Back to School Sale – 50% off at The Fableists

Our entire collection is 50% off until August 31st with special code SCHOOL. Come and visit our online shop at www.TheFableists.com for beautiful and well-made clothes for children. All of our clothes are built to last and are made from organic cotton in ethically-certified factories.

The Fableists’ clothes are made to take all your children can throw at them. They are perfect for school or play.

Many of the styles and designs are selling out, so hop over to The Fableists quickly to get your hands on your favourite, limited edition designs.

See what the press have been saying about The Fableists here.

Join the National Trust Coast campaign launch #lovethecoast

A Message from The National Trust:

2015 is a big year for the National Trust as we’re celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the Neptune Coastline Campaign, one of the longest running environmental campaigns in western Europe.

As a result we are able to care for 775 miles of coast in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, equating to over 10% of the UK’s coastline.

On Monday July 13^th, our new advertising campaign will launch featuring stunning coastal landscapes and the first verses of a poem written and spoken by Punk Poet, Dr. John Cooper Clarke. This will then kick off a summer-long participatory campaign that will ask the nation to share their coastal memories with us which will help Dr. John Cooper Clarke curate the ‘Nation’s Ode to the Coast’ – a collaborative poem written by and for the people of the UK. See a sneak preview from behind the scenes here.

We’d love your help to spread the word and get people involved!

How do you get involved?

• Please share your coastal memories – this can be in the form of a Tweet, Facebook post, Instagram upload, Pinterest board, recording of a coastal sound or penning a few lines and sharing them with us at2015 is a big year for the National Trust as we’re celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the Neptune Coastline Campaign, one of the longest running environmental campaigns in western Europe.

  As a result we are able to care for 775 miles of coast in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, equating to over 10% of the UK’s coastline.

  On Monday July 13^th, our new advertising campaign will launch featuring stunning coastal landscapes and the first verses of a poem written and spoken by Punk Poet, Dr. John Cooper Clarke. This will then kick off a summer-long participatory campaign that will ask the nation to share their coastal memories with us which will help Dr. John Cooper Clarke curate the ‘Nation’s Ode to the Coast’ – a collaborative poem written by and for the people of the UK. See a sneak preview from behind the scenes here.

  We’d love your help to spread the word and get people involved!

  How do you get involved?

  • Please share your coastal memories – this can be in the form of a Tweet, Facebook post, Instagram upload, Pinterest board, recording of a coastal sound or penning a few lines and sharing them with us at #lovethecoast and where possible, our tag @nationaltrust.

We look forward to seeing your #lovethecoast and making this summer beside the sea as big and exciting as possible.

The Fableists Store Closing Down Sale – Now On

We are closing our Coggeshall, Essex store.

Please take advantage of the sale prices to see for yourself the quality of the organic fabrics that we have used. Buying well made clothes for your children does not have to cost you or the Earth and we set out to prove that! We use suppliers who pay a fair wage and provide healthy and safe working environments across their entire supply chain.

You do not have to sacrifice style in order to buy well. If you look beyond the big, high street brands, you will find a wealth of independent designers who are creating trendy, wearable and beautiful ethical fashions.

Please come and have a browse through our online shop for stylish and adventurous boys and girls.

www.TheFableists.com

PLAY HARD, LIVE FOREVER…

Be an ‘Eggsplorer’ with National Trust and Cadbury

Cadbury teams up with the National Trust to offer families a cracking Easter weekend

It’s almost that time of the year again when Cadbury teams up with the National Trust to offer families the ultimate day out with their popular Easter Egg Trails.

This year, the Cadbury Eggsplorers Easter Egg Trail (3-6 April) will be inviting families to unleash their inner explorer with adventurous trails taking place across the country.

From spring woodlands and craggy coastlines, to historic houses and enchanting castles, there are over 250 Cadbury Easter Egg Trails to choose from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, guaranteeing a fun-filled Easter for everyone.

What’s more, all Eggsplorers will receive a delicious Cadbury chocolaty treat at the end of each completed trail, and every single Cadbury Easter Egg Trail will help support special places looked after by the National Trust for future generations to explore.

