Monster supplies...

So I was just wandering up Hoxton Street, Nai Nai in her carriage, chatting my mummy pal V whilst baby M napped in his own vehicle when we decided to pop into a store we always pass. It's called Hoxton Street Monster Supplies. "What the hell is that?" you may ask. Well, to be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I guess it's part children's project, part monster supply store - I don't know how else to explain it. You can buy farting gas, monster's bile and salt from the tears of anger. I kid you not. It sounds ridiculous but myself and V spent a good 15 minutes in there just laughing-out-loud at all the hilarious stuff to buy. A must for the big kid inside you, I urge you to stock up on your monster supplies sooner rather than later...

Hoxton Street Monster Supplies, 159 Hoxton Street, London N1 6PJ
www.monstersupplies.org/

With a little help from my friends...

This week my friends have really pulled out all the stops and been particularly fabulous. Now, don't get me wrong, my friends are always wonderful, warm people, maybe it's just that this week I've had a chance to think about just how special they are. My best friend from Glas-vegas, K (she will from here on in be known as Glas-vegas K) sent me an amazing pair of earrings from Topshop as a good luck pressie for a wee project I've been working on, my fab mummy pal V invited us to her son's beautiful christening then proceeded to ply us with wine and Vietnamese food, another good friend of mine E who lives in Spain is coming for a visit in a few weeks and I can't wait to see her and for Nai Nai to finally meet her. Three examples of fabulous friendship. When I first became a mummy, after the first six weeks when everyone had stopped visiting every day, I felt like I was so distant from some of my friends. It took me a while to figure out who was really going to be in my life for the long haul and who just wasn't worth caring about. It was a hard process but one that was so necessary. Looking back I realise I have gained so much more that I have lost. I've figured out who my real friends are, the ones who are going to be in Nai Nai's life aswell as mine, the ones who love me whether I'm wearing my mummy hat, my journo hat or my chatting-s***-at-a-hundred-miles-an-hour hat, the ones who aren't just drinking buddies. I've made a whole heap of gorgeous mama mates who truly understand what it's like to combine your old self with your new self. And I reaffirmed so many friendships and my relationship with my besties (K and AA) have become so much stronger. It's so refreshing not to have to expel energy on people that I just don't really care about. And all this has made me want to be a better friend too, to take the time to reach out to my buds who I truly love and be more generous with my time to be there for them as much as they are for me. For all the mamas (or just anyone) out there who feels like they're losing friends - don't worry. The truth is if they can't be bothered with you now they weren't really your friend in the first place. And you never really lose friends, you just find out who your real ones are. To all my friends, you know who you are, I love you more than you know. Group hug y'all....

Zen baby, water baby...

As little Miss Adom nears seven months her social calendar is getting more and more packed. This week we took in baby yoga, which is exactly as it sounds - your baby doing yoga. Okay, so she isn't quite meditating and deep breathing but think stretching, singing and dancing with baby whilst you breathe deep and stretch yourself. Flipping awesome I tell you, and a new regular in Nai Nai's already jam-packed schedule. The next day it was time for something all new - swimming. Naima loves to kick and splash in the bath so this was a must for her. Unfortunately my little one also suffers from eczema so we've had to hold off swimming til her condition is under control. It is now thanks to the wonderful paediatric dermatology department at the Homerton Hospital so nows the time! Armed with an ultra-cute and ultra-stylish swimsuit and three of her fave buds - Jasper, Max and Theo, Naima didn't quite take to the water as I expected. At first she was a bit unsure as to why she was in all this water and what the hell was going on but after about 20 minutes she was involved in a serious splashing competition (which she won of course) and was kicking her wee legs like David Walliams swimming the channel. Too cute for words. I can't wait to see her swim in the sea when we (finally) take a much needed trip to sunnier climes. Now just to get mama's beach body ready...

I Heart Hackney...

Where the hell have I been? To be honest, I'm not really sure. This past week has taken me on an adventure around my beloved Hackney. It all started last weekend where I roamed a seemingly ordinary patch of grass in deeper east London that have been temporarily turned into a cracking festival venue for the BBC Hackney Weekend 2012. Now, say what you want about the TV license but our national broadcaster sure knows how to throw a good festival. I and my lovely mummy pal J scoffed Giant Robot burgers, Homeslice pizza and guzzled prosecco in the guest area like there was no tomorrow. In between all the eating and drinking (hey, we mums need to take on fuel) we azonto-ed to D'Banj on the 1xtra stage, cringed at Nicki Minaj on the main stage and of course just threw down to the one and only Jay-Z on the main stage who was joined by Rihanna and M.I.A and then of course Kanye West who came out for a half hour Watch The Throne encore. Amazeballs just doesn't cover it. And the best part of it was this all happened in my neighbourhood – Jay-Z was in my borough! * gets momentarily lost in a daydream of shopping in Pak's, Dalston for come cocoa butter with Jigga* 

This is proof to me of something that I have suspected for years – Hackney is amazing. It truly is. From the Barrel Boulangerie on Hoxton Street to the brand new pound shop two doors down (get your weaning essentials in there mamas), from the Dalston Superstore to WAH Nails, from my barbers on Kingsland Road to the hair shop that keeps my lashes game up, from De Beauvoir Town to Hackney Marshes, Hackney rules. I love it. It's just the right side of rough and the wrong side of edgy to keep me on my toes and in my hipster American Apparel influenced outfits. Having a baby really makes you get to know your neighbourhood, walking around with a pram takes you to places you would never have gone before and it's really helped me discover how great this part of London is. It's taken me six years but I truly, madly, deeply, heart Hackney. Now, if you'll excuse me I've got to yell at the jakes on the corner to stop arguing, Princess Nai Nai is trying to get some beauty sleep....