a Mumford sunday night

Mumford & Sons at the Roundhouse

Last Sunday, music friend and I defied all those Sunday evening laws which ban leaving the comfort of a cosy home to venture out seeking some last minute weekend fun. The order of the evening was a long over due catch up over a cold beer followed by those rockin’ Mumford and Sons at Camden’s intimate Roundhouse.

Mumford & sons

The majority of their set was made up of songs from their latest album as they told us: It’s good to be back in the UK again’. But then in stormed Little Lion Man to huge amounts of bouncing and beer cheer.

brooklyn beckham in the crowd at Mumford & Sons

But the real highlight (other than Brooklyn Beckham in the crowd with his nanny – I joke not) was the moment when the brand’s four leading members turned off their microphones and sang Cold Arms, accompanied only by Marcus Mumford’s acoustic guitar.

mumford & Sons

The crowd fell silent. The boys sung Wilder Mind in harmony; goose bumps all round.

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social media x smalls

As London Fashion Week rears its pointed toe, most of us in the digital fashion world will have our cameras and phones at the ready in every effort to snap, post and share those most likable instagram pictures. But is our world in squares, along with the other social platforms, a suitable place for our Smalls to play? When, where, how and WHY I’m asked repeatedly – perhaps because my day job – should we allow the underage into our mindless playground?

But it’s not as easy as that. In fact, it’s a debatable topic that none of us are knowledgeable enough to give any proper advice on. Many of us can see the advantage of children understanding how social media works and there is always the argument that – by denying access – you are over hyping it and therefore provoking the naughties to go behind your back… perahps one dark day.

The truth is that a great deal of what’s out there being shared by closed communities (those with privacy settings) is harmless and therefore very dull for the Under 13s (the recommended age). But there are of course those ugly bits. From what I hear, children mostly stumble across these on YouTube and mine have been given this strict advice: if it’s horrid, turn it off immediately and tell an adult.

For better or for worse, my Mini loves Instagram. She loved scrolling through my feed for more than a year before I conceded (read: fought Him) and allowed her to open her own account. With 20 followers and a passion for taking and editing her photos, it all feels pretty harmless. My logic is that when the rest of her peers are allowed access, she’ll behave like a normal social media freak rather than one feeling the need to push boundaries and behave inappropriately. The novelty is here and now.

But, as I said, there’s no right or wrong answer to this debate. It’s highly personal but with a close eye, privacy settings to keep out the baddies and limited screen time, I think she might just survive.

 

 

 

 

 

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what’s SO funny?

What really tickles you? And your Smalls? Do you laugh at one and the same – or are you mostly amused by each other’s presence? I only ask because, after 8 weeks of living in close quarters, I’m a little overly finely tuned into our family sense of humour … as well as (occasional) lack of…

My first observation is that only the most curious will make us all laugh simultaneously. This could be an air steward with a high-pitched voice, any food ordering miscommunication and absolutely includes any cheeky queue barge.

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More often than perhaps we should, the three of us tend to find Him pretty amusing. Over zealous sun cream application, temporarily hiding his ‘precious’ sunglasses and the way he deal with intense heat can have us rolling in the aisles.

Small, in contrast, isn’t so keen to be the butt of any joke, which brings me conveniently onto the geek that is Mr Bean. One of the most successful British cultural exports ever, this character is a real divider in our family. The males find him sidesplittingly hilarious, particular Small whose uncontrollable laughter can be heard in the next street. Mini and I feel utterly stressed out by this hapless, awkward, self-conscious, childlike, disaster-prone weirdo.

Last weekend we tried our hand at Mrs Doubtfire. I’d actually forgotten just how funny Robin Williams is when his first-time boobs ignite. Again, the Smalls were divided. Mini couldn’t quite see past the male-female conversion to find any of the film the least bit amusing. Small is still giggling in his bedroom when he remembers certain episodes.

The bottom line is that finding life amusing is more important than I think we all realize. It binds and reassures us to know that we were, at that moment, on exactly the same page. Bearing in mind the strains, stresses and lack of comic moments in everyday life, I think we ought to take laughter that bit more seriously.

This column first appeared in The Lady where I am their Mum About Town.

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dinny + her hoops

30 years ago, I was a teenager. So, Carnaby Street and it’s rockin’ shoppin’ was much more of an attraction than Liberty’s finest florals. But, the jewels in those glass cabinets on the ground floor were always an exception and I still stop by for an obligatory drool when in the neighbourhood.

Liberty department store

The point though is that Dinny (Hall) and her infamous timeless hoops – as well as all sorts of classic gold/silver everyday pieces – have been warmly embraced by all (not just lil’ old me) within those wood paneled, luxe rooms for three whole decades.

some handbag porn from Monica Beatrice Welburn / Elgin Avenue

some handbag porn from Monica Beatrice Welburn / Elgin Avenue

So what better reason to party? And to hear from Dinny herself – interviewed by the truly divine (visually and IN person) Katherine Ormerod – as to what it is about the hoop which makes us jump for joy…

3 of the girls: Katherine Ormerod, Kelly and Lucy Williams

3 of the girls: Katherine Ormerod, Kelly Eastwood and Lucy Williams

 

our hostess with the hoop-mostess

our hostess with the hoop-mostess

 

Lucy and her fringe-tastic swede jacket

Lucy and her fringe-tastic swede jacket

 

Esther Coren digs deep

Esther Coren digs deep 

 

… and Dinny Hall herself mid interview

… and Dinny Hall herself mid interview

There are 10 styles within Dinny’s #HallofHoops – three of which are exclusive to Liberty. Follow Dinny’s instagram for more pics as well as heaps of jewel style & hoop inclination.

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