Happy post Christmas. Four relaxing days at home, many friends, never enough family, an abundance of food and so many lovely cards and gifts. I love that our Lil Miss has included a pink hair bow on her card this year. That's my girl!

Today was spent amongst the shoppers in London's West End. A family tradition to go and see the windows and the lights plus Mr M escorts Lil Miss away for an hour of "shopping for Mommy". So many lights and beautiful shop windows but this little mouse in the Liberty window is the family favourite.

I wish I could blame it on the snow but these hair bows began their journey long before the first snowfall. Miss Gracie's darling Christmas bows finally arrived today. I couldn't resist letting you have a sneak peek for next year. A few local Miss Gracie girls are keen to collect theirs in the morning and our own little Miss has worn hers already but the rest will stay safely tucked away. Thinking positive; one less task to do for Christmas 2011!

Fresh colours, bold patterns and a little jewel to add some sparkle. A beautiful and practical gift. Small enough to pop in her kit bag and pretty enough to give as a present.

Someone is on Santa's naughty list! Seven boxes tracked since the 1st of November and the one to go missing has the Christmas bows in it? Not impressed! Sweet little bows with snowflakes and a bit of sparkle were going to brighten up this chilly season. To cheer me up it has to be the classic Charlotte bow; Christmas red, small or full size, pinch clip or barrette, for the good little girl on your gift list.

Our ever popular hair clip holders are back in stock just in time for Christmas. Choose from a ribbon bow (pictured) or a wooden heart. Each has one metre of ribbon on which to store her clips. A mum pleasing tidy storage solution and a colourful accessory for her bedroom.

All I want for Christmas is a Fairy Post Box from Daisy & Mouse. Actually that is not really what I want but I do wish I had someone to buy it for. Notes and envelopes, rubber stamps, postage stamps and little toadstool shaped paper clips all come tucked inside the gorgeous tin postbox. It is the tin I am really after. Maybe I could just pop it on my desk in lieu of my "in" tray.

They all do it. Mummy's lipstick left unattended is just too tempting for little hands. I have friends whose children have lipsticked the walls, the leather car interior, the dog and each other. Thankfully our little miss just loves a big lipstick grin and always insists on a photo.

We are often asked why we stayed on this side of the world when we came for just three years many years ago. Today was one of those days to remind us why.

The weather was beautiful (autumn sunshine), we enjoyed a hassle free train and tube journey (it's true!), dined at Carluccio's (kid's meals free during half term), small people had manicures at Hamley's (we succumbed!) and best of all - family concert with the LSO at the Barbican. If you haven't enjoyed a concert with kids and the LSO then put it on your London must do list. Just an hour plus a selection of crafts and activities beforehand. The LSO understands how to grab the kid's attention. Today they made instruments, attended a singing workshop, had a go (see photo) and the concert ended with a Scottish Piper. A very good Sunday in a city we love.

We do love hair bows but another bow we love is the one tied around a yummy box of treats from Biscotti Kitchen. Friends in the north can sample these tasty treats at the BBC Good Food show in Glasgow this weekend and everyone else can find them online at Biscotti Kitchen. I recommend the Fig and Cinnamon with a cup of tea. mmmmmmmmmmmmm

Tuesday, I have been reliably informed, will bring the delivery of the long awaited return of the Katie bow. Katie is the perfect bow "for school, parties, or play". Big enough to top a pony tail, not too big for pig tails and so cute as a top knot. School colours due in  first and fashion colours not long to follow.

And then I spotted Mr Hootie. I love online shopping and I always blabber on about how convenient it is AND how much easier it is to stick to a budget when you are not tempted by something more in store. So how is it that I now have Mr Hootie winging his way to me at this very moment? Because he was just too cute! After all it is October, Halloween is just around the corner and we are huge Harry Potter fans so a very justifiable purchase!

Ps. I did also order Christmas ornaments for my daughter's friends. So cute, beautifully made in England by the very clever Marie at Heartfelt Handmade. I know, it is only October.

Fraser & Parsley

Ticking tasks off of my "to do" list, I wish birthday present shopping was always this easy. I use any excuse to indulge in the beautiful stationary from Fraser & Parsley and this time it is something for the girls. The "Hollywood" note cards are the perfect gift now that my daughter's friends have reached the very grown up age of nine. We have chosen the colour "lipstick pink". I think the girls will love having something personalised and their mums will appreciate the practicality. Beautifully gift wrapped from Fraser & Parsley, we will be adding the finishing touch and topping the gift with a bespoke gift tag. I just couldn't resist!

Replenishment stock! The little Simone bow arrived today. A favourite in our house for school - Side parting, two pigtails and a little Simone bow on the right.

Miss Gracie loves to receive photos of girls in our bows. Miss Gracie hair bows "for school, parties and play"... and washing up!

Ella Bow

Oh sweet Ella bow you are finally here. You come from far away but you are oh so cute, it was worth the wait.

Hannah Bow

The Hannah bow remains a favourite and not just because the Hannah bow is named for our little bow wearer. Tied without ribbon tails, the Hannah bow can be worn to the left side, right side, on a top knot or at the back and the double prong pinch clip with the extra grip helps it stay in place. I always think if it as a bow for the little ones because of the size and it is so durable but my high school babysitters have all gone back to school with a side parting and a Hannah bow. Miss Gracie is cute and practical and now she is in fashion!

The slightest occasion in our house and the question is aways "can we get cakes?" I used to be slightly insulted because we do bake and isn't homemade always best? Our Christmas cookies are an annual event, brownies seem to be necessary if it is raining (a few too many lately) and their is nothing better than a warm chocolate chip cookie but then we met "SusieCakes!" Susie is the creative baker at Angelic Cupcakes and the person we call upon when it is celebration time.

I have totted up the occasions this year and Angelic Cupcakes was deemed necessary at 2 family birthdays, 1 Holy Communion, Grandma's visit, as hostess gifts, 2 50th birthdays, 1 40th and as a raffle prize at my daughter's school - whew! Her creative efforts have saved me allot of time and I know the recipients were happier with the outcome. Delicious cake, icing you actually want to eat and each cake decorated just enough to be pretty but not so much that their is more sugar than cake.

My experience running a business that fits around the family usually means late nights or early mornings at the computer and I often wonder how these home baking woman do it. I had visions of toddlers under foot, batter dripping off the Aga onto the dog and dawn icing sessions but then I visited Angelic Cakes and boy was I wrong! A kitchen so clean Mary Poppins would be proud, an inventory of decorations in plastic boxes sealed and labelled, sugar, flour and eggs neatly stored and dated and two of the cutest little girls who responded well to "go play and then you can have cake". Wish I had an offer as tempting as that when I need to get some work done!

Well I knew this day would come. My almost nine year old announced today that she would like to redecorate her room "when I turn 10". The lovely red gingham I chose before her arrival because it was so fresh and suitable for a boy or girl will go. Over the years I have mixed in pillow cases for a bit of fun; Cath Kidston boats, Laura Ashley gymkhana, Pottery Barn animals and I even succumbed to a bit of Disney. She would like her room to have "lighty greeny colours" inspired by her wonderful frog pillow.

The coveted frog pillow, a gift from her Auntie, is from my favourite website Pillowfolly.com . The tag line "like jewellery for your sofa" says it all. One of the best browsing websites I have visited, always fresh, the fabrics are beautiful and the site is perfect for those late night shopping temptations. Now I have just over a year to find some green gingham sheets and to break the news to my daughter that her bedroom walls will remain white.

Our friend Issie and her Miss Gracie bow. Never leave home without one! We noticed in this year's holiday snaps that she not only took along her bows but swapped styles throughout the day. That's our girl!

A mum to admire (worship or ... ). Had an email with 19 darling girl's names, a customer would like a personalised clip holder for each. She had just received the class list for her daughter's reception class next term. 19 gorgeous Miss Gracie packages wrapped and ready in her cupboard for future birthday parties. Job done! That is an organised mum!

Whew! Time to focus on Miss Gracie after a very busy week. Greek Day, Sports Day and Book Day all in the same week? I would like to have a word with the person who put the school diary together. Just when it all seems too much, an image like this makes it all worth while - A very happy Pippi!

"Will we be friends forever", asked Piglet. "Even longer", Pooh answered.

Fraser and Parsley are constantly tempting me with their gorgeous stationary and now they are adding beautiful cupcake wrappers to their range. Looking closely, I think one of the girls parading along on this perfectly pink wrapper even has a bow in her hair. Time for a Miss Gracie tea party!

A beautiful little girl, her handsome big brother and a Miss Gracie bow. Thank you to Maddie's mummy for sharing her photos. I would normally publish the one which best shows the bow but this was too good to pass up.

Claudia

Claudia is a pretty twist on the basic school headband. Like all of our headbands, the ribbon is wrapped on a very comfortable and pliable band and an iron-on name label can be applied to the underside.

Chichiboulie

So cute I had to share. My talented friend Gretchen at Chichiboulie has created these gorgeous invites and party bag labels for my daughter's upcoming First Holy Communion.

Charlotte

The newest addition to our circle of friends. Not enough hair yet for a bow but a promise to her big sister led to a collection of bows being named Charlotte. The Charlotte bow is almost as cute as the real thing.

Beautiful little girls celebrating a birthday. Party dresses, cake, crafts and home made decorations. I would love to say this was at our house as it is all just so very lovely but it is miles away in New York and the hostess is a mum I have never met. Why do I know about it? Well this very creative mum with a beautiful family authors a blog and I now have to admit, I do read it quit regularly.

