We wrote a book together called Parenting The Shit Out of Life. Both Matt and I are still vaguely married. But what’s more interesting is the people who helped us make the launch better than our wedding. The event was at the brilliant rooftop of Bar Elba with incredible views across the city. From goodie bags created for the event by Becks and Debs at Parent Apparel to manic stuffing of those brightly-hued totes by the aptly-named Jo Love from Lobella Loves and the wonderful Lady B from Lady Bakewellpark, it was a proper team effort. I won’t forget the manic ‘we have 12 minutes left before the doors open get STUFFING’ moment of team madness as The Savvy Mummy swooped in to smash it. (She also dislikes over-amorous advances from near strangers so was very understanding of my need to squeeze her upper arm in excitement/nervousness every 5 minutes.)
Then there’s the long-suffering Charlotte Gray – who has been our photographer for two years and has SEEN things she cannot unsee – who captured the night and its gurning people brilliantly. That’s not to mention Rebecca from Proper Post, who was delighted we wanted her sweary cards in the goodie bags. What other words are there?
And the women who have supported us – from pitching up to swooping in when the chips are down, the women I’ve met through Instagram have made me realise there is room at the friendship inn after hitting 30.
But why a big potentially wazzock-ey London party? Sure, we penned some words but why not a little soiree with Aunty Janet et al? Mainly because I wanted to get mash up with some of the best people I know or have met off the internet. (Not Tinder but if we write a second book I might need to tap that digital arse). But it was also to meet our followers who allowed us to pen those words. There were 100 of you at the launch and it was such a joy to speak to so many of you off the pixels. The majority of you wanted me to sign the book from ‘my skanky manky titty’, so we are, it seems, all on the same page.
Because while many will lambast social media and it’s mind/social skills-rotting ways, it has united us with people. All kinds of people. And it has allowed us to write a book about how we’ve made more people. This book is for those new people, Eve and Mae – we really do hope you don’t look back and cringe too much at all this. Here’s to Parenting the shit out of life.
Here’s a full list of the wonderful people who helped us pull the night together: