Weekend Musings #2

It’s that time of year again, the clocks have gone back and the nights are drawing in. On a weekend evening all Dr Husband and I feel like doing is curling up by an open fire and watching a good yarn. Unfortunately our 90’s purpose-built flat doesn’t allow for the former. It has also got noticeably colder and so we’ve rifled through Daisy’s drawers trying to find suitable clothing. What do you do about buying clothes for your children? Daisy is growing so quickly, it seems mad to buy her a whole new wardrobe every 6 months. We don’t buy that many clothes for her. In the interest of saving the planet and our wallets, we try, where possible, to get 2nd hand the clothing. I am fortunate to have a fantastic group of friends who happily swap kiddie clothes like trump cards in the playground. Yet this year I have had to invest in a few winter warmers, so I thought I’d share with you what I’ve bought:

Hat

I bought this hand-knitted Bunny hat from Oliver Bonas at Stylist Live. In years to come Daisy probably won’t thank me for dressing her as a rabbit, but it was so cute I couldn’t resist. Also I was pleased that £3 of my purchase went to Age UK to help keep older people warm and well in winter. It’s part of their Big Knit Campaign with Innocent.

Boots

Like every middle class parent when Daisy needed her first pair of shoes I duly went to Clarks and bought her a pair of pre-walking shoes. Quite frankly they are revolting, they have a particularly ugly flower on the front and are a strange shade of red/pink that clash with many of her clothes. Winter though, has given me the perfect excuse to invest in these fur-lined Chelsea boots from H&M. What’s more Daisy approves, each morning she brings them to me to put on her. The boots are a much more sensible neutral colour that go with everything. Phew.

Bubbles

Unless it is absolutely tipping it down with rain, Daisy and I never spend long inside. Living in London, means that when at home we effectively stay in one room which drives us both slightly bonkers. Instead we trek to one of the many parks around us, and often come back cold, muddy and since discovering puddles, inevitably wet. The evening bath was once an attempt to instil some form of structure to our day, but is now essential. I was recently given some Sophie La Girafe, the giraffe of teething fame, Bubble Bath to try. Each night before bed, we have treated Daisy to her own toddler spa. It contains natural and organic ingredients such as lavender water and white tea. Essentially it is no nasties, lovely smelling bubble bath which is a perfect relaxing finish to the day. 

Knitted Leggings

Whilst I love putting Daisy in dresses, skirts and denim, if I am frank the most practical item in her wardrobe is a pair of leggings. The problem though with cotton leggings is that they aren’t that warm, hence I recently purchased these knitted leggings from H&M Conscious. The promise H&M makes when you buy from this collection is that they are “bring[ing] you more fashion choices that are good for people, the planet and your wallet.” Whilst you cannot help but applaud this, it does make me question the ethics behind their main collection. That I feel is a topic for another time.

Shop the edit

• Hat: Oliver Bonas £12
• Boots: H&M £12.99
• Bubble Bath: Sophie A La Girafe, £10.99
• Knitted Leggings: H&M Conscious Collection, Sold Out.