Monday 28 January 2013

Scandi Style - Hello Moose


The redforgirls household is a slightly Scandinavian mad. Way before Lund and her jumpers or Lisabeth Salander and her tattoos we've been into all things Scandinavian with a particular thing for the Swedish side of things. And I don't just mean the meatballs at Ikea. 

Scandi kids clothes strike the perfect balance of being colorful,  practical and fun.  I can't get enough of them but more often than not you can only find then in independent stores in random parts of the UK.'Next to Nothing' in the Oxford covered market (but it's long way to go for a 74cms of material) or nearer to home Cowboys 'n' Angels in West Kirby. So once again I turn to the tinternet. 

Contrary to popular belief there has been some growing going on in the redforgirls household and I don't mean my waistline. Our 'dot' has increasingly found her feet round her ears when 
popper-ed into her sleep suits, so I went hunting for something a bit more interesting than the supermarket pack or three suits we have a draw full of. You know the 'nice suit' you take away with you to a friends when you are make an effort. 'This old thing'?! 

'Forget traditional -Think Unisex' - with that slogan I was always going to LOVE Hei Moose. Their funky nordic clothes for babies and toddler can't fail to make you smile. I couldn't resist this Duns Sweden Garden Romper in their sale. It arrived in just two days and even came with a moomin sticker (Don't get me started - I'm so easily pleased). No one is going to miss my girl in this. 

For more scandi inspiration check out some more of my favourites: 

Polarnopyret - provides practical clothing that lets kids be kids.  I'm coveting the anti slip tights and the jelly monster all in one. Sale now on. And there's a free pair of moccasins on orders over £40. 

Love it Love it Love it- You can't fail to love Love it especially with free UK delivery on all orders.They stock all my favourites; Duns, Smafolk, Sture & Lisa.   It's fun, functional and funky baby, toddler and kids clothes that offer British cool, Danish design and Swedish humour.....I

Name it. I always stock up on Name it clothes when in Stockholm. They are super affordable especially with 20% off your first online purchase.  I confess Mr Redforgirls brought the Ellis knit cardy at the weekend at Cowboys 'n' Angels and now I'm working on the stripy sleepsuits........

Monday 14 January 2013

Jumping in Puddles

Yellow mac from the 'boys' section at Tesco. 

I picked up this fab yellow mac at Tesco today whilst doing the 'Big Shop'. Once again I found it in the boys section - but I see no reason why girls can't rock the Atlantic fisherman look. 

It's a bargain @ £10. Especially when you consider that Jo Jo Maman Bebe is knocking a similar one out @ £32.00. I nearly brought one in two sizes but remembered our dot doesn't do growing!

Perfect for splashing around in puddles. It's just a shame they don't do wellies in size 1.5. 

P.S They've also got stacks of 5 x multicoloured long sleeved bodysuits packs - green, red, grey, navy and YELLOW! these are fab to go under dungarees  denim dresses  - but to find them head to the boys section once again. Anyone for Unisex? 

Wednesday 9 January 2013

4 Top Tips For Raising Girls.

Hadley Freeman’s article  How to parent girls caught my eye. Was this the panacea I’d been looking for? Er No. It wasn't.  Vegetarianism and eating disorders aside, and the oh so short list of just three top tips for raising happy girls including – limiting rom com exposure? The piece does pick up on our paranoia on raising girls. Is it because we are f**ked up and don’t want to pass it onto our daughters or is it because we are control freaks?

Either way my own more far more comprehensive list (4 items)  after 1 year of experience and having a daughter who can’t yet talk and therefore can’t contradict me…. would be;

1.   Cough – my mother’s feminist indoctrination went no further than making me cough. Every time I got over excited, squeally and high pitched she made me stop and cough. The result being I have a deep voice. No doubt she was convinced that would make people take me more seriously. Alas I think she pictured me using my dulcet tones on BBC Radio Four.

2.   Read the Paper Bag Princess to her - Not just because it’s a welcome alternative to Barbie hyped world of pretty princesses or because it challenges the happy ever after ending but because its unexpected and funny.


3.   Don’t ban tea sets - Having just survived a December of 1st Birthdays and Christmas and all the presents which went with it I’m all too conscious that all the other little girls we know have new shiny pink scooters, tea sets and other assorted pink paraphernalia. Meanwhile our house is littered with spinning tops, boats, squeaking eggs, a singing snail, a pull along snail, a pull along elephant……But I won’t be wrestling the tea set out of her hands next time we go to play at a friend’s house. I like any mum just want her to know as she grows up that she has choices. If its a pink tea set so be it. 

4.  Try the 70s way -  If all else fails dress her in brown and orange (or maybe RED?), cut her hair at home using a bowl and don’t let her shave her legs till she’s 16. It worked for my mum………..