The National Trust has over 250 Cadbury Easter Egg Trails to choose from across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. To join in with the fun and find a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail near you, visit www.eastereggtrail.com

Make a splash by the coast

Sheringham Park, Norfolk

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 10am – 4.15pm*

Wander through Sheringham Park this Easter and discover a woodland garden with miles of stunning coastal views. Follow the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail amongst the early flowering rhododendrons and camellias and look for signs of spring. Once you’ve eggsplored the park and solved all the clues you can collect your yummy Cadbury chocolate Egghead prize.

Price: £2.30

For more information, please call 01263 820550

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sheringham-park/

Studland Beach, Dorset

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 10.30am – 3.30pm

Celebrate Easter at Studland with a Cadbury Easter Egg Trail along the beach and through the nature reserve. Studland village was the inspiration for Toytown in Enid Blyton’s Noddy books, while the sandy beach, heathland and dunes are home to many fantastic creatures, including rare reptiles, deer and seabirds. This year the Easter bunny has also paid a visit, so why not follow the bunny footprints and solve the clues to find your Cadbury chocolate Egghead prize? Have fun with all the family this Easter on the sheltered, sandy and safe four miles of unspoilt beaches which are ideal for making sandcastles and enjoying some watersports.

Price: £2.50

For more information, please call 01929 450500

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/studland-beach/

Enchanting forests and wild woodlands

Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 10am – 4pm

Ancient woods, rolling hills and wiggly footpaths make Ashridge Estate the perfect place for exploring this Easter. Follow the clues on the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail and see if you can answer the questions to earn yourself a yummy Cadbury chocolate Egghead reward. Exercise your eggsplorer skills and don’t forget to look out for lots of exciting wildlife along the way.

Price: £3

For more information, please call 01442 851227

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate/

Gibside, Tyne & Wear

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 11am – 3pm*

Gibside is so close to Tyneside but a million miles from city life, and this Easter there’s plenty planned for all the family.  A real wildlife haven, the estate is home to some very rare animals, including red kites and red squirrels. Who knows, you might even spot these incredible creatures and their friends whilst exploring on the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail. With big open gardens and parklands to explore, you might also find some Cadbury chocolate Eggheads at the end of the trail.

Price: £2.50 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01207 541820

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gibside

Hidden historic houses

Kingston Lacy, Dorset

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 10.30am – 4pm*

From Iron Age forts, to colourful heathland, water meadows and even a Roman road, there’s a lot to see on the Kingston Lacy estate. With acres of beautiful gardens and parkland to explore including a kitchen garden with resident pigs, you can have a great family day out. See if you can solve the riddles and clues on the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail and claim your very own Cadbury chocolate Egghead. Don’t forget to pop by the restaurant to try out the home-made cake and prize-winning scones to feed the little eggsplorers at the end of the day.

Price: £2.50 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01202 883402

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/kingston-lacy/

Attingham Park, Shropshire          

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 10am – 4pm

Set alongside the rivers Severn and Tern and surrounded by stunning views of the Shropshire Hills, Attingham’s Easter egg trail takes families on an exciting adventure through the grounds. The Deer Park, walled garden and acres of wooded parks around Attingham House are home to loads of exciting wildlife. Come and meet them all this weekend on a wild and wonderful Cadbury Easter Egg Trail with eggscellent family activities and solve the clues to win your Cadbury chocolate Egghead prize.

Price: £2.50 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01743 708162

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/attingham-park/

Glorious gardens to explore

Mount Stewart, County Down

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 12pm – 4pm

As one of the Trust’s the most inspiring and unusual gardens, there’s a surprise around every corner at Mount Stewart. This Easter, the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail takes families on a hunt through the beautiful woodland areas and Lake Walk. Find out more about Edith, Lady Londonderry who created the garden and discover more about her passion for the outdoors as you journey through the different worlds she designed. Along the way uncover the secrets of Mount Stewart Gardens before collecting your yummy Cadbury chocolate Egghead prize.

Price: £1 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 028 4278 8387

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mount-stewart/

Nymans, West Sussex

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 10.30am – 3.30pm*

There’s no better way to explore this romantic house, garden and ruins, with beautiful woodland set in High Weald than taking part in the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail. Discover hidden corners and secret paths of the beautiful spring garden; just don’t forget to claim your Cadbury chocolate Egghead at the end of the trail.

