Whilst we made no specific plans of when to try and have our children by fortune of fate they were both born in January-  2 years and 8 days apart thus meaning that 3 weeks after Christmas the presents and party chaos happens all over again in this house.

A trip to the shops a few days ago has got me thinking about how … not in a deep and meaningful way but in a really shallow one about presents and parties; this year they turn 4 and 2 – so as you can imagine our house is a little bit on the pink side, all the usual stuff – a kitchen, a dolls house (well 3 actually – none bought by us!) , tea sets, dolls galore, girls world – you get the pretty pink picture and I headed out trying to get ideas of what to get the girls for their birthdays and am stumped!

Foolishly I decided to embark upon a solo trip with 2 pre-schoolers to the toy mecca that is Toys R Us whilst my OH headed off to the derby match in Manchester.  Going solo with 2 children was a big mistake in itself – the nearly 2 year old insisted on trying out every ride on car in the store and protested loudly when I tried to move her on  – visualise lying on the floor kicking and shouting ‘Not fair’ rather loudly whilst the nearly 4 year old found the most garish Barbie outfits possible and insisted that it was her favourite thing ever.  But whilst I was looking for inspiration I realised that my girls actually NEED nothing, no more toys, crayons, dressing up – they are really fortunate and have lots to choose from already so that leaves me feeling a bit weird about what to do  – Do I buy some toys I know they would play with at some point (once they have worked their way through the Christmas toys) but definitely don’t NEED or be really practical and sensible and buy something small for them to open and then just put the money we have budgeted for in their bank accounts? My head says one thing my heart says another.

What would you do?

So my first resolution was to blog more – managing to keep that one up – does 2 in a week count as blogging regularly? 

But another of my resolutions was to devote a bit more time and effort to myself – given that some days I don’t even brush my hair I came at this resolution with the attitude that even a few minutes a day is better than the current position so how hard can it be to acheive….

As someone who only wears make up if they are going on a ‘big night out’ or to a wedding, and insists to the hairdresser that I have to have a hairstyle that does not require any brushes to dry it, you get the picture,  make up and look glam are rally not a big part of my life and never have been ! 

But 9 days into the new year and I am making progress – today I actually wore make just to go to work – a real novelty – Brenda did wonder if I was going somewhere special though! 

I even went to the make up counter and bought new make up at weekend too – last time I bought new foundation was for my wedding 5 years ago!   I felt like a 13 year old when the Clarins lady was asking me what I liked – “errr , not sure, don’t do make up” was my slightly kevin the teenager reply but do you know what … I’m liking it – not just the finished made up face (which as I head nearer 40 probably needed some help) but the fact that for 10 mins in the morning I spend time on me, just me and that is a good thing too.

Before I really begin Happy New Year!
Sooooo….. it has to be said that this poor Ruby and GINGER blog has been more than neglected the past year, it has practically been disowned.
So one of my resolutions is to write more on here, as to be honest I like blogging, tweeting and facebooking; it makes me feel like we actually get to know people who follow us , like us and all that jazz  are actually interested in R&G and us as people too.

Don’t get me wrong I am conscious I’ve never actually met most of these people but what I really like about social media (and I do love some forms more than others) is the randomness of it – talking to people, who you would never have crossed paths with in real life about stuff that sometimes you may not even talk to a ‘real life’ friend about – but somehow it seems ok because the person on the other keyboard gets you about that moment, about that thing. It can be life, work, happy, sad and often in my case nonsense; it can even lead to amazing real life things (thinking here the coming about of Cheese Club aka @homage2fromage but that story is a whole blog in it’s own right!)

