Hi,

Here at Isabella Oliver, we’re divided over Blackberrys and iPhones. We have serious fans in both camps. Vanessa, Geoff and I (Baukjen) are iPhone fans but can’t really judge fairly as we’ve never had a Blackberry.

Here are some of my favourite iPhone apps:

Games:
Scrabble – a new one for me, lots of fun but find the music a bit irritating
Airport Mania – I had downloaded it for the kids but have become quite addicted myself
FlingFree – quite a challenge but fun

Lifestyle:
Jamie Oliver – love his “principles of superb salads” video
Amazon
What’s App – instant messaging with other iPhoners. Only problem, the app needs your friends and family to sign up too as otherwise it’s a bit pointless
World Cup Football 2010 – I am still on the lookout for this. If anyone knows of one, please email us at BaukjenAndVanessa@IsabellaOliver.com (thank you!)

Fashion:
Who What Wear – it’s updated all the time so there’s lots of new things to read and look at
ShopStyle – love to browse through the fashion pages

If you have any that you think I should look at, please email me at BaukjenAndVanessa@IsabellaOliver.com

One of our favourite blogs, Liberty London Girl, posted a video of 250,000 rubber balls pouring down a steep San Francisco street. A great video. To watch it, click here.

Hi, Baukjen here.

Here's a picture of Jo, Holly and Lucy as they were about to leave the office and start the weekend. They were laughing about how they will look walking down the high street all with their Isabella Oliver the tote bag. They happily said yes to us taking a picture and putting it on the blog. Happy weekend!

Hi, Baukjen here...

After the high tea, Geoff and I walked over to L'atelier des Chefs where we did a cooking course with a group and then all sat down to eat it. I was still full from the high tea so didn’t eat very much but it was a lot of fun and it was a really nice group. The chef was the very tall Andre who was very patient with me when I couldn’t get to grips with how chefs cut vegetables. After we walked to Soho where we had drinks at a new club called “The Quintessentially Soho Club”. It’s a not-for-profit pop-up club that is running until Christmas and is raising money for The House of St. Barnabas (the building). It looked absolutely amazing and the atmosphere was great. They’ve done a great job (the interior designer is Russell Sage). After, we walked over to Soho House where we celebrated at midnight. The following day was spent with the family. All in all a fantastic birthday. Big thanks to Geoff, Vanessa, everyone here at Isabella Oliver and friends and family!

Hi, Baukjen here...

Last night Ania and I were working late on selecting images for the SS collections. After a while Geoff opened a beer for Ania and gave me a glass of wine. Here's a picture of Ania behind my desk laughing a lot at her typing mistakes. She told me "I actually don't normally drink alcohol without having first eaten". We may have taken a bit longer doing the job but it was certainly fun!

Hi, Baukjen here...

This is what I saw when I opened the curtains today. Absolutely gorgeous colours, Autumn has really arrived and I love it. It’s my favourite season (and Spring too).

Hi, Becky here.

A slightly different entry from the usual glamorous goings on at Isabella Oliver (and believe me glamorous and rafting do not go hand in hand, as the before and after photos below demonstrate).

Last week Geoff and I attended a great online conference called shop.org. It showcases the best in online retailing, new technologies, trends for the coming months and is a great place to meet new people in the industry.

This year it was held in Las Vegas and while others chose to spend spare time in the casino we tried something different. Making the most of the great outdoors, we visited the Grand Canyon (and flew over it, what a fantastic view), the Hoover Dam and the highlight - white water rafted in the Colorado River – it was an amazing day trip and we’d both thoroughly recommend it if you’re ever in Vegas.

Before...

After...

Last night a friend came over for dinner. He is responsible for the sales of Evian and Volvic and other drinks in Ireland. He showed us a video they had just launched. Have a look by clicking here.

Hi, Baukjen here.
Today, out of the blue I received a present from Sara and Amiee Berman - a gorgeous knitted coat from their collection (Sara Berman). It's a piece I love and will wear lots. A huge thank you to Sara and Amiee! xx

Here's a picture from their website (they gave me a pink one like this. Love!).

An hour later, another present came from another friend, Charlotte, who is the founder of Pink Lining. I had told Charlotte recently at dinner that I loved this dress for my daughter, Pippa. Very kindly she sent it to me (thank you! xx) and I love it. Vanessa is going to get one for Isabella. Can't wait to see Pippa in it.

