Cambridge Mummy: I’ve worked it out.

Genuinely, I have worked something out today. I think it was talking with Sarah Brown about life and how it’s not perfect and you just have to make the most of it. I don’t need to worry about who I am or am not similar to, who I do or don’t fit in with. I’m me. And I’m just fine as I am. That’s a big thing you know. People who I am in awe of, I’ve met today and you know what? They are really normal!! The “names” who dominate twitter – where are they? I don’t know, but they aren’t near me – and I’m loving it. I’m finding it really lovely. I really am. People are so warm, welcoming and interesting. I’m asking them about their life, their babies, what they are enjoying and what’s annoying them.

I’m so happy to be spending the day with other people who are living their life online. People are complimenting me on my Hobbs necklace, which is a chunky green pear on a necklace. I love that they are loving it – because I have been given my whole outfit for today – from Hobbs. Right now, I’m sat in a blogging basics – I wanted to check if I was missing anything out ;)

Right now, I’m feeling very grateful for my life and even my body – I’m me, and I’m not perfect, but I’m just fine as I am. And I think that’s something pretty bloody brilliant. Now all I have to do, is work out how to hold on to this feeling!!

Check out #CyberMummy11 on google, twitter, or Facebook and see where I’m at and what’s inspired me so much today…..

I had the Pretty Woman customer service experience today…

So earlier today, I shared my voucher for Hobbs, where you can get a free pashmina, in a lovely purple colour, if you use it by Wednesday 4 May 2011.

I also had, and had been waiting to use it on something lovely, a £25 discount card that came on the front of Red Magazine in January. That ran out today, so I went there specially to use it. With Lovely Bloke, E (age 4) and W (3 next month) and the buggy. To the Hobbs shop in Cambridge. The stand alone shop.

I have the same experience every time I go there. It’s like the scene from Pretty Woman – you know, where Julia Roberts is told that there’s “nothing for you in here” etc. It was just like that – they looked me up and down and did that “you’re not worthy to shop in here” huffy stuff. Seriously??? Do they know how much I’ve spent in Hobbs over the years? Lovely Bloke has since estimated that it’s more than £12,000 (I used to wear their suits in London and in Hatfield…)

E and W gear up for their rolling around on the floor antics, so I pick up a blue and white striped top and head to the desk to pay. A customer in front of me is mid transaction which is fine. But the other two women stand there chatting – about non work stuff. They can see me but they don’t come to process my transaction. I’m irritated by this but keep quiet.. Then when the customer is done and leaves, I present my voucher and request my scarf. Shop Assistant A asks Assistant B for help. They then bicker over who will go to get the scarf out of the back for me. The boys are being physically held apart by lovely bloke at this point.

And then Shop Assistant B who felt she was too grand to help me with my shopping started on me saying I couldn’t have two discounts or offers in one shop. I explained I wasn’t looking for that. I just wanted my pashmina with the voucher. And to use the £25 card for the t shirt. I didn’t expect a further 10% off it. Shop Assistant B goes over it twice more and it’s only when Assistant A returns and says – “yes, she knows that” that I’m permitted to have it.

I don’t have Richard Gere to come in and make people be nicer to me in a shop so it’s up to me to make this situation better for myself. Do you know how I’ve done that – Lovely Bloke and I have committed my wardrobe funds to Fenn Wright and Manson, John Lewis, LK Bennett, Phase Eight and anywhere BUT Hobbs for the foreseeable future. And I’m going to tweet and facebook this everywhere.

Just because I am a Mum, and I’m not the slimmest size that crosses their threshold, and I don’t wear matching Hobbs stuff from head to toe, it doesn’t mean that I can’t afford to shop there, or don’t deserve to wear their clothes, or should be looked down upon by them.

Here’s hoping that some other people decide not to push money their way and then maybe they will start to be a bit friendlier to people……

Wellbeing of Women

Wellbeing of Women is a charity that you are going to hear me talk about more regularly going forwards. Why?
Because I know the Chief Executive, Liz Campbell and I think she is a smart bird
Because I like what they are doing
Because their corporate relationships include the likes of Hobbs and Vitabiotics. I worship at the temple of both of these brands, so it makes sense for me to like Wellbeing of Women as well.

I have no commercial relationship with them or agenda per se. I just think they are working so hard right now, for the benefit of so many women and their families, that I’m marking myself here as being a supporter :)

I’ll get off my soapbox now and carry on with my regular stuff..