Not a Me&i photo shoot - Review

I am a sucker for a great print. Like Orla Kiely and her retro bright designs, me&I have captured some amazing Autumn colours in their new season range emblazoned on some fabulous T-shirts and dresses.The prints are bold and funky and easily coordinate into any wardrobe. They are also largely unisex which makes for some very cool kids on the block.

Having been sent a couple of pieces to review I really wanted to capture their coolness is all their glory. I was thinking a beautiful autumn setting, conker hunting and a soft afternoon sun to light the colours of the clothes. Yeah right.

Take this t-shirt for example:

That shot is from the catalogue. Look at the perfectly composed photo.

Now look at my shot of the Wee One 'modelling'. Or not.

He was having too much fun to sit still or smile or pose or in fact do anything I asked him to. This wasn't just on one day either. This is is new favourite t-shirt which he wears just as soon as I can get it clean and dry. It has been through the wash at least 4 times already and is still looking amazing.

Did I mention they also have womenswear?
Love the colours and the print of this dress.

The cut is excellent and perfect for my 'curves'. Unfortunately I had just been out for a rather gut busting pizza lunch with a delectable tiramisu for dessert so my curves were more curvy than normal yet the dress was still very forgiving.

I look just like a model don't I?

The best bits of this dress are the sleeves are nice and long and actually reach my wrists ( I'm not a fan of 3/4 length sleeves) so I'm thinking I'm going to layer this dress up over vest tops or long sleeve tops as the temperature drops. Another plus is the wrap ties are really long so I could tie them all the way round to the front or at the back. The fabric is a lovely soft jersey with loads of stretch for those pizza lunch days and has washed really well too.

The prices may be higher than your average High Street store with the t-shirt ranging in price from £18 to £20 depending on size and the dress at £55, but I think the quality more than justifies the price. That dress is going to be a winter staple for me, and as The Wee One has already proved, the t-shirt is going to last and last and last.

me&i is a Swedish clothing company that designs and commissions cool, high-quality clothes for children and their parents, and sells them at home parties. They are really keen to attract more representatives so that the product is accessible to more mums across the UK so if you think you might be interested in joining their sales team, have a look at their company page here.


Disclosure: I was sent these items by me&i for the purposes of review. All opinions are my own.

Silent Sunday

Reds and pinks and oranges

Reds and pinks and oranges, fading to brown.
I have an art project in my mind for the kids to do, to collect a bucket of leaves and make me a picture in all the autumnal shades they can find. I would enjoy it. They would possibly enjoy it too. It would make for a great IG post ;-)
But so far we haven't managed to squeeze in enough time for a walk in the woods. I'm foraging for leaves in my own garden and off the bonnet of my car, but the sun burnt canopy of autumn's riches at the top of the trees has so far eluded me.
Perhaps I'm a bit premature, and the leaves haven't really turned yet. Impatient as always. I'll park my art project and soak up the colours that this week has given me instead.

 The willow is still green.

 Those adorable pink toes.

Rose lips pursed in concentration

A rich orange circling the heart of these flowers.

Brilliant brilliant red

Plum jacket, plum throw, waiting for his bestie

And all under a beautiful blue sky. How lucky are we?


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And with Make Do And Push - The week that was Instagrammed!

Silent Sunday

365project week 47 - Light

The light may fade too quickly at this time of year but I love that the sun is hanging so low in the sky and all you can see are silhouettes. I love the atmosphere, the stark contrasts it provides, the way it sometimes seems to be shining directly at me, pointing me out as if to say, 'That's her. That's the one who needs make a decision and get on with it instead of procrastinating.'

It is encouraging me to step out with my camera, to get on with those many things on my to do list that need doing while the kids are in school before I get distracted.

I managed a morning of printing with some friends this week which got me thinking about using my creativity in a more productive way and I made countless (14) Christmas Trees and Angels and stars too. So it hasn't been a fruitless week but the spotlight is still shining at me, daring me to do something.

 

The sun was too quick so my chandelier provided my shining bright moment.

A perfect Autumn walk in the last sun.

Late walk home as the street lights start to glow orange.

Sunlight through a window shining promise into his eyes.

Highlighting the brilliant green moss against a damp dreary leaf strewn path.

My design. My effort. My printing.

My star wasn't shining so brightly but some glitter soon fixed that ;-)

I'm joining in with my fellow 365'ers who never let life get in the way of a good photo over at The Boy and Me.


My photos are in my album on the 365project site. I'd be so happy if you went to take a look.