Thanks Sara, Amiee and Charlie! xxx

All of us at Isabella Oliver would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving with friends and family. Enjoy the Turkey and the Football and just being together!

All the best from The IO Team x

Another year has flown past and you are as fab as you were 6 years ago when we first met!

Have a great day and milk it for all its worth! Have fun tonight as well!
Love and kisses, v x

Hi, tomorrow is my birthday and Vanessa won't be here at the office so she decided to surprise me with gorgeous cakes for everyone here at the office. It was a lovely and very delicious surprise and everyone now has a sugar rush. Thank you Vanessa x

Hi, Vanessa here. Just wanted to take the opportunity to tell you about my friend Caroline’s company, Wonder Walls.

If you are looking for a fun, and totally original look for a nursery, kids room or for the rest of your house, you MUST check Wonder Walls out! The concept is so much fun and so original and sky’s the limit as to what you can do. You can chose from her collection or even do your own design - you can even make wallpaper out of a favourite photograph or using your monogram. You can also customise and engineer the design to fit the specific wall and play with size of pattern and scale. I especially LOVE the photo frame wallpaper (available on the roll), which I am going to use in the kids play room for photos and their works of art. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

She has even added a line of dishes with pin up girls and other home accessories by various designers.

You must check out her website- you will get inspired to re-decorate every room of your house!

Enjoy! V x

For all the parents who have children who are starting to read, you may want to have a look at the website of Love 2 Read. They create photobooks with ten of your photos so your children will read a story about their own family/life. They have lots of themes that you can choose from. We think kids will love them.

Hi, Baukjen here.

Last night Vanessa went to the Jade Jagger Vodka party in London (she had a lot of fun) and I went (with Geoff) for dinner at E&O with a group of friends. During dinner, one of my friends (for convenience I will call him R), turned around to me and said "I was on your website today and read the blog". Nothing particularly odd about that and actually it's really nice he's interested. Anyway, then he said that he had also googled me before heading out last night. I asked him what came up. R said "Isabella Oliver, YouTube and Jessica Alba". I asked R why he had googled me and he said he always googles his friends and then a whole discussion started at the table about who googles their friends. I have never done it before but it seems many people do. Anyway, I promised R I'd say hello on the blog to him, so "Hi R and thank you for organising dinner!"

David, Baukjen's brother who lives with his family in Boston, ran the Boston marathon a week ago. Isabella Oliver sponsored him and designed a running short for him. David said he had quite a few cheers "Go Isabella!" Congratulations to David from everyone here at Isabella Oliver on completing the marathon!

Hi, Baukjen here.

Just over five years ago, when my eldest child (Oliver) was born, we took hundreds of pictures with our digital camera. Of course I sent quite a few to our families and friends. Nine months later we were on holiday in the South of France where we rented a villa. One day, while we were in the Villa, some people broke in and stole the first things they could get their hands on to. Everything was replaceable including the laptop but to my horror I had only saved the digital images in one place - my laptop. I had lost all Oliver's pictures. Of course friends and family emailed me what I had emailed them but there were only 10 or so pictures, the majority (especially the private ones) were lost for good. To this day this makes me sad and annoyed at myself for not doing a back up. A friend of ours has unfortunately experienced the same thing however she had backed all the images up on her husband's laptop. Very unfortunately over Easter her husband brought his laptop home, their house was broken in to and both laptops were stolen. So she too has lost the photos. Please back your photos up in a safe location so you won't experience this yourself if your laptop get stolen, lost etc.

Hi,

Baukjen here. Geoff just forwarded an article that, as a parent, put a smile on my face.

It was a survey conducted by emarketer.com on what promotons and incentives US teenage consumers would purchase a specific product for. The results may surprise you. They certainly surprised me.

31% a trip to the American Idol Finale (no surprise)
34% new iPhone (again no breaking news)
39% new car
45% date with favourite celebrity
98% Long bus ride with Parents (!!)

Hi, Vanessa here.

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of having my friend Denise's daughter, Skyla work with us as an intern on our photoshoot. I met Denise over 20 years ago (yikes!) in NY when she was on a work abroad program with Camp America . After many years of having lost touch, her son, who must have been around 10 at the time got in touch via email as a surprise for his mum (hi Sam!).. What a sweetie. Long story short, she is doing great with 2 fantastic kids, Sam and Skyla and lives in Birmingham. Skyla is very interested in working in the fashion industry and expressed a great interest in doing her work experience at Isabella Oliver, so here we are.

