Wednesday, 29 November 2017

The Duchess of Cambridge Shows Off Her Green Fingers & Exclusive Azuni 25% Discount!

The Duchess of Cambridge visited Robin Hood Primary School this morning to celebrate their work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening.


Kate was greeted with beautiful flowers.


The RHS Campaign for School Gardening, now marking ten years, inspires and supports schools to provide children with gardening opportunities to enhance their skills and boost their development. The RHS's work with schools has shown benefits for children's physical and mental well-being, and building life skills such as confidence, teamwork and communication.


The visit combined two of Kate's passions; working with children and the outdoors.


A crowd of eager gardeners awaited Kate.


Kate chatting with a group of children about their interest in gardening.


The campaign is all about 'Growing Skills For Life', it's also a wonderful way to encourage children to unplug and spend more time outside.


I'm very much in favour of the fact the campaign runs throughout the entire school year.This time of year is simply perfect to get creative using items from the garden for the festive season.


I don't know about you, but this decorated pine cone makes me think....it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.


During the visit, the Duchess received a briefing on the RHS nation-wide campaign and heard about the benefits of learning outside from Robin Hood Primary School.


Kate then joined children in activities in the outdoor learning area and sensory garden.


Time for a spot of gardening.


Robin Hood Primary School has developed a whole-school, progressive outdoor learning curriculum with support from the RHS. Children have access to a range of outdoor classrooms in the woodland setting including a purpose built Outdoor Learning Area and Sensory Garden.


The Mail Online reports:

'She sat next to chatty little Charlie, six, and Innaya, five, as they planted spring bulbs including tulips and daffodils. ‘Morning, have you got your warm coats and gloves on on now? That’s a good idea,’ she said. She was handed a pair of leather gloves and knelt on a mat to join the youngsters planting out. She put on her own pair of black leather gloves and picked up a potato peeler to have a to herself, asking the children what bugs they had seen in the Palace so far. ‘Woodlouse and wiggily worms?’ ‘Lucky bugs to have such a cool place to sleep,’ she said.'

This outdoor learning gives children an opportunity to explore, consolidate and develop their knowledge and understanding of the ever-changing natural environment. The activities are created to inspire their curiosity, stimulate their senses and through challenging, yet achievable tasks using various real tools and natural resources, bring learning to life. Sessions aim to encourage and inspire children to develop their personal, social and emotional skills through participation in tasks and activities that are both challenging and achievable. Helping to develop their emotional intelligence, empathy and communication enables children to manage their emotions effectively.


The Duchess saw Bug-ingham Palace.


Kate admires 'The Palace'.


Kate whitting wood.


All that gardening called for a warming cup of tea.


During a speech Kate said "I've got such fond memories of being in the garden and being outside from my own childhood and I'm sharing that with my own children George and Charlotte".


A video from Catherine Wylie.


Kate's speech:

‘Thank you so much for having me here today. It's been lovely to meet all of you and thank you so much to all the children who've shown me what they've been doing in their gardens. It's really inspiring and exciting to see what you've all been up to.
I've got such fond memories of being in the garden and being outside from my own childhood, and I'm sharing that with my own children, George and Charlotte, at the moment.
And I'm really excited about what you're doing here and taking inspiration from that in the school environment as well. What you have created here is really so special. Hopefully you'll have lots of memories of your time here in the garden, looking for insects or planting bulbs. And I really hope you remember these special times for the rest of your lives. But thank you again and good luck and happy gardening for the future.’

Then it was time to cut the cake...


Anyone feeling peckish?


The Duchess said goodbye to the children.


The Mail added: 'Sally Spires, the school’s outdoor learning co-ordinator showed the Duchess round and said: ‘She was incredibly warm and interested and understood the idea of using outdoor learning to promote the development and mental health of young children. She clearly enjoys it herself and said how much she enjoys getting her children out in the garden with their toys and dinosaurs.’


Kate sported a selection of casual go-to pieces for the outing.


She wore her trusty Barbour Ladies Waxed Defence Jacket. The military inspired jacket is described as "Traditional Barbour wax, in a versatile field jacket. Flattering and easy fit. Perfect for outdoor adventures. 100% cotton Barbour Tartan lining." Kate has had the piece since at least 2012. It originally retailed for £199 before selling out. There are very similar Barbour jackets available at Nordstrom.


Underneath, Kate wore her black Temperley London Honeycomb Tunic. The signature honeycomb textured knit runs up the extended cuff and over the wide polo neck.

