We have some useful games and activity sets in stock if you're in search of distractions. The Magma board games are just brilliant and appeal to a range of ages from 3 upwards. Definitely not your average bingo or matching games we can tell you!! I Saw it First is our shop fave and if you're an animal lover Dog Bingo and Cat Bingo are awesome. Then we have Galt sets which are curriculum linked and really easy to set-up for a practical sesh of home-schooling.
Kate has also pulled a stack of back-dated Okido magazines out of the cupboards which we have reduced to £3.50 - ideal for pre-schoolers and not a plastic toy in sight on the cover (only available in-store).
We've set the website to free shipping on all orders, no minimum spend required. Our business is small and fragile but we will do our best to ride out this unfathomable situation and emerge intact. We appreciate that everyone is managing their own situations but in the midst of it all, please do support your independent retailers if you can.
]]>If you're looking to celebrate the arrival of a new baby, Our Kid's own label offers a unique combination of Manchester heritage with modern design details for a premium, timeless finish.
Kate Heaton, Co-Founder of Our Kid and Creative Director of the Own Label collection outlines the inspiration behind the collection; "It's our ambition to create beautiful, quality pieces that our customers will love to gift and receive. Experimenting with new finishes and colour-ways for our slogan is something we're very involved with at the moment and our focus is on making our collection as covetable as possible so that it has an irresistible hanger-appeal."
"Our classic grey slogan vest is the star of our collection as it's so easy for people to gift thanks to the subtle unisex use of colour and high quality organic fabric finish of the garment. Paired with our handmade bee leggings which are a collaboration with Albie&Sebastian it's a Manchester must for anyone looking to celebrate a special baby in their life."
Such is the popularity of the own label in Our Kid's award-winning Chorlton shop, the range has been expanded to include a thoughtful edit of gift bundles which can be customised upon request. The bundles are especially relevant for those tasked with buying gifts for co-workers or for new-parents looking for the perfect 'coming home from hospital' outfit.
Gift a little piece of Manchester with Our Kid. Full collection available here
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We've always had a penchant for the prettiness of a tutu and are delighted to welcome a new brand to Our Kid. May we present, Little Sister. In fact, this one is a very special relative of ours as it was founded by Kate who has channelled her amazing eye for style into this capsule collection of tutus.
Little Sister Tutu's are ultra-matte and luxuriously layered giving them a contemporary edge that can be dressed up or down. With an adjustable waistband they combine fashion with function and are available in four stunning shades; Blush Pink, Grey, Navy and Teal alongside two unique Pom Pom styles in pink or grey.
3 Ways to Wear Little Sister Tutus
Not all girls are girly girls but that won't stop them from loving the carefree vibe of a Little Sister tutu in Blush Pink or Pale Grey. Pair with a Strong Girls Club t-shirt to dress-down and let them play their way. Knee-high socks nod to a retro vibe that is less prim than a traditional tight.
Creative spirits will adore the Little Sister Pom Pom Tutu. It's so cute and a bit different from the norm giving them a chance to express their individuality. Sequin wings by Mimi & Lula dress-up the look for parties or ya know, just hanging at home if your girl likes things a little bit extra.
Ever tried a tutu in Navy Blue or Teal? Guaranteed to win over even the most hardened anti-skirt resistor these beautiful shades are modern and wearable.
]]>Albie&Sebastian X Our Kid Bee Leggings from £18
Grass & Air Colour Revealing Wellies in Baby Grey £20
Fabelab Enchanted Sea Play Mat £26
Scamp&Dude Lightning Sleepsuit in Cheetah £36
Fabelab Dragon Rattle in Green £14.95
Our Kid Classic Vest in Charcoal with Pink Slogan £16
Little Sister Pom Pom Tutu in Grey £25
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Have yourselves a very twinny Christmas with our pick of the best festive sweatshirts. Best worn alongside your cherished little people for a cosy feeling of family solidarity.
Twin as a whole FAMILY with our massively expanded range from Scamp&Dude. An original superhero of the twinning movement. These sweats are so addictive they should come with a fashion warning. Don't miss your opportunity to get one while the wishlist is open this Christmas!
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It’s Small business Saturday on the1st of December and to celebrate, Our Kid is popping up at Beech Rd, Chorlton. Local independents, Swifty Scooters will be joining us and you will be able to test ride their amazing scooters and there's even 30% off the kids version this weekend only.
We are excited to be amongst some of our favourite independent boutiques, eateries and hangouts. We are taking over Le Deli by Ludo for one weekend only, the 1st and 2nd December 2018, please come and join us for a spot of Christmas shopping, meet friends and relax into the Christmas season. Just some of the brands we will be bringing along include Tech Will Save Us, Magformers, Plan Toys, Galt, Maileg, Scamp & Dude and Mutha.Hood Location: 66 Beech Rd, Chorlton, Manchester, M21 9EG Time: 11-4pm
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So we've survived the school year. And now week 1 of the summer holidays is almost done. The sun is still shining (apparently that's about to change) and day by day, our shop regulars are popping in to say their goodbyes as they pack up and leave for their holidays.
This week Kate had a radical thought. And it was one that centred around our business and what it means to us as working mums. And how we make running this little shop a worthwhile and manageable experience. Because we are all so very tired. And the holidays remind us that we too, are human. And maybe we might like to switch off too.
We hear a lot about flexible working and how big companies need to wake up and find better ways of keeping their workforce happy and content. But what many forget is that it's the smallest businesses, the one man bands. The partnerships of mum's (like ours) who are under a relentless pressure to keep all balls juggling. With no holiday pay. No sick pay. No let-up on the daily grind of self-employment.
We're probably the worst bosses in the world. To ourselves.
So it's up to us. The little people. To make our businesses work the way we want them to. And sometimes that may mean taking a hit on your day rate if you freelance. Or missing out on daily takings if like us you have a physical business.
Someone said to me recently that if you can't make a business aimed at families, work for the families involved, then the world has gone mad. And they're right! So with this in mind we're shutting up shop for August. We're freeing ourselves up for one whole month of adventures. There will be holidays, camping, day trips and lazy mornings where we roll over and let the kids watch a screen for an hour (or two). There will be football in the park, ice lollies, playdates and cheeky afternoon prosecco.
We hope our regulars understand this decision and don't feel too cheated that we aren't going to be open as their daily pit stop. But hopefully the upshot of this extended closure will be new energy, new enthusiasm and lots of new surprises for the business as it enters year 3 as a physical shop.
The website will be fully operational and we've moved our remaining sale items online. We've removed all delivery charges for August and extended our returns policy so that you have 30 days to get any unwanted items back to us. Sally will be fulfilling all orders and we'll still be on email to deal with any enquiries.
Our Kid closes for summer on Saturday 28th July and will re-open on Friday 24th August at 10am. Until then, thanks for listening and we hope you have a magical summer.
]]>The eagle-eyed among you will have spotted a rather beautiful set of wheels in the shop lately. Standing proud above the counter, is the Swifty IXI. A design icon in the making and product of the hugely talented husband and wife duo Jason and Camilla Iftakhar who work together in their Salford-based Swifty hub.