It was really lovely getting to know Skyla and to have her work with the team- I hope she enjoyed the experience as much as we enjoyed having her. We wish her all the best of luck with whatever she does next.. travel to America, Miss Teen Queen UK (pls vote for her! skyla haddon-freer - www.teenqueenuk.com!)..GO SKY!

Here are some pictures!

Hi! I had an amazing thing happen to me a few months ago. I joined this website, classmates.com out of curiosity as I kept getting emails from them tempting me to get in touch with old school friends and find out what they have been up to, see what they look like, etc...My highschool years were some of the best ever and I still count the people I met at the Highschool of Art and Design some of the most special, talented, interesting/crazy people I have met in my life and regret having lost touch with many of them over time.

Well, shortly after joing classmates.com, I get an email from an old friend Adeleen, who is now living in Texas with her husband and 3 kids! The extra surpries was that she and her husband Nap, were planning a trip to Edinburgh and they would be making a stop off in London on her way home. Of course we met up and had a great time and caught up over dinner and a bottle of bubbles (as you do) at the Electric in Notting Hill and it felt like nothing had changed- except the hair!! Will anyone ever give me a break over that assymetrical bob?!!! It WAS the 80's!!!

We've teamed up with our friends at Cowshed to offer one lucky winner a gorgeous wooden trug full of £200 worth of indulgent pregnancy-friendly pampering products, plus a £100 voucher for a luxurious maternity spa treatment at Cowshed Clarendon Cross, London.

Cowshed is a range of naturally-based bath and body products originally formulated for the Cowshed spa at Babington House in Somerset, which is renowned and loved amongst Isabella Oliver staff and followers as being the location where co-founders Vanessa and Baukjen first met.

10 runners up will receive gift bags containing £50 worth of Cowshed treats.

To enter, simply visit our competition page.

We have just launched the Isabella Oliver Weekly Widget – a stylish little application you can download to your desktop, which automatically updates weekly, giving you hints and tips throughout your entire pregnancy. To get the latest maternity style secrets, must-reads and more, get the Isabella Oliver Weekly Widget here.

Hi everyone, this morning I came across a post on another blog site about a mother’s Monday morning and it inspired me to ask co-owner of Isabella Oliver and mother of 3, Baukjen, how her morning went. Here’s what she had to report...

2.30am - I had difficulty sleeping - Pippa has an earache and slept in our bed snoring away.
3.00am - Pippa is convinced its playtime. It takes me 30 minutes to convince her otherwise.
6.00am - My boys are in full play mode, I creep out of bed and tell them it’s too early and they should try to get some more sleep.
6.30am - I'm up, run downstairs to lay the table, run back up to dress the boys, run down to feed them.
7.00am - Pippa finally wakes up and needs to be dressed and given breakfast. Then I practice reading with the eldest who now gets homework.
8.00am – Our nanny arrives and together we brush the kids teeth, get fruit for school, put shoes and coats on and then they are off.
8.20am - Run upstairs for a quick shower. I'm late for work and Geoff is pacing around downstairs. In 10 minutes I'm showered and dressed, no time for make up (promise I will do it when I arrive at work, haven't though).
8.35am - Pack my bags with tear sheets I want to show Vanessa, work I took home over the weekend and various forms for the kids' schools and nurseries.
8.50am - Off to work where we head straight in to a meeting. The beginning of the work day.

Hi, Baukjen here. Today we threw a party for Oliver's birthday which was a few weeks ago. His class came and we had hired a mad scientist to do fun things with them like making slime, launching a rocket in the garden, doing things with dry ice. It really was very different to what we were used to and I can not recommend it highly enough. If you ever are looking for a different kind of party entertainer, have a look at this website: http://www.madscience.org.uk. They have franchises in many countries, so if you are ever looking for a fun party theme... Our 'mad scientist' today was called Hannah who is London based.

Hi,

Several of our friends made changes in their working lives after they had children. Some became stay at home mothers, others changed to working part time or as freelancers and others set up their own businesses. For those of you who are thinking about setting up your own business, you may be interested in this. One of my favourite email newsletters is a weekly one where they send ten new business concepts that have launched around the world. The selection is made by Springwise.com. Below are a few from this week's email. If you'd like to hear about entrepreneurial concepts, you can sign up at www.Springwise.com

Customer-made: DIY wedding rings
Wedding rings have traditionally been either ready-made or custom-
designed. Consumers now have a third option: make their own, with
instruction and guidance from a professional jeweller

Niche vending: knish & kosher dogs
Consumers who eat only certified kosher food have had limited on-
the-go options, creating a gap in the market that Hot Nosh 24/6
vending machines are eager to fill with veggie cutlets and potato knish.

