Chocolate Party

Is there a better way to celebrate chocolate week than with a chocolate party? Of course I knew that way back in June when I booked Trish of Cloud Cocoland for Eloise's 10th Birthday Party earlier this month!

I first met Trish when we both had a stall at a local fundraising event. We had just started our own businesses and got chatting over chocolate and pyjamas like you do! She had just had a baby boy (one week before) and I was amazed how calm, unflappable and utterly composed she was, not to mention looking gorgeous so soon afterwards. I don't think I even got out of my pyjamas for about a week after having my first!

I've followed Cloud Cocoland's Facebook page ever since. Her chocolates are simply delicious and this year she was the official supplier to The Hampton Court Festival. When I spotted Trish was running a chocolate party, I knew that would be such a lovely idea! Trish offers a number of different options for the party, so it really can be tailored  around what you would like to make. We chose the truffle making and chocolate fountain option for ten girls.

Trish and sister Juliet arrived laden with bags of chocolate, aprons and utensils and in no time had set about preparing for the party and chopping fruit for the chocolate fountain which was gurgling away very temptingly in the background!

Once the girls had arrived and pinnys were on, Trish demonstrated the truffle making technique. There were different flavour chocolate mixes to choose from, with the jelly flavour being the clear winner amongst the girls!

The party girls wasted no time in rolling and shaping the chocolate in to truffles and it was clear they were going to be taking home a good few bags each. The chocolate was divine! Trish uses the same chocolate and teaches the same techniques as she uses herself and so it wasn't long before we had a very professional production line going. And don't worry, Trish came armed with plenty of wipes and kitchen roll. Not one chocolate hand print in sight!

Each chocolate truffle was dipped, sprinkled and decorated and just when the cocoa powder and and icing sugar were becoming ever so slightly intoxicating, it was time to move over to the chocolate fountain! 

It didn't take long for the chocolates to set and Trish and Juliet gift wrapped the truffles  with ribbon. Each 'newbie chocolatier' was sent home with three bags of beautiful bespoke chocolates that tasted utterly amazing.

Can you ever have too much chocolate? Not in this house! If you would like to find out more about Trish's chocolate party you can find all the details here.

Janne and the birthday girl x

Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park

Finding yet another activity that both Mum and daughter can enjoy two weeks into the holidays is not always easy unless it involves a trip to Costa Coffee, Wagamamas or a mint magnum. So when a friend suggested a visit to a Sculpture Park that I'd never even heard of (despite living in Surrey for 30 years) we were happy to give it a go.

I envisioned a small park that might take half an hour to traipse round and then lunch at a Pub. I think Eloise imagined slides, swings and maybe a a zip wire or two! I had no idea that we would find such a hidden gem in The Pride of the Valley Sculpture Park though. It literally is an outdoor gallery set in woodland in Churt, a tiny village in beautiful, rural Surrey.

Each piece of sculpture or carving is set on or just off a meandering trail of about 2km long. You can stumble across anything from an alligator to a shetland pony and many outlandish and beautiful creatures in between. Each piece is different and everything is for sale. Ok so 'forget about the price tag'.

There are endless sculpters and artists represented and the variety of materials used ranges from recyled wellies and horse shoes, iron and stone to sheet metal, ceramic and driftwood. From intricate to minimalist, from tiny to scarily huge! This Park has something for everyone!

The thing I loved the most though was the calm and tranquility of the setting. There were very few people in the park...we literally had it to ourselves. The girls, both 9yrs were more than happy running between sculptures and following the numbered trail. When fatigue set in their interest was immediately renewed by taking their own photos and video with our iPhones.

The path wasn't always easy to follow, but that didn't matter as losing yourself amongst the trees and streams is pure joy. The only thing I would say if you were to take young children is keep them in sight. There are a few small lakes which are deep in places and the park can seem quite remote at times.

It truly is a magical and stimulating place. It is closed Mondays, but is open for most of the year. It's not too expensive to get in either. Just £6 for adults and £3 for children. Take a picnic and easily spend the best part of a day there. If you go, do let me know if you enjoyed the visit as much as we did.

Happy summer!

Janne x

A good nights sleep

Who's had a good nights sleep this month? We've got the fan on, the duvet off, windows wide open, but each night is a challenge in this weather. We all want to stay cool during these hot summer nights and with little ones feeling uncomfortable and irritable in this heat, it's really important to choose the right nightwear for them to sleep in. All our beautiful nightwear is 100% cotton. We don't do polyester or manmade fabrics which can cause existing skin conditions to flare up. A cool breathable and natural fibre, cotton is probably one of the best options for sleeping in this heatwave. All our nightwear is machine washable and is easy to dry. If you want to skimp on the ironing then a light tumble dry is all that is needed. 

Loose fitting nightwear is best and as all our nightdresses are based on traditional victorian designs so there is plenty of room for movement. This Powell Craft Rosie nightdress is one of our best sellers in summer with it's vintage rose print design.

Loose fitting pyjamas or nighties allow for circulation around the body so slim fitting all- in-ones and tight fitting pjs are not ideal in our hot and sticky July!

We have lots of fun designs for boys too, but these classic lightweight stripe pjs are great for both boys and girls. 

Wishing you all a good nights sleep this summer!

Janne x

Rag doll giveaway

To celebrate reaching over 1500 likes on Facebook we are giving away one of our beautiful Molly or Megan Rag dolls with a retail value of £29.95.

Designed in the UK, these sweet soft dolls really are special toys arriving in there own named linen carry bag that co ordinates with their outfits. Little ones will just adore them .