We fell hard for the Swifty IXI when we met Jason and Camilla at an event last year and have been plotting a very special launch to help them wow the insta-mum crowd with their pre-teen kick scooter.
Their premium, design-led scooters are arguably the most stylish kickback scooters to burst onto the global market, they are an investment purchase aimed to last a lifetime creating a wonderful heirloom product that can be enjoyed by generation after generation.
Their new-to-the-scene SwiftyIXI is a premium quality junior kick-scooter aimed at kids from age 7+, this unique all terrain, two-wheeled scooter is British design icon in the making.
Created for the talented designers’ daughter Ida (the IXI’s namesake) and with her input, its purposeful design encompasses detailed and caring considerations.
We knew we loved it but what would one of Manchester’s top tastemakers Winging-it-Mum aka Nikki and her 10-year old daughter Jess make of the Swifty experience? We tasked them with a mission to test out the SwiftyOne and the new SwiftyIXI and tell us all about it. Here’s what they had to say;
“I have to confess, I did feel a little self-conscious to begin with but any awkwardness soon melted away after I got my scoot on with Jess. The scooter is an absolute dream to ride and with its large bike-like wheels, it’s super study and handles bumps and kerbs well, it makes even the most mundane trip to the shops such fun.
“It’s smart to look at, too, and, yes, swifty! I adore the retro design and particularly love the on-trend colours, such as the glossy teal. We live a very urban lifestyle and the ease of popping on a scooter to speed up the school run, from someone who struggles with time- management due to a walk resistant toddler, I’m hoping this is going to be a school win for us – we’d love a complete family set!
“I’m a sucker for good branding and attention to detail, and Swifty Scooters nails this, I also love the fact they’re a Manchester-based company.”
“I’d never have thought about buying an adult scooter but after having the opportunity to test one out I am utterly sold, now to decide on which colour.”
The stylish IXI was given a thorough test scoot by 10-year-old Jessica, she loved it so much it instantly hit her birthday wish list. Here’s what she had to say about the newest kick on the block;
“I have had a scooter for years, but I haven’t really used it for a while as it feels a bit baby- ish now but my SwiftyIXI is so much cooler”
“It can go over grass easily and it’s really smooth when you ride it, my friends are pretty envious and think it’s really cool, they’ve all had a go of it. I really like the bluey green colour I’ve chosen but I was torn with the pink. I really love the way it feels like you’re riding a bike but you’re not.
“My Mummy isn’t keen on me cycling on the road – even though I have passed my cycling test at school – as the roads where we live can be very busy, but you can scoot on the pavement so it’s a lot safer than bike.”
High praise indeed from a very discerning pair. What struck us when we looked at the pictures from Nikki and Jess’ adventures is their massive smiles. Spending a day out on the Swifty’s made routine tasks come alive. If you fancy organising a test-ride on our shop Swifty drop us a line at hello@our-kid.co.uk and we’ll set the wheels in motion. Literally!
]]>If you only upgrade your own bits with the following 5 must-have's we guarantee you'll feel on point from the moment you start your journey to that first blissful sundowner cocktail.
The Slouchy Travel Tee
Mere Soeur £25
Let’s be honest, not many of us manage to emerge from a journey with kids without some degree of dishevelment. This slouchy tee from Mere Soeur does effortless style with ease and works with the twists and turns of snack distribution for added comfort during those ‘are we there yet’ moments.
Travel Pouch
Mutha.Hood £12
We probably speak for all mums when we declare that you can never have enough bags within bags within bags. Compartmentalise all those pesky bits and bobs in this handy pouch, the ideal size to whip out during pit stops and airport lingering. Or to have by the pool to keep mini transformers and Shopkins contained.
Poolside Inspiration
Honest Mum £13.99
You simply cannot beat a holiday when it comes to reigniting a love affair with reading. The daily madness of life renders most of us inactive when it comes to getting stuck into a good old fashioned book. We’ve got signed copies of this awesome Honest Mum book which is full of practical tips on how to navigate both the real and digital world.
Sundowner Sweatshirt
Scamp&Dude £58
Imagine the scene…pink sunset…Aperol spritz…a light chill in the air. Now is exactly the moment to whip out the ultimate sundowner sweatshirt from Scamp&Dude. Quite possibly the softest towelling beauty you will ever get the pleasure of snuggling in to. We also have twinning styles for kids. They’re a summer must!Multi-tasking Muslin
Mama Rules £25
You won’t know how you survived without one of these no matter where you travel this summer. It’s one massive square of soft, swaddly comfort. Designed to reflect your own style and not that of the baby, it can be worn as a sarong, used as a shade, whipped out for a bit of territorial marking on the beach and of course, used as a lightweight swaddle for little ones. A handy ribbon tie makes it so easy to attach to prams, umbrella or as a filter on sunny car windows. Buy one immediately! You won’t regret it.]]>
Sometime in my 17th year, a new movement was unleashed on girls across the world. The Spice Girls burst onto the scene in Buffalo stack heels sharing a message that we could be anything we wanted...if we really really wanted it. From that point, armed with pop-infused power, life as a girl changed. Forever.
The notion of girl power has never been more prevalent as feminism distils into our daily consciousness through a host of amazing voices. At Our Kid we are proud to support this new movement. It is so relevant and so very important to empower the young girls we welcome into our shop and with this in mind, our vision for Spring is one of STRENGTH, spanning our decision making on new collections, events and the way we plan to grow the business within our amazing community.
First up, we will be proud stockists of the iconic Strong Girls Club collection by Mutha.hood which we will welcome to Our Kid in time for Mother's Day. Launched by Gemma Metcalfe, the slogan is worn proudly by females big and small to demonstrate the power of the girl. We love everything about this sentiment and will be stocking her new 'Power of the Girl' styles alongside classic.
In honour of International Women’s Day, Our Kid will be hosting a unique 'Girl Power' event at the shop on Thursday 8th March from 4pm-6pm. This empowering event will celebrate the launch of Mutha.hood and our new Scamp&Dude collection alongside readings from Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls Volume 1 and 2 and we hope that lots of mummies and daughters will come along (and Dad's and son's too because this message is relevant to us all)
We will be welcoming a collective of Manchester’s finest females to share their favourite tales from the books and pass on their own inspiring message. Further details about speakers and tickets will be released after half-term.
Finally, we are delighted to announce that we will be taking Our Kid on tour to test a new live retail concept we have been working on. Our first event will be part of Pregnant Then Screwed Live on Saturday 14th May and will see our incredible brands brought to life via intimate seminars with their founders. More details will be announced soon.
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Kits for when you’re stuck indoors and need to kill an hour
Superhero Masks, £12.95 Cotton Twist
This bad boy contains everything you need to create five superhero masks including gems, felt and glitter. Just add imagination and an evil genius to bring the scene to life.
Girls Peg Doll Craft Kit, £12.95 Cotton Twist
Fashion sweet little peg doll family of mermaid, princess, fairy and bride with this shiny pretty collection of beads and fancies.