Airplane trolleys, revamped & repurposed
Bordbar sells original airplane trolleys that have travelled the skies
and are now ready to be reintroduced as compact rolling cabinets for
homes and offices.

Friday evening, when nearly everyone had left the office, we received an urgent very important press request for some of our designs to be delivered monday morning at an address in New York. Fedex had already picked up their shipment from the office earlier in the day and the earliest we would be able to have Fedex pick it up would be monday for delivery on Tuesday. We called our Fedex account manager who was probably out enjoying the start of the weekend asking if there was anything he could do and explained that it was very important to us. Within minutes we received a call back that he had organised that if we would drop the parcel off at a certain fedex office, a truck would be held to wait for it. He made our day! The parcel arrived nicely on time this morning. So we're loving Fedex!

Hi,

Last night we had a dinner at Soho House with the House of Champagne G.H. Mumm and Bear Grylls. I wasn't feeling very well but didn't want to miss hearing about his adventures. Geoff had been looking forward to the evening for days and it certainly lived up to it. Bear Grylls was extremely impressive. We hear his show is coming to Channel 4 in the Autumn so look forward to seeing lots more of him.

Hi, Baukjen here. My brother who lives in Boston, USA just phoned to tell us a story that happened yesterday. He has a baby girl and took her to the playground where he got talking with another woman there. She was pregnant so my brother said "Look at Isabella Oliver" and she said that she had received an order from us that morning. My brother nearly fell over backwards. He then excitedly told her that his baby sister was one of the founders and she said "yes, is her name Bookiyen (or something like it)?". My brother was at a loss for words (not a regular occurrence!) We were of course thrilled to hear! When I told Vanessa the story a moment ago she said that one of her friends in New York was telling a friend of hers (a fashion editor of a top fashion magazines who is pregnant) that she should check out Isabella Oliver after which her friend pulled the top of her dress to the side to reveal the label of the dress she was wearing - ours! It's so great to hear these stories and hear the word is spreading, thank you to everyone who recommends us. Thank you!!!

Hi, Baukjen here. A few days ago someone told us about a website which makes gorgeous books for you of your selected digital images. I've seen a few of these but none at this quality level. It looks fabulous. So I started the process and found the first 10 minutes a bit complex understanding how to select the various page loads and other options but after that it was plain sailing. I decided it would make a great present for fathers day and spent way too long going through hundreds and hundreds of images of our kids but finally I had my selection. I've just finished and have ordered a few extra copies for other family members. I loved it and am already thinking what other books I can make if there was time. I think its great for baby books. Have a look at their site by clicking here,

Vanessa has been telling us about this video that she loves on Vogue.com

Very sexy. Have a look by clicking here.

Hi,

Vanessa and I just went out for lunch as it's her birthday on Monday and she's off to New York then. We had a nice lunch just round the corner from the office. When we were leaving, Vanessa popped in to the bathroom and a gentleman came up to me and asked me where I had got my red hair from. I said "my parents". He then asked where they were from and before I knew it he was telling me that he thought my tribe had sent out troops across the world 5000 years ago to conquer the world and that you (I think he meant the whole redhead population around the world) have dominant genes and good on us. I was a bit stuck for words and when Vanessa came out and asked what we had been talking about I didnt really know where to start. He was very nice though and was very complimentary and kind, just a teeny bit odd.

Hi, Vanessa and Baukjen here. A few hours to go until the Easter weekend starts. Vanessa is off skiing, Baukjen is off with family and friends to a hotel in the country and several people at Isabella Oliver are travelling too. Becky who is the head of marketing here is celebrating her upcoming birthday tonight at Giglamesh so many of us will be there to toast to her birthday. Wishing you a happy Easter weekend, Vanessa and Baukjen

Hi Graham here, I thought i'd share this with you all as it was quite sweet.

Di Overton from Designers Block posted a blog entry in her blog about how she orders from our collection even though she is not pregnant. Vanessa and Baukjen love her blog for designers ideas and had already included her blog in the virtual rolodex. Its worth a look. Click here to read her posting... Graham

Last week I brought various pieces of jewelry to the set of the photoshoot only to lose my bag with all the pieces in it. After calling everyone to ask if they by chance knew where it was, we were just called by someone who had found it! Its been missing for 3 days and I am so absolutely happy to have it back as it included presents given to me by my husband on our wedding day and the days of the birth of each of our 3 children. As Vanessa said "What a happy ending to the day".

