My Mother- in Law has just arrived from England and brought Nick and Florence their favourite British spread Marmite.
But we all fell about laughing when we inspected the jar closer.
It says MA'AMITE , Toasting The Queens Diamond Jubilee. Fantastsic!!
I just had to display it in an old glass cloche I got from a flea market for a laugh.
For those of you who don't know Marmite, its a spread you put on toast. Nick likes it with cheese and Florence( 11) like it with jam...Yuk.
You either love it or hate it and I hate but I get it.
It has quite a history developed in 1680!
Thanks to its high B vitamin content,Marmite did its bit for the UK in two World Wars.
By the time of the First World War it was included in soldiers ration packs. It also became a staple food in hospitals and schools.
During World War II, Marmite became a dietary supplement in prisoner-of-war camps, and in 1999, it was sent to British peacekeeping forces in Kosovo after we received morale boosting requests from the field.
I am going all out to celebrate The Queens Diamond Jubilee on June 4th!
HRH has been on The Throne for 60 years!!
As I won't be in England to enjoy all the pomp and circumstance I will be hanging out the bunting that my Mum kindly sent us along with all thing red,white and blue.
I spotted on The Liberty Face book http://www.facebook.com/libertylondona beautiful silk scarf featuring a commemorative print of Queen Elizabeth II in the centre with the dates of her reign, framed by her coat of arms on a crimson and royal blue Union Jack background by English Eccentrics.
I ordered it for my Mum as she loves The Royal family and suggested she frame it instead of wearing it.
Fortunately for me she is going to keep it for a while then send it for me to frame!! I t will look great over the fireplace. Can't wait.
This is our new beautifully soft hooded bath towel and wash mitt gift set, the prefect new baby present.
In a pure 100% combed cotton and white towelling with a white cotton bound edge and a simple appliqued detailing on both the towel and wash mitt it is presented in a lovely keepsake box.
You're a Brit, do you see any similarities between London and Brooklyn? Which do you prefer? "When we moved to America, we definitely didn't want to live in the ‘burbs. And we didn’t want a high-rise in Manhattan either. Boerum Hill in Brooklyn is about as close as you can get to how we lived in London with a bit of space and a back garden. We really love the ease of living in a small community like a village. We can walk and cycle everywhere, to school, to do the groceries, and always bump into someone we know. Here the weather is great, too. When it's hot, it's boiling and when it's cold, it's freezing; You get guaranteed seasons. Obviously, we miss our family and friends in England but many come over for a visit."
Vintage paisley tunic, pink cords from Free the People, brown boots from Uggs, vintage long necklace.
Photographed by Maia Harms
Tell us about the biz you own with your sister. "Charlotte’s my sister and business partner at White Rabbit England. We started about 10 years ago when my daughter Florence was a newborn and her sons were both very young. We were both looking for some sort of low light for the nursery that could be left on when breastfeeding in the early hours of the day and also if they had trouble going to sleep. We tried to find something like the mushroom light we had shared when we were little. We couldn’t find one anywhere so we decided to start making them. We now have a whole range of nursery products from bedding, crib sets, blanket, cushions, Bone China White Animal night-lights, jewelry. All great gifts for baby showers and birthdays. Now I live in NY and our headquarters are in Cheshire in England. Most days we have meetings through Skype which has been amazing."
Do your kids have a personal sense of style? What is it? "Charlie actually told a mom friend that he wanted all-white evening tails for his eighth birthday! Where that came from nobody knows… but he got it and he rocks it. Florence is definitely at the stage of trying things out. Very interesting what she comes up with. I love it at that age they can wear anything. Wish we had school uniforms here though, I do miss the no-fashion-crisis mornings!"
What's one trend you won't put on your kids? "Gosh… crocs and I'm also steering away from high street brands especially as Florence is getting older. I find the styles and colors rather tasteless and inappropriate, so I really would rather do thrift stores and stoop sales."
