Say kia ora to Pumpkin Patch - fab baby, kids and maternity wear from NZ

I’ve only recently discovered Pumpkin Patch and already I'm a huge fan. The company originated in Auckland, New Zealand and specialise in sensibly priced really cool baby, kids and maternity wear perfect for summer holidays. I'm not just saying it because Man of the House is a Kiwi - their stuff is gorgeous!

The boys’ collection includes the floral shirt (£14), button-up mock tee (reduced from £10 to £4.99), cargo shorts (£15), stripe tee (£13) and reversible caps (£6).

 

 

And the girls’ collection include this printed tiered floral dress (£20) and rose print chiffon dress (£13.99, reduced from £20).


Right now they’re offering 30% off clothes for ages 5-11. PLUS you get 5% back for your kids if you shop through KidStart – just click here for more info.

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Looking forward to the new SATC movie?

I can’t wait for the release of SATC2 (May 28). Not really because of the plot (I’m sure it’ll all work out in the end), but because of the clothes! Of course their designer gear is out of price reach for most of us – but you can still steal their style.

The good news is Debenhams, the movie’s official retail partner, has launched a gorgeous SATC-inspired collection.

The halterneck dress is Principles by Ben de Lisi (£65), the Grecian dress (£55) and strapless dress (£50) are Star by Julien Macdonald, and the printed dress is Butterfly by Matthew Williamson (£80).

And the Matthew Williamson tie-dye bikini is £18 for the top and £8 for the bottoms, the J by Jasper Conran green maxi dress is £40, the swimsuit is also £40, and the Red Herring maxi dress is £35.

 
 

     You could also smell like a Big Apple fashionista with DKNY’s fabulous Love from New York fragrance (£29.99, available from FragranceDirect)...

or Be Delicious (from £38, available from John Lewis and Boots).    
And if you want to know what Carrie and co get up to in the new movie, here's a taster. If you had to be one SATC character, which one would you be? I’d love to know.

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Dedicated follower of fashion

I absolutely love fashion and beauty but I’m not ashamed to admit I haven’t always got it right. The new SATC movie has a segment where they go back to the Eighties, and that got me thinking about my own style faux pas. Now no photos exist of me wearing these (or if they do they may be under lock and key, in a vault somewhere) but hopefully you’ll get the idea:

1. The Princess Diana flick. Actually, this wasn’t intentional, but at the time it seemed to be the only haircut any hairdresser near me could do. When I also went blonde I realised I had to stop having that particular cut.

2. Dynasty-style shoulder pads.  I had just started working on newspapers and several of the columnists wore jackets and dresses with these. What I should have remembered, of course, is that they were a good 10 years older than me. Fortunately I didn’t wear them for long but long enough.

3. The curly perm (usually left wet). You have to remember I went to school in London. That’s all I’m saying.

4. Dungarees. What can I tell you, I was a big fan of Dexy's Midnight Runners. They were baggy dungarees, not the Rainbow style, but even now I cringe at the thought. Fine for children ONLY.

So there you have them, the skeletons in my closet. I’m going to make this a meme and I’m tagging Baby Baby , If I Could Escape, New Mummy, 3 Bedroom Bungalow  and Mummy's Shoes. Photos of yourselves actually wearing the offending looks are optional.

*What were your fashion and beauty faux pas? I’d love to know.

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Time for some pampering treats, methinks

School starts again next week for us, and I don’t know about you but I’m definitely due some little Mum treats.

Here’s what’s on my list:


John Richmond’s new fragrance – it smells yummy, really fresh with notes of red grapefruit, pear, magnolia and sandalwood. And it also comes with a darling little bracelet (you can hang the lock on it). Gorgeous! (£34 for 30ml, available from Next)

 

 

I’m a HUGE fan of Elemis and I adore their Exotic Frangipani Monoi Moisture Melt (£29, available from timetospa) – really nourishes the skin and the scent is incredible.


The Natio range of natural mineral bronzing products, available exclusively from Debenhams – the illuminating powder (£19) is perfect for giving your complexion a healthy looking glow.

 

 

And I’m going to treat my poor neglected nails to some TLC and polish – I love the Essential colours from M&S, particularly the Baby Blue and Neon Yellow (£2.50 each). Maybe not the first colour you’d think of but it works.

