Something for the Weekend... New Year's Day Parade

We are planning to drag ourselves out of bed on the 1st day of 2011 to see the New Years Day Parade. Pearly Kings and Queens, cheerleaders, dancers, and bands from London boroughs make up the parade, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary. A host of musicians, dancers, acrobats, clowns and floats twirl, march and drum a 2.2-mile route from the Ritz Hotel, taking in Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street, Pall Mall, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall and best of all it's free!! See you down there :)

12 noon - 3pm Saturday 1st January 2011
http://www.londonparade.co.uk

Merry Christmas :)

Have a great day.

Love the Girls at Sparkle & Spin xx

Happy Holidays... Time to Have Some fun :)

Hurrah it's the holidays which means we are free to have more than just a weekend of fun :) Some of you may still have Christmas shopping to do but we're going to leave all that to Santa and go out and enjoy ourselves. We love the story of Hansel and Gretel, so when we heard that the Royal Festival Hall have recreated a life size gingerbread house we knew it was not to be missed!! We're going to head down there this Monday or Tuesday to take part in a gingerbread bake off where we can decorate our very own freshly baked gingerbread man/woman. We also plan on getting creative and helping to decorate the life-sized gingerbread house and we promise not to nibble anything ;)

Drop in between 12 noon and 4pm on Monday 20 or Tuesday 21 December to take part The Clore Ballroom, Royal Festival Hall FREE

Something for the Weekend... Santa's Grotto at the Museum of London Docklands

We've decided to pay Santa a visit this weekend, we want to make sure the postman delivered our letter and of course meet the man himself. We've been told he has a secret Victorian grotto, clad with traditional period decorations at the Museum of London Docklands. We can't wait to tell him what we want for Christmas and to hear him say HO, HO, HO :0)

Museum of London Docklands, No1 Warehouse, London E14 4AL

4th - 22nd December 2010

£5.00

All I Want For Christmas (the Boys)

This year we have some great gifts for the boys that will have Daddy and Grandad up and wanting a piece of the action.

1. Soft Gallery Bear Sweatshirt
This has to be the cutest bear we've ever seen!! Together with his colorful fur and the dark grey soft sweatshirt this top is perfect weekend wear.

2. Hollys Underwear
It is so hard to find really nice underwear for the little ones. So we love Hollys for making this lovely set with their mini clover in royal blue for all the boys.

3. Morse Code Kit
This fun and educational Morse Code kit is a perfect gift for the 5+. Making their own Morse practice set, with a wooden tapper, buzzer, light bulb and battery box, they will become experts in Morse codes. The little booklet provides fascinating history on how Morse Telegraphy was the very start of Global communication.

4. Soft Puppy Dog If you are not ready to yet give in to a real pet, why not get this super cute and soft dalmatian puppy. With it's hand painted realistic features, it's almost as good as the real thing.

5. Brio Crane
Building Young Minds. This is a great one for all budding builders. Push along crane, with winding arm that can pick up magnetic wooden blocks. Encourages creativity and coordination.

All I Want For Christmas (the Girls).....

Here at Sparkle & Spin we've been getting in the Christmas spirit and started writing our Christmas lists, it's never too early to start you know!! We have some great toys for the girls from stocking fillers to that gift that no girl should be without. Here is a list of our top five gifts that should be on every little princesses letter to Santa.

1. Fjall Raven Rucksack
This is just a really classic from Sweden. A great rucksack for the little ones to take to nursery, school and on outings. It has adjustable straps and is water proofed. A must have. Also comes in grey, pink, red & navy blue

2. Hollys Underwear
It is so hard to find really nice underwear for the little ones. So we love Hollys for making this lovely set in a classic grey with pink trim.

3. Cat with Poncho
With her ontrend floral dress and crotchet poncho every little girl will want to give this Kitty a home.

4. Hollys Black Sequin Jacket
Sequins are a must-have this season. When we spotted this Hollys black sequin zip-up jacket we knew it was going to be be a winner. Perfect for any social engagement or teamed with a pair of skinny jeans for a cool casual look, the little ladies are sure to love this jacket. We just wish they made them for mum’s too!

5. Lucky Girl Coat Hook
If your little girl is anything like her mummy, we know she will love accessories. And what better place to hang her coat, scarf or bag than on this gorgeous lucky girl coat hook. Wood. 2 hooks. Hidden attachments in back, nails for hanging included.

All I want For Christmas (Baby Boys).....

We have lots of great gift ideas for the baby boys. Here are our top five gifts to put under the tree:
1. Counting Birds Book
This beautifully illustrated book takes us on an amazing visual journey filled with swans, peacocks, geese, swallows, and many other familiar birds. The story is really sweet and it introduces numbers along the way, making it a great read and brilliant introduction to counting.

2. Molo Baby Blanket
Over the rainbow with Molo. This is just a brilliant newborn gift or you might just want to add a bit of colour to your day with this great baby blanket.

3. Brio Rattle
Walrus Rattle. We just love Brio’s My Very First walrus rattle. Soft and easy to grip, they will love it’s ringing bell and bright colours. Also available in blue/green.