Charlie wears a vintage eBay hat.
What are your favorite haunts in the neighborhood? "We have great local places to go to for dinner, brunch, and gorgeous shopping. There is a new restaurant called Rucola on Dean Street that does a menu filled with fresh local produce and a mean Tom Collins! Building on Bond is great for brunch on the weekend. For clothes, I go to visit my friend Christina's vintage store Mafalda on Atlantic, Beacon’s Closet is a favorite on a budget and I always find something cool for Florence, my 11-year-old. We love going to The Brooklyn Flea on the weekend but the kids have a very short attention span when it comes to the flea. For flowers and shrubs, we always go to Grdn on Hoyt street run by a friend and fellow school mom."
What's the toughest part of juggling all you do and raising children in NYC? Any tips? "Like any mom, time for me. Really need to focus on that. I do juggle especially as Charlie has (Type 1) Juvenile Diabetes, diagnosed when he was just one. It's constant around the clock checking for his blood glucose and insulin. My advice is to try swap playdates once a week with a friend then you can get one whole day without kids."
The Sullivans' two persian cats, Parsley and Marmite, also found on the street!
Any tips for designing your home on a budget? "Visit stoop sales and, of course, eBay. Painting with color is cheap and quick. Collect old picture frames and put random postcards or a mish mash of images you like. Good cheap lighting. Rugs cushions are everywhere and can really improve a look. Decorator's drop-cloth can quickly cover an old sofa but make sure you get the grayish ones that look like Belgian linen. Oh, and wallpaper makes a great statement — like a piece of art!"
Camel poncho by Daryl K, camel hat by Bailey, printed pants from Zara, brown boots from Frye.
As you may have heard by now, our brand new Childrenswear department is now open and we're delighted to let 'Little Liberty' take over our window run.
Take a spaceship to outer space, adventure into the jungle or set up you own Liberty Print tipi (along with a friendly crocodile). A big thanks to our Visual Merchandising team for creating such adorable displays and to illustrator Richard Johnson for the beautiful painted walls and murals. Plus, have you spotted the window dedicated to our Liberty Print Bugaboo? For your chance to win it, enter the competition here: http://bit.ly/xUD7RiVisit the store to see them yourself, or enjoy a browse through our album.
Our Bramble red nightlight looks great with all the red
We were delighted when the amazing Interior designer India Hicks got in touch to thank us for our Rabbit nightlight we sent to her daughter Domino for her 4th birthday. This is her story about the Traveling China Bunny rabbit nightlight going on vacation to The Alps!!
It was Ok for a number of years dealing with the stress of not forgetting Scratchy Bunny (scratchy when glue got spilt on him and even a fierce Bahamian laundry system could not remove the stain) especially as Scratchy Bun is small-ish and squash-able.
But now an attachment to a Bone China Bunny? I repeat, BONE CHINA.
Admittedly far less easy to leave in a departure lounge, or get wrapped up into hotel sheets and forgotten, but possibly next time the White Rabbit sisters could do a less attractive rabbit night light. An evil devil or something? Except we already have a few of those living with us.
If you are ever lucky enough to visit Harbour Island in The Bahamas you could visit her exquistite shop,
Sugar Mill, a lifestyle boutique created from her travels.
You may recognise these images of her beautiful home,
Tired of those 4 o’clock sunsets? You’re not alone.
The way we see it, you have two options: Moan and groan until the vernal equinox or cast a warm glow over the night with a White Rabbit England nightlight.
Founded by two British sisters who could never find a nightlight to compare to the one they had as little girls, White Rabbit England makes nightlights that not only dress up a nightstand, but spark childish imaginations. Fairy tale fans will adore the toadstool styles that feature illustrations of forest elves and fairies while the bone china animal lamps will be just as at home on your living room mantle as they are on little one’s dresser.
We can’t think of a brighter way to say bye bye winter solstice…and hello merry Christmas!
