Our pick of the best buys, whatever your budget

Do I miss having babies? I don’t think I do. It’s been a quarter of a century since I’ve had crumbled biscuits, loose Crayola crayons and leaking drinks cartons rattling around in my bag. Now, I often

Make life a little sweeter with sensory gifts SUGAR RUSH Jammy blackberry and woody oak make for an enveloping gourmand scent in Miss Dior Essence (£130 for 50ml, dior.com). MILK IT Hotel Chocolat’s l

Four views of modern maternity

Anyone with young children will know the struggle of trying to enjoy a meltdown-free lunch out or the naïve optimism that you can let them burn off some energy in soft play while you quietly catch up

YOU WILL NEED ■ Cotton fabric (main and lining) ■ Lightweight wadding or batting ■ 10mm velvet ribbon (10–20cm length, depending on desired hanging loop) ■ Coordinating thread ■ Basic sewing kit NOTES