The Baba Blog Interview

I was very flattered to be interviewed by the Baba Blog for their 'Mumpreneur' column today.

This week, we interviewed the wonderful blogger Willow Crossley. Willow blogs about people, places, food, recipes, fashion and interiors that that inspire her. She lives in the country with her husband and two gorgeous cubs. 

You live with your family in the country, could you imagine living anywhere else?

We’ve only been here for a year, so yes, I guess so. We were in the South of France for four years before here, which was wonderful, but with babies it got a bit lonely. Chaz and I are always dreaming to relocating to the sun though.

Where is the best market in the world?

Jaz de Roberts outside Grimaud in the South of France on a Sunday morning.  A dusty brocante selling everything and anything. There are three stalls I make a beeline for every time selling vintage fabrics, lace, ribbons and grain sacks. In the Uk, Kempton is great.

What’s your favourite family recipe?

Tamasin Day Lewis’s Chicken Savoyard. I dream about it. With baked potatoes and a green salad. 

Tell us about your beauty regime.

I’ve recently become addicted to a Clarisonic Mia. It’s properly magic. I cleanse morning and night with that and Dermalogica Ultra Calming cleanser, Tone with Dermalogica and then a Skinceuticals B5 serum and eitherJurlique or Origins moisturiser.

What’s your typical ‘look’ and has it changed since having a baby?

Quite floaty. I’m not good at anything tight. Every day, either jeans or a mini skirt with tartan converse and a Chinti and Parker cashmere jumper. Since having the boys I don’t have as much time as I used to to shop or think so much about what I put on. I love the idea of really making an effort but usually by the time I’ve got them in bed, there’s five minutes until we have to leave the house and I have a full on panic/meltdown about having nothing to wear and end up wearing the same thing as I’ve worn the last ten times I’ve been out. 

What would a perfect day consist of for you?

A lie in. And having slept all the way through, a cup of tea in bed with Chaz and the cubs - we'd be allowed to watch Saturday Kitchen rather than Mike the Knight. Then, maybe an outing to Worton Organic Café for hot chocolates with all the papers with the cubs being angelic and well behaved the whole time. Then we’d go home for a huge lunch where my bothers /sister in law and friends would be too. There would have to be some sort of retail excursion somewhere later where I’d find a gorgeous bit of bargain furniture, and a pop-up Isabel Marant sample sale. Then we’d go home again with a lot of cakes and make pizza with the cubs for their supper. Then that night we’d have a big dinner, probably chicken savoyard. Finally, a magic fairy would come and wash up.

What’s the one baby product you cannot live without?

Sudocream, and Calpol.

Tell us about your favourite charity.

Marie Curie Cancer Care.  It’s a wonderful charity that provides specialist homes - hospices for the care of cancer patients and also nursing for patients at home. It means patients can be surrounded by their families and at home rather than in a hospital in their last few weeks of life. 

What’s your favourite rainy day craft activity for kids?

The Dinosaur Museum in Woodstock has become our second home. If it’s a Monday when it’s shut, Cotswold Wildlife Park is a brilliant alternative.

How would you sum yourself up in one sentence?

Over-sensitive, creative, driven, loyal, totally impractical and caring.