Get out of town!

I am often asked if I would consider moving the shop (currently run from Poundbury, a development about a mile out of town) into the town centre. The truth is that when I started looking for a premises, 10 years ago, I started my search in the town centre. After months of looking and not being able to find the right place, I was persuaded to look in the relatively new development of Poundbury.

I was almost immediately convinced that this was a better option for my business. Being a baby shop, access and level floors were really important. In town this is hard to find as a lot of the retail spaces are in very old buildings. I also needed to consider the lease, and being a new business I was nervous about committing to a long term. My landlords were flexible on this and made it relatively easy for me to get up and running.

We have been in our current location for 10 years now and we are very happy with it. There is free parking right outside, the roads are not too busy so families do not need to worry about crossing roads etc. There are a choice of nice cafes, several play areas and lots of community events (including a Friday morning toddler group) run from the Brownsword Hall right opposite.

Best of all, we are in good company! There are now a multitude of businesses running from Poundbury, ranging from an award winning florist, several gift shops, a couple of ladies clothes shops and a great garden centre to a chocolate factory (yes a real one!) and the mighty Dorset Cereals. We will soon have our own Little Waitrose too....handy for milk on the way home!

If you fancy doing your Christmas shopping somewhere a little more relaxed, take a trip to Poundbury, grab yourself a Poundbury Business Map and spend a day exploring.

Stocking fillers that won't cost the earth

I have to admit that my attention has started to turn towards Christmas, mainly because there is so much to think about!

Our kids love their stockings but it is a challenge every year to think of exciting things to fill them with. It is so easy to go to the nearest toy shop (or even supermarket) and fill them with short attention span, plastic trinkets that may get played with for a minute and then litter bedroom floors until they are put in the bin.

I am trying hard to avoid the easy option. It is not that I am a killjoy, I want my kids to have as much fun and pleasure when they empty their stockings as all their friends. I just can't justify spending money on plastic 'rubbish' that soon literally becomes rubbish.

I will be sticking with a few wooden toys that can be passed on and re-used when we have had our fun. They will, of course, get some edible treats and the usual shower/bath stuff. It is also a good time to stock up on things that they will need throughout the year but will have fun opening!

I have had a few other ideas that should give us all some pleasure:

• small packets of seeds either flowers or edible plants

• bubble mixture

• play doh (bought or home made)

• crayons, pencils, erasers, glue, glitter, paper...anything creative!

• face paints

• 'sprinkles' for decorating biscuits/cakes when baking, cup cake cases

• small books

If you have older kids, some of the above might not be appropriate. But how about:

• voucher for cinema or a 'movie' night at home (invite friend, make popcorn!)

• hair bands/clips

• first screwdriver, spirit level, hammer, nails, sandpaper to start a tool box

• coloured pencils, sketch book

• yarn, knitting needles, basic pattern

• first sewing kit

Let us know if you have any ideas to add, we could always do with more!

Fair fairies!

Hands up who as a little girl who loves to dress up?

Our daughter requests a party dress on a daily basis, the pinker and prettier the better. When I saw that the clever people at Piccalilly were producing a range of fairy dresses and tutus I was really pleased (I have not shown my daughter yet!) Not only are they gorgeous, they are ethically made on a Fair Trade project in Bali.

So now you can really enjoy your little flower fairy, with a clear conscience!

Happy customer!

I met a lovely family in the shop this week. A mum came in with her 2 children aged 17 months and 8 weeks. She called in for a demo of the Kari Me baby carrier as she thought it would be useful to have some hands free time to spend with her eldest.

I showed her how to do the basic front knot carry using our weighted demo doll, then I had a lovely cuddle with her little one while she practised with the doll. Once she was confident, she was able to try the Kari Me with her own baby. In between, I had fun playing with the 17 month old, reading stories and building towers.

She bought the Kari Me and I really felt like I had helped her. It reminded me why I love working in the shop so much!

Christmas is coming (like it or not!!)

At heybaby* we are having our usual debate about when we should put up the decorations in the shop.

I usually insist on waiting until 1st December because I believe that Christmas should be confined to the festive season and if they go up too early it kind of detracts from the magic. I also don't believe that Christmas should be led or dominated by the retail sector, but appreciate that buying and giving gifts is a big part of the celebrations for most families.

However, there is no denying that our customers thoughts have turned to Christmas, and I wonder whether they would actually like to see the decorations up and the lights twinkling to help them feel festive?

We would love to hear your thoughts on this subject...get in touch!

Halloween fun

Excitement is building in our house as we get close to Halloween. I don't remember it being a big deal when we were children, we used to do a bit of apple bobbing and maybe dress up for a social event but that was about it.

The big thing in our house is the pumpkin carving. We have gone from one pumpkin for the family, to one for each of the children (making 3) and this year my husband came home with one for me....?! The kids get their increasingly elaborate designs down on paper and then when they are happy, daddy, rather too readily in my opinion, carves the design into their pumpkins (couldn't possibly let the kids have a sharp knife etc etc) I think the 4th pumpkin was for him really!

Four pumpkins to be hollowed out is going to leave us with a lot of pumpkin flesh which I can't bear to throw out. I am going to try using our favourite carrot cake recipe and substitute the carrots with pumpkin. I will let you know how it goes!

If anyone has any good tips for using up spare pumpkin flesh we would love to know....

We have just returned home from the school run, and everybody is talking about how cold it is! It does seem unbelievable that 5 days ago I was in the sea (yes in England!) and this morning I layered up with woolly hat, fleece, down gilet and gloves to take the kids to school!

When we get sudden temperature drops like this it is important to look after delicate skin. Little faces cannot be covered completely, which is why we love Naturally Cool Kids Cheeky Chops Lip and Cheek Protector. Made from all natural ingredients, it is a multi purpose, easy to apply stick that (as the name suggests) will help prevent little cheeks and lips from becoming chapped in the cold. It is also great to help little noses from getting sore when they are constantly being wiped.

Keep one in your handbag and use it for all the family!