Nighties and Wellies

There is something rather appealing about waking up in the morning, sun streaming through the windows, early morning dew still on the grass and rushing outside to gather eggs and feed the chickens........all this whilst still in your nightie! This was the atmosphere Vicki and I were trying to recreate in this photo shoot named 'nighties and wellies'. Wellington boots go with absolutely anything don't they? And just lately, they are the only thing we've all been wearing!

Many of the nightdresses on my site are taken from original Victorian designs and hark back to a time of childhood innocence when we like to imagine life carefree, relaxed and happy. Summer days stretched out forever and adventures were to be found at the bottom of the garden, in the vegetable patch...secret gardens were created. Who needed to get dressed? 

We had The Medicine Garden all to ourselves when these photos were taken in the hazy, sunny days of late last summer by family lifestyle photographer, Vicki Knights. These girls certainly ran around enjoying the attention and the pretty nightwear.They were amazing little models! We were allowed to sneak into this derelict green house, (now restored and transformed into the most beautiful cafe) and as you can see the light was stunning when these were shot at about 6pm.

The Victorian walls of The Medicine Garden were the perfect back drop for the white cotton nighties. I love the contrast in colour and texture.

I'm often asked what length the nightdresses are meant to be. That is entirely down to choice. I quite like them full length so there is still plenty of room for growth. If you are buying for a three year old or younger then I wouldn't go that long You can see more nightdress styles on my site here.

You can read my first blog about this shoot, 'The Secret Garden' here. 

Janne x 

Molly and Megan

A few months ago I was thrilled to discover Ragtales, a new and emerging toy brand. I'm delighted to be one of the first independent retailers to be stocking their beautiful range of rag dolls and soft toys. I have written about  the Ragtags in a previous blog post here, but I'm  dedicating this one to these two lovelies, the Dollytales.

With soft cotton bodies and plush velour knotted hair tied up with ribbons, these pretty dolls have plenty of character. Friendly, gentle faces with rouged cheeks and freckles will surely make  them firm favourites in the playroom. With timeless appeal, these dolls really hark back to the days when dolls were handmade with love and care, designed to cherish and hand down to the next generation.

Molly has a pretty velour dress with flouncy skirt in a ditsy floral print and net petticoat. Stripey tights and polka dot knickers complete the look! 

Megan is a real cutie in a pink polka dot dress and velour ballet wrap and matching shoes.

Both these dolls are suitable from birth and it is the attention to detail and authenticity that makes them so special. They both come with a cotton carry bag embroidered with their names making them a perfect travel companion for little girls.

These sweeties make delightful keepsake gifts for god daughters, christenings, a first birthday or simply because us Mums find them completely irresistible! This is one lovely testimonial from a thrilled customer:


"Omygiddigoodness the Molly doll is BEAUTIFUL....totally exceeded my expectations and I'm thrilled. My daughter is going to love her. I encourage all those with little girls in their lives to get one too! Thank you!" (Katherine Morgan Textile Crafts) 


I can't wait to see the next range of toys that Ragtales have designed.

Janne x

A Secret Garden

The Secret Garden photo shoot

Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel, 'The Secret Garden' was the inspiration behind this very English of photo shoots taken late last Summer by Surrey family lifestyle photographer Vicki Knights . I wanted to show the children's nightwear range in an alternative way to the usual indoor scenes and loved Vicki's work and use of natural light in her photography.   

Children seldom rush to get dressed first thing in the morning and I loved the idea of photographing the girls still in their pjs and nightdresses outside, natural and free, exploring the vegetable plot and feeding the chickens. Vicki and I put our heads together and came up with a number of styling ideas, props, our four gorgeous models and kept fingers crossed that it didn't rain!

Many of the girls  nightdresses and pyjamas  are inspired by original Victorian designs. Designed in England and made in beautiful soft cotton, they all have pretty hand finished detailing. The 'Secret Garden' theme was perfect and I could just imagine Mary walking the walls of the Misselthwaite Manor in one of these nightdresses.

The rose garden plays an important theme in the novel and these are some of my favourite images from the shoot. This nightdress is guaranteed to make even the most boisterous little girl look angelic!

The Medicine Garden in Cobham, Surrey was the perfect setting, with it's Victorian walled garden, beds of lavender and vegetable plots bursting with cabbages. Vicki runs her photo workshops here and I love the nursery and the delicious cakes in the cafe! 

As you can see the caterpillars have got the better of the cabbages!

You can read more about this photo shoot on Vicki's blog here

I can't wait to share more photos from this shoot including a very whimsical tea party!

Janne x