But I like it so this is the year that I am vowing to share more than 140 characters on a regular basis, let you know a bit more about how things are progressing here at R&G HQ, about us, about things we love and what we think, hopefully some of you might be interested in reading what we have to say but if not I get to spend a few minutes getting it all down and that has got to be good for the soul …here’s to 2012 the year of the blog

x

After spending the last week outside on our stall at Harewood House Christmas Festival it gave us chance to reflect…firstly that it was flippin freezing and despite our many layers of pop socks our feet were still cold but more about how far this year has brought us. From the launch of our site at the beginning of February, the arrival of our second children one week before and five weeks after the go live respectively (what were we thinking!), entering into a whole new world from our old corporate lives – its been a crazy old year but just brilliant. We have met some fantastic people on our journey at baby shows, trade shows and especially on Twitter so we just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to everyone who has supported us so far with their kindness, support and humour and to wish you all a wonderful festive season and a happy and prosperous 2011…we raise a toast to you all as we head off for a few days rest accompanied by our gorgeous families and mulled wine aplenty …take care xx

It’s been a busy week here at Ruby and GINGER and we are so excited with all that is happening.

 The gorgeous Little Lilypad Co are now stocking our products , specialising in unique and hand made treats for babies, children and the whole family, made the old fashioned way, without designer prices, gimicky slogans and plastic packaging.  Not only are they selling our gorgeous hand printed and handmade changing sets  – ideal for popping in your handbag and the perfect present for a new mum or mum-to be, but they also have lots of  beautiful products for you and your family – We have already added some ideas to our christmas present lists.  Have a look at http://www.littlelilypad.co.uk/ourshop/cat_293714-Just-Arrived.html

We are very excited here in sunny Yorkshire to be launching some brand new baby gifts and parenting accessories this week.  

Our  Travel Change Mat has arrived, for those nappy changes on the go!  The 100% cotton, washable and portable change mat fits inside the nappy purse  alongside babys nappies and other baby changing essentials, providing protection for baby whilst changing out and about.

Our  Swanky Gift Sets provide the perfect solution when you are looking for that new mum present or mum to be present.  Ideal for baby showers or leaving to have a baby gifts, they include The Original Nappy Purse, Travel Change Mat, and Toy Tie in one of our gorgeous Ruby and GINGER designs as well as the FREE Travel Wipes Case.   Whilst our Super Swanky Gift sets have all of the above and then a Hooded Towel for the new arrival; the ideal present for Mummy and Baby.

And finally our gorgeous Hooded Towels; trimmed in our stylish fabrics our 100% cotton hooded towels have been made bigger than average so that they last as baby grows.

Ruby and GINGER are very excited to be heading off to Brighton Baby Expo this weekend – their first big baby show!  Looking forward to meeting lots of lovely parents and showing off our new products : a Travel Change Mat and Hooded Towel to add to the The Original Nappy Purse and Wipes Cases.  With Swanky and Super Swanky gift sets on offer too – a great opportunity to grab a great present for that baby shower, new mum friend or just treat yourself to one of our stylish yet affordable baby accessories.  We also have more products in development such as the ‘real nappy purse’ – a slightly larger nappy wallet which will hold a couple of real nappies, wipes and other baby changing essentials.  It’s all go here in Yorkshire!

You can imagine the excitement here at Ruby and GINGER when celebrity mum and style icon Tess Daly spotted our fabulous Nappy Purse and recommended it to the readers of her column in the Daily Mirror last week. 

“This nappy purse is a stylish solution to packing up all those nappies and wipes when you’re out and about”.  Tess Daly, Daily Mirror

You can see all she had to say at http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/tess-daly/2010/03/ruby-and-ginger-make-baby-acce.html

http://www.helphound.com/business/123888

http://www.scotmum.com/index.php?option=com_myblog&Itemid=56

Scotmum is a new and unique website specifically for mums in Scotland.  This free service offers mums a support network for every aspect of motherhood. You can read weekly updated articles on topics such as pregnancy, parenting, or read the weekly interview with a working mum. You can also post your views or offer advice to other mums on the forum. There is also a blog of a true Scotmum for you to read! Overall, mums should feel confident to ask for help from other mums, after all, mums always know best!