Little Flea issue 2

magazine Christmas 2014 Issue 02

The

Gift

issue

Christmas is fast approaching and just like every year, it'll be a mad panic to get every gift bought, wrapped and labelled in time for the big day.

!

Every year I say "i'll start earlier" and every year I leave it until it's almost time for the sales!

!

As the children get older, Christmas shopping only gets harder and Christmas lists started filling up with high price items like iPads and Xboxes - whatever happened to a pair of pj's and some chocolate coins?

!

If you're anything like me, you'll be struggling to come up with ideas of what to buy for your children, nieces and nephews. If so, grab a hot chocolate, snuggle up and read our gorgeous Christmas gift guide.

!

It will give you loads of inspiration for girls and boys of all ages. We've even got CBBC's Hannah from 'All at Sea' and Carmen from 'The Dumping Ground' to give us an insight into what's on their Christmas lists this year. We have a beautiful circus shoot to explore and a fantastic interview with the man behind Waddler, Philip Thompson, who tells us how he and his family left London to explore South America! - not forgetting 'Ruby Loves' and 'Pippa's Picks'!

!

Phew! Busy Busy Busy! !

Happy Shopping!

Anna x

Contents 10

!12 !14 !18 !34 !

36

Santa Baby Christmas goodies for your baby

Dapper Chappies Fabulous things for the little men in your life.

Pretty Awesome Beautiful Christmas finds for girls

Clowning Around Welcome to the circus...

Competition time Win a photoshoot and be in the next Little Flea!

Gorgeous Homes Stunning interiors to cheer up your

!

38

space

The Toy Shop The best toys to put under the Xmas tree!

!

Daisy: Black dress £48 Elfie London, pompom hairband £10 Atticus & Gilda. Yellow footless tights €14.95 4 Funky Flavours, red leopard socks €22 Bobo Choses.

Lauren: Yellow banana top £35 Indikidual, Stripe shorts €100 and red tassle braces €80 both Macarons, Mary Jane Cherry patent shoes £72 Young Soles, Spotty socks (stylists own) Fairground boat ride seat £475 Turner & Cox.

!42 !44

Ruby Loves... Bathtime Spa Ruby enjoys some bathtime treats

Waddling Along We talk to the creators of fab brand Waddler

52

!54 !

58

Pippa's Picks... Trouser Tape Pippa picks out some fabulous trousers

Holidays are coming!

Goodies to inspire you this Christmas

All I want for Christmas CBBC stars and our very own models tell us what they're hoping for this Christmas

Blue onesie

Booties in a box £29 Annaliv

o

99 Nature Zo Rabbit rattle €18.

White lambskin hat 799 SEK, booties 399 SEK & gloves 399 SEK Little Jalo

!

8

Wash gel & body lotion gift set £21.50 Naif

£30 Piupia

Festive playsuit & hat gift set £20 Lilly + Sid

Tights for bo

ys £15.99 Brav

eling

Baby vest €24 Ettel Bettel

Baby moccasins £38 Amy & Ivor

Cosygrows £23 Quack Quack Moo

venty Tree

Rad print £25 Se

!

