20s and 30s, entire issues were devoted to the subject?  Written by Anna Cryer (former Executive Fashion Editor at Vogue and colleague), Vogue Essentials: Lingerie is a fascinating look at the evolution of lingerie over the last 100 plus years.  Accompanied by more than 100 images from the Vogue archive, it follows the progress of female emancipation through the technological advancements (hello lycra) and changing fashion silhouettes of the times.  The pictures are gorgeous, from Kylie in a pink Stella McCartney corset to pouting 80s supermodels Karen Mulder and Helena Christensen and drawings of a young Paloma Picasso. From leather to lace, from La Perla to Agent Provocateur. Definitely not just a coffee table book, though, this is a brilliant read too.  (And if this sounds appealing, don’t miss Vogue Essentials: Heels by Gail Rolfe also published this month.)

Picture by Clive Arrowsmith

And we are thrilled to say that we have five copies of both the book Vogue Essentials: Lingerie and Vogue Essentials: Heels to give to ten lucky readers.  Enter your details below and we will pick the names out of a hat after 5pm on Thursday April 11th 2019.  Good luck!

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Late March/Early April Sample Sales

Who: Pringle of Scotland
What: Big discounts on all womenswear and menswear. (RSVP here)
When: 21 March: 9am – 6pm
Where: 55 Baker Street, W1U 8ED

Who: The Shop at Bluebird 
What: Up to 80% off womenswear and accessories with labels including Alexander McQueen, GANNI and Isabel Marant.  Prices start at £30.
When: 21 March 2019: 11am – 7.30pm; 22 March: 11am – 7pm; 23 March: 11am – 6pm & 24 March: midday – 5pm
Where: The BOX, 4-6 Ram Place, E9 6LT

Who: Natasha Zinko 
What: Up to 80% off all womenswear
When: 21, 22 & 23 March 2019: 11am – 6pm
Where: The BOX, 4-6 Ram Place, E9 6LT

Who: Herschel Supply Co
What: Big discounts off backpacks and accessories
When: 24 March – 6 April 2019
Where: Good Company Showroom, 19-23 Kingsland Road, E2 8AA

Who: Smythson
What: Up to 75% off leather goods and books
When: 25 March 2019: 11am – 8pm & 26 March: 8am – 8pm
Where: The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K 5LF

Who: Rupert Sanderson
What: Big discounts on all womens shoes and boots
When: 26 March 2019: 10.30 – 8pm & 27 March: 930am – 5pm
Where: The Royal Institution, 21 Albemarle Street, W1S 4BS

Who: Margaret Howell
What: Up to 80% off womenswear, menswear, homeware & fabric
When: 28 – 29 March 2019: 9am – 7pm
Where: The Music Room, 26 South Molton Lane, W1K 5LF

Who: Astley Clarke
What: Up to 70% off all jewellery
When: 29 March 2019: 730am – 7pm
Where: Astley Clarke, 6 Junction Mews, W2 1PN

Who: Wild & Gorgeous
What: Last chance to stock up on kidswear and accessories as this company has sadly gone into administration
When: 30 March 2019: 10am – 6pm
Where: WAC Arts, Hampstead Town Hall, NW3 4QP

Who: House of Hackney
What: Big discounts off fashion accessories & interiors.  Prices from £10 (£2 entry fee for charity).
When: 30 March 2019: 10am – 6pm & 31 March: 11am – 5pm
Where: The BOX, 4-6 Ram Place, E9 6LT

Who: Vilshenko
What: Shop archive pieces and the new S/S 2019 collection. (RSVP at info@vilshenko.com)
When: 2 April 2019: 10am- 4pm
Where: Morton’s, 28 Berkley Square, W1J 6EN

Who: Jenny Packham
What: Up to 80% off all evening wear and accessories
When: 2 April 2019: 8am – 7pm
Where: Morton’s, 28 Berkley Square, W1J 6EN

Who: FRAME
What: Up to 80% off denim and ready to wear (RSVP here)
When: 11 April 2019: 1pm – 8pm & 12 April: 815am – 7pm
Where: Showcase, 12 Regent Street, SW1Y 4PE

Who: Matilda Goad
What: Big discounts on all homeware
When: 12 April 2019 (for timings please see www.matildagoad.com nearer the date) PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN DATE
Where: 153 Westbourne Grove, W11 2RS

Who: Canvas Home
What: Big discounts on all homeware including glasses and ceramics.  Prices start from £2.
When: 11 April 2019: 10am – 6pm; 12 April: 10am – 7pm & 13 April: 11am – 5pm
Where: Canvas Home, 57 Amwell Street, EC1R 1UR

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Daylesford Discusses: Eating Well From Childhood

Daylesford Discusses is a series of talks around food, wellbeing, sustainability, balance and making conscious choices. They pull in wonderful panels of experts for these free events – next up is a talk on Eating Well From Childhood and the speakers include Marina Fogle (The Parent Hood podcast & the Bump Class), Heidi Skudder (The Parent & Baby Coach), Bahee Van de Bor (Paediatrician Dietician), Rhaya Jordan (Daylesford Nutritionalist) and James Devonshire (Daylesford Cookery School). The panel will cover everything from how to satisfy fussy eaters to how to cope with childhood allergies. Free but register ahead here.

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.

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