Kits for when you want to eat out and finish that last divine mouthful in peace
Pirate Keyring, £4.50 Cotton Twist
Craft in a tin – double win! Once you’ve enjoyed fashioning a pirate keyring, you can keep all ye pirate treasures in the cute tin. Which let’s face it, is destined to be the element of this kit that most kids will cherish for years to come.
Make Your Own Fairy Bracelet, £4.50 Cotton Twist
Our Make Your Own kits are small and easy to assemble so perfect for confined spaces including restaurants, aeroplanes, trains and automobiles. They come in a range of Make Your Own guises including Model Aeroplane, Skeleton Keyring, Wild West Headdress, Magic Wand and more.
Kits that are not strictly craft but are definitely creative
Hummingbird Travel Pal, £18 Tegu
This small but perfectly formed set of magnetic wooden blocks can be fashioned into more shapes that your tiny adult mind could even imagine! With a handy inspiration guide on the box, they make for a great travel companion whatever your mode of transport.
My First Racing Car, £20 Magformers
Continuing the magnetic theme, we introduce our bestselling brain building kit – the mighty Magformers. More compelling that first meets the eye, they draw kids in like nothing else we’ve experienced. Properly magnetic, sturdy during moments of frustration and they offer limitless construction opportunities. A must for any rainy day kit.
Slippery Slime, £7 Galt Toys
Ok so we promised not to talk messy crafts but slime transcends all the rules as it’s such a thing! This low-commitment kit is both easy on the purse and the work surface and teaches young minds how to make fart noises amongst other life lesson essentials.
We've lined up a truly magical season of festive events for you to enjoy at Our Kid this Christmas. From author-led readings to Disco Bauble Workshops, there's something for every age and taste. We welcome you to our lovely little shop to enjoy a special moment with your family and maybe tick a few pressies of your wish list while you're at it. Our festive menu will run throughout December and includes Bailey's Cupcakes, Snowflake Tiffin, Mince Pies and the legendary Christmas Lunch Bruschetta!!
Festive Afternoon Tea
Friday 29th November – Friday 22nd December 11am and 1:30pm
Christmas meet-up season has arrived and Our Kid provides the perfect family-friendly spot to enjoy a get-together with friends and little ones. Our packages include Baby’s First Christmas, a festive-themed take on afternoon tea for adults and children including table crackers and a gift-wrapped present worth £5 for every kid. We have inside seating available for groups of up to 10 adults with babes in arms. Outdoor tables will be kept warm with cosy fleece blankets and hot water bottles for extra snuggliness. So raise a toast to Christmas with friends and thank Santa that it’s not happening in your house!! Advance booking is essential, please email bookings@our-kid.co.uk for further info.
Free Author Reading of ‘A Dot in the Snow’ by Corrinne Averiss
Saturday 25th November, 10:30am-11:30am
Lovely local author Corrinne Averiss returns to Our Kid with her bestselling winter tale 'A Dot in The Snow' to celebrate its release in paperback format. Corrinne will be reading this heartwarming tale as we snuggle in a circle with complimentary kid’s hot chocolates. A sweet mitten decorating craft will follow for anyone who would like to dress their tree with a memento of the occasion. Signed copies of the book will be available to buy on the day. Oh and if you think the story sounds familiar, it might be because you heard it on CBeebies Bedtime Stories last Christmas! The session will take place outside so please wrap up warm! This is a free event but we will require you to register a ticket for each child attending via the link below so that we can keep track of numbers.
Reserve a place at A Dot in the Snow
Free Christmas Card Making Workshop led by From Babies with Love
Saturday 2nd December 10:30am-1pm
To celebrate the launch of From Babies with Love at Our Kid we are absolutely delighted to host a free Christmas Card Making Workshop.
From Babies with Love will provide blank cards and envelopes, and children can cut/ stick/ draw to create a christmas character on their card. Included in the materials are lots of postal stickers and stamps - including some stamps with the brand's very own character designs. So the children will be using the same art technique that their designers do.
From Babies with Love is the baby brand that donates 100% of its profits to orphaned and abandoned children. Every penny of profit from their beautiful, ethically sourced baby gifts goes to vulnerable children around the world. In safe, happy places, they can grow up in a loving family. Children of all ages will enjoy this informal drop-in card-making activity and our specially curated edit of From Babies with Love products will be available to buy on the day. Please email bookings@our-kid.co.uk if you would like to join in with this sweet festive occasion.
Festive Shopping Evening
Thursday 7th December 4:30pm-10pm
By popular demand, we’re delighted to invite our friends and customers to a Festive Shopping Evening at Our Kid on Thursday 7th December. For one night only, the doors to our little shop will stay open until 10pm and we'll have Prosecco and mince pies aplenty for all those Christmas gift-seekers who fancy stopping by. We will be on hand to help you work your way through those festive wish lists, our shelves are bursting with toys and goodies for all ages - even grown-ups! Discounts will apply on the night so start coveting those special purchases online at www.our-kid.co.uk and let us know you're coming with a quick email to bookings@our-kid.co.uk
Disco Bauble-Making Workshop led by The Make Project MCR
Monday 11th December 8pm-10pm (adults only!)
Fancy some decorations with a difference this year? Join Sara from @themakeprojectmcr for a relaxed workshop where you'll be guided through a series of techniques to help you marble, stamp, gilt and glam up ceramic baubles. You'll walk away the proud owner of a set of three fine and one-of-a-kind festive decorations. Get into the Christmas spirit with a free glass of fizz and get stuck into inks, paints, ribbons and stamps, all provided for your masterpieces. Places are limited, so whether you are after some captivating colour or glamorous glimmer for your Christmas tree this year, book now for your place.
]]>We've gone totally nuts for typography this Autumn at Our Kid! With a whole new edit of design-led pieces for kids (and adults) we thought it would be fun to meet one of our makers, the oh so lovely Emma from The Jam Tart. Creator of amazingness in the form of Flash Cards, Wall Banners, Colouring Books and Wall Stickers. Read on for a peek into her technicolor life...
Please introduce yourself and your brand…
E is for Emma, a creative thinker and doer, I design to engage and excite others. I am fiance to the very patient, very wonderful Jonathan, Mammy to our delightful, always smiling Orla and daily walking companion to our flighty springer spaniel, Raisin. Our home is in County Durham where we enjoy sharing storybooks and taking long walks in the great outdoors.
The Jam Tart is my guilty pleasure, a graphic-led children’s brand where I share my love of good design with design conscious parents and their little ones. My obsession for geometric pattern and typography gives our brand its own distinctive style.
Our custom prints, wall art, stickers and banner kits help to create colourful, engaging spaces for children to play, grow and thrive in. I am passionate about learning through play, with our ever expanding range of flash cards and colouring books.
What inspired you to launch your brand…?
I’m a self confessed ‘typ-o-holic’ and since becoming a Mama thought it was time I combined my love for type with the world of children’s design. As a Mama I set about designing colourful and educational interiors for my daughter that were an extension of our contemporary home. These have since grown into The Jam Tart typographical delights for design loving parents everywhere.