Miami shoes £44.99 Bêjaks

Floral sleep

ing bag €7 5 LAB

Vest, joggers & dribble catcher gift pack £29.99 Darlo

Personalised fox comforter £15 Funky Feet Fa shions

Red baby shoes £31 Meeny's

Pom pom hat £55 Lilly et Louis

Rudolph suit and hat £23 Olive & Moss

9

Baseball shirt £20 The Fableists

Doll £ Minimondos

Ride on aeroplane £85 Little Bou

Stripy socks £19 for 2 pairs Indikidual

Dapper Chappies Brando brogues £68 Young Soles

Christmas slim jyms £24 The Bright Company

Blue trainers £39.99 Skribbies

Tough but fair tee £16 The Fableists

Atlas of Adventures book £20 Rosita Lollipop

Orlando vest £70 I dig denim

8

Pom pom hat £27 Indikidual

10

Blue Squid kids umbrella £15 Little Bou

3-in-1 Wagon £299.99 Toyella

Green fringed sweat £38 Indikidual

Harley boots £62 Hug & Hatch

Lunchbags £15 Colourful Dove

Serpent boot £195 Chapter 2

Wild wolf mittens £28 Waddler

Je T'aime beanie $30 Whistle & Flute

Star schoolbag €59 Bobo Choses

Ultimate den kit £50 Pl-ug

Cloud sweatshirt £24 Little Bou

11

Leather belts £35 each Chapter 2

Spotty purse £6 Rockahula

Flower hairband €12.99 Nature Zoo

Red nightie £47 Atticus & Gilda

12

Red cape £50 Atticus & Gilda

Pretty awesome

Doll £18.95 Minimondos

Hare headpiece £35 Animalesque

Peach dress €230 Macarons

Glitter bow hairclips £5 Rockahula

Bag £6.95 Noodoll

Stars & hearts tights set £15 Funky Legs

Liberty print hairband £19 Michiko & Me

Design your own Tutu £32.99 Toyella

Ethically collected Alpaca fur gilet £110 Waddler

Pink buckle wellies £44.99 Mooi en Lief

Grey dress £42 Elfie London

Gold hairclips £10 Atticus & Gilda

Check dress £32 Marmalade & Mash

Pencil case & accessories €20 Pop Cutie

Pink bag £16 Rockahula

Non toxic nail polish £8.95 Little Bu

Heart bracelet for mama & child £43 Bea Legami Preziosi

Top with collar €45 Macarons

13

INDIVIDUALLY SOURCED INDUSTRIAL AND VINTAGE FURNITURE!

Photography: Sharon Cooper Styling & Art Direction: Anna Cascarina Hair & Make-up: Sarah Massie

16

Lola: It wasn't me tee £20 Cute Graffiti, Tiered grey skirt £38 Elfie London, Blue & brown tights €19.95 4 Fubky Flavours, Boots (stylists own).

Lauren: Yellow banana top £35 Indikidual, Stripe shorts €100 and red tassle braces €80 both Macarons, Patent shoes £72 Young Soles, Spotty socks (stylists own) Daisy: Black dress £48 Elfie London, pompom hairband £10 Atticus & Gilda.

Blue foundry mold £275, blue arrow £295, fairground boat seat £475 all Turner & Cox.

Banana print sweat ÂŁ35 Indikidual, red tassle braces â‚Ź80 Macarons

It wasn't me tee £20 Cute Graffiti, Tiered grey skirt £38 Elfie London, gold glitter hairclip £5 for set of 3 Rockahula Kids, Pierrot collar (stylists own). Red car £275 Turner & Cox.

Lola: Star dress £39.99 Question Everything, green bowler hat £48 Waddler.

Daisy: Blue top 219 SEK Shampoodle, red check skirt €59 Bobo Choses, red bowler hat £48 Waddler.

Black & white bow dress ÂŁ65 Love Frankie

Lauren: Green bowler hat £48 Waddler, red floral dress £85 LucyPeachSlice, blue shiny leggings €39 Bobo Choses, multicoloured charm necklace £20 Rosita Lollipop. Boots (stylists own) Lola: Red bowler hat £48 Waddler, blue stripe breton top £20 The Fableists, blue floral skirt £37 LucyPeachSlice.

Orange bench £175 as part of a set Turner & Cox

Bowler hat print top ÂŁ46 Waddler, Stripe shorts & braces ÂŁ35 Love Frankie.

Star boiler suit €98 Bobo Choses, peach leather belt £35 Chapter 2, Green chevron socks £19 pack of 2 Indikidual.

Boots and pompoms (Stylists own).

Stacked up benches £175 for a set, triple metal locker £425 all Turner & Cox

Lola: Red & white top €42.95 4 Funky Flavours, red trousers €85 Macarons, 3 pompom hairband £10 Atticus & Gilda.

Lauren: Red spotty jumper £52-£58 Waddler, peach stripe trousers €90 Macarons. Boots (stylists own).

Orange trolley £425 Turner & Cox.

This page: black & blue stripe humbug boots (made to order) £195 Chaper 2.

Red car £275 Turner & Cox. Opposite: Spotty red dress £38 Indikidual, raindrop tights £14.50 Funky Legs, Pierrot collar (stylists own).

Vintage French fairground lights £1150 & orange bench £175 per set Turner & Cox.

Daisy: blue stripe Pierrot jumper £52-£58 Waddler, lace tiered skirt £25 Rosita Lollipop.

Lola: L.A. dress €89 Bobo Choses, pompom hairband £15 Atticus & Gilda, Lauren: Cream stripe Pierrot jumper £52-£58 & star knitted trousers £52£56 both Waddler.

Boots (stylists own) Rocking horse £175 & stag antlers £275 Turner & Cox.

This page: Welcome to the circus print £25 Seventy Tree Opposite: Lola: Green top €26.95 4 Funky Flavours, Spot skirt €140 & peach braces €70 both Macarons, Moustache tights £14.50 Funky Legs.

Lauren: Peach dress £50 Elfie London, Chevron leggings £22 Indikidual. Boots (stylists own).