Lots of people are talking about this video. It's a film by Dove and we all think it is really good with a strong message. Click here to watch it.

Yesterday was Claire's birthday and we celebrated with cake and gave Claire the "The Devil wears Prada" dvd. Its now just past 6pm here in London and we're off to have a few celebratory drinks. Besides Claire's birthday, we're also celebrating that February sales were the highest in both the UK and USA that we've ever had. Not a bad way to end the week. Happy weekend!

Yesterday we took the kids swimming. Geoff went in the pool with the boys and I played with Pippa in the restaurant as she wasnt that well. After a while I went down to the pool with my camera to video the kids swimming. This morning I downloaded the video to my laptop only to see I had filmed a complete stranger playing with his kids. For a while now I've thought about having my eyes tested, now I know for sure. The man didnt even remotely look like my husband. And the kids were 2 girls rather than my two boys. A visit to the optician is in order!

Hi, Baukjen here. This week we have had good friends of ours stay with us before they move to New York next week. They have a young baby and everyone loves having a cuddly baby in the house. My sister in law was over from New York with her two sons and a friend from outside London is staying over so its a bustling house and the kids are loving it. For valentines day I had organised a breakfast hamper to be delivered from Carluccios. The plan was to have breakfast in bed which we havent done since we've had kids. Our friends came unexpectedly the night before so what was supposed to be a romantic breakfast turned in to a fun breakfast with loads of grown ups and kids, with everyone enjoying all the goodies from the hamper (which really had way too much food in it). It was fun. In the evening, Geoff and I had dinner at Mortons which was nice and this time it was just the two of us.

Hi, Baukjen here. In the weekend a friend asked me whether I was doing anything for Pancake day on Tuesday. I wasnt but quickly decided to arrange a pancake party for the kids and friends' kids. All was arranged, everyone was coming, there were pancakes galore pre-made, lots of different fillings, the table was decorated with kids party plates etc.. In summary, we were ready. Vanessa, Geoff and I left the office early yesterday so we would be there to arrange the last minute things. And just before we left, one of the people working here said "Pancake day? No that's next Tuesday, not today." So we decided not to tell any of the kids and all celebrated pancake day a week too early.. Yummy though.

We have open offices at Isabella Oliver which we love but sometimes I find it difficult to concentrate on something that needs focus. At moments like that I pop on my ipod and work away. Today I was working on something and just couldnt make progress. So the ipod came out of my draw and I carried on working. After a while I had this odd feeling that someone was watching and glanced up. I looked over at Vanessa (whose desk is opposite mine) and saw her trying not to laugh. I immediately knew what was going on, as it does so often when I have the iPod on - me singing away completely out of tune and Vanessa trying not to laugh. I sing like a cat being dragged back through a hedge! Noone likes my singing (except for my kids who don't know better). Today I was singing aloud to an oldie from wham: "Everything she wants". Poor miss V! Tomorrow Vanessa is out, so I can sing away...

We're not usually ones to gossip (!) but we heard a funny story from Vanessa about a pregnant celebrity that we think won't do any harm to share.

One of our friends belonged to an antenatal class where the said celebrity was also enrolled. In true diva style the celebrity asked all the class participants to sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) or to leave the class. Of course, nobody would sign the agreement or leave the class and in the end the celebrity had to either accept this or leave and she decided to stay.

Last night we had our Christmas Party. We closed the offices down so that everybody could come and all got dressed up and went to a great place where we had drinks and food. It was a great evening and it was so nice to have everyone together, as the customer services team is split in to day and night shifts we never have this opportunity. This morning everyone is tired and very quiet! And everyone who had a slight cold before is now completely under the weather, but it was a great evening with lots of laughter. It really was lovely to all be together. Vanessa and Baukjen

Yesterday Travers, our graphic designer and IT whizz, was celebrating his birthday. After enjoying some delicious cake with all of us at Isabella Oliver he left for the Ice Bar in London. This morning Travers told us all about it and gave us a couple of piccies to show how cold it really was. Looks Fab!

Hi, Baukjen here. Last night we went to the London Red Cross Ball. The theme was winter garden and the location looked amazing. Fake snow, christmas trees, elves... it was like walking in to a fairytale. We had a fantastic evening, great food, delicious cocktails, good company and dancing. And a fabulous goody bag to take home after filled with perfume, lots of make up, books etc. All in all a wonderful evening which raised over half a million pounds for the Red Cross.