How did you get started and can you give our readers a piece of advice for getting an idea off the ground?
Stay true to your brand and it will reward you.
How do you juggle being a working mum and business owner?
Work hard, play hard. I play all day and work all night. Grandparents… what would I do without them.
What’s the proudest moment for your business to date…?
When my daughter introduced our flash cards to her nursery teacher as ‘Mummy’s work’… I thought I designed those, yes I did. I still do a little dance every time an order lands in my inbox.
Looking to the future, what are your brand dreams and aspirations…?
I’d love to work on collaborations with others, just imagine our designs on baby grows, backpacks, breakfast sets, bedding.
And a bit more about what inspires you…
Children’s books, I have a vast collection and I’m a massive fan of American illustrator J. Otto Siebold. His work inspired my submission to The Macmillan Children’s Book Illustration Prize, which was highly commended and subsequently published within Education winning numerous awards.
How do you switch off…?
I spend lots of my spare time with family and close friends. Gym time is my time. I enjoy tea by day and prosecco by night.
What product could you not live without as a parent?
Baby carriers, I have selection and have carried Orla from birth, I love the closeness and the adventure… oh and baby wipes!
We love holidays at Our Kid, can you recommend a brilliant family-friendly destination/hotel or experience?
We just LOVE The Swan Hotel and Spa, Newby Bridge. A rural getaway in the beautiful Lake District, think stylish interiors, log burners, chips in a bucket and cookies and milk before bedtime, family time at its very best.
Shop The Jam Tart at Our Kid online and at our Chorlton shop, 9a Oswald Road M21 9LP
]]>We're well chuffed to be hosting two amazing craft workshops with Square Pegs this summer. Spotted at the Parentfolk Weekender, it's fair to say it was love at first sight. The customised horse box, the contemporary crafts, the sheer gorgeousness of founder Emma...we didn't rest until the dates were set. And following the first workshop last week, it seemed like a great opportunity to delve a litter deeper into their world to find out what makes such a curious mind tick.
Tell us a bit about Square Pegs...
I’m Emma, founder of Square Pegs. We programme and deliver creative workshops for children to engage and inspire young minds. At the heart of our aims is the individual. Whether it’s our workbook that invites children to reflect on and appreciate what makes them unique, or the range of art forms open to interpretation within our workshops, we want children to feel inspired, valued and empowered through the Square Pegs’ experience.
How did you get started?
I was on maternity leave with my second daughter when an entrepreneurial spirt came over me, an extension of motherhood itself I suppose. I finally felt brave enough to become my own boss. Raising girls, it is especially important to me that they understand the limitless possibilities open to them in carving out their own identities, and pursuing my ambitions was a way of showing them they can be what they want.
How did you get started and can you give our readers a piece of advice for getting an idea off the ground?
The best piece of advice I can give, and I’m no expert, is to keep on keeping on. Teach yourself to be resilient if you believe in something, even when there are people around you telling you it’s a bad idea. As someone familiar to imposter syndrome, I’ve battled with self-doubt my whole life. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who will not only be your backbone but lift you. My partner is the most realistic yet supportive human and I couldn’t make Square Pegs work without him.
How do you juggle being a working mum and business owner?
Being a working mum and business owner is challenging. But then so is motherhood. Working mums, non-working mums, each comes with its own set of challenges that have to be fought every day. One thing I will say for me personally is nothing was harder than feeling crushed by the ‘can’t’ in my head. I’d spent so long wanting and waiting and procrastinating it was exhausting! Even though I’m tired and skint, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. What keeps me going? A satisfied kid, a grateful parent, a good review, my eldest beaming, ‘I want to be in Square Pegs when I’m older’. Heart melting.
What’s the proudest moment for your business to date…?
I wouldn’t say I had a proudest moment of my business, more an accumulation of little moments that on their own feel really special at the time. It might be someone you really respect asking to work with you, or your child’s school buzzing because you’re doing some one-off workshops. I see beauty in the small things.
Looking to the future, what are your brand dreams and aspirations…?
I would love to develop the brand to the point where we’re really making a difference socially, working with groups who might not necessarily engage with the arts. I’d also really like to develop a line of Square Pegs products and do more great collabs. I’ve written a children’s book with the artist, Ben Javens and to have that published would be a dream. To own a permanent venue would be the cherry on the cake.
And a bit more about what inspires you…
I’m inspired by street fashion and art. Brands I love are Pam, Aries and Palace. My partner co-owns the skate brand Lost Art and I’m their biggest fan. I love hip hop music and feel untouchable when I’m driving along, listening to Kendrick Lamar or Thundercat loud! My friends are a constant source of inspiration. There’s nothing I love more than being tagged in a feed I’ve not seen before but speaks to the soul. That ‘ping’ that says someone gets you is as uplifting as it gets.
Who’s your favourite Instagrammer and why?
I don’t really have a favourite Instagrammer but love dipping into all sorts of content. I love Dolly and Fife who tells gorgeous narratives with her pictures and Beci Orpin, whose art is beautiful and who musically, I get. We both love NAS and Frank Ocean (I think we’d be BFs). I love work by Kevin Lyons; his gallery always puts a smile on my face. After attending one of her Hustle groups who she co-hosted with Faye from Annualstore, Rox, of Studio NL gave me hope and self-belief. In fact both women are killing it in their fields. I’ve got the upmost respect for them. My friend and founder of Rousso and Blossom, Liv not only makes awesome kids’ products but is the most humble and sweetest of souls. Instagrammers who take their shit seriously but aren’t too serious are my favourite kind of people.
We love holidays at Our Kid, can you recommend a brilliant family-friendly destination/hotel or experience?
We still do festival holidays with the kids. We’re heading to Soundwave in Croatia and Soiree 47 this year, a family friendly festival in Monteton, France. It’s all about the balance for our family.
]]>So this is how it all began. Three friends, a rail and a handmade table cloth. And some lovely independent British design for children. Hanging out in the men's changing rooms at South Manchester Cricket Club for the first ever Our Kid pop-up. We pulled our launch together in 10 days, inspired by the idea of having a hobby business that would give us back a bit of ourselves after having our first children. Little did we know that we would grow and grow and reproduce more children and keep growing to where we find ourselves today. On the cusp of the most amazing adventure into retail with our very own shop.
Our second pop-up in the great outdoors and still one of our favourite Chorlton events, the Beech Road Family Day. We've taken a stall here for the past 3 years and survived scorching sun, tutu frenzy and the one where we lost our gazebo to the rain. So gutted that this community event is no longer a thing but if it ever makes a comeback we'll be there with bells on.
Another Chorlton Bazaar stall, this time a festive foray into the world of boozing and shopping. Always a jolly affair, Tess spent most of the day coveting a vintage sunbeam clock which she duly purchased with all the profits from the day. Repaid in full we might add.
In 2014 we became regular stallholders at the now defunct Postbox market which was a great spot for us and introduced Our Kid to the other end of Chorlton. Particularly noteworthy, is that we were always very well fed and watered on Postbox stall days owing to Chris and his team's yummy bacon sarnies and homemade cake.
