I wanted to tell you about a great little place I discovered recently, one of those hidden gems which make you glad to live in the neighbourhood. There is so much to see and do in East London but a lot of it is more grown-up than kiddie fun and it’s always exciting to come across something new for children in the area. I was browsing some websites when I came across a mention of a shop in Hoxton which was part of a social enterprise encouraging kids and young people to write, the Ministry of Stories. The Ministry is partly funded by sales from the Hoxton Monster Supplies shop. Intrigued, I set off with the kids and Other Half. We had lunch at Viet Hoa, a great local Vietnamese restaurant (this was a triumph as we finally discovered a menu item that Felix will eat apart from plain noodles – thank you, spare ribs!). And then went to look for the shop. It’s tucked away on Hoxton Road behind Hackney community college and has an old fashioned wood and glass front. ‘Angry mobs please douse your torches’ said one sign. ‘Nocturnal visits by appointment for vampire customers only’ says another.

Inside the shop has lots of beautifully designed products including tins labelled ‘A vague sense of unease’ or ‘Utter terror’. After a while trying to work out what was inside we found out that they contained short stories – a brilliant idea. We also checked out the invisible cat in the basket in the corner (don’t pet it too hard) and bought a book of children’s stories for the boys. It’s such a great concept and I will certainly be back. The Ministry is currently looking for volunteers and there is also a Book Club.

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Business Mum Week 2009

Mimimyne has set up a Mumpreneurs Networking Event in East London as part of Business Mum Week 2009!

Wednesday 7th October 12 noon to 2pm
Venue: Ping Pong Dim Sum (Private Room) 3 Appold Street London EC2A 2AF tel: 020 7422 0780 Nearest Town: London

Informal networking lunch for mumpreneurs/ businessmums and women running or interested in running their own businesses, come along and meet Antonia Chitty, author of The Mumpreneur Guide, who will be giving her top tips for mumpreneurs.

Antonia Chitty will have a prize draw for her book, The Mumpreneur’s Guide, retail cost £18, and some other prizes, so bring your business cards to enter the draw!

Alison Rothwell, of the SEO Training Club, is also going to attend and give her tips on Twitter for business.

Lana Hersak-Mullins, Business Counsellor for the East London Small Business Centre will give a short talk on what is currently on offer to entrepreneurs in East London, and will be happy to answer any questions women might have about starting up a small business.

The event, in the gorgeous private dining room at Ping Pong Dim Sum (www.pingpongdimsum.com), is free to attend although you will have to pay for your own lunch, however the menu is very reasonably priced and delicious! Free copies of eco-directory The Book of Green and the Business Mums Journal will be available to take home.

Join us in this private room for dim sum!

More info about Business Mum Week 2009 events here

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Mimimyne will be sharing a stand with Paintbox (the Stepney-based community playgroup for under 5′s) on Saturday 13th June from 12 noon till 5pm in Shandy Park, Stepney as part of the Deal With It Day 2009 (download PDF flyer here). This drugs awareness day and community event will feature a tea dance for older residents, a bouncy castle, mendhi, a graffiti project and a football tournament. Paintbox will have a ‘fish for a duck’ event with prizes for every child and Mimimyne will be selling organic clothes and toys for children.

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