Hi, Vanessa and Baukjen here.

Today we were at a photoshoot for a UK magazine which is coming out in December. They are writing an article on friends and we were one of the subjects. We arrived at the studio and were put in hair and make up and then dressed by a stylist. It wasnt exactly our style but we think the overall effect is quite nice. Very fresh and neutral, not black head to toe as per our usual look. Afterwards we thought it was a shame to waste our made up faces on our computers so we went for lunch at Soho House and spent a few hours skiving. A fun day, cant wait to see the magazine. Will keep you posted. Vanessa & Baukjen

A friend of mine throws a fabulous fancy dress party every year - it's an event I always look forward to. Last year the party had a Brazilian theme, complete with showgirls and even Miss Brazil! This year was slightly more demure - the theme was 1930's. Here we are in full costume - look at that headdress!

We attended a spectacular wedding in Bath over the weekend. The bride and groom looked wonderful. It was a very warm day but thanks to my Bandeau Wrap Top, Hipster A-Line Skirt and the most incredible hair piece made by Vanessa, I managed to stay cool. So wonderful to have some fashionable items for the occasion.

Hi, Baukjen here. My brother Marc just emailed us a picture of himself last night with Robert Redford. Marc is in a marketing event and they all had dinner at Robert Redford's house yesterday. Here's a picture of Marc with him, we're never going to hear the end of this! To be truthful, we are a teeny weeny bit jealous - Vanessa and I are Robert Redford fans.

My sister in law is pregnant with her first child. She's now 27 weeks and we think she looks great. Here's a picture of Peggy showing off her bump. We can't wait to meet the baby!

Just got back from a long needed family holiday in picturesque Grindlewald, Switzerland. Took about 10 hours getting there by planes, trains, more trains and automobiles but it was all worth it in the end. The weather was lovely and warm - not making it ideal skiing weather but great for getting a tan (it has been so long since we have seen the sun!!)!
Here are some picture of Barrie and me on one of the runs- and of me on the train going back to the top.. It was actually very quiet, we had the slope all to ourselves most of the time!

The place really turned me into a nature lover! Yes, me!!

We have been fans of Rob and Ouvrielle Holmes's grobags for a few years now. A few months ago we bought new grobags for our kids, the stripey version pictured here (not our child though in the picture) and everybody who visits keeps asking us where we bought them. Even friends who dont have kids! So if you like it too, visit the page by clicking here.

Friday friends threw a birthday party at a gorgeous room at Hush. It was Tiggy's 30th birthday. We decided to make a night of it and rented a room at Soho Hotel. My parents babysat the kids and we had unlimited party time. Tiggy looked amazing and we all had a fab evening. Here's a picture of Alex, Tiggy's husband with Baukjen. The next morning we had a relaxed breakfast, did some shopping and went home to have fun with the kids.

A few weeks ago we went to a friends wedding in a lovely church in London followed by a reception and dinner at a fabulous restaurant our friend does the PR for. It was really one of the best weddings we'd been to. Here is a picture outside the church just after they were married.

Walking on Hampstead Heath in the weekend we bumped in to good friends of ours Debra and Jonathan. Here's a picture of Debra and Baukjen.

Hi Everyone, Susan here.

This goes back to an entry I made in September last year, I said 'watch this space for the photo'.
Well long overdue but here it is...a few of us from Isabella Oliver Customer Services @ Temple Walkabout, London.

A day or two after Xmas, Geoff and I went to a nice restaurant/bar to sit in front of the fireplace and have a glass of wine together. After we walked in, we found ourselves some comfy sofas and sat down. A few moments later Geoff got up to walk to go to the bar and get some advice about the wines they were serving. I was sitting on the sofa and saw a couple who were obviously trying to make contact with me, so I said hello. They told me that my husbands shirt was tucked in or something along those lines. I smiled, thanked them for letting me know (even though I didnt completely understand what they meant) and got up, walked through the restaurant and found my husband at the bar placing an order. I told him something was up with his shirt and he said he wasnt wearing one - just a Vneck sweater and a t-shirt. Confused I walked back, sat down, leaned over and said that my husband wasnt wearing a shirt. The couple went red in the face and said "No, not your husbands shirt, your skirt is tucked in to your tights." It was a very embarrassing moment! And to add to that they then said "We didnt understand why you then got up and walked through the restaurant!" I laughed, they laughed but was I embarrassed!! Everyone must have seen. Not one of my better moments...