Lockers, car, fairground lights & bench as before.

Gorgeous homes Take a look at our scrumptious selection of fabulous finds from our Little Flea interior pages

Hedgehog wall hanger £25 Lisa Jones

Flying journey wallpaper in Charcoal £65 per roll Sas & Yosh

A2 Lion print £70 Juliet Docherty at Little Carousel Gallery

Penguin print from £15.99 Showler and Showler

Cloud storage stool £155 Sally Nencini

Layered Hearts print £25 Seventy Tree

1616 36

Black tidy tub £49 Lapin & Me

Blue peg board £40 Little Rowen & Wren Lucky cushion £48 Lucky Boy Sunday at Lapin & Me

Giant apple pouffe £244 Rowen & Wren Strong Man print £35 Sarah Bellisario Sleeping lion cushion €20 Ava & Yves

Wild Strawberries lampshade £35 Lisa Jones

37

the to

38

1.

2.

3.

4.

8.

9.

10.

11.

16.

17.

18.

19.

y shop 5.

6.

7.

12.

13.

14.

15.

20.

21.

22.

23.

1. Oogi Blue Junior £8.99 Moluk 2. Lillehammer Maxi 110cm sled €85 Sirch 3. Portable bakery £59.99 Toyella 4.

Baa-Baa bookshelf £88 Little Rowen and Wren 5. Puzzles from £15.95 Minimondos 6. Pkolino tabletop easel £65 Little Bou 7. Cowboy pencil bag £32 Sally Nencini 8. Horse costume £89.99 Toyella 9. French knitting bee £5.35 Clothkits 10. Anne-Claire Petit Dachshund toy £32 Little Bou 11. Stick-lets set £24.99 Toyella 12. Diego Dog light £75 SKK Lighting 13. Wooden cake stand and cakes £15.95 Party Ark 14. Design your own wizard wand £19.99 Party Ark 15. Pony sewing kit £15 Clothkits 16. Wooden blocks 54 piece set €40 Woodly 17. Wild fox soft toy £25 Waddler 18. Snowball Mozartkugel music box £64.99 Toyella 19. Stamp set £22.50 Noodoll 20. Mini Babette surprise box £14 Le train Fantome 21 Baby walker €150 Sirch 22. Ross rocking horse £239.99 Toyella. 23. Tegu 42 piece set £82.99 Toyella

32 39

Ruby Loves...

Bathtime

Relaxing in the tub isn't just for grown-ups.

Spa

Relaxing in the tub isn't just for grown-ups.

Ruby went all out luxury with Love Soaps gorgeous organic Lavender and Meadowfoam shampoo and bodywash.

42

Ruby Loves...

eing 10 years old, Ruby is now at that age where she loves a bit of pampering.

Single bottles ÂŁ7.50 each

B

Love Soaps's organic range of bath products for children have all the right ingredients for a blissful chill out in the bath.

!The

lavender essential oil soothes the soul while the moisturising Aloe Vera and Meadowfoam oil gives Ruby's delicate skin a well earned burst of hydration.

!Perfect for after her yoga class, Ruby is now ready to drift off into a peaceful nights sleep.

!Utter heaven!

Lavender shampoo & bodywash gift box set ÂŁ13.50

43

44

Philip with his youngest son Wren, 9 months

an you imagine leaving all that you know behind and travelling to an unknown land far away to make a new life for yourself? Now imagine doing it with a young child. Scary huh?!

!

Well for Philip Thompson and his wife Marina, this was exactly what they did with their young son Flynn who was just a year old.!

Little Flea caught up with Philip to find out more about their adventures:!

Marina and Finn (1 year old) in Salta, Argentina 2008

!

46

Can you tell us the story of how you moved from London to South America?!

!My wife Marina and I were both working in London and after the birth of our first son realised that London was not so much fun with a kid! So we decided to leave. I left my job, we rented our home and moved to Argentina where we travelled around the country and I began freelance writing.!

!

Was it a difficult decision to make such a drastic move with a young child?!

!

Yes, because I was at the beginning of a career I had chosen but no, because we were also very young - only 25! We did feel a little ridiculous having a proper job, a home, a baby, living in the big city at that age ;)!

!

Did you have any worries?! !

The usual ones, that everything would go tragically wrong - no work, no money, couldn't adapt and would be forced to return to London with our tail between our legs!

But I think a huge part of developing as a human being is learning to live with uncertainty. Was it Tacitus who said "the desire for safety stands against every great or noble enterprise".

I'm not sure how Philip & Marina great or noble our enterprises are but I stand with Tacitus on that one!!

