Callie and her dear Warrior, aka Woz putting our Stock Shirt in Green to good use
For those of you who may not yet be familiar with Callie and her magical clan, her Instagram page (an all time favourite source of pastoral charm, equestrian daring and joyous family scenes) leads the introduction with her description as "Mother of dragons" scroll down a little further and you'll soon see why!
.Interview Below.
Raising two young, horse mad boys is enough of a challenge but Callie and her husband Toby have opened their home to a wonderfully eccentric menagerie of animals too.
They have many dogs, at least one cat, a lot of chickens, a few ducks and quite possibly the world's best pony, Sparky. Sparky is the steed of young Merlin, aged 3, and they are the best of friends. Click here for immediate cuteness overload.
They have many dogs, at least one cat, a lot of chickens, a few ducks and quite possibly the world's best pony, Sparky. Sparky is the steed of young Merlin, aged 3, and they are the best of friends. Click here for immediate cuteness overload.
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CALLIE'S SECRET TO NURTURING CONFIDENCE IN HER CHILDREN?
"I have learnt to listen to my children, really listen. They are so interesting. I've also learned not to push them too hard, let them lead you, they'll get there faster. Try not to worry too much about spilt milk and sticky fingers. They won't be about forever, hold onto every precious moment and let them clasp their grubby fingers about your neck whenever they want to."
"I have learnt to listen to my children, really listen. They are so interesting. I've also learned not to push them too hard, let them lead you, they'll get there faster. Try not to worry too much about spilt milk and sticky fingers. They won't be about forever, hold onto every precious moment and let them clasp their grubby fingers about your neck whenever they want to."
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IT'S INTERVIEW TIME!
Your Instagram feed is an all time favorite source of pastorial charm, equestrian daring and joyous family scenes. Sharing these moments makes so many of us smile. What got you started?
I fell off into a river, as you do, and my phone died a very sad and final death along with all my photographs. So many of Jesse as a three year old. I vowed never to lose such precious moments that I’d captured ever again. Instagram was the perfect place to store my memories safely. It wasn’t very popular then, all those donkeys years ago.
You have been a muse to many in the world of fashion. Tell us a little more about your interest in style?
Goodness I’m not sure about that! I am not fashionable at all. Very antiquated. I love high quality, traditional clothes. I want them to last forever and look as though they have been loved and looked after. I love a darn. I love a frill.
You currently juggle two lovely children, a busy house filled with animals, a stable of horses AND you are writing a book... what is a typical day? (Food / timings/ what you wear etx)
We get up when our noisy cockerel starts yelling his head off. Literally first crack of dawn. I put on running clothes - get breakfast on the table and then jesse to the school bus. I then get home and go outside and feed the dogs, ducks, chickens and horses. If it’s a nursery day the Merlin is merrily packed off too. I will then go for a run with my Whippet and Labrador, Mulberry and Beluga.
Shower. Change into breeches. I’ll ride.
Then Toby, (assuming it’s a non hunting day) will come home for lunch. When he goes off to see farmer’s I will sit down and write furiously for however long I can uninterrupted.
I will then do school pick ups, normally still in breeches and knee high socks. Sartorial grace. Much to dismay of my children.
Children will normally want to ride. We will play outside until about 6pm then inside for supper.
If we have people for dinner or we are going out (Covid situation depending!!) I will have a bath and get dressed into proper clothes. Normally a skirt and a cashmere jersey, maybe my lovely Troy shirt and coat.
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Tell us a little about your writing, if you don't mind sharing a little?
My favorite authors are KM Peyton, Enid Bagnold, Evelyn Waugh, F Scott Fitzgerald , Tolkien, so it’s nothing as magical as any of them but they are my inspiration when it comes to literature and my writing is probably a kind of mish mash of rough interpretations, memories, life lessons, with a lot of horses thrown in! I am incapable of describing my own writing I’m so sorry! Starts to make me panic.
What little treats do you allow yourself to keep calm in the busy and strange covid world we live in today?
For all photo credits, visit Callie's Instagram page
Tell us a little about your writing, if you don't mind sharing a little?
My favorite authors are KM Peyton, Enid Bagnold, Evelyn Waugh, F Scott Fitzgerald , Tolkien, so it’s nothing as magical as any of them but they are my inspiration when it comes to literature and my writing is probably a kind of mish mash of rough interpretations, memories, life lessons, with a lot of horses thrown in! I am incapable of describing my own writing I’m so sorry! Starts to make me panic.
What little treats do you allow yourself to keep calm in the busy and strange covid world we live in today?
Gosh, um, sleep when I can get it is the best treat!
Your dear Woz is my equine hero. Where did you find this magnificent lama?
I stole him from my husband. Before he was my husband actually. Toby then gave him to me on my 30th birthday just before we got married as he wanted to check I wasn’t just marrying him for Warrior. It had a happy ending...
It was wonderful to meet you while you and Toby lived in Norfolk, and thank you for your support of TROY! Tell us your why you picked these designs as your favorites?
I love the cape for its timeless class. The cut is perfect.
I love the shirt for the traditional check, the beautiful feel and the pretty stock bow.
The suede coat is like wearing butter it’s so soft and I just want to strain it. It also makes me feel like I’m about to go on safari. My happy place!
The gilet is made so beautifully and is the easiest piece of clothing to wear. I could live in it.
Not many people have ponies in their kitchen for tea... with a terrier perched on top! What is your secret to a nurturing confidence in your children and building a happy childhood home?
I have learnt to listen to my children, really listen. They are so interesting. I’ve also learned not to push them too hard, let them lead you, they’ll get there faster. Try not to worry too much about spilt milk and sticky fingers. They won’t be about forever, hold onto every precious moment and let them clasp their grubby fingers about your neck whenever they want to.
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We loved seeing Callie in four of our designs this year. Three of which are now officially seahorse approved.
Above from left to right:
1) Stock Shirt in Green 2) Suede Tracker Jacket 3) Curlew Cape 4) Quilted Gilet in Green
We loved seeing Callie in four of our designs this year. Three of which are now officially seahorse approved.