Temperley London

Kate wore her Penelope Chilvers Long Tassel Boots.


And accessorised with her Kiki Lauren earrings.

Kiki McDonough

It was a lovely engagement! Kate thoroughly enjoyed herself and seeing her interact with children is always a highlight.

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The Duchess was photographed again in the afternoon leaving Kensington Palace with Carole Middleton. You can view photos on the Mail Online. With thanks to the UFO No More team, it looks like Kate wore the ZARA Checked Coat.


At present, there's nothing announced for Kate's Calendar, although I expect that to change shortly. I'm hoping we'll see the Duke and Duchess at the Diplomatic Reception which takes place in early December.

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Also today, the lovely folks at Azuni London emailed me to offer blog readers an exclusive 25% discount for the next three days. To avail simply enter HRH25 at the checkout. Azuni offer Free UK Delivery and Free International Delivery on orders over £100.


Of course, we came to to know the brand in 2012 when the Duchess wore their Aqua Chalcedony Kate Earrings. The £29.50 pair remain a bestseller several years later. Described as "Fusing an elegant briolette cut gemstone suspended from a textured coin stud, these are treasures designed for the contemporary goddess." They make for an excellent gift!


The earrings are available in a selection of stones including Amethyst and Lapis.

Azuni London

Azuni London founder Ashley Marshall started his career as a chef, working in some of London's top kitchen's before taking his talent and flair for experimenting with unusual textures and stones to South America where he immersed himself in Native American culture. His unique approach to design developed during his travels followed by three years of study at Sir John Cass Jewellery and Silversmithing University in London Azuni has grown from strength to strength with a host of well known faces including Kate choosing pieces from the affordable brand. You can find out more about Ashley and the background of Azuni here.


With the party season ahead, the much loved Delphi collection has been updated with glistening gemstones in deep winter hues. In the image below, we see the stunning Rose Gold and Lolite Teardrop Necklace, the matching earrings and bracelet


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The Five Stone Bracelet is a beautiful piece. "A dazzling Azuni Treasure for the modern-day Goddess. . The bracelet measures 7 1/2" long, has some adjustment, and is delivered in a lined drawstring pouch and branded tote bag." Below, we show in in Silver, Aqua and Labrodite and Gold, Black Onyx and Lolite.

Azuni

The Twin Stone Earrings and Diametric Necklace make for a striking pairing.

Azuni 

The Simple Gemstone Bracelet is Silver Lolite blends a divinely cut Iolite Gemstone with a Silver Plated finish.

Azuni

New sparkling necklaces include the £28 Druzy Necklace. "Return to the Elements with our Sparkling Druzy Pendant Necklaces. Comprised of tiny clusters of glittering mineral crystals that have formed deep beneath the surface of the Earth, these radiant beauties will add Stone Age sparkle to any look." 

Azuni


Azuni

Items are delivered in Azuni's signature pouch.

To view all of Azuni's treasures click here. A reminder to avail of the discount enter HRH25 at the checkout.
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Tuesday, 28 November 2017

Kate Reveals She's "Absolutely Thrilled" for Harry and Meghan During Foundling Museum Visit!

The Duchess of Cambridge visited the Foundling Museum this morning to learn more about the museum's history and the way it continues to focus on its founding principles to use art and creativity as a means to support and engage children and vulnerable families.


The Duchess arriving.


Kate was all smiles upon arrival following what one imagines was an evening of celebrations at Kensington Palace after the engagement announcement of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Meghan and Harry are residing in Nottingham Cottage - William and Kate's first home. In the coming months I have no doubt the Duchess will be on hand to give Meghan advice with the royal wedding approaching. A statement from William and Kate read 'We are very excited for Harry and Meghan. It has been wonderful getting to know Meghan and to see how happy she and Harry are together.' During the engagement interview, Meghan added Kate has been "wonderful". It's a hugely exciting time for the family.


Of course the engagement was the immediate source of conversation. Kate was happy to share her delight at the news:

"William and I are absolutely thrilled. It’s such exciting news. It’s a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment.”

Very interestingly, Kate actually walked up to the press to share her message. Although it was pre-arranged, it was surprising and I believe a first for the Duchess.


Several of you on social media noted how nervous Kate appeared - a sentiment echoed by royal reporter Rebecca English.



Emily Andrews added:


The Foundling Museum explores the history of the Foundling Hospital, the UK’s first children’s charity and first public art gallery.


Kate has been deeply interested in art since her university days. Today's visit will have been a fascinating one for her.