Molly has pigtails and freckles with an embroidered face and brown velour hair. To finish the look she has stripy tights and a full gathered floral print dress.

Megan comes dressed in a layered pink polka dot dress and matching wrap around cardi. With her blond pigtails and pink rosie cheeks she is a real cutie too.

Competition rules

1. The competition will run for two weeks and end on 18th June 11.59pm 2013. 

2. All entries will be given a number and the winner will be drawn using the random.org number generator.

3. Once the competition has ended, I will announce the winner on the blog and Facebook on the 19th June.

4. The competition is open to everyone ,but free postage and packaging only applies to UK residents.

5. To enter, participants must like my 'My Heart and Home' on Facebook AND leave a comment below Or on my Facebook page to say they have done so. 

6. For an extra chance to win please share the giveaway on Facebook and comment here or on Facebook to say you have done so.

Good luck everyone and thanks for entering!

Janne x

The tooth fairy

A customer sent me a little note the other day saying "Logan is so excited to be using his new tooth fairy" and a lovely gappy photo of her little boy. I was reminded of this photo of my own daughter, Eloise taken by Vicki Knights when she was 7 years old. I remember thinking at the time why does she have to lose a tooth a week before the photo shoot? It is now one of my all time favourites precisely because it does mark a precious moment in time of her 7 year old, carefree self. No inhibitions and no self consciousness! She'll hate it when she is 20 I know that I would.

There has been much discussion about the tooth fairy this week as yet another tooth falls out. "Mum, I want you to be the tooth fairy tonight because I really want to keep this one". The lucky tooth has now been consigned to her 'memory box' to stand as a reminder of year 4 and all it's highs and lows! This particular tooth has sparked discussions on the meaning of life, who we are and why we are here. Quite an extensive topic for 9 o clock on a school night. One thing that I'm sure of is the day this one fell out will always be remembered!

We do love our little keepsake gifts here at MYHAH and this is a favourite. A sweet little tangle haired fairy complete with a tiny back pack in which to place the toothy treasure. Dressed in her velvet and net frock she stays safe in her keepsake box. It makes an adorable present for any little girl from 3 years of age.

And boys don't miss out either with this cute little fairy elf in his velvet dungarees with a pocket for the tooth. 

We have lots of other tooth fairy gifts on the website too. Go and take a peek!

Janne x

Little Red Concept Shoot

I was delighted when Mel from Mel Wilde Photography approached me last month with the view to collaborating on a concept shoot to tie in with World Book Day. Mel is one of SW London's leading wedding and lifestyle photographers and I'm a big fan of her themed shoots so it was lovely to meet her at last. Previously, we had communicated via the odd tweet and face book post.

Mel had the idea of Little Red Riding Hood, an iconic fairytale that we all know and love and had found the perfect model in Mia to act the part. The most stunning red cloak was conjured up by Libby from the Dressing Up Chest and my very small contribution was the pretty and traditional Giselle nightdress and the Little Red Riding Hood rag doll.

I love this shot. Little Red snuggling with her friendly rag doll, basket at the ready full of goodies for Grandma. A get well card and spring bouquet from Karen Woolven floral design.

And she's all set to begin her journey through the forest...or in this case the beautiful grounds of Warren House in Kingston. A beautiful wedding venue which despite having lived here for 25 years, I have only just discovered. Can't wait to try afternoon tea there!

I think Mia was an absolute super star modelling in this shoot. It was such a freezing day in February and walking out and about on a frosty morning in a cotton nightdress is not to be recommended!

I love the dark gothic edge to the forest walk scenes. Little Red please be careful!

Well, like all good fairy tales there has to be a happy ending for our heroine and Little Red arrives safely at Grandma's house.
Thank you so much to Mel for including us in her collaboration of local businesses. You can read more about the shoot on her blog here.

£25 February Giveaway

It's February and time to shake away those January blues and definitely high time for the first giveaway of the year. We have so many new products coming in soon that I can't  decide what to give away. So, the lucky winner can select from lots of lovely goodies using a £25 voucher. Anything from pyjamas to teddy bears and with free postage thrown in too. 

To enter you  just need to 'like' us on our Facebook page (unless you are a friend already) Please share the giveaway post with your friends on your profile or page if you would like to. Leave a comment below so that we know who you are and that you have entered.

1.The competition will run for two weeks and end on 15th February 11.59pm 2013. 

2.The winner will be drawn using the random.org number generator once the competition has ended.

3.The winner must purchase from the www.myheartandhome.co.uk using a £25 voucher code that will be sent to their email address. They must use their voucher by March 15th 2013. 

4.The competition is open to everyone , but free postage and packaging only applies to UK residents.

5.To enter, participants must like My Heart and Home on Facebook AND leave a comment below or on our facebook page to say they have done so.

Good luck everyone and thanks for entering!

Janne x

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone. It's taking me a while to catapult myself into 2013 and reluctantly leave a wonderful 2012 behind. January is when I go in to hibernation. All the children are back at school, the excitement of Christmas is over and I'm left to my own devices spent at home or on long dog walks and enjoying all the calm and stillness. Contemplating the year ahead for both my business and family with the usual new years resolutions applying: Lose weight, read more, eat less, cook more (inspirationally), spend less! This is when I plan ridiculous family gap years and research house moves to the Highlands! By February reality has usually set in and I'm ready to embrace all the highs and lows that the New Year has in store.

2012 was the best year yet for My Heart and Home and I am so looking forward to taking my little home grown business forward in 2013 with so many new and exciting things to look forward to.

Wishing you all a very happy and healthy 2013 too,

Janne xx