Philip, Marina and their two sons in 2013

Can you talk us through the first months and how life changed?!

!

Well. we arrived in Buenos Aires and realised my basic Spanish would never allow me to work there - and that the media business there seemed much more a closed shop. So we decided to find somewhere a little quieter to adapt to the country and learn the language. We used most of our savings to buy a 12 year old Subaru Impreza and loaded it with all our belongings. Having acquired my driving license three weeks before arriving (on the fifth attempt...) navigating our way out of BA was a little hair-raising - 16 lanes of traffice, manic drivers, lost on the shanty towns.... but eventually we hit the open road and from then on it was like a South

American Kerouac novel. Lost towns, two way highways and endless adventure.

20,000 km later we found ourselves in Salta province in the far north of the country. We instantly fell in love and made it our home for the next year.!

!

How did your son adapt to your new way of life?!

!

We were fortunate to have an incredibly adaptable son. He never seemed to be bothered about arriving or leaving anywhere as long as we were there he was happy as Larry. He's now eight years old and has lived in 8 countries, 2 continents and about 30 different homes!

47

!

I loved it! Travel had always been a passion and living in a non-urban environment my dream. I grew up in rural Ireland so the city was never my ideal. Saying that I am pretty adaptable too, I tend to find it easy to see the beauty in most things. !

!

How did Waddler come about?! !

We were living in Cusco, Peru and Marina was struggling to find nice clothes for our son Finn. Then she discovered alpaca knits in some boutique tourist shops. They were super expensive so she tracked down a little workshop, gave them some yarn she had bought and some sketches and hey presto, we had beautiful knitted trousers, jumpers, hats. She then began to think of doing something with this wonder material.

But it was only a year later when we were back in Buenos Aires that it came up again.

We were on the point of returning to London but at the last minute Philips sons, Finn and Jimmy on their horse "lightning" we both couldn't deal with the idea of returning to the grind in the big city. It was then that we alighted on the idea of both of us working on creating a kids clothing label - Marina on design and me on the business side, though there is crossover.!

!

Do you have a background in fashion or design?!

!

No, neither of us. I studied Political Science and Philosophy and Marina studied Drama!

48

Waddler collection A/W 2014

How did you adapt?!

What made you decide to venture into childrens wear?!

!

A combination of having a child and discovering alpaca and other beautiful materials around South America.!

!

Can you tell us about the fabrics and wool used for Waddler clothing?!

!

Our alpaca is produced in Bolivia by a cooperative of alpaca herders who also own the processing plant. The fibres are separated into various grades of quality we work with the finest which is called baby alpaca. It is then knitted by hand in small workshops, where each artisan is paid 3 times the minimum wage. Our cotton clothes are made from organic pima cotton from Peru. this is one of the world's finest cottons and one of the few remaining nonGM cottons. Most organic cotton on the market is GM and probably produced with Monsanto seed - but not Waddler! And the cotton styles are assembled in a family owned workshop in Lima Peru.!

!

Was it a struggle setting up a business overseas?!

!

Well, the business is actually all registered in the UK. We moved back to the UK after creating the brand as we assumed this

would be our primary market. When we realised it was not and that very quickly 80% of our sales were overseas from Korea to the US, we moved back to South America as we realised that the business could be run from anywhere with a few annual trips to trade fairs or suppliers! !

Three clues - more complex knit designs, colourful cotton styles and Ireland...!

!

Where have you settled now and do you think you'll ever return to England?!

!

Finn with his friend Joabesson

!

What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?!

!

I suppose the challenges have always been the same - how to keep the brand alive and relevant, how to get the message out there, how to reach a very niche market of clientele which is truly global.!

!

Where did your inspiration for this collection come from?!

!

We now live on a small island off the North East coast of Brazil.

We have just finished building our home and we are incredibly happy to be living in our own place for the first time in eight years. It's a true paradise - no cars, no commercialisation, very little of anything except sun, sand, forest and sea. Though it does have high speed internet which makes the Waddler world go round! !

!

Anyone thinking of moving away from city life, what would your advice be?!

!

First make sure that it is what you really want. I meet many people travelling who

We w e r e i n s p i r e d b y t h e o l d European immigrant circuses that roamed the Americas in the early 20th century. That and a little of Chaplin's "The Circus" which I truly believe to be the funniest film I have ever seen. The last scene caused me to fall off my seat in tears of laughter highly recommended!!

!

Can you give us any sneaky hints about the S/S 15 collection?!

!

In the local village watching The World Cup!

