by iamcrabstix | Jan 24, 2017 | orla kiely
As I sit here waiting for the latest Grocompany collaboration with Orla Kiely to drop, it occurs to me that this may not be normal. Am I sad? The answer is probably yes!
I first started admiring/buying Orla Kiely products around six years ago, but since then it has almost become my staple in that apparently I am awkward to buy for so people buy me something Orla Kiely related!
It got a little bit extreme in around 2012, when unbeknown to me, Orla collaborated with the japanese brand Uniqlo – I happened to be in China when it launched. Oh my goodness, the choice was amazing, as I was the tallest and broadest person in China at the time, I had my choice of the entire collection as no one was buying large! (I was my heaviest at the time). So rather than choosing a few t-shirts, long sleeved tops, dressed and scarves – I bought everything the flagship store in Shanghai had (which exception of one shirt in purple and brown because I knew I wouldn’t wear it). This came to around £650 (worked out cheaper than UK Uniqlo due to the conversion rate), so this justified my decision! I’d got an entire new wardrobe of clothes for £650, it was a no brainer!
So, as I had so many new clothes to wear, suddenly I started wearing nothing but Orla Kiely for Uniqlo and it became a little bit of a running joke. Then I got a handbag and purse for my birthday that year, then I found the Orla collaboration with Peopletree….and so it spiralled, my cat is even called Orla Kitty!
The cambridge dictionary definition of obsessed is unable to stop thinking about something. I definitely don’t sit and think of Orla design constantly, but it is definitely my go-to if I am decorating or needing homeware.
I don’t usually like many of the mainline clothes, they’re not aimed at my price range nor style. I’d feel far too dressed up in them! But the collaborations have been excellent. I’ve even been known to have parcels from America sent so that I could get cot bedding and baby change bags from the collaboration with Target.
Last week saw me justifiying in my head that we needed a new pushchair (we didn’t) just because the Orla Kiely x Maclaren pushchair was in the sale at Boots (it was a bargain). At times like these I definitely feel like I am Becky Bloomwood from the Sophie Kinsella Shopoholic series! (UPDATE: this wasn’t the bargain I’d hoped for see here why I had such problems with maclaren and their lack of customer service)
Here are some images of pieces from my collection (this isn’t even all of it). Does anyone else have a similar obsession with a particular brand or designer or is it just me?
[supsystic-gallery id=5 position=center]
by iamcrabstix | Oct 30, 2016 | general parenting, orla kiely
Grocompany – a company five months ago that I’d never heard of, but now can’t live without!
We first had two grosnugs for our little one – born in June, these were ideal and made him feel like he was having a little cuddle – was he heck having his arms fastened in though! I can’t for the life of me find a picture in either the grey one or the white spotty one!
Looking for a nightlight proved impossible too but thankfully I noticed the gro logo and purchased after wasting money on two cheaper ones which were neither use nor ornament! It works off the main light switch and fits over the top of the light bulb! Basically press the switch once for nightlight, press twice for ordinary light. It’s great, such a help for night feeds and changes, it’s light enough to see what you’re doing but dark enough that it doesn’t disturb the little one. We tried 2 of the ones that fit in plugs, one was too light, one too dark – so this is like baby bear’s porridge of nightlights to us!
By about two months old, RLT got a bit long for the grosnugs so we moved him in to the grobags – and we’ve never looked back!
As soon as he is in them, whether it is naptime during the day or night time, he knows it is time to go sleep! We have a mixture of side zip ones, front zip ones and ones with travel features – which are great for early morning trips to train station with daddy. We had one given by friends, but the others we have purchased from TK Maxx, Smythes Toy Store and Mothercare – they seem to be the go-to company for sleep bags.
Now grocompany have teamed up with Orla Kiely, I don’t think our association with this company will be ending anytime soon! We’ve already purchased the OK apples in next size up – RLT has boats in his current age.
I’m a massive Orla Kiely enthusiast, my cat is even called Orla Kitty! My clothes are OK, wallpapers are OK, RLT’s cotbedding is OK, if she designs it, we probably have it!
by iamcrabstix | Oct 20, 2016 | orla kiely, rlt
RLT is officially now an orla kiely baby
Aunty Rachael very generously bought him his first Orla Kiely grobag with the boat pattern from Mothercare online.
Daddy then couldn’t resist buying him the apple design for his next size up grobag with mothercare had a 20% in store event!
RLT’s cot bedding and change bags are also Orla Kiely design – I had them shipped from America as there were from the range she did with Target. Sadly I couldn’t find them in store when I visited the Brooklyn store – so I missed out on bibs as they were an instore only item.
The cot bedding was a little bit of an early buy – he can’t have a duvet for a good year or so yet! But it had elephants on which is the theme of his nursery. Mark kindly bought me the Orla Kiely elephant ring as a present when RLT was born – when I go back to work, I will be able to have a little piece which symbolises him, with me. I’m not one for tattoos, you see…
by iamcrabstix | Oct 20, 2016 | orla kiely, rlt
RLT posts getting a lot of love on the orla kiely preloved group on facebook.
I got a little obsessed with this group when I first started maternity leave, but I’ve hidden it from my timeline now as it was taking over. Some of these ladies must have some serious cash to spend too as there is an endless bragging list of handbags and coats being bought!
I thought I had it bad, but I can’t justify buying the mainline clothing collection to myself – Uniqlo only for me!
