I’m a bit of a sucker for a chintzy print.

In fact one of my earliest memories is of a teeny tiny rosebud print on my bedlinen when I was no more than four or five years old which I think I talked about in this post not so long back; it’s a memory and feeling that has stayed with me ever since. Prints remind me of childhood and fun and of feeling safe and warm and cosy which is why I think I’m drawn to them time and time again.

I know I’m not the only one that loves a splash of colour and a cheerful pattern so today’s post is all about incorporating it into your little’s life be it through their clothes or interiors. Hopefully there’ll be something that makes you smile or reminds you of your own childhood…

Babies & Toddlers

Let’s start with one of my guilty pleasures…Caramel Baby and Child. Yes the prices are eye-watering but I can’t help but coo over all the pretty clothes which have a touch of the old-fashioned about them…all t-bars shoes and socks pulled up. Granted it’s not to everyone’s taste but I love it and their super prints used in pretty much all their designs are right at home in today’s post.

If I had a girl then I’d definitely be dressing her in this mink dotty number with full skirt, puff sleeve and button back and available in sizes up to 12 months. I actually wouldn’t mind a pair of these ruby red trews for myself either. The print is actually teeny tiny flowers but the colour combo stops them being sickly sweet; these are available up to 18 months.

John Lewis as ever are on form when it comes to prints and patterns and in my humble opinion have the best selection on the High Street as I write. Apologies then for the ensuing JL overload.

Let’s start with the trousers and rompers then; first up are these baby horse print trousers which are WILD. There are horses and bunnies and even deer and all the bright colours so I’m not sure where to look first. But they are fun and they remind me of a brand that my mum dressed my sisters and I in when we were small…Oilily Did any of you wear it? Regardless they made me smile and might make your baby grin too. Available in sizes up to three years.

If sunshiny yellow is your thing then I just know you’ll love this Zebra romper with its repeating pattern of the stripy creature. The short legs and sleeves make it ideal for summer and there are popper fastenings to help make nappy changing less of a challenge. Sizes are disappearing fast so make sure you stop by the website if you’re keen to purchase.

Ok let’s talk dresses. There’s three I just felt I needed to share with you this morning – first up this sage green baby rabbit frock complete with matching hairband. Blinking adorable. Technically the blurb says that it’s a party dress with its full skirt and short sleeves but I say wear it whenever and wherever the mood takes you.

If green isn’t really your colour or rather your little’s chosen shade then how about this white smock dusted in a sweet floral print and topped off with a candy pink bow at the back. The sleeveless style is reminiscent of the 1960’s so I can see this worn with a pair of knee high socks and t-bar sandals for a bit of vintage charm (a bit like what Tabitha used to wear on Bewitched).

For the lion tamers you can’t best this brightly coloured print with lions and leopards and a jungle theme. Like the two other frocks this also has a full skirt and button fastenings down the back for easy dressing. Again available in sizes up to three years.

The dinosaur fans need these awesome pyjamas which I can say from personal experience are fantastic. Made from 100% cotton this twin pack have soft elasticated cuffs, waistband and neckline to stop them ruching up. One pair features classic stripes while the other has a characterful all-over dinosaur print which you could mix and match if you wanted. They wash well and still look brand new desperate multiple wears/rolling around on the floor and dinosaur re-enactments.

Tiny babies will adore Zara’s cactus and arrow motif bibs which are so on trend this summer and are made from super soft towelling to catch all that slobber. And I think these blue and white stripped leggings are rather fetching; I rate Zara leggings highly for allowing active kids move and jump about without any restrictions and which Hector has worn from about 6 months old.

For the girlies then this floral embroidered dress has just the right amount of pattern using a palette of yellow, red, green and blue without it being overwhelming. Fresh and light with a white background and buttons all the way up the back, this will see sweet lasses all the way through to bedtime.

If lots of cutesy florals are your thing then H&M have you covered especially in the girls department where there’s literally tens of different products to choose from. This pink ditsy romper is especially cute with its thin shoulder straps and bows at the front. The smocking and frill trim at the top reminds me of those photographs of babies in the 1950s which I adore. Available from 4 months to 2 years and only £6.99…perfect for Summer. Alternatively these shorts have a very similar print if you’re looking for separates rather than an all-in-one affair.

