Category: Out & About

Niddle Noddle,a very cute toy shop in Crouch End

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IMG_2295_6_7We love mooching about Crouch End, one of our favourite corners of London. One of Big Munch’s beloved bathtime toys (a watering can!) was found in the Niddle Noddle store. Possibly the best Christmas gift I could have bought her, apart from her broom of course. The Niddle Noddle online shop was launched 4 years ago by Eilidh Fraser and Katrine Camillo. They then opened their actual bricks and mortar shop in September 2013. Eilidh spoke to Lucky Things blog about the world of Niddle Noddle…
How did Niddle Noddle come about? Katrine is originally from Denmark and has worked in various careers including photography and I worked as a professional actress for 20 years. We met in a local park by chance when our daughters were young. My husband is Danish and Katrine overheard him speaking to my daughter in Danish and we soon got chatting. We were both looking for a more stable career, something that could easily combine work and motherhood.
What do you love about running the Niddle Noddle store?
We’re both interested in kids design and quite soon after meeting we started discussing the possibility of setting up an online kids boutique.  We also started selling at fairs and markets and began to build up a loyal following.
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What’s your advice for other peeps who want to set up their own business? Any challenges you managed to juggle ok?
I think that because there were 2 of us, it was easier.  We were able to support and encourage each other. We also did some pop up shops to test the market before taking the plunge and opening a permanent shop. It’s a huge commitment and a gamble, so you have to be pretty confident you can offer your customers something they want.We go to trade shows all over Europe to source exciting fresh talent and tend to go for smaller labels which are harder to find in the UK (sometimes only in our shop) and not too expensive.
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What do you think people love about coming to the Niddle Noddle store?
Lots of our customers comment on the feeling of nostalgia they get when they come into our shop, seeing lots of things from their childhood, that’s really nice. We try to keep the stock fresh and are always bringing in new finds! The shop has a easy feel and we try to keep it relaxed so that our customers come back! Children are encouraged to pick up toys and have a go. And of course there is the slide! So the kids can have fun on the slide while the adults shop! We also stock lots of one off pieces (from all over the world), hand made toys and knitwear. We do stock some of the bigger toy brands such as Djeco, Janod and Vilac because we like them but most of the things we stock  are unique to our shop.We have a big range of pocket money toys which have a traditional/retro feel as well as some actual vintage toys.
What are your top tips for juggling a busy family life and a business?
It’s always tricky finding the right balance between family and work!  In the beginning, it was just the two of us and we pretty much both had to be at the shop all time. That was really tough on us and our families but we now have some lovely staff working for us which means we’re not having to be in the shop every day. We’ve taken our kids with us to Europe to see where we source some of our stock and they were very excited to be involved. Sometimes they spend time in the shop (their choice), I think it’s fun for them and they like helping out. And of course the slide is a huge draw.We try as much as possible to be able to collect our kids from school most days. It was one of the reasons we set up the business together, to enable us to be able to combine work and family life to suit us. Of course, it does help that there are two of us to share the load.
What’s your top tip for parents and carers?
I don’t really have a top tip as far as parenting goes, it’s important to have fun but also to say ‘no’ sometimes.
What are some of your own favourite songs you enjoy playing to your children?
As far as what my daughter is listening to at the moment, quite a wide range of music, contemporary and classic – a healthy mix I think.
She does keep asking to listen to Nightcall by Kavinsky over and over whenever we are in the car!
What are 3 of your lucky things?
We’d probably say that our families and friends make us feel happy and lucky. And because we have such lovely customers, it’s a pleasure coming to work so that makes us pretty lucky!
The shop is located in Crouch End:
5 Topsfield Parade
Middle Lane
Crouch End
N8 7EP
Photos by Stuart Edmondstone and published with permission from Niddle Noddle.
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I heart Shoreditch street art – buggy walk (part 1)

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 When did I first come across street art? Maybe during uni days when we studied New York graffiti and youth cultures as part of my BA in human geography (randomly cool I know!) I know the experts say there is a big difference between graffiti and street art. Then Mr H used to plan date days out for us around London to show me street art gems.We also had fun exploring street art in Berlin and New York; definitely two of my top places. Staying closer to home, Shoreditch is a street art treasure chest. There’s a true international feel when you find out many artists have come from far to display their creative skills.
It was a fun evening this time last year when I planned a street art tour night out for the team at work. We all loved it! Our office is just around the corner from Shoreditch and so the evening gave us a chance to hear about some of the artists as well as spot new finds.

Street art never stays still so whenever I can, I stroll around the same Shoreditch streets to check out what’s new.Glad I capture street art shots as it’s forever changing…

When the weather has been ok, I’ve been lucky to mooch around Shoreditch with the buggy where Baby Munch has been busy gazing at the colours from her wheels. Recently we had a fun time exploring street art with Baby Munch in the buggy, our toddler pal Lil’ C on his microscooter and his mummy A.So here’s my street art buggy* stroll tour from October 2015 where grown-ups,toddlers and children can also enjoy some art and animal spotting (*buggy or little people obviously not essential!). If you work nearby, this walk also makes a good lunch break stroll.If I know of the talent behind the street art, I’ve mentioned them below.