As 2014 began to unfold, we thought it was time to bring all the amazing groups and baby happenings in Chorlton together under one roof and so the Our Kid and Friends Family Day was born. Wonderful Chris at The Beech Inn let us takeover his establishment for the day and we invited We Are Adventurers, Pramactive, Owen's Little Music Makers, Morag Dennet author of Ten Tickling Toes alongside ourselves (natch) to host a lovely afternoon of interactive music, storytelling and mud fun! There are no other photos of this event as we were literally overwhelmed with mummies and babies, not surfacing for air until the last buggy was wheeled out and we had a well-deserved wine. Well, it would've been rude not to!
This picture taken in June 2014 captures a defining moment for Our Kid. We are literally sending our website live as you can see from our pointy fingers and so begins the era of e-commerce and many trips to the Post Office! Designed by Kate's husband Luke (to whom we are eternally grateful) we've had loads of lovely compliments about its greatness and it's proven to be a very exciting platform to build our brand. But what it taught us is that our roots are M21 to the core and no matter what is happening in the virtual world, we much prefer to feel our feet on the ground of our home turf. This is where the magic happens. This is the future of Our Kid.
Now this seems like a lifetime ago!! September 2014 a time when we had 3 toddler boys between us and had started to find the whole parenting lark a bit easy. HA! We held our last pre-second-birth pop-up at our favourite pitch, the end of Alan from the Good Bag Company's drive on Beech Road. We like to think of this spot as our drive-through branch. Selling here couldn't have been more convenient for the families pootling along Beech Road on a Saturday. Not going to lie, it was always a bit windy and the rails did occasionally fly away. But we love Beech Road and tried hard to secure a shop down there. Alas it was never meant to be and now we're heading for the dizzy heights of central Chorlton. Who would've thunk it to look at those big tummies.
Fast forward a few months to November 2014 (picture taken in July 2015 we might add!) and we were so proud and delighted to be among the first traders at the Chorlton Art Market Hub in the precinct. This opportunity gave us exposure to the Chorlton masses and enabled us to refine our concept, grow our collections and learn the day to day lessons of managing a physical space.
Determined to turn our hobby into a financially viable business we started to scour Chorlton for a place to call our own. We'd been musing over the idea of combining a shop with cafe to create a convenient stop-off for families. In June 2016 we signed a lease on our own little shop and Our Kid, bricks and mortar, was born. What was once a wonky little cafe has become its own institution and a much-loved stop-off on Manchester's indy retail scene. Read Part 2 of our story to see how we did in our first year...
]]>Please introduce yourself and your brand…
We’re Anna Wicks & Lesley Newsholme and we live down the road from each other in SE London with our kids Lara & Ollie, Anna’s new addition Charlie and our husbands.
We created and run Lara & Ollie a silicone teething jewellery company. Our primary aim is to help mamas feel stylish every day and dress up an everyday outfit with something fashionable and fun – that also happens to be safe for a baby to chew and fiddle with. We believe our necklaces and bangles are something lovely that mamas can treat themselves to, but they also make perfect gifts for new mums, particularly given that most presents are for the little one!
What inspired you to launch your brand…?
We met through our NCT classes just before we had our kids and launched Lara & Ollie in March 2015 so about 18 months after meeting.
We both love jewellery and accessories but quickly realised when we became mums that we couldn’t wear it unless we were away from the kids; not only was it potentially pretty dangerous, we didn’t want anything broken.
Having made jewellery for fun a few years back we loved the concept of teething jewellery but couldn’t find much we liked. So we sourced some beads and made a few necklaces and had amazing feedback from friends and mums we were getting to know locally all of whom wanted to know where they could buy them. So we thought why not give it a go and here we are.
How did you get started and can you give our readers a piece of advice for getting an idea off the ground?
We spent months and months researching, researching, researching before doing anything at all. This was particularly important given the nature of the product but also when you start up there is so much to learn and consider - sadly it’s not quite as straightforward as you think when you have the initial idea!
Once we felt comfortable with our product we then developed our brand and moved everything forward from there. Everything we had worked on was encapsulated in a pretty in-depth business plan that kept us on track. It took a long time and whilst at times we felt like we were hitting a brick wall we’d try hard to stay focused and positive and to find solutions to problems.
There is so much we’ve learnt since setting up and as such, so much advice we’d give. However our top 3 tips are probably… make use of people you know - we learnt so much from businesses and mums who had already set up. Get the ‘boring’ but essential processes in place e.g. bookkeeping/accounts etc. it’s so easy to just focus on the fun stuff but if you don’t have basic admin set up you’ll be stuffed in the long run! And trust your instincts when making decisions; you’re usually right!
How do you juggle being a working mum and business owner?
We’ve not had a huge amount of childcare through the process of launching, so we’ve mainly worked when the kids slept. When they were about 18 months and still napped in the day we nailed a co-ordinated nap time and would put one in a travel cot at the other’s house. It was brilliant and we managed to get quite a bit done together. However sadly day time napping is a thing of the past so we work mainly in the evenings. Although both Lara & Ollie now do go to nursery for a few hours a week so we can get together and plough through the to do list, packing orders etc.
There isn’t much routine and sometimes it’s a case of flying by the seat of our pants and we just write a huge to do list, prioritise and simply divide and conquer.
Like so many mums we’ve nailed the art of pushing a buggy whilst emailing/texting/posting! And we’re not going to lie, the TV is quite often turned on so we can chat, email and work through things. The kids think we’re the best!!
And our husbands are fairly understanding and supportive when we forego day to day life admin – piles of washing get ignored and cooking dinner becomes another takeaway!
What’s the proudest moment for your business to date…?
Actually launching the business was a pretty awesome moment after over 6 months in development where we often felt like we were taking one step forward and 10 back! We’d also say being accepted and having a stand at our first Playtime Paris international trade fair and receiving a phenomenal response from buyers felt like a huge achievement. Whilst we’re both fairly modest people, we did feel quite proud that we were there, even though on reflection we weren’t actually prepared or very organised!
Looking to the future, what are your brand dreams and aspirations…?
Now that would be telling ha ha!! We want to build the business but ultimately carry on doing our own thing and doing it to the very best of our ability. We want to carry on working with people and brands we like and who inspire us and meet lots of new people in the process. We’re hoping that soon we’ll have a bit more time to spend working on and really developing the business - this should happen when the kids start school which is really exciting!
And a bit more about what inspires you…
We’ve been really inspired by lots of other mums who have set up businesses and have juggled the reality of full time parenting and launching a business. There are too many to name but lots of these awesome women have given us so much support, encouragement and inspiration and lots have become good friends too.
Who’s your favourite Instagrammer and why?
What a question - there are so so many brilliantly clever, funny Instagrammers as well as feeds that look visually beautiful and are really consistent and coordinated. Some of the beautiful interior feeds who nail this are @chloeuberkid @wilwig and @laurielauriane.