Happy Birthday Justin and thanks again for the fabulous evening!!

Hi, Baukjen here. Last Friday we threw a dinner party for Geoff's birthday and to christen the ground floor of our house which has just been completed (well, nearly). It was a nice relaxed evening with friends, food and wine. The next day our friend Debra threw a cabaret party for her birthday. Everyone dressed up in cabaret style a la Liza Minelli. Eyelashes, corsets and garter belts everywhere! Debra had cocktail makers & shakers, a cabaret band. It was such a great atmosphere I was sad to leave. Happy Birthday Debra! Thanks for a fab time.

Hi, Baukjen here (again, sorry its a busy blog day). There is a fabulous company I have to mention as I just love it for Xmas shopping. Its called Cox and Cox and I recommend looking. If any friends of mine are reading this please hold off as I've bought most of my xmas presents here.

Lisa, a friend of Vanessa and myself, owns the funky baby and kidswear company called Snuglo

Vanessa and I often buy clothes here for our kids and friends' kids. Lisa came by today for a chat and a cup of tea and told us how well business is going - Snuglo is now also stocked in Harrods and Harvey Nichols in London. Business is so good they are moving to a bigger office to keep up with demand. We are thrilled for her.

Hi everyone Susan here....

On Saturday night I was lucky enough to be part of the studio audience at X Factor! Wow! It was great! Very exciting to see Simon, Sharon and Louis. Especially since Louis had quit the show earlier in the week. Shane was fantastic - he's my favourite!! And I actually have to admit that Chico was good, and much better live. Still don't think that he will last another week though. Who do you think will win?

Stories are going round that Gwyneth is pregnant and everyone is making jokes about how they will name their 2nd child... banana, microsoft etc. OK, the joke is funny but we actually really like the name apple!

A picture of me at minus 5 degrees in Auckland, New Zealand on my recent holiday. I was raving about it to everyone when I got back and low and behold Baukjen sent me an email that they have now opened one here in London. It is a must do!
The glasses you see are made out of ice and had a fabulous cocktail mix inside. We were given big jackets, gloves and ugg boots to wear, which we needed! It is after all minus 5 degrees inside. You are allowed to stay for 1/2 hour which is long enough.
Think I might have to try out the one here in London, as I'm sure that I will be able to persuade a few if not all of the IO Team to join me!

This weekend I took part in my first horse show in a long time. I was told it would be good fun by my instructor and friends so I thought "why not, what's the worst that can happen". Well, all in all, it WAS a good day, I screwed up my first class by not remembering the jump course (I knew that would happen!) but made it up in the next class and won a rosette for effort! Go Ben!! Can't wait for the next one! Here's a picture of Ben with his rosette looking very handsome! Vanessa

Saturday we had a great night helping Alex celebrate the big 4..0 at the Battersea Arts Centre. The highlight was when showgirls came out and danced around him - a little surprise organised by Alex's wife, mimi, who is a dancer with The Spirit of the Dance. Thanks for the great evening.

Hi Susan here,

Amy, Emma, Honi, Laura and myself met up at the Temple Walkabout down on Embankment on Saturday night..... Brilliant night with Aussie and Kiwi music and also a fantastic band, I had another engagement but the other girls danced the until the early hours! Tried to take a photo but the digital camera had run out of batteries (great technology) so took one using a film camera - will scan the photo and put up as soon as possible so "watch this space"!

Hi, New York is still buzzing. I didnt realise how much I missed it. Last night I got together with the gang. We started out at Rue 57 and ended up on the roof terrace of the Hudson. We wound up having burgers and fries from the deli next door on the roof terrace as we were so hungry and there was no food to be found there. Not really classy I know but we were hungry! Tomorrow we're staying at the W on Union Square and having dinner at 5 ninth. Am doing loads of walking around, shopping, catching up with friends and doing a bit of work here and there. Having a great time. Here's a picture of last night from my friend Karin.

I'm off back home to the Big Apple next week. So looking forward to seeing all my friends and family and finding out about the latest hot spots (so watch this space in the weeks to come).

Can't wait to see my friend Karin's new wedding gown collection - I'm sure it is fabulous. Here is a picture from her current collection- all available via mail order!!