1.Start off by checking out Ben Eine‘s typography work on Ebor Street. His bold colourful letters also make bold statements. Ben Eine’s work is dotted around this area. You can also find one of his amazing muriels on Middlesex Street, off Bishopsgate.Here’s one of his letters for you (also happen to be my two favourite colours for a little girl’s bedroom).Hoping you get to take in the full muriel if you can pop down.  

2.Then head over to Chance Street off Shoreditch High Street to catch more muriels. There is Australia’s Reka‘s work called Keep Calm and Carry On. 

Here’s  Belgium’s ROA‘s hedgehog (you can’t miss it). The hedgehog has been a local resident on the massive wall for a few years now. 

I also love the only way is up arrows on the corner of one of the buildings.

 It was cool we were also able to show Lil’ C some street art superhero action down Chance street.

 3.Pop down Whitby Street (off Chance Street) to check out one of the bold residential buildings.

 4.We then turned onto Bethnal Green Road and I came across this lovely message. Too right.That’s the funny thing about street art, it really is everywhere, up on the walls, on the rooftops and down on the pavement. It can be images or words.

 5.Cross Shoreditch High Street and walk over to Holywell Lane. On the corner of this street you’ll see some of Paris-born Theirry Noir‘s work. His work is also a common-find around Shoreditch. His work also appeared on the Berlin Wall.

  
You’ll soon approach Sardinian Tella’s work down Holywell Lane.

 6.Stop at King John Court off Holywell Lane for comic-like street work by Lost Souls duo Captain Kris & SPZero76.


Plus some more intricate street art…(Big Munch is a big fan of dots at the moment)

 7.Go back onto Holywell Lane and land at Great Eastern Street. Walk on this side of the road towards Old Street tube to check out the muriels.

  
  
If you’re heading out with the buggy, arrive at Liverpool Street or Shoreditch High Street station as there are some escalator-free platforms. There are also lots of roomy cafes in Shoreditch in you need a pit-stop to refuel or feed the little ones. It’s best avoiding the typical lunch hour for a more leisurely adventure. Thanks to the incredible street artists who make our cities so colourful.

The November street art stroll is appearing on Lucky Things soon…

#streetart #BenEine #Chance Street #Ebor Street #Shoreditch street art #ROA #toddlerfun #toddlerlondon #buggywalklondon

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London Streets series part 1 – A stroll down Marylebone High Street

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Hello new Lucky Things followers, thanks for signing up to the latest posts. Enjoy Lucky Things…

So we popped down Marylebone High Street after a long walk around nearby Regent’s Park. It’s great coming to Marylebone High Street with the buggy. Not over-crowded like Oxford Street and there are more than enough shops and eateries to explore. Definitely a favourite street in the run up to Christmas. The perfect street for gift searching with more of a chilled village feel. Always recommend starting at the Euston Road end if you can. Here are some of my favourite stop-offs…

First stop – The Conran Shop, 55 Marylebone High Street W1U 5HS

The British design guru always has the best window displays as the windows look right into the shop. Looking in with a smile, I love all of the glimmering fushcia pink ceiling hangings and robot themed windows. Also bold colours for baby Munch to gaze at (she likes a bit of sparkle too). A cloudy day has been brightened up already.

This shop is like a mini design museum. A must-visit if you love quaint and modern Christmas decorations. Of course, they also have the best range of crackers for the design-conscious.


 The children’s corner is lots of fun, including kiddy-friendly gadgets and pretty bedroom interiors. Don’t forget to check out the latest children’s books and grown up books (for our coffee tables and general picture browsing!). There’s also the light and airy cafe at the back of store if you need a break.
http://www.conranshop.co.uk

Time for food – Natural Kitchen, 77/78 Marylebone High street, W1U 5JX

This multi-storey organic deli-cafe-butchers is also on Baker Street and at Waterloo. Proud to be a locally run business it’s often jam-packed but there’s still a family friendly feel and more space at the back for buggies and high chairs.

Anyone who knows me well knows how I love a good buffet. So the eat all you can fit on a plate was perfect! It’s a bonus as it’s all pretty healthy stuff. Two towering piled up high plates of perfect lunch food such as grilled chicken or a veggie quiche with about five different salads cost us about £18 for two people. The beetroot, kale and puy lentil salad was the perfect autumnal treat. The other salads are also well thought out and gave us great ideas for recipes. It’s a little cheaper if you go for takeaway. An organic store wouldn’t be complete without a smoothie bar. There’s a great cake range and even a frozen yoghurt bar if you fancy some healthier afters.



http://www.thenaturalkitchen.com

Cologne and Cotton, 88 Marylebone High Street, W1X 4QX

Next stop this cute interiors and linen store. They have the best baby cellular blankets here as they also do them in bright colours. Our favourite is the coral one.

http://www.cologneandcotton.com

Other stores to browse whilst you’re down there…

To name a few more stop offs, there is Cath Kidston, Skandium (for all things of Swedish design), Oxfam and Daunt Books (for more book flicking). If you’re into your fancy toiletries and special pampering check out Diptique, Aesop, Le Labo (personalised perfume made whilst you wait!) and good old Neal’s Yard.

#marylebonehighstreet #conranshop #naturalkitchen

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