Nearly 2012!

So as we near the end of the year, I can't help but reflect on 2011.  It has been good to me and I hope 2012 will be just as good. There have been some changes at the shop, which after a little wobble at the beginning, I am so happy to have gone through with it. My kids have grown into even more beautiful kids (if that were possible), we have gone through some renovations at our house and are planning some more next year! After Christmas Day, I decided to become a fully fledged member of the vegetarian club, after 20 years of trying but being unable to give up chicken ( I'll let you know how that goes!) And my photo taking has become more enjoyable thanks to my love of instagram and here are some of my favourites from 2011

G looking very serious!

F eating a burger in Spain

C with his missing tooth

Groovy S

Me and hubby

Me and S

We're planning a New Years party at our house this year, wish us luck and
See you in 2012

New Beginnings

Well after a frantic few weeks, my shop has finally had its make over and official renaming. The new website is www.homeandkids.co.uk and I am so pleased to be selling beautiful interior items for the home as well as the traditional toys, Love Me Again was known for.  It was lovely going to the Denmark trade fair and we even made some orders that I'm vey excited about.  Ferm Living is one of my favourite brands we will be stocking.  I could have quite easily bought everything they had...but I had to restrain myself! Check out these gorgeous cushions...

On a personal note...

Today, my youngest daughter started reception.  I have four children, so you think I would be an expert.  The teacher had to peel her off me as she screamed her head off and as I was ushered out of the classroom by the teaching assistant, I couldn't hold back the tears any longer.  As soon as I was in the playground and in full glare of all the other parents, I started crying!  I was the only adult crying and my daughter was the only child crying.  We must have looked a sight!

Tomorrow, I go though it again, just as emotional... Although I won't be able to show just how much.  My eldest daughter starts secondary school.  I know she is scared as she is very pensive, when usually she is quite loud and always full of life.  I am nervous for her and feel her fear because I remember what it felt like to walk into a big secondary school with lots of adult sized girls.  Not knowing anyone.  She is the only one from her mixed private school going to this Roman Catholic girls school.

Luckily she is only going for two hours tomorrow with just the year 7's and then we can spend the rest of the afternoon together, just the two of us...

And the new name is...

I am aware that I haven't been very faithful to my blog of late, but this is only because I am very distracted! I thought I was coping well and not outwardly stressed at all but my dentists tells me I have been grinding my teeth (most probably at night) and it's severe enough that I need a mouth piece made that will cost £££'s. I will have to wear it at night - not a good look -  to hopefully stop the rapid decline of my tooth enamel.  The grinding of teeth will explain the constant jaw ache I have had for the last year!

Anyway, I have finally made some head way and come up with the new name for the shop, created a holding page for the new website, which is currently under construction (thanks to a brilliant website and graphic designer) and started making orders for some lovely home ware pieces that I can't wait to see.


My husband and I will fly to Denmark next week to attend THE Scandinavian trade fair of the year, which will double up as a belated anniversary get away as our actual anniversary landed smack bang in the middle of all the London riots! And in September I will be attending trade fairs in London and Birmingham just so I can  get the best in all things beautiful!


Speaking of Birmingham...I have a very exciting project coming up near the end of September related to the new shop and I can't wait.  All will be revealed soon.


This blog will also become a personal blog rather than one for the shop.  I'm looking forward to writing more about me and my family but I will off course reference the shop from time to time.  The shop will have it's own blog which will be under the wordpress format rather than blogger, but again I will keep you updated on that too.

Anyway bye for now...

What a lovely day

This isn't strictly a shop related blog but just thought I'd share it anyway.  Had such a lovely day today in Godstone Farm, Surrey.  My oldest daughter was taken out for the day by her friend and her mum, my son went to camp beaumont with his friends which left me with daughters number two and four, which is rare as they're usually paired off with the sibling nearest their age, ie the two older girls together and the younger two together.  It was so nice to see them interact without the influence and arguements that inevitably comes when all four are together.  There wasn't one disagreement.  The sun was shining all day and unfortunately I dressed them for typical english weather, never believing the shining sun would carry on all day...but it did and the girls did get hot.  Apart from that they enjoyed the animals, the many sandpits dotted around, mazes, zip wire, slides...

Godstone Farm really is one of my favourite places.  It caters for all ages and is such an open and pleasant environment.  Last summer, the farm suffered some bad press as there was a serious outbreak of e-coli but they have made the appropriate changes and still remains (in my opinion) one of the best family days out

Gingerbread House in the woods

Guinea Pigs had their own town

Climbing Mountains

Ended the days with some arts activities

End Product

Love Me Again is changing...

Well, first of all let me apologise for not blogging recently. I have some news that may be of interest...

After much soul searching I feel it's time to change.

Love Me Again was started 3 years ago by Bettina and myself. We had the idea to sell on great quality second hand children's clothes as well as new, traditional toys. We bought our clothing stock from the public and would offer cash or vouchers in exchange for their best items of clothes that their children had out grown but were still in great condition.

This was good for a while and worked for us but like lots of businesses, sometimes a revamp is required to move with the times and to keep it looking fresh.

On discussing how we wanted the business to move forward, Bettina and I decided we wanted different things and thought the best way forward was to part ways. We understood each other and graciously accepted our decision.

Bettina will no longer be involved in the shop...so I'm going it alone!

I will no longer be selling second hand clothes and will instead be concentrating on the quality toys we have always sold plus...gifts, home ware and accessories.

As there is a change in direction, the shop will have a new name. I'll keep you in suspense for a little while longer In the meantime, there's lots to organise. New website, logo, branding, new shelving and display inside the shop as well as a complete exterior paint job.

Will make sure I post any updates.

Fashion Show

We were lucky enough to be involved in the recent fashion show at local school, Blackheath High.  The idea was that daughters and their mums would walk down the catwalk showing off the latest fashions from mainly independent boutiques based in and around Blackheath.  We were honoured to be asked to be involved as we are not exactly the same as all the other clothes boutiques.  We were in charge a few of the 4, 5 and 6 year olds as this is mainly the age range we stock for.  We picked the clothes that best fitted the genre for each section and had lots of fun accessorising and making the outfits that little bit more special.  Here are some pictures of behind the scenes...

Waiting to go on the catwalk!!!

And just some shots of girls on the catwalk...

Our stall afterwards. 

Much fun was had when the show was over with lots of helpings of champagne and mini portions of fish and chips. 

Just some pictures...

I was snapping away in the shop and taking some pictures of corners in the shop that I particularly like.

And here are a few pictures of some beautiful bunting and quilts made by a very clever local lady, Vicky Rolinson, who just happens to be a blogger too.

Sorry about  photos being the wrong way around.  I did rotate them, but somehow when I post them, they turn sideways again!  not a good look...

Retro Folk

We have just had our much anticipated delivery from Helen Gordon I have written about her before here and am a big fan. Her retro folk inspired designs as well as all her fairy tale themes are a big hit in our shop.  I don't know about you, but I think the designs are so unusual yet whimsical at the same time.

Here are just a few things from her that we now stock and we're selling some items online.  Click HERE if you want to see more

And these pictures I have to show.  It's from one of my  favourite blogs 

Bleubird Vintage is a blog that is very much dedicated to all things vintage.  Aubrey writes daily on her family life coupled with some of the best pictures of her kids, usually all dressed in vintage attire.  This picture is of her youngest.  Doesn't she look cute!