Heal’s Modern Craft Market
Last week, I was kindly invited to the launch of Heal's Modern Craft Market. I don't often make the long trip to London these days, but I was eager to attend. It might sound strange, but the shop, located on Tottenham Court Road, holds a very special place in my...
Birthday Letters for Isabel
Dear Izzy, You're in double digits now. Ten sounds so grown up. The memory of meeting you for the very first time is so fresh, the mess and magic of it all so vivid in my mind, I can hardly believe a decade has passed. Dear Izzy, I sense something new, something...
Best Laid Plans
So far, 2015 hasn't been quite as sparkly as I'd like. January was tough. Despite big plans and the best of intentions, it just didn't pan out as expected. Those of you that follow me on Twitter or Instagram may have already gathered that last week was particularly...
My weekend has mainly been spent…
Longing for a little more sleep after Jesse stumbled into my room around 5.45am. Listening to Izzy cough and splutter. She woke up with a nasty cold. Wishing Mr. LA wasn't working away. I've a long run of solo parenting ahead while he's shooting in Thailand. Lucky...
My weekend has mainly been spent…
Waking up alone. Mr. LA has been working away since Thursday. Feeling grateful that the children had slept until almost 8am. Letting them crawl into bed with me for some cuddles. Heading downstairs for a cup of tea. Enjoying a slow start to the day. Tucking into a...
My weekend has mainly been spent…
Waking up as Jesse clambered into bed beside me. Silently creeping downstairs with him while Mr. LA snored on. Sipping tea and sorting through photos for a blog post. Feeling calm and rested as we waited for the others to emerge from their slumber. Quietly enjoying...
Hello 2015!
After entertaining what felt like a constant stream of visitors over Christmas and New Year, we've had a delightfully slow start to 2015. The house was full of good friends and chaos on the 1st, so in a break from tradition I decided to wait a few days before...
Love Audrey Bakes ~ Chocolate & Cranberry Cake
When it comes to Christmas cake, I always choose chocolate over candied peel and cloves. I've been baking this beauty on Boxing Day for a few years now, and 2014 was no exception. Along with a huge ginger glazed ham, an epic cheeseboard and an array of festive...
Christmas Countdown
Oh December, you have certainly kept me on my toes! As well as concerts, parties and plays, there's been plenty of work, not to mention a child with chicken pox! I always have such grand plans for blogging in the run up to Christmas. Hats off to those who have been...
My weekend has mainly been spent…
Drifting in and out of sleep as I listened to the children playing on the landing outside our bedroom. We held our first ever Christmas party on Friday and some friends had spent the night with their two little ones. Feeling a little hungover. OK, a lot. We'd served...
Hotel Chocolat Salted Caramel, Pecan and Chocolate Marble Cake
Although I've sampled many of the sweet treats on offer at Hotel Chocolat, I had somehow managed to overlook their intriguing Cocoa Cuisine collection. A celebration of what cocoa and chocolate can contribute in the kitchen, the range includes everything from dips,...
Home Comforts – Decorating with Patience
This time last year, we had just finished painting our hallway. It took an entire weekend and three coats of Little Greene's Slaked Lime to cover the insipid peach walls we had inherited upon purchasing our house. I had grand plans to rip up carpets, sand floorboards...
My weekend has mainly been spent…
Waking up as Jesse slid into bed with us. Longing for a little more sleep. Reluctantly heading downstairs. Sipping tea on the sofa. Making porridge for the children's breakfast. Tucking into a fried egg sandwich. Agonising over the final layout for our family photo...
A Dreamy Designer Wish List with Avenue 32
Truth be told, I barely spend any money on my own wardrobe these days. The children grow like weeds and I've developed something of an addiction to expensive home accessories. Luckily, I bought enough shoes in my 20s to see me through until retirement. I'm only half...
My weekend has mainly been spent…
Begrudgingly allowing Jesse into our bed before 6am. Desperately trying to persuade him to go back to sleep. Listening to him cough and splutter. The poor child has another cold. Creeping downstairs to find my sister was already awake and drinking tea in the kitchen....
Champagne and Decadence ~ A Harrods Christmas Hamper
It's no secret that I'm rather fond of champagne. My first foray into the world of alcoholic beverages involved a few too many glasses of pink fizz at a family party. I don't think my mother realised quite how much I'd partaken of until she noticed me lurching...
My weekend has mainly been spent…