49

actually hate travelling. they are only doing it because there is a silly contemporary idea that it's obligatory to do a world trip. It's not and if you don't like it you can discover a huge amount about the world by reading, the internet etc. Secondly I would highly recommend not doing a round the world trip or any type of travelling that involves manically hopping from one place to the next. You will learn nothing and the snapshot images you have of places will fade very quickly. We always spent at least 4 months in every place we visited - ideally one year. This way you get to meet local people, learn the language, make friends and get the feeling you have intimate knowledge of a place. This is far more valuable than being able to say "I did Peru, did Ecuador, did Vietnam" etc.

Choose one region or country and make it your mission to find the soul of that place.!

Philip and Finn in the local natural pools in the coral reef.

Finn on his horse.

What is Christmas like in South America? !

!

Our last Christmas in South America was spent on a rural chacra (small farm) where the owners grow organic vegetables. We had just arrived in Uruguay not knowing anyone and met this wonderful family who invited us to spend Christmas with them. We sat around a long table outside their ancient house and farm buildings, by an open fire where huge pieces of lamb and beef were slowly roasting. As the kids ran about the fire in the evening warmth, our hosts played guitar and sang and we drank sweet and fruity local muscat wine. It was magical!

Dancing round the fire last Christmas wearing Santa hats

With thanks to Philip at Waddler. For more information and to view the collection. Visit www.waddler.co.uk 50

www.waddler.co.uk

Indikidual trousers, ÂŁ30 available now online

Pippa's Picks

Trouser Tape Pippa was so excited to receive these amazing Washi Tape trousers from cool kids brand Indikidual, that she wore them 3 days in a row straight. We had to peel them off her in the end!!

!

A cross between a harem pant and a jogging bottom, these amazing trousers hit the spot for comfort while retaining the style factor. !

!

Famously adverse to jeans or anything that causes any discomfort, Pippa loves that these ultra soft trousers keep her cosy and warm and allow her to run around and play with ease. The fab Washi Tape design and turned up ankle detail are her favourite elements to these super cool trews!!

!

Continuing with our circus theme in this issue, check out Pips wearing her Indikidual Washi tape trousers hiding behind a book!!

!

She's one happy little bunny!

52

Pippa's Picks Pierrot hat: £15 Elfie London, grey print dress €349 SEK Shampoodle, red frilly skirt £22.50 Rosita Lollipop, blue craft tape trousers £30 Indikidual, 'Books' by McCain & Alcorn £11.99 Rosita Lollipop

Pierrot hat £15 Elfie London, stripe jacket €160 Macarons, lace skirt £25 Rosita Lollipop, green chevron socks £19 pack of 2 Indikidual, brown boots £74 Young Soles

53

Holidays are coming!

Little Flea's selection of Christmassy goodies to get you in the mood for the holiday season.

Xmas themed

Christmas tree wall sticker £2.25 Chocovenyl

Robin Christmas card £1.95 Showler & Showler

Colour in Xmas tablecloth £5.50 Party Ark

Customisable porcelain tree star £22 Emma Allington at Little Carousel Gallery

Hessian sack £7.50 Party Ark

Cut out peg card £7.50 Alice Melvin

Advent Village £48.75 The Little Things

Reindeer advent £24.95 The Little things

Penguin card £2.25 Lisa Jones

54

Stocking Fillers

The Slime Experiment £2.99 Party Ark

Sonny Angels £5.99 Toyella

Gingerbread necklaces €19.90 Pop Cutie

Christmas tattoo sets €4 Tattoofab

Clothes plasters £7.99 Clothkits

Wooden dinosaur kit £2.30 Party Ark

Dinosaur mini jigsaw £1.50 Feather Grey

Dry bib €8.90 Elodie Details

Pin badge set £7.50 Noodoll

55

Want to advertise with us?

Ad space is now open for our Spring/Summer 2015 issue out end of February 2015.

Get in touch to view our media pack

!

For details on joining the Little Flea family, email Anna at hello@littleflea.co.uk

The beautiful models from our Circus shoot are hoping for...

Lauren has her eye on this fabulous pencil tree £25.99 from Toyella.

Daisy wants this Bobo Choses backpack €95 and these temporary tattoos €4 Tattoofab

58

Lola has fallen for this LOVE baseball jacket £32 and side show shorts £35 from Love Frankie

Amy-Leigh Hickman who plays Carmen in The Dumping Ground would like...

"For Christmas I would like tickets to see Cheryl Fernandez-Versini!"

Milly Zero who plays Hannah in All At Sea says...

"I would like matching woolly coats for me and my new puppy, Raven, to keep us nice and snug in Winter!"

We love this grey Harris Tweed jacket ÂŁ89 Love My Dog 59