The Foundling Hospital, which continues today as the children’s charity Coram, was established in 1739 by the philanthropist Thomas Coram to care for babies at risk of abandonment. After 17 years of tireless campaigning, Thomas Coram finally received a Royal Charter from King George II in 1739, enabling him to establish his Foundling Hospital. From 1741 when the first babies were admitted, to 1954 when the last pupil was placed in foster care, the Foundling Hospital cared for and educated around 25,000 children. Instrumental in helping Coram realise his vision was the artist William Hogarth, who encouraged leading artists of the day to donate work, and George Frideric Handel, who conducted annual benefit concerts in the Hospital’s chapel. Their creative generosity set the template for the ways in which the arts can support philanthropy.


Today artists continue to be central to the Foundling Museum’s work; through a dynamic programme of exhibitions and events the museum celebrates the ways in which the arts have helped improve children’s lives for over 275 years and aims to inspire everyone to make a positive contribution to society.


If you’re looking for unique things to do around King's Cross, the museum is a hidden London gem.


The Court Room of the Foundling Hospital was called "the most perfect room in London", with its grand rococo ceiling and artwork depicting the plight of children in biblical tales, including Hogarth's 'Moses before Pharaoh's Daughter'. When the original eighteenth-century Hospital was torn down in the 1920s, the Court Room was saved and painstakingly reconstructed. It can be seen in all its glory by visitors to the Museum today.


Exhibitions currently on display include Basic Instincts. Curated by Dr Jacqueline Riding, Basic Instincts explores Georgian attitudes to love, desire and female respectability through the radical paintings of Joseph Highmore. It is the first major Highmore exhibition for 50 years and explores this decade of disruptive social commentary in his art.


During her visit, Kate received a briefing on the history of the Hospital and how the museum continues to engage vulnerable and marginalised young people.


The Duchess viewed tokens which were left by mothers with their babies at The Foundling Hospital so they could identify them.


They are now on display in the museum.


The Duchess met families and children who have benefited from the museum's education and outreach programmes.


Kate met pre-school children from a local nursery who regularly visit the museum and young care leavers who are being trained to run their own creative workshops.


As always, Kate was in her element with the children.


Time for a spot of arts and crafts.


Kate with eleven-year-old Olivia who took part in art therapy sessions at Great Ormond St hospital.


Kate wore a pretty diamond print Kate Spade dress today. The shirt style dress features a long flowing skirt with stripe detail. The piece is not yet available, it's from the Resort 2018 Collection (amazing ID by Perth Fashion). Below, we show it in pink. Kate's dress will be available online from Friday.

A closer look at the band on the waist with a distinctive burgundy stripe.


Other Kate Spade pieces available in the same diamond print include the Diamond Jacquard Jacket, the Diamond Print Pleated Skirt (reduced from $298 to $208) and the Diamond Jacquard Cigarette Pants (reduced from $198 to $138). Thanks to Kate Middleton and Middleton Maven!

Bloomingdales

For those fond of the brand, they are offering 30% off full-priced items and 40% off sale items with code MOREJOY until tonight.


The Duchess teamed the dress with her burgundy Gianvito Rossi pumps.

Gianvito Rossi

And carried her burgundy Mulberry suede clutch.


For jewellery, Kate opted for her sapphire and diamond oval earrings.


Commenting Note: I want to conclude the post with an important note, which I'm posting both here and on Mad About Meghan, on comments moving forward. Whilst the very vast majority of comments on both blogs were fair, reasonable and enjoyable to read, I have observed an ongoing issue which (as my grandmother would say) needs to be swiftly nipped in the bud. I am referring to mainly unpublished comments. Kate is Kate. Meghan is Meghan. Both are entirely different women, with different strengths and weaknesses, in entirely different roles. In a society that pits women against each other, as a community we must strive to avoid the Kate v Meghan narrative. On 'both sides' of the fence, particularly cruel remarks have been left. The primary reason I started the separate blog was to avoid the negativity created by endless comparisons. This blog is not a venue for tearing Meghan Markle apart nor is the other blog a place to relentlessly bash the Duchess of Cambridge. I think people forget William, Kate, Harry and Meghan are all on the same team - the future of the monarchy - this sort of imagined rivalry is the very last thing they want. Moving forward, I hope we can enjoy following both women without a repeat of the unkind remarks left yesterday. Thank you very much for reading and for your understanding.


We'll see Kate tomorrow when she visits Robin Hood Primary School to celebrate their work with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Campaign for School Gardening.
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