>>GIVEAWAY ALERT: Want to light up your season? Post on our Facebook Wall about your favorite nightlight and you’ll be entered to win. (Winner will get to choose from Bramble Red, Dewdrop Pink, Rabbit and Christmas Tree styles.)
Happy Holidays! Wishing all you A-List Moms a happy, stylish and sane holiday season. Thank you for supporting us. See you in 2012!
Tired of those 4 o’clock sunsets? You’re not alone.
The way we see it, you have two options: Moan and groan until the vernal equinox or cast a warm glow over the night with a White Rabbit Englandnightlight.
Founded by two British sisters who could never find a nightlight to compare to the one they had as little girls, White Rabbit England makes nightlights that not only dress up a nightstand, but spark childish imaginations. Fairy tale fans will adore the toadstool styles that feature illustrations of forest elves and fairies while the bone china animal lamps will be just as at home on your living room mantle as they are on little one’s dresser.
We can’t think of a brighter way to say bye bye winter solstice…and hello merry Christmas!
>>GIVEAWAY ALERT: Want to light up your season? Post on our Facebook Wall about your favorite nightlight and you’ll be entered to win. (Winner will get to choose from Bramble Red, Dewdrop Pink, Rabbit and Christmas Tree styles.) Happy Holidays! Wishing all you A-List Moms a happy, stylish and sane holiday season. Thank you for supporting us. See you in 2012!
Most people probably know the fabulous work of Hugo Guinness. I am a huge fan, and have the great pleasure of knowing him, being a local in my neighborhood and a fellow Brit.
He showcases linoleum cut prints of normal objects we find at home.
My favorites are the botanical silhouette flower drawings.
I am lucky to have the underpants– a gift from my husband.
So I finally finished my 10 year old daughter, Florence's bedroom. A bit tricky at the grand old age of 10!! Not a baby anymore and not quite a tween!! Well kind of !
So we choose the colour together. A Benjamin Moore paint (USA only) called Quiet Moments! Mmmm. not entirely sure that her room will have many of those??
Well as you start to follow our little Blog you'll soon realise that we are " Dumpster Divers" which means that we find a lot of great things people throw out!!
Found her bed head on the street. Its metal so no Bed bugs...
then I drew a tree shape image on one of her walls & painted it white! If I can do this anyone can.
We added a few cute things like this fantastic bird house from my good friend Tamar Morgendorff! Check back in later to find out more about her gorgeous creatures.
Of course our bone china Rabbit nightlight is every rooms essential accessory.
And Voila Florence loves it.
More ideas on Florence's room to come.
PS.If you would like me to try and match it to a UK colour I can try.
I had the great privilege of working with the Vogue photographer Tim Walker pre marriage and children when I had a career doing shoot production.
His pictures always make me smile and just dream about living in Tim Walker Land.
This is one of the prints he gave me from the shoot we worked on.
It was great fun working with him...you never knew which unusual prop or set he was going to need next. So creative.
These are just a few of my favourites.
I had to show the Pastel cats shot!!
Sadly I missed his first major show at the Design Museum in London in 2008 when the publication of his first book 'Pictures' came out. PS. It's on my wish list!!!
November is the time of the year when we wear a red poppy in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for us during wars.
The eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month marks the signing of the Armistice, on 11th November 1918, to signal the end of World War One.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them."
Why The Poppy ?
The poppy has a long association with Remembrance Day. But how did the distinctive red flower become such a potent symbol of our remembrance of the sacrifices made in past wars?
Scarlet corn poppies (popaver rhoeas) grow naturally in conditions of disturbed earth throughout Western Europe. The destruction brought by the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th Century transformed bare land into fields of blood red poppies, growing around the bodies of the fallen soldiers.
In late 1914, the fields of Northern France and Flanders were once again ripped open as World War One raged through Europe's heart. Once the conflict was over the poppy was one of the only plants to grow on the otherwise barren battlefields.
