Introducing Brio

A absolute favourite brand of ours is the lovely Brio. The wooden toy company was founded in Sweden by Ivar Bengtsson a basket maker who started to make toys in Osby in southern Sweden. In 1908 Ivar's three sons took over and founded Brio, today the toys are still made of wood and designed in the village where it all began.

With their simple designs and bright colours Brio toys are beautiful objects that both you and your little one will love to have in your home. We love the Brio sorting box, great for developing hand eye co-ordination, the classic car is a must for every little boy and no play room should be without the fantastic Brio stove great for all those little budding Jamie Olivers!!

Something for the Weekend... Christmas Past at the Geffrye Museum

Exterior of the Geffrye Museum at Christmas

Credit: Geffrye Museum/Marc Schlossman

A living room in 1935

Credit: Geffrye Museum/Steve Speller

A living room in 1965

Credit: Geffrye Museum/James O'Davies

We can't get enough of all things Christmas and even though we're not quite into the month of December we are going to throw ourselves straight into the Festive spirit and kick off Christmas with a visit to the Geffrye Museum's Christmas Past exhibition.

Every year the museum digs out decorations from Christmas past and transforms their eleven rooms into winter wonderlands offering visitors a fascinating insight into how Christmas has been celebrated in English homes from 1600 to the present day. The museum will also be showing a small selection of Christmas Poster designs by Heals to celebrate the shop's bicentenary.

Admission: Free

Geffrye Museum

136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London, E2

www.geffrye-museum.org.uk

Say it With Words

We can't get enough of Dandy Star, one of the newest editions to the Sparkle & Spin wardrobe. Emblazoned with bold typography the hand printed collection has a nostalgic feel with a modern twist, added to that is a splash of sparkle that makes their great range of sweatshirts and tees impossible to resist. So spread the love and grab yourself some Dandy Star!

We'd Like You to Meet Lisa Stickley

If like us you love quirky British vintage inspired designs then you have to meet our friend Lisa Stickley.

Lisa designs and produces a beautiful range of hand made textiles and home accessories, including bags, tea towels, washbags and cushions to name but a few. Her quirky designs are playful without being too girly and offer hints of old fashioned charm with a modern twist. She has also written a book Made at Home that offers even the sewing novice great projects and ideas to make for your home.

We ♥ her!!

For more on Lisa and to check out her designs www.lisastickleylondon.com

Something for the Weekend... National Gallery

Credit: National Gallery, London

Credit: National Gallery, London

This weekend we're going to visit the National Gallery for their Free Family Sundays. We're going to join their Magic Carpet Storytelling Session. Suitable for the under 5's the magic carpet lands in front of a different painting each week where a story will unfold. For the older children the gallery is running an artist led Mask Workshop where you can get messy and creative making your own hero or heroine disguise.

See you there!!

Magic Carpet Storytelling, every Sunday, 10.30–11am and 11.30am–12pm

Free hands-on art workshops every Sunday 11–1pm, repeated 2–4pm

Admission free, no need to book but places are limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

http://www.nationalgallery.org.uk

Hello Kitty

Here at Sparkle & Spin we can't get enough of Hello Kitty and we thought you might like to know a little bit more about her!!

• Name: Kitty White
• Birthday: 1st November 1974
• Blood type: A
• Place of birth: Sanio, Japan
• Height: That of five apples
• Weight: That of three apples
• Good at: Baking cookies
• Favourite food: Apple pie made by Mama (mum)
• Favourite word: "Friendship"
• Collects: Small cute things like sweets, stars, goldfish etc.
• Best school subjects: English, music and visual arts
• Description: A bright and kind-hearted girl, good at baking cookies and loves Mama's apple pie. Very close to her twin sister Mimmy.

Now that you've been properly introduced we know you won't be able to resist this super cute money box and these little Hello Kitty figures are perfect for keeping little hand busy :)

Something for the Weekend.... Lord Mayors Show

Photo: Chris Powell

This Saturday we will be heading into the city to watch the 2010 Lord Mayor’s Show. Set to be one of the biggest-ever, the event will see acrobats performing alongside South African Zulu warriors, hip-hop dancers from Hackney next to stray dogs looking for a home!! The three-mile long parade will wind its way through the streets of the City of London, from the Mansion House to the Courts of Justice via St Paul’s Cathedral and back to celebrate the inaugural outing of the 683rd Lord Mayor of the City of London.

The parade begins at 11am at Mansion House and the day culminates in a fireworks extravaganza between Waterloo and Blackfriars Bridges on the Thames from 5pm. A London event not to be missed!!

For Route Map and further information see http://www.lordmayorsshow.org

Winter Woolies

Cardigan by Molo

It's time to wrap up warm and dig out those Winter Woolies again. We have some great comfy and cosy knits for keeping your little one warm and toasty on those cold blustery days. We love Molo's funky fair isle knit and this Lucky sweat from Dandy Star is great for the boys (or the girls). We know that with a bit of imagination you can wrap up warm while looking cool :)

Something for the Weekend... The Hula Hoop Hop

This Saturday we are going to hula the afternoon away down at the Southbank's Hula Hoop Hop. A fantastic free event the Hop is the opportunity for total beginners or expert spinners to join with hundreds of hula enthusiasts of all ages and celebrate how the joyful art of hooping is taking the world by storm. International star Marawa the Amazing will be showcasing her Hula talents and turntable goddesses The Broken Hearts will be spinning a selection of vintage, retro and hip-hop party tunes to get your hoop on to.

Bring your hula hoop if you have one!!

1pm onwards The Hula Hoop Hop, The Clore Ballroom , Royal Festival Hall, Saturday 6 November 2010

More Moomins

We've heard a rumour that you can check out the new Moomins Film ' Moomins and the Comet Chase' in 3D, with a soundtrack by Bjork, at the London Children's Film Festival. Held at the Barbican until the 7th November you can find details on screening times, workshops and events on their website. We can't wait!!!

www.londonchildrensfilm.org.uk

Say Hello to the Moomins

Here at Sparkle & Spin we can't get enough of the Moomins, a family of white roundish Trolls that resemble hippopotamuses they live in Moomin valley in the forests of Finland. Created in 1945 by Swedish illustrator and writer Tove Jansson. Moominpappa, Moominmama and Moomintroll love nature, adventures and having fun with their friends Hemulens, Sniff, The Snork maiden, Snufkin and Little My. We love the Moomin suitcase puzzle set and cube puzzle, beautifully illustrated by Jansson they are great for developing hand eye co-ordination and will look great in any nursery room.