We’re also big fans of the ‘honest tell it how it is bloggers’ like @marybadassmeadows @notsosmugnow and @toomuchmotheringinformation
Another great one for craft ideas and life hacks for busy mamas is @_ladyland_
How do you switch off…?
I think the only time we're truly switched off from the business is when we’re asleep!!! I think that’s the nature of having your own business. Although jokes apart, we try and take holidays as holidays so minimal holiday working. And we try and have Sundays as days off to spend time with our families and although we’re likely to WhatsApp each other, we do try and switch off, pub lunches, long walks, typical family things etc.
What product could you not live without as a parent?
We both bought Stokke Tripp Trapps when we were weaning the kids and whilst they felt like hefty investments, they’ve been and continue to be amazing chairs - and they look pretty good too.
We also love Kokoso Baby coconut oil, Play & Go mats and any book from SmallPrint Books.
We love holidays at Our Kid, can you recommend a brilliant family-friendly destination/hotel or experience?
Anna is from Jersey in the Channel Islands and would definitely recommend it as a great place to go (obviously!). It’s only a short flight - about an hour from most UK airports and whilst the weather isn’t guaranteed there is so much to do with kids from the amazing Wildlife Park, Tamba Dinosaur Park, museums, castles, boats, beaches, cliff path walks etc. The hotels and restaurants are family friendly, it’s no more expensive than anywhere in the UK and it’s absolutely beautiful. Check out the Visit Jersey website: www.jersey.com and if you go, make sure you visit Sumas Restaurant - it’s run by her brother Paul (www.sumasrestaurant.com).
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The Manchester Evening News has released a definitive list of Manchester's most family-friendly cafes and Our Kid is ranked in the top 3!! We're so happy, we're dancing a jig.
Our aim when we launched was to create a shop with a cool space for families to stop-by and enjoy. We've based every detail on stuff we love. So you can expect toddler-appropriate plates and cutlery, simple food that's freshly made (and won't hurt your purse) and toys to play with. It's a bit like being at a friends house. Comfy and intimate. Just right for a meet-up or quiet moment with your little one's.
Since we opened we've gone on to win a prestigious award for Best Independent Newcomer so in addition to the cafe, you will find an abundance of temptation in the form of cool kids clothing, toys and gifts. It really is a treasure trove of treats.
Thank you to all of the parents out there that voted for us. We're in some seriously good company and feel a little road-trip coming on to check out some of the new faces that appear...
Check out the full list here
]]>When beauty-industry executive Jo Tutchener-Sharp survived a brain tumour in 2015, she resolved to put her years of experience with brands such as Tom Ford and Estee Lauder to good use and launch her own children’s range. And within months of her recovery, Scamp & Dude was born.
Scamp & Dude is a stylish new unisex collection of children’s clothing providing children with an extra sense of security thanks to a team of very special superheroes. Loved by celebrity mums and their offspring on Instagram and spotted on Robbie Williams backstage at the Brits, its hero leopard print and superhero story has become instantly iconic and the Sleep Buddy donation initiative has seen over 400 buddies gifted to children in need. Until recently, it was only available at Liberty of London but all that is about to change.
We are beyond thrilled to announce that Our Kid in Chorlton, Manchester is one of only 3 independent boutiques across the UK to have been selected to stock Scamp & Dude and we will be exclusive stockists in the North West. We love the story behind the brand, we love the unbelievably soft sweatshirts and cutting-edge fashion design including the iconic pink and green leopard print motif.
At the heart of the collection is the Superhero Sleep Buddy. These stylish shaped cushions are available in two adorable superhero characters, a bunny (with more than her fair share of attitude) and a slightly overwhelmed dinosaur. Even though they look super cute, the pair are bursting with special superpowers to watch over the child at night and keep them safe.
The Superhero Sleep Buddy also contains a pocket for photographs of loved ones, to keep them close by. This could be a parent working away on business, a grandparent who lives far away or simply a parent who is in the next bedroom, which can sometimes feel like a galaxy away to a small child.
And now for e really good bit...
The opportunity to be someone else’s hero. For every Superhero Sleep Buddy sold, another is donated to a vulnerable child, offering them a little extra security during a difficult time; this may be a child who’s lost a parent, one whose parent is seriously ill or a child who’s in hospital themselves.
Scamp & Dude is a brand that helps children feel more secure when apart from their loved ones.
From something dark came something light.
You can view the collection online at Our Kid or stop by to see us in our Chorlton shop at 9a Oswald Road, Manchester M21 9LP.
]]>One of the best parts of our job is meeting the amazing designers and creators behind the brands we sell in the shop. From the outset, Alienor Falconer of The Bright Company stood out as a woman to watch. Her award-winning British sleepwear brand has become the go-to for any self-respecting style blogger's offspring and more recently, she expanded the range (literally) to include mum styles. We caught up with her on the eve of her Spring/Summer 2017 collection launch to find out how she juggles business, family and a passion for the great outdoors...
Please introduce yourself and your brand…
Hello! I’m Alienor Falconer, creative director of The Bright Company, we make design led, organic and ethical nightwear products for modern families.
What inspired you to launch your brand…?
After the birth of my first child I returned to work but found the demands of a busy job for a major fashion house was too much to handle with our new family dynamic. I wanted to keep working though and needed the creative outlet that work had provided. I had found a huge amount of amazing kids clothes out on the market whilst on maternity leave but really struggled to find pj's that matched up to the same standards, they either fit really badly or were just awful designs. So I decided to take my wealth of experience of working in a fashion house and use that to start a nightwear brand.
How did you get started and can you give our readers a piece of advice for getting an idea off the ground?
It took me a year to get the brand to a launching point, I had no contacts in the nightwear world so it was a lot of cold calling, being rejected and stumbling blocks before we found a factory that would make our initial collection for us. What helped us is my background working in fashion before as a product developer so getting a product made is what I know inside out. I know some people do start businesses in an area they don’t know anything about but there are enough learning curves with being the boss that I wouldn’t recommend it really. The most successful indi brands I know are all run by people who have worked in fashion previously.
How do you juggle being a working mum and business owner?
It’s a big juggle, I won’t lie! I go to work in my studio 4 days a week, my mum helps out after school and I have Fridays with my daughter before she starts school in September. I work every week night after the kids are in bed, and quite often I have to do a little work whilst they play after school. It’s not ideal, and I hate working with the kids about as I find I’m distracted from both activities but I do end up emailing from my phone whilst I’m making tea.
What’s been the proudest moment for your business to date…?
Oh gosh, I think it would have to be launching into Liberty this past winter. They are my absolute favorite department store, I actually worked there as a fashion student and dreamed of selling my products to them so I was ecstatic when they approached us last year.
Looking to the future, what are your brand dreams and aspirations…?
We would love to keep working on some more collaborations and make more interiours products, I see TBC as a whole family brand, so watch this space for more of the adult’s range and home products.
And a bit more about what inspires you…
Everything! in the words of my ex boss Sir Paul Smith ‘inspiration is all around you, if you can’t see it look again’. Our shapes and products are inspired by ourselves and the products we get the most use out of and our children, how they wear things, how they like them to fit etc. I love art exhibitions, our SS17 collection is inspired by the work of Alexander Calder, who’s exhibition I saw at the Tate Modern last year.
