Beyond the Looking Glass

Yesterday, I took the train to London to attend a photo shoot that is to accompany a forthcoming feature in SHE magazine. I am being featured along with @Baby_Genie, @mummytips and Emily from MyWardrobe.com in an article about the impact online social networking has on women's lives today.

I responded to a request for women who deem themselves spending 'too long' online each day. This immediately struck a chord with me so I whizzed off an email and forgot all about it. To my surprise, I received a call from the journalist a few days later asking for an interview - eek!

The interview left me feeling a little like I was about to invite the women of the UK into my front room every night. By detailing how I spend my evenings networking with friends online, tweeting and reading blogs whilst at the same time eating my dinner, I felt I was divulging a dirty secret of some kind. It took some reflection before I acknowledged that the time I spend online is not only something I enjoy but an investment in my future. More than that, my family's future. I conduct my business online and as such, time needs to be spent building relationships with suppliers, customers and perhaps most importantly, supporters of my vision.

So with the interview in the bag, I arrived at Liverpool Street to be met by my car (no tubing for me today!) which whisked me through the endless streets filled with Pret and Starbucks to Studio 33 behind Carnaby Street. Entering reception via the giant revolving door, it was immediately apparent this was poles apart from my 'real' job of a primary school teacher. Couriers were arriving armed with bags strewn with designers I'd only ever read about and the receptionist was multi-tasking like nobodies business.

Once I arrived on the set, I was introduced to the makeup artist, stylist, photographer and other such titles. I was sifting through rails and rails of beautiful clothes and a pile was thrust into my arms to try on.

I had warned the stylist that trousers/jeans and I are not the best of friends. Imagine my delight when I slipped into an incredible pair of Ted Baker white skinny jeans that instantly fit me? Not only did they fit but they felt amazing and made my legs seem extremely long which is always a good thing in my book. A beautiful silk kimono style blouse by Jaegar later and I was all set for hair and makeup.

Catherine (@Baby_Genie) and I in hair and makeup


Sian (@mummytips) and Catherine having the finishing touches carried out

Now, this is where I should explain... I have big issues with my hair, always have and always will. It's curly you see, and well, it needs a LOT of taming. I was not overly happy with the end result they presented to me in the mirror but since the other three girls were done in the time it had taken to get me to this point, I figured I'd best go with it lest I be forever tweeted as a diva ;)

I felt like I was standing forever up there on the set but I felt great in my outfit and enjoyed every second of the limelight shhh! Being directed

The standing shot

The seated shot

I had great fun yesterday and particularly enjoyed meeting the other girls. You should check them all out on twitter as they're all up to incredible things. If you're keen to see how much of a nerd they make me out to be and what the edited shots look like the feature will be in the July issue of SHE magazine - eeeeek!

Venetian Whirl

We have just returned from what we had expected to be a 'break' in the beautiful city of Venice. Now, as we all know Venice is famed for its canals and so getting around with a baby/toddler in tow was never a match made in heaven right? Oh, so wrong!

It would seem that the baby is Pariah in Italy and we were simply her entourage; the facilitators in escorting her on a tour of the city and greetings with fans.

Upon our arrival, the red carpet was rolled out and as soon as Ellen was spotted we were ushered to the front of the queues to get through the airport and on with her royal visit. Of course, since she is of such importance, it was only right that she was transported via a wheeled chariot. Thus came our first stumbling block. As stated before, Venice has canals. Lots of canals. Over the canals are bridges. The bridges have steps. LOTS of steps. Wheeled chariot was promptly ditched in favour of organic fabric carrying device and peace was once more restored among the dignity's escorts.

Being carried over the Rialto Bridge

Ellen glided happily above the crowds waving at her onlookers, smiling as people took her photo (yes, really) and giving smug looks to other small beings whose entourages persisted with their attempts to wheel their precious cargo in their chariots. Our girl was high on celebrity status and revelling in it. It seemed that being carried was much more acceptable to her as well as us as it gave her direct access to the male member of her entourages sunglasses which she removed from his face at her will and placed upon her own. She found that with a simple wave of her hand she was off in her preferred direction and when travelling via vaporetto, she had a most acceptable vantage point. On the occasions when she had travelled in the wheeled chariot on the vaporetto, her fans were unable to spot her as she was beneath their eye level and this was entirely unsatisfactory.

Ellen donning the male hired helps shades to
amuse the passersby in St Mark's Square.

On reflection, I feel I can confidently say as one part of the hired help we did a great job of accompanying the one year old (her birthday was on Tuesday) on her city break. For future visits, I would probably insist on the chariot being brought as it allowed a place for Ellen to sleep in the evening once her public appearances had worn her out. This allowed us as her assistants to eat, drink chianti and unwind. I would strongly advise anyone due to accompany a similar trip to invest in their own fabric carrying device as without it I have a funny feeling that our time in Venice would have been confined to very carefully chosen, non bridge based areas.

In the Spirit of Voting...

I classify as what they're referring to as a 'floating voter'.

I'm frantically googling tonight to try and find something, just one little frag of something that tells me which box to X tomorrow. So far... nothing.

As a primary educator, first time mum and businesswoman, I'm looking for quite a lot from our leaders. Is this wrong? I don't think so. Why shouldn't I have high expectations of the leaders of our country? Why shouldn't I be expecting support where I need it and the ability to have choices ahead of me rather than enforced decisions made on my behalf? I want my daughter to grow up in a world where women make informed decisions and live fulfilling, yet balanced lives.

So if any of you out there in the ether know something I don't, please enlighten me. I sat my way through leaders debate after leaders debate and swung from being firmly in one camp to be being in the middle of somewhere that looks like nowhere.

I think this calls for a spreadsheet...

A much easier decision (but still no simple choice!) needing your vote is the fantastic face of SnugBaby contest. It might be too late to enter but it's not too late to vote for your favourite to go through to the final judging panel. Check out the gallery and click the heart of the pair you'd like to see as the new face of SnugBaby.

http://www.snugbaby.co.uk/newface/gallery/

SnugBaby is a UK made and BSEN tested Mei Tai sling. It comes in a
range of fantastic colourways and fabrics with the added bonus of being double sided (to keep the men in your life happy ;) ). The straps are very comfortable and provide even weight distribution when carrying in the wide variety of positions it offers. The unique thing that SnugBaby offers over other Mei tai's is the seat base that can be narrowed to fit the size of your baby. With limited editions and a brand new organic style just out (which also happens to be the UK's first BSEN tested organic fabric Mei Tai), you'll find yourself spoilt for choice.

Drop by Petit Poppet's SnugBaby page to browse our styles or contact us to arrange a trial.

I imagine that both voting for the Face of SnugBaby or choosing your favourite design are easier tasks than the voting options for tomorrow leave us with.