4. Ej Sikke Lej Top
Ej Sikke Lej's basic animal prints are just super cute. We love this new white turtle on black it really stands out. In super comfy cotton, 2 poppers in the neckline makes it easy to get the little ones in and out of this top.

5. Hollys Bodysuit
This all in one from Hollys is a great wardrobe staple perfect for layering up and so cute with it's classic clover print. Perfect newborn gift, also available in blue.

All I want For Christmas (Baby Girls)......

We have some super cute ideas for all those little pink bundles this Christmas.
Here are our top five:

1. Hollys Dress
Super cute dress for the little girls, sprinkled with lucky clovers from Hollys.

2. Charley Harper ABC Book
Charley Harper’s magical modernist drawings are now available in this delightful cardboard ABC book. A change from the average apple, ball, cat books, this book will take them on a journey of the animal kingdom, following the fascination of shapes, colours and forms that Charley had with animals. A modern, timeless classic.

3. Molo Baby blanket
Super cute, wrap your little one in this blanket from Molo, filled with stars and kittens.

4. Brio Sorting Box
Get in shape. It’s time to sort the squares from the circles. They will love playing with this classic Brio sorting box. The black gloss box with green, pink and red shapes makes this a smart looking toy too.

5. Katvig Bib
I’m sure your little one is the apple of your eye but turn around for one second and they have food all down them. Fear no more! This Katvig apple print bib has a handy big pocket to catch any flying food, is machine washable and makes them stand out at dinner time. 2 poppers at top to fit all sizes. Also available in green.

Something for the Weekend... Lets meet Rudolph

We've been reliably informed that Ruldolph and his friends are in residence at Covent Garden in the run up to Christmas. This weekend we're going to go and say hello and make sure he knows that we'll be leaving him a carrot or two out on Christmas Eve! You can see reindeer every Saturday in December on the East Piazza, except on 18th December when the petting corner will be on the West Piazza. We will also be checking out the interactive Kissing Christmas Tree. The 50,000 red and white lights on the tree are activated every time people kiss under the mistletoe nearby, we think it sounds like the perfect excuse for a festive smooch :) The tree will be in operation until the 5th January 2011.

Time for a trip to the Theatre :)

It's the time of year when a trip to the theatre is in order and we've just booked ourselves into the lovely Albany Theatre to see Stuff and Nonsense Theatre Company's version of the Three Little Pigs.

Building your own home is not as easy as it looks. For instance, what is the best material to use? Will it be wind proof? Will it be Wolf Proof?!! There's only one way to find out... Promising to be a madcap show full of puppets, music, comedy and thrills. This adaptation of the famous children’s story is a real treat for children aged 2-7 (sure there’s a wolf in it, but he’s not that scary – honest!) and will keep the adults on their toes!

The Albany, Douglas Way, Deptford, London SE8 4AG

Box Office 020 8692 4446

www.thealbany.org.uk

Tuesdays – Sundays 7th - 24th December

Tickets £9 adults, £7.50 children, £30 family ticket (4 tickets)

Stocking Fillers for Little Fingers

We've just taken delivery of some little figures that make cute Stocking Fillers for little ones and are the perfect size to keep in the handbag for all those emergency toy moments. From Mickey and Minnie Mouse to Lady and the Tramp there is something for everyone and we know that the little ones will love creating their own mini adventures with these pocket size pals.

Introducing Soft Gallery

Founded by designer Tine Holt Møller and fashion photographer and stylist Barbara Hvidt and launched in Denmark in 2008, Soft Gallery is a unique and different kind of children’s label based on a collaboration with artists. With hand embroidered detailing on many pieces, Soft Gallery will appeal to little ones that love eye-catching designs that don't compromise on style. With new artists invited to collaborate each season Soft Gallery creates unique collections.

Christmas Discount Code :)

With only twenty days till the big day we've decided to spread the Christmas Cheer and offer all our favourite people 20% discount for the next 12 days. Just enter the code 12DAYS at the checkout. So come and visit us at www.sparkleandspin.co.uk and start shopping!!
Merry Christmas :)

Something for the Weekend.... Somerset House Skating Rink

One of our pre Christmas weekend treats is a visit to Somerset House ice rink. Considered by many as London's winter icon – whether you're an able skater or an absolute beginner it's the essential winter experience. Open all day and late into the night, Somerset House ice rink is the perfect place to meet. For the less adventurous spectators are welcome and can enjoy winter warmers at Tom's Skate Lounge, and cupcakes and sweets at the Tiffany Tuck Shop.

Somerset House Trust - Strand London WC2R 1LA
www.somersethouse.org.uk

Santas on the Run

If you want to get in the festive spirit and do your bit for charity get down to the Southbank this Thursday and watch the Santas on the Run event where hundreds of runners dress up as the jolly red fat man to raise money for Childrens Hospices UK. So go and cheer the Santas on and see if you can spot the real Santa, he's sure to be there!! 6.30pm 02 December 2010 http://www.santasontherun.org.uk