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Crazy about Cath Kidston

Oh I'm a HUGE fan of Cath Kidston  - particularly for new baby gifts and finishing touches for the home. And the good news is KidStart are currently offering 4% savings back for your kids (usually 3%) on purchases made before April 19. So another excuse (like I needed one) to peruse the CK site. Here are my best buys:


Red Spot Nappy Bag (£60) 

 

 

Train Teddy (£10) - perfect present for a baby shower 


Cherry milk jug (£5) and sugar bowl (£4) - from the new Cherry china pattern, LOVE this!

 

 

Reversable Vintage Car Hoody (£30) - this is just brilliant, would work well for boys or girls

Let me know your favourites!

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Wow - preview of the amazing Zandra Rhodes for girls collection from M&S

My 13-year-old niece Harriet is obsessed with fashion. She loves looking at Grazia and Vogue, she customises her clothes, and she'd love to own something by a famous designer.

So I know she'll be absolutely thrilled to see the new Zandra Rhodes for girls collection from M&S.

Highlights of the range for 6-14-year-olds (which goes on sale on Saturday, you've been warned, it'll sell out vvv fast!) include this Lime Green Print Top, which comes with leggings (£16)...

 

  ...this utterly fabulous Maxi Dress (£25)...

...and this beautiful Pink Print top (£14).    

and the good news is that there's a collection for little girls (0-7) launching in June. Now if only they'd do one for mums, too!

And don't forget if you shop at M&S through KidStart you get money back for your kids. For more info, click here.

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Put a spring in your step

The sun's shining, the birds are tweeting - and I'm happily perusing the Spring sales. And wooh-hooh! One of my absolutely favourite stores, Laura Ashley, has some brilliant bargains, including discounts on fabric, curtains, paint and furniture.


My Homes finds includes this Beau Laser Cut Butterflies Pendant (reduced from £45 to £22.50), Botanical Birds jug (reduced from £22 to £15.40) and lovely Laurel throw (down to £30 from £60).

 

 

There are some fabulous fashion offers too, including the Drape Neck pocket dress, Rose Print Shift Dress and Bloom Print Linen Mix Dress (all down to £68 from £85).


And right now, if you shop through KidStart, you get 5% back on most items. For more info click here.

Happy shopping!

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Dannii's looking blooming lovely for M&S

Ever since I heard Dannii Minogue was modelling for M&S I couldn't wait to see the Spring/Summer campaign. The good news is it has just launched, so here's a taster:

The stunning Per Una Florentine red dress she's wearing is £45 (Twiggy's top is £39.50, and VVBrown's dress is £25).

 

 

In this photo she's wearing an embellished tunic from Autograph (£39.50) and holding a Limited Collection Brooke satchel (£35).

Doesn't she look radiant?  


And don't forget you can get money back for your kids through KidStart every time you shop at M&S. For more info, click here.

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Get the Betty Draper look - perfect for weddings and summer parties

Although I have no desire to become a Fifties/Sixties housewife (see below), I would love to look like Betty Draper (right) from BBC4's Mad Men. That Grace Kelly, cool-as-ice style, immaculate hair and those gorgeous fitted dresses.

 

Fortunately L.K. Bennett has a fabulous range of vintage-look dresses perfect for spring/summer parties, weddings and Christenings. Here are three of my favourites:

 

Mirage Floral Print Fitted Dress in Aquamarine (£195). Timeless cotton/silk shift dress, also available in Ruby 

Bloom Lotus Print Dress in Pink (£195). Wonderful wool/silk below the knee dress. 

 
 

Sapphire Empire Line Criss Cross Dress (£185). Simply stunning pure silk empire line dress, also available in violet. 


They're also available from John Lewis and don't forget, if you shop through KidStart, you get money back for your kids. Gloves are optional.

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Perfect girls' summer dresses from Vertbaudet

I’m more than a little envious of Vertbaudet’s spring/summer collection for girls.

There are some really gorgeous pieces including this fabulous cotton dress with pear trim (£19)

 

 

I also love this adorable puffed sleeve print dress (£21) *sigh*. Were clothes ever this cute when we were kids?

Anyway, the good news is the sale is on now, with up to 70% off, plus you get cash back for your kids if you shop through KidStart. Just click here for more info.

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About LivingwithKids

Living with Kids is a family blog from KidStart where Liz Jarvis shares stories, thoughts and expert tips, and she also tells you about the best family holidays, days out, offers and products for you and your kids. More...

Introducing Liz

I'm a mum and freelance journalist who writes for some of the UK's top parenting magazines and websites. My family is my whole world - but they can drive me crazy, too! More...

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