Price: £2.50 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01444 405250

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans

Characterful castles

Chirk Castle, Wrexham

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 11am – 4pm*

Step back in time and discover 700 years of mystery and intrigue whilst following the Cadbury Easter Egg Trail at Chirk Castle. Crammed with surprises along the way, the trail will lead families down into the dungeons and everyone will need to have their wits about them to avoid being put in the stocks before claiming their Cadbury chocolate Egghead prize.

Price: £2.50 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01691 777701

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chirk-castle

Wray Castle, Cumbria

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 10.30am – 4pm

This Easter make a splash and visit Wray Castle nestled on the shores of Lake Windermere and discover turrets and towers fit for a knight in shining armour. Have fun exploring this quirky building, solving clues along the way in order to claim your Cadbury chocolate Egghead prize. Or for the really adventurous, head out into grounds and track down the clues hidden around the estate.

Price: £2 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01539 433250

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wray-castle/

A little out of the ordinary

Wimpole Estate, Cambridgeshire

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 10:30am – 4.15pm*

Wimpolena, the Wimpole goose, heard that there were some Cadbury chocolate Eggheads to discover around Wimpole Home Farm. She was in such a hurry to find them that she lost some of her feathers in the gardens. Help her find her feathers to spell out the magic word, and she might let you have some of the Cadbury chocolate Eggheads she’s looking after.

Price: £2 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01223 206000

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wimpole

Lacock Abbey, Fox Talbot Museum and Village, Wiltshire

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 5 – 6 April, 10.30am – 4pm

Lacock Abbey, with its cloisters and woodland grounds is an ideal place to explore and at this year’s Cadbury Easter Egg Trail you can explore the stars too. Famous resident Fox Talbot, who is best known as the inventor of the photographic negative, loved gazing at the planets. You will be following in his footsteps as you hunt for egg shaped planets and discover fascinating facts about other worlds before collecting your Cadbury chocolate Egghead prize.

Price: £1.50 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01249 730459

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock/

Biddulph Grange Garden, Staffordshire

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April 2015, 11am – 5pm

Run around a garden full of exotic plants collected from around the world, hunting high and low, under rocks and in trees for the hidden eggs. This year’s Cadbury Easter Egg Trail will take you on a global journey from Italy to the pyramids of Egypt, a Victorian vision of China and a re-creation of a Himalayan glen. Discover them all and you can find the Easter bunny who will be waiting with your delicious Cadbury chocolate Egghead as a prize.

Price: £2 (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01782 375 533

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/biddulph-grange-garden/

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, North Yorkshire

Cadbury Easter Egg Trails, 3 – 6 April, 11am – 4pm

Families will have to work together and leave no stone unturned in the search for giant eggs at this Yorkshire World Heritage Site. Hunting for giant eggs around the magnificent ruins, getting your face painted then eating a chocolatey Cadbury Egghead prize is all in a day’s work for a busy Eggsplorer on this exciting adventure.

Price: £2, with a shorter route for little legs this year (normal admission fee applies)

For more information, please call 01765 608888

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountains-abbey/

The Fableists at Ethical Stores

EthicalStores intention is to make it easier for the consumer to access products that they may not find locally, products such as dairy free chocolate or household consumables that are not tested on animals. Sometimes these products are not as accessible as they should be,and Ethical Stores is trying to change that, by bringing the customer to one place were all ethical products are available.

EthicalStores is both a free store builder alongside an online ethical market place. Anyone who wants to sell their ethical products can create an online business in minutes. Buyers can search or browse our ethical products from our collection of sellers.

The heart and soul of EthicalStores is its global community.

EthicalStores is a non-profit organisation that is funded by donations and run by our highly skilled volunteers.

The aim at EthicalStores is to promote ethical products, lifestyle and help ethical charities in anyway possible.

Ethical Stores is funded by donations from business and the general public.

www.EthicalStores.com

Finn’s Western Shirt – One Year Later

So, you know how we’re always banging on about how well made our clothes are? How they’re made tough and built to last? Ready for any action your children can throw their way?

Last week we received the photo above; our Western Shirt – one year on. As you can see, it looks slightly different to the original (below)

It’s faded and has a few tears but it still looks awesome!

This well-worn shirt is the one that was given to skateboarding prodigy Finn, who appeared in our brand film.

It has been put through some serious wear and has come out looking great. It’s still one of his favourites, so we’ve sent him a new one. We’re looking forward to seeing what he does with the next one!

Order one here and let us know what you get up to in yours!

Muka Kids Includes The Fableists in their ‘LOVE’ List!

What is muka kids?

muka kids is a social enterprise, whose mission is to empower those who make AND those who wear ethical clothing (and those who want to wear it!), to end the harm done to people and the environment by the clothing industry.

They have four goals:

1. Make it really easy for everyone buy ethical and sustainable clothing.
2. Empower women cotton farmers in India with the means to escape poverty and improve their position in their community, by providing them with small loans (microloans) to start and expand their own small businesses (learn more about the woman).
3. Improve the sustainability (reduce the environmental footprint) created by unsustainable manufacture and limited/single use approach to clothing.
4. Empower clothing makers to grow their ethical and sustainable products (clothing lines and business practices).

Part of their plan is to sell used ethically accredited children’s clothing.

They recently published a list of clothing companies they love, who are working in line with their goals and The Fableists made the cut! See the full article here.

Solar Eclipse March 20 2015

A solar eclipse is a momentous occasion. I distinctly remember one eclipse from my childhood. We all gathered at a friend’s house with the curtains closed and watched ‘Charlotte’s Web’ on VHS. We were told that if we looked at the sun we’d be blinded. We ate a cake in the shape of a lion’s head. I have no idea what relevance the cake and film choice had but I will never forget that day.

The next partial eclipse visible from the UK will be in 2026.

So, it’s a big deal. As is the case with all big deals, I am brushing up on what to tell the kiddos. If someone had properly explained what a solar eclipse was on that day some 35 years ago, I’d remember – just like I remember exactly what the cake looked like. If my mother had had the handy interweb at her disposal then, I would probably be able to tell my children about a solar eclipse now, without having to look it up!

The BBC has released the short film above with a useful set of facts and information to accompany it.

A partial eclipse is a rare and special event that will only last a short time, so we need to pay attention! The Earth and the moon have to be the right distance apart and the moon has to line up in front of the sun, thus blocking the Earth’s view of the sun. It’s like the moon is casting a giant shadow over that part of the Earth. As the Earth and moon pass on, moving through their orbits, the eclipse comes to an end.

As this is a partial eclipse, the moon will not fully cover the sun. The sky will darken but the moon will not be able to block out all of the light and the sun will be peaking around the edges.

In the United Kingdom, this amazing event will take place around 9:30 Friday morning. This eclipse will be total in some parts of the world but only partial from the United Kingdom. The eclipse will be over by 10:41 in the UK.

It is important not to look directly at the eclipse – even with sunglasses as it can affect your eyes.

Now I just have to shoehorn this little lesson in between school, supper, swim club, dog walking, homework and the bedtime! And make a cake.

The Fableists’ ‘EPIC THREAD’ Wins Silver at Creative Circle Awards

Our wonderful film ‘The Epic Thread’, animated by Mill Film and voiced by the inimitable Jennifer Saunders has gone and won its animated self a Silver at the annual Creative Circle Awards!

We are thrilled that this film has been so well received and that the creative talents at The Mill have produced this beautiful film for us. To celebrate this big win, we are offering 50% off our entire collection of sustainably made children’s clothing. Just use the code circle in the shopping cart to take advantage of this offer, running all week.

See the full credits here.

JoJo Maman Bebe’s #MotherToAnother Initiative Final Push

On February 3rd, JoJo Maman Bebe, with the help of Hubbub, launched the ‘From a Mother to Another’ campaign in support of Barnardo’s work with vulnerable families across the UK.

The campaign aims to collect unwanted children’s clothing, package it up according to size and gender, and re-distribute it to children through Barnardo’s family centres. So far, over 2,000 beautiful packages and have been made up through this campaign.

 

Highlights so far include a formidable troop of knitters in Cardiff delivering dozens of gorgeous hand-knits to their local JoJo store, the donation of a Stella McCartney all-in-one and Organic Zoo gifting 300 pieces of funky organic hand-me-downs.

The initiative has received widespread social media support, captured here on the online Storify Feed: http://ow.ly/JRBS2.

This campaign comes to an end on Mother’s Day, March 15th and JoJo Maman Bebe is aiming for 50,000 pieces of clothing, so Mothers: get your friends together and gather up as many of your beautiful old hand me downs as you can part with to take to your local shop. To find your nearest shop, search here. For more on the campaign, and lists of what you can and cannot donate, read here.