Autumn

I may have mentioned in a recent post (or two) that I love Autumn.
I love the colours of the leaves, the low sun and crisp mornings when the mist has just cleared.
I love leaving footprints on fresh dew.
I love watching my own breath on the cold morning air.
In late Autumn, I love jumpers, and cups of cocoa.

But I hate spiders. And with Autumn comes the influx of spiders, creeping under doors, edging their way around the skirting board, peeking out from behind furniture to taunt me. One was blazen enough to walk across my bedroom floor. I knew it was there because I could here its footprints. From downstairs.

And every year they get bigger. I thought things were supposed to get smaller as you got older. Like Milky Ways and Creme Eggs.

It comes to something when you have to get your son's friend to get rid of one for you. Yes, he was only 7 at the time. But I think it is important to encourage their bravery, good character development stuff.

Hopefully, they have retreated back to their nests *shiver* for Winter now.

So it is probably safe for me to come out from under my duvet now, yes?

Joining in with The Gallery at Sticky Fingers.

Silent Sunday

Autumn, antlers and inspiration

A perfect autumn morning calls for a (slightly downsized) family walk. Obviously by 'downsized' I do not mean that I have cut off family members limbs. Rather the walk was without a couple of family members, who instead were at school a) re-building lego pyramids and b) earning their first class 'Star of the Week' having only been at school for 4 weeks (very proud mother).

At this point I should confess I had plans of sending the Mr, The Wee One and Misty Moo out by themselves so I could catch up on some blogging. However The Wee One was determined that I should not miss out on this glorious weather and I should get some exercise and push his pram up as many hills as we could find. I will thank him one day when my bum can fit into the mirror widthways.

Autumn is by far my favourite season. The colours, the smell of bonfires, conkers, snuggly jumpers and cosy socks, cold sunshine and sunglasses, drawing faces on dew covered car windows, collecting leaves, an extra fluffy layer of warmth, watching a leaf fall, and hot, hot drinks.

Today's walk had most of these things, with the addition of the 'if we won the lottery which house would you buy' game whilst walking firstly behind the biggest poshest houses in Stamford along a service road (sounds very sad but is actually a nice quiet road) and then in front of them. It is always important to get the full panoramic view of a property before imagining knocking on their door and asking how much for a quick sale. You could be totally taken by the house's front elevation only to discover an extension  at the back designed by an architect whose last erection was in the 1970's, and built by a distant relative whose building experience is limited to Jenga. In case you are wondering number 72 is our favourite and we'll be popping round Monday morning with our winnings.

After our fix of property porn it seemed only right to have a coffee in town and build further fantasies around cultivating a career in interior design for bars and restaurants. The venue of choice today was The Cosy Club which is known for it's quirky eclectic design and wild use of antlers, deer heads and dodgy lampshades, all in a good way you understand.

Amazing how fresh air, caffeine and soaking up a creative environment can spark an idea. But it did. The free wifi helped too. I am inspired. I feel a surge of motivation. I must now tether it to make sure it doesn't escape and harness it's potential.

365project Week 39 Round Up

Is it officially Autumn?
I can only suppose it is because all my photos this week seem to have taken on either an autumnal theme or an autumnal glow. You know, that perfect cold crisp sunny morning when you can't wait to don an unfashionable jumper.

Woolly jumpers for scooter riding.
The crochet needle has been dusted off and dreams of cosy gloves are coming true.
Cheese on toast is the only way to go.
Wood perfectly adorned with iron and ivy.
Indoor games on a wet afternoon.
Cupcakes to accompany comforting tea.
A is for Autumn.


Joining in with The Boy and Me.

If you would like to see any of this weeks photos in more detail, head over to my 365project.

Silent Sunday

Walk with me a while...

... along some leaf strewn paths that dazzle with jewel like colours, down a cobbled lane that wrecks your heels, across a river populated with expectant ducks, and past some oddities that catch the eye. Or in other words, our morning walks with Misty Moo.

I took these photos over a couple of mornings which explains the mist suddenly disappearing and Princess's outfit change mid walk (she is not in the habit of taking a change of outfit on our dog walks ordinarily).

Our street is very ordinary so I will spare you the pebble dash semis and start with a little colour, a little leaf action and some rather fetching railings.

And down this cobbled street ...

 ...to the meadows, the river, and the ducks. And I always forget to bring bread for them. I don't think they go hungry though.

Finally a stop off at a couple of local landmarks. Wouldn't stop there for a picnic mind.

Right, who's for a cup of tea?