Perhaps your littles prefer more of a graphic monochrome print…fear not as the brand also have these ribbed organic cotton short-sleeved vests that could be right up their street. Available in sizes up to three years, I particularly love the doggy print.

Older Kids

For the budding palaeontologists may I present the latest addition in Boden’s Jurassic line-up. Not only are there stripes but there’s a dinosaur print on top too. Double whammy! The tee comes in a soft blue colours and the prehistoric motifs are actually quite stylish. Pair it with these knee length striped shorts made from hardwearing pure cotton twill complete with snazzy gingham inside pocket flaps and inside waistbands.

If there’s one item of kids clothing that’s made me stop and wish desperately that I could be a kid again then these dungarees are it! The colourblock stripes have a 70s vibe going on and I can just see them paired with a pair of plimsols and a flower headband for the ultimate in cool. Made from cotton jersey too so you just know they’ll be comfy!

What could be better than a bit of red and pink colour clashing….? Why polka dots of course! Which is exactly what Boden are serving up in their colour block swing dress. It is lush. Available in sizes up to 12 years.

For older kids that aren’t too cool for school just yet then these Cath Kidston rucksacks are the perfect compromise for littles who want to express themselves and mamas that don’t want them to grow too big just yet. The brand have got pretty much every print going from Tower of London guards to delicate pink floral motifs. There’s bound to be something for every kid based on their passions. Pretty much all of their kids bags are currently in the sale too if you’re looking for a bargain. This doggy bag would be right up Hector’s street.

Staying with the accessories theme…this umbrella is a bit cute too and actually completely necessary for this end of the world weather we’re experiencing at the moment!

From rain to sunshiny days in the pool then…how about these green gingham swim shorts from Caramel which look particularly awesome when paired with peach. I hadn’t considered this colour combo as well as adding a print into the mix but it works so it’s something I’ll be dressing Hector in this summer. Available in sizes up to ten years.

Interiors

At the last count I think Hector had close to twenty blankets, quilts and eiderdowns bought for him by friends and family and a fair few bought by yours truly too. Yes slightly excessive. Certainly in the early days we went through them at a rate of knots. Some were smaller so perfect for keeping him snug in the winter months (with back-ups for when he inevitably threw up over them) and others ended up being purely for decorative purposes in his nursery. Now that he’s older I’ve started to get out some of the bigger blankets for when he might want to huddle down in front of The Jungle Book. All of them bar one have some sort of pattern or chintzy print on them which I love.

My go to’s for blankets and quilts has to be Cologne & Cotton where I regularly snapped up bargains in the sale and also Tea & Kate for more unique prints. I particularly love the April Showers range from the store designed by a pair of sisters who state that their collection is ‘a mix of a Nordic spirit, with a French touch of vintage.’ The grey stardust quilt would look particularly lovely paired with this camomile hued blanket also from Tea & Kate which has been completely hand stitched and embroidered. This is large enough to cover a single bed or sit as a end of bed throw for a British standard double bed.

Coco & Wolf are also killing it on the quilt front with their limited edition blue and green liberty print quilts. Designed using a mixture of two prints, each quilt is filled with an eco-friendly bamboo and cotton blend wadding, which ensures a warm but incredibly light weight finish. Bonus. Why not pair them up with this Liberty pillow from Rowen & Wren which have been handmade from beautiful Liberty prints with complimentary reverses. All are padded with hypoallergenic polyester fibres so they are suitable for babies and children alike.

Also from Rowen & Wren are these super soft cotton beanbags which are available in three cutesy designs; dots, zig zags and scallops. The modern prints are softened by the peachy and blue hues and are still stylish enough to be right at home in the living room too when the kids have gone to bed.

Lastly I’m loving this cup from queen of kitsch herself…Cath Kidston.

And that brings us to the end of today’s beautiful round-up. Are you dotty for spots or particular about print? Is there a pattern that always makes you smile? Why not tell us all about it in the comments below…