Last year some smart marketing friends told me Miss Gracie needed a blog. Why? "As a marketing tool that will cost you nothing but time". Ah hah! Now blogging had my attention. I did my research (late night surfing) and started blogging. Miss Gracie's blog is an opportunity to shout about new product and a little bit of how the business mixes with our family life. Your comments are always welcome, do email me photos of your girls in MG bows and with your permission I will blog them.

Blogs worth a peek:

mysixinthecity adventures of moving a family of 6 from suburbia to NYC

The Crafty Crow if you are ever stuck for inspiration for kids crafts

ikeahacker inspiring ideas to give Ikea furniture a personal twist

hostesswiththemostess fab ideas for kid parties and entertaining

It was a sunny, beach filled weekend. Bliss!
Miss Gracie girls now consider themselves surfer girls so I better get to work designing hair bobbles to match their wetsuits.

Busy week! Audrey bows have arrived, replenishment orders chased, gorgeous new colours chosen for the Charlotte bows and two new headbands designed - Lauren and Payton will be here later this spring.

A cleared desk always make heading off on holiday a teeny bit nicer. Just a mini weekend at the seaside this time but sunshine is forecast which makes this California girl very happy!

Cake baking, cake eating and friends to play easily fills these school holiday days.

The weather may be telling us otherwise but it is Spring and it is Easter. The bright pink and fresh apple green of the Niamh bow just seems to say "Happy Spring!"

"Girls in the Lead" is the theme of Girl Guiding UK. This is our little Rainbow proudly displaying her badge for completing her time as a Rainbow and now it is off to Brownies. More friends, adventures and girls taking the lead in a variety of activities, projects and most importantly - FUN!

The girls of Beaconsfield currently meet in a very drafty and damp "Guide Hut" but they are well on their way to raising funds to build their new "Headquarters" and Miss Gracie is keen to help. We have designed head bands and pony elastics to match both the Rainbow and Brownie uniforms and £1 from each will be donated to the building fund.

Spot the Hair Bows

Sometimes she makes her bed without being asked and today was a particularly good effort! Her well coordinated hair bow wearing friends made me smile. How many hair bows can you spot? The first correct answer emailed to info@missgracie.co.uk will win a hair bow. Be sure and include your post address on the email.

The Matilda Bow

A name can conjure up an image and Matilda is always a happy one for me. She is cute and giggly, a girl with tree climbing talent but not too much of a tomboy to forgo a bow in her hair. Roald Dahl's Matilda is my kind of girl and this is the bow I would pop in her hair. Red because pink just wouldn't be her style, grosgrain ribbon so the mud would wash off and a pinch clip so she could "do it myself".

Why do I always succumb to a freezing afternoon at the farm during February half term? I love the farm on sunny days, feeding the lambs, spotting the new bunnies, losing the kids in the maze. But in February? I hugged my steaming mug of tea (they do make good tea) and then realised we used to visit the farm most weeks and now we may make it there twice a year. I will be terribly said the day I suggest the farm... and the kids have other half term plans.

Local to Beaconsfield? Miss Gracie will be at the High March School Coffee & Shopping morning this Thursday the 11th of February. Pop into the Upper School between 8:45 and 11am.

Miss G is so pleased! After many requests for a mirror in her room we have found the perfect solution, "a beauty station". Now I do not think an 8 year old needs a "beauty station", GLTC where I bought the ideal mirror has named it that but it is just perfect! A slim two door cupboard attaches to the wall and opens to reveal a mirror plus lots of storage. It is the storage bit that we are loving. Teamed with a Miss Gracie hair clip holder, it is hair bobble & bow nirvana! No more bows left on the side of the bath. Why leave them lying about when Miss G can organise them in her "beauty station". So far she has spent more time organising the bits and bobs than she has looking in the mirror. Long may it last.

"Coming soon", a phrase that I am using too much lately but with postal delays due to weather, a photographer who actually has a "day job" to see to and the talented creators who are tying bows as quick as they can; new bows are "coming soon". In the meantime I have decide to create the unthinkable - a coming soon image. UGH! I find it so frustrating to be shopping online and not be able to see what it is I am so keenly seeking. Needs must so I am popping in the image on bow styles that are already offered, it is just the colour that is new. The image will not be there for long - the bows will be finished, the postman will deliver and the photographer will have a free Saturday afternoon - "soon".

Sorry girls, no school today. I guess you'll have to spend another day in the snow.

2010! While readying myself for this brand new year I came upon this old photo of the first retail days of Miss Gracie. I laughed at the products on offer (some items were just terrible!) and how small a part the hair bows played. Now it is all about the hair bow and never could I have imagined having a business dedicated completely to hair bows or that I would sell them to customers worldwide. The sticky dots on our world map tell the story. Spain, Italy, Switzerland, France, the USA, Singapore, Belgium, Hong Kong, Australia... Thank you to all Miss Gracie customers, family and friends worldwide. We wish you a very Happy New Year!