The significance of the poppy as a lasting memorial symbol to the fallen was realised by the Canadian surgeon John McCrae in his poem In Flanders Fields. The poppy came to represent the immeasurable sacrifice made by his comrades and quickly became a lasting memorial to those who died in World War One and later conflicts. It was adopted by The Royal British Legion as the symbol for their Poppy Appeal, in aid of those serving in the British Armed Forces, after its formation in 1921.
Charlotte and I are huge fans of this amazing kids on-line Magazine written by 3 friends , Courtney, Esther and Emilie scattered across Europe. ( London , Paris, Amsterdam)
They review from each City including New York.
It's parent - related subjects include craft, recipes, cool products and also great Travel guides with an on-line community from all over the World.
This is a MUST to sign up for their daily newsletter!!!!
Halloween is around the corner and the kids are getting very excited about who they are going to be this year????
But then they asked who our cat, Parsley was going to be?...
I suddenly had a flash back to a show I used to watch as a little girl, Bagpuss.
Bagpuss was a British children's television-show that first came out on the BBC in 1974.
Bagpuss is a large cloth cat with pink stripes who comes to life when little Emily closes down her shop for the night. Accompanied by the little mice inventors and workers 'we will scrub it, we will rub it', and the pompous Professor Yaffel, he has all kinds of adventures.
The Shop front
Madeline the doll
Emilys song.
Bagpuss, dear Bagpuss
Old Fat Furry Catpuss
Wake up and look at this thing that I bring
Wake up, be bright, be golden and light
Bagpuss, oh hear what I sing
Mr Parsely ( mmm not really going to paint stripes on him!! really)
At the end of the programme Bagpuss would start yawning again, and as he fell asleep the narrator would speak as the colour faded to sepia and they all became toys again.
And so their work was done.
Bagpuss gave a big yawn and settled down to sleep
And, of course, when Bagpuss goes to sleep,
All his friends go to sleep too.
The mice were ornaments on the mouse organ.
Gabriel and Madeleine were just dolls.
Professor Yaffle was a carved, wooden bookend in the shape of a woodpecker.
Even Bagpuss himself, once he was asleep, was just an old, saggy cloth cat,
By total coincidence I discovered that the same time I was writing this blog, that Whiteleys shopping centre in London are having a Bagpuss and The Clangers exhibition!!
Charlotte and I are huge fans of this amazing kids on-line Magazine written by 3 friends , Courtney, Esther and Emilie scattered across Europe. ( London , Paris, Amsterdam)
They review from each City including New York.
It's parent - related subjects include craft, recipes, cool products and also great Travel guides with an on-line community from all over the World.
This is a MUST to sign up for their daily newsletter!!!!
Charlotte and I are huge fans of this amazing kids on-line Magazine written by 3 friends , Courtney, Esther and Emilie scattered across Europe. ( London , Paris, Amsterdam)
They review from each City including New York.
It's parent - related subjects include craft, recipes, cool products and also great Travel guides with an on-line community from all over the World.
This is a MUST to sign up for their daily newsletter!!!!
I met by complete coincidence the lovely Jen Ward who has an amazing children's Interior design business and Blog,
Minor Details.
( from Cookie Magazine on-line):(
We had been a fan for a while before she happened to be outside my house looking at some old kids tables and chairs I was throwing out. ( It's usually me getting the stuff people throw out!)
She asked if I could hold it for her as she was on a bike and once we got chatting I realised who she was and immediately invited her in to chat.
Before and after.
Before and after.
She has been very kind to White Rabbit England, one of the first to write about our lights on her Blog.
If you are struggling with design and space for a new nursery or planning for your children to share she is the one to call.
Being British and living in New York means that if I want to see the events I have to be up at 4am. !!!! Going to be watching with my girlfriend Deborah another Royal fan. It seems we are the only ones. Will probably Skype Charlotte also in England.
You're a Brit, do you see any similarities between London and Brooklyn? Which do you prefer?