Who’s your favourite Instagrammer and why?
Oh gosh, so many! I love IG (perhaps a little too much!) to faves, @Paxandhart for her awesome prints and @chloeuberkid for her amazing kids fashion and interiors inspiration
How do you switch off…?
Getting outside with the kids, being Brighton based we like to walk on the south downs or go to the beach, can’t beat fresh air and exercise!
What product could you not live without as a parent?
Snacks? Not sure they count as a product! Essentials for us include decent outdoor gear so we can get out whatever the weather, and a water bottle, you never know when the kids will be thirsty!
We love holidays at Our Kid, can you recommend a brilliant family-friendly destination/hotel or experience?
We went on an incredible holiday last summer to Bermuda. A friend is based out there at the moment and lent us his house (which is how we could afford it!). The sea was insane, so warm, so clear, full of coral reefs, we could jump off the jetty at our house, and the beaches were incredible, so undeveloped, not a single café on them and tourists aren’t allowed cars so we took the busses everywhere. It was such an adventure with the kids, I only want to swim in warm seas from now on, not sure the English Chanel is quite cutting it for me!
Shop The Bright Company at Our Kid
]]>Calling all Dad's! We'd love to see you at our Latte Pappa shopping morning where we'll be presenting our amazing edit of Mother's Day gifts alongside make&take craft activities by Chaoscoffee to give your little one's the opportunity to create something handmade for mummy's special day.
Be inspired with our new collections that offer something for every stage of mumming, from bestselling books by The Unmumsy Mum, Hurrah For Gin and Clemmie Hooper to the most coveted changing bags in the WORLD by Tiba&Marl. Mummy Milestone cards, Lara&Ollie teething necklaces, handmade organic soy candles and hopefully an awesome mum brand that we have been just desperate to launch...coming soon to Our Kid.
Check out our cool gifts for Mother's Day guide over at Rainy City Kids for more inspiration.
Hot coffee, bloke food and treats for the kids. Not to mention the IMMENSE brownie points you'll earn by gifting the best pressies in Manchester!!
]]>January...sigh...you are a cruel mistress with your downbeat mood and penny pinching ways. Luckily we've decided to rise above the grey mist and present a selection of our sunniest sale picks that will see our little customers through the season and into brighter times. Read on for our top picks...
Tobias and the Bear is without doubt our most coveted collection and we've got some lovely offers on selected styles including the Batty and Hare trousers pictured above at £12.40 down from £18 and t-shirt £11.20 reduced from £16.
Babies. So cute. So costly what with all that feeding and growing. Now is the time to invest in the next size up to ensure you get some top quality pieces without breaking the bank. Our Little Green Radicals baby edit is looking strong with organic bodysuits reduce from £16 to £12, sleep suits down from £22 to £17.60 and ultra-comfy jersey dungarees a steal at £18 from £24.
Boys and girls alike will love wearing this colourful two-piece with its bright pops of yellow. The harem style of the bottoms looks laid-back and cool while the tapered cuffs fit easily into welly boots. Get this look with a whopping 30% discount while stocks last.
And because we are all about the mum's at Our Kid, we'll be extending our sale offers into the cafe because come rain or shine, you'll still be out and hey, Mama's Got To Eat! Our bestselling tea cakes are now £2, cake squares £1.50 and toast £1.50 for those mornings when you just need a carb boost!
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Chorlton based retailer Our Kid has won the CWB Independent Retail Awards’ Best New Store category for 2016.
Hosted by leading industry trade title Childrenswear Buyer (CWB) magazine, which is dedicated exclusively to the childrenswear industry, the national competition celebrates performance, innovation and excellence in the children’s retail sector.
Established in Chorlton in June 2016, by local mum’s Kate Heaton, Laura Day and Tess Grindle, Our Kid went head-to-head with entrants from across the country before being named Best New Store of 2016 by an expert judging panel.
The boutique, which was judged on everything from customer service through to visual merchandising, specialises in branded clothing for children alongside toys, interiors and gifts. It also incorporates a family café serving locally produced coffee, tea, cakes and snacks.
Commenting on the win, Laura Turner, CWB editor and judge of the CWB Independent Retail Awards 2016, says, “Our Kid’s multi-concept, modern approach to shopping and socialising really stands out from the crowd.
“The café/communal space lends a distinct social aspect to the business, which in turn has helped it quickly and successfully integrate into the community. This, combined with a unique brand portfolio and strategic partnerships with other local business, demonstrates a progressive and inspiring independent retail business.”
Carolyn Joyce, category manager for baby and child at notonthehighstreet.com and a judge on the CWB Independent Retail Awards 2016, adds, “A clear understanding of the importance of parent influencers and social media has helped to create a unique and forward-thinking concept store. It also offers a beautifully minimal website with a fashion forward feel.”
Commenting on Our Kid’s win, store co-owner Laura Day says, “To win a national retail award after only 6 months in operation is a dream come true for our business. The judge’s recognition of our efforts to immerse our brand at the heart of Manchester’s parenting community gives us a clear sign that we are on the right path. This is just the beginning for Our Kid and 2017 will see continued innovation in retail and customer delight armed with the confidence of our award-winning status.”
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For more information, contact Tess Grindle at Our Kid on 07811 400 388 or tess@our-kid.co.uk
]]>By now, you might be on the final furlong of your festive shopping. Slightly frazzled and feeling a bit jaded at the thought of wrapping everything! Maybe you still have a few bits to buy but can't face going into town or to a major shopping centre. Whatever your shopping mojo, we have a weekend of finishing touch inspiration to share with lots of treats that will make your Christmas extra special.
The following offers will be applied from 9am on Friday 16th December until 4pm on Saturday 17th December and are valid in our Chorlton shop only.
Offer 1: All sleepwear will come with a complimentary bag of hot chocolate drops so that you can create the perfect hot drink, set the scene for a lovely bedtime and get those little people off to the land of nod before Santa stops by. This gift will also be applied on sales of our beautifully illustrated book A Dot in the Snow by local author Corrinne Averiss which will be featured on CBeebies Bedtime Stories on Saturday 17th December.
Offer 2: If you're cooking the dinner on Christmas Day and want to make your table settings extra special for the little people in your life, our toddler tableware will be on offer 3 for 2 across our Colourful Creatures and Buddy&Bear collections.
Offer 3: All hair and jewellery accessories will be half price when you purchase any dress or item of clothing from our seasonal collections. Whether you add a pom pom flourish, a sweet foxy purse or a satin hair bow we have something to make every outfit shine.
Offer 4: For the babes, we'll be offering a choice of free treat of ice-cream bubbles or mini carton of sweeties with every festive legging or tights purchase.
We wanted to wind up the shopping season with a bit of finesse and thoughtfulness to say thank you to all of our loyal customers who have supported us since we opened the shop back in June. Please do stop by and choose something lovely with our compliments.
