Kindred Tales | Jess and Hamish | Playground
Tell us a bit about Playground and how it all started
Playground launched in Dec 2019, not knowing what 2020 had in store for us all, eek.
I took a 3 year break from my career to have two gorgeous little girls, Teddy & Dusty. Having worked in fashion for 15 years, over a decade of that was as Sales Director of House of Holland I was super keen to start up my own company and have the flexibility of being my own boss, working around my kids and having a business that resonates with my new life as a mama/parent I set up Playground.
Playground offers sustainable, unisex t-shirts, sweats and accessories for all families keen to rep the mini me look with their little ones. Playground aims to make you feel effortlessly comfortable and cool in clothing you can wear everyday whilst running around after the kids.
Tell us about Hamish and how he came into your life.
Hamo is a rescue, we adopted him from All Dog’s Matter in 2012 when he was about 4 years old, we have no documents so it’s the vets guess at his age. Rich and I had moved in together by Victoria Park, Hackney (my boyfriend at the time, my husband now) and I was desperate to have my own dog after spending the previous 10 years looking after other people’s dogs since I’d moved to London from Lancashire.
We’d always had dogs in our home when I was growing up, a home doesn’t feel a home to me without a doggie or two.
How does your Hamish fit into your general working day?
He come’s everywhere with me, school run, jogs in the park, sits by my desk when I’m working during the day. Now working from home but even in the past he’d come to the office with me. I’ve been very lucky to always had the opportunity to have him with me. He’s so easy going, doesn’t mind travelling on buses/tubes. He actually rather likes the over ground, sits on my knee and stares at the window taking in the view.
When you’re not working where do you like to head out to with the dog?
We’re always in the park, tiring out my two daughters. We love Epping Forrest and Stoke Newington cemetery. He also comes with me to visit friends, trips to the beach, a daily coffee shop outings.
What essentials do you always have on you when heading out for a dog walk, and what do you carry them in?
Obvs poo bags and hand sanitiser and maybe the odd dog treat. Wearing a dead trendy Eastpack cross body which is actually the most practical bag I’ve ever owned. Gosh I sound old! Haha
What adventures do you have planned with Hamish and the family for later this year?
Well cause of bloomin Covid everything is a bit up in the air. Christmas is coming and normally we’d be up and down the country visiting grandparents and family but literally just taking each day at a time.
We love day trips to Whitstable and Margate. We’ll defo be squeezing some of those in. Hamo loves the beach! We recently went to Broadstairs and fell in love, we are hoping to rent and Air BnB for the weekend, possibly this year.
Hamo’s getting on a bit now and he is quite happy snuggling up on the sofa with a blanket, keeping us warm. My fave time of year.