Last night my eldest brother Marc was over from New York where he lives with his wife, Harriette, and their son near Union Square. We had dinner at Roka and heard all about the exciting projects his company Effective Brands are working on. It's a branding consultancy that has really taken off. Harriette is expecting their second child in December so life in general is very good for them. Here's a picture of both of them taken at our wedding a few years ago. Baukjen

Marit, a cousin of mine and the Isabella Oliver graphic designer, is on holiday in America and just emailed us this picture. Parking spaces reserved for pregnant women. If only they could do the same for tubes, buses and trains! Marit is travelling with her family for 3 weeks in the USA. At the moment she is at my brother's house in Woodstock, outside New York, and then tomorrow she's off to see my other brother in Boston. Wish I was there too!

Yesterday I (Baukjen) finally had lunch with a friend who I hadnt seen in 2 years. She's been very busy building the best wedding list company in the UK called Wrapit. Thats how we actually met... when Geoff and I got married 4 years ago we had her company provide the wedding list. Anyway, Pepita suggested we go to Roka in Charlotte Street. Am I glad she suggested it, it was fantastic food!! I recommend it wholeheartedly. Liked the design too and service was good. After I popped in to a taxi to go back to the office and the taxi driver made jokes about me not dropping the baby in the back seat - now have 6 weeks to go and must admit I look like I am 2 weeks overdue. Kids gape with their mouths open, strangers ask me if I'm sure I'm not having twins. I tell them no, they ask me if I'm sure... What am I supposed to say to that??

I (Vanessa) finally went back to riding after having a 3 year break during which time we set up Isabella Oliver and I had two babies. My last birthday present from Barrie, my husband, was riding sessions with a very cool guy called Steve in the country. Steve used to be head of the Queen's Household Cavalry so he knows his stuff and I'm loving it. Here's a picture of me on a break with Bob the horse and my daughter Isabella.

My husband, Geoff, was sitting with us this afternoon when his mobile rang. He answered it and looked puzzled. He could hear two men talking to each other on the phone. Thinking the lines were crossed, he hung up. A few minutes later the exact same thing happened again. Geoff said "Hello" but the men did not respond and carried on talking. Geoff hung up. A few minutes later, the mobile rings again! This time after he picks it up he hears someone else answer their phone with "Hello this is Jack". Jack tells Geoff to stop calling him to which Geoff says that he isnt! This happened three more times in the next 10 minutes and Jack starts becoming more and more threatening. The next time the mobile rings I answer. I try to explain to a furious Jack that my husbands phone keeps ringing and there's obviously an error in the network. Jack calmly tells me he will cut Geoff's ba..s off and put them up his .... if he calls again! Completely shocked I hang up. We called the mobile network operator who said that this very rarely happens and they could either do an immediate phone number change for Geoff (not an option really) or report it to technical services. We decide for the latter and turn the phone off! No more calls from Jack since then.

Damian, a friend of Barrie (husband) and me throws a fancy dress summer extravaganza every year. This year the theme was Brazilian Carnival. It came complete with Miss Brazil decked out in feathers and beads, Brazilian bands. Mojitos served all night and gorgeous people everywhere. Here are a couple of pictures and Damian, thanks for a fabulous night!

I (Baukjen) wanted a last night out with the girls while I still had the energy before the baby comes so I called about a dozen girlfriends and to my surprise they were all itching for a girl.s night too. So I got a room in Soho House, my favourite place to hang out and people watch in London. Vanessa and I headed down to Soho after work and slowly one after the other arrived. It was great just to be with friends, away from work and the kids and all day to day things. No one seemed to be in a rush to get home. By 11 I was knackered and made my exit and everyone carried on until the wee hours. This morning Vanessa arrived bleary eyed but said they.d all had a fun night and they.d do it again despite the pain of the next day. Here are some pictures of the night. The ones after midnight I wont put up as they are pretty unfocused (Vanessa?)

My friend Anna is expecting her first baby, a baby boy called Maxwell. She loves the name but may or may not dump it following the antics of a guy called Maxwell in UK reality show Big Brother. The baby shower concept is starting to catch on here in the UK, Anna had organised it all herself at 9 months pregnant in this summer heat, god bless her. It was worth it, everybody had such a good time. I gave her a Cover Up and a brown ruched Cami from the collection so she can wear now it now and after .baby Maxwell. is born. Anna had me in stitches with stories of a breastfeeding workshop she attended the day before. Everyone had had to practice with plastic baby dolls which she found very scary. The day after her shower she had an ante natal class booked for pregnant women and their partners with refreshments to watch films of births. After the breastfeeding class I think she felt that it is possible you can know too much!