Love Tess, Kate and Laura
]]>We've scared ourselves with how quickly time has passed since last posting on the Our Kid blog!! So much energy has gone into the new shop and building our social media presence that our lovely little bloggy has been neglected and left in the sidelines. Poor old bean. But all that is set to change now that a new term and new era for us has begun!
The exciting news of today is that we've juggled our childcare and enlisted an extra pair of hands to enable us to open on Monday's - huzzah! So our official opening hours are now:
Monday - Friday 9am-4:30pm
Saturday's 10am - 4:30pm
We're working on a very special plan for our outdoor space to enable us to keep you cosy as the winter months approach in addition to fine-tuning our events calendar between now and the end of the year to give you even more reason's to stop by and hang out. There's so much to do, we'd better crack on. Stay tuned for more info!
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Chorlton-based children's clothing and lifestyle brand Our Kid is delighted to announce plans to open a standalone store incorporating a cafe and communal family space in June 2016 at the site of the Cherry Orchard Cafe on Oswald Road.
Founded by 3 local mums, Tess, Kate and Laura, Our Kid started from humble beginnings (a wonky table and borrowed rail) at the Chorlton Bazaar in July 2013 as a pop-up business selling independent British design for children.
Over the years, the trio have immersed themselves in the local community, popping-up at a variety of popular Chorlton locations including the Beech Road Family Day, The Post Box Market and have been based at the Chorlton Art Market Hub since its launch in November 2014 in addition to growing a successful online e-commerce website.
With 6 children under the age of 5 between them, life is busy for Our Kid but demand for their unique mix of modern, contemporary and design-led collections has seen them amass a loyal following on a local and national level.
Our Kid will blend its retail offering of kids clothing, toys and gifts with a family-friendly menu featuring a range of local suppliers to create the ultimate convenience store for busy Chorlton families as Tess explains;
"We've spent 3 years growing our business during naps times and snatched moments but finally with our own store, we can make the leap into becoming employers. Of ourselves!," says Tess. "Our lovely shop has been designed with busy families in mind, based on our own experiences of day to day life with kids. It's not unusual to finish the school run and realise we haven't had a cup of tea or breakfast but still need to fit in a trip to the shops with a baby in tow. Multi-tasking is second nature to parents and we hope with our new store we can deliver a truly convenient, multi-concept experience that will become a much-loved part of their daily Chorlton routine."
Follow @ourkidsocial on their launch journey across all social media channels.
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When I first moved up from London, Oranges&Lemons playgroup at St Clements Church was my first taste of the Chorlton baby scene and it was thriving! Some weeks you couldn't move for marauding babies and dancing toddlers while mums and carers chatted with friendly ease.
But recently numbers have dwindled. So much so that the Vicar and his volunteers have considered calling it a day. When we heard this we couldn't sit back and do nothing! So we pledged to mobilise our mummy and daddy followers to try and bring a few new faces through the door and who knows...maybe attract a whole new generation of playgroup regulars with the promise of hot tea, homemade cakes and bargains to boot!
Our Kid will join forces with Oranges&Lemons at St Clements Church to host an amazing Spring Clearance Sale on Monday 14th March from 10-12pm.We'll be selling loads of amazing British and independent clothing collections at crazy low prices alongside some of our favourite new pieces from our little bit of shop within the Chorlton Art Market.
Admission is free! And you will get to experience the playgroup in its usual lovely format which includes free refreshments for kids, hot tea and coffee for grown-ups and a cute nursery rhyme sing-a-long to wrap up the session. For one week only we will bring along some home-baked goods and bargains to fuel the fun!
Here's a preview of some of the amazing bits and bobs we hope to clear...
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Big Fish Little Fish launched in Manchester in November 2015 and proved to be the hottest ticket of the year. Demand for the self-styled family rave-up outstripped supply and within weeks of announcing their arrival up north the brand had sold out 3 events - before even hosting their first one! It seems that the good parents of Manchester are not quite ready to hang up their raving shoes just yet.
Our Kid was out in force at the launch event at the Irish Club in Chorlton. Entering a darkened rave at 2pm in the afternoon may seem slightly at odds with a typical Sunday but it's amazing how quickly one adapts with the help of a few glow-sticks and some pumping house tunes.
The older boys loved the freestyle graffiti wall and real fruit lollies and busted some moves to Basement Jaxx while we acclimatised to the liberation of being in a public place, with wine and space for kids to run free.. All set against the soundtrack of our youth. It's quite a heady combination and one that takes a while to sink in.
Upstairs was an all together more blissed-out affair and the perfect foil for the hectic vibe on the dancefloor. Set-up as a kind of baby chill-out zone, there were plenty of toys and distractions for all ages with a fenced off area for the really little one's. Tea Hive had a pop-up cake and savouries stall which helped to stave off toddler hunger and we all enjoyed a drink and chat while the kids entertained themselves with inflatable bananas. At this point we all agreed we were living the actual dream.
Big Fish Little Fish events conclude with their famous parachute dance which was a really sweet sensory experience that reminded us of the last days of disco when you're drinking in the final moments of a wicked club night before making a mad dash for the cloakroom. Only on this occasion it was for the buggy park. How times have changed.
We are so proud to have made friends with the brilliant team behind Big Fish Little Fish and will be supporting their events in every way we can because frankly, they are ace. First up, we're giving away a family ticket to their next event at the Chorlton Irish Club on Sunday 17th January. All you have to do to have a chance of winning is simply follow the instructions via the link below...GOOD LUCK RAVERS!
a Rafflecopter giveaway]]>
Christmas Eve Pyjamas
Alongside a festive tipple, we like to get our Christmas Eve game on by gifting a new pair of jim jams (from Santa’s elves) to our little ones to make their final sleep before the big day extra special. The Bright Company have a particularly lovely moon design motif this season, loved by boys and girls alike and soooo comfy! If you want to cocoon them in fresh bed loveliness we still have bundles of Junior Bedding which include pillowcase and warm topper or opt for a Knapp blanket for the buggy.
The Christmas Jumper
No kid wants to endure a scratchy fleck knit on Christmas day but you can’t beat a new jumper to signal the festive season. Let the stars on this cheeky number from Boys&Girls lead the way in the style stakes and if you happen to pass a manger on the way, be sure to say hello from us.
The Party Outfit Pair
“Dresses are SO five minutes ago” said the 3 year old to the mother who just wants her to GET DRESSED. This year, separates rule and the Candy Bow tutu reigns supreme. Pair with a chic stripe from Bob&Blossom for a super comfy look that’s sure to impress Santa.
Festive Novelty for Baby
Ok, so we’ve all harboured desires to dress our babies up as Rudolph but in reality, the wearability of a synthetic novelty onesie is about 5 minutes before the wailing sets in. We cannot recommend Blade&Rose leggings highly enough and these scrumptious Christmas puds can be worn by boys or girls for a whole day and more. We also have a few pairs of Slugs&Snails Elf tights for babies which are too cute to be hidden away in Santa’s workshop.
You can enjoy 20% off everything at Our Kid using the code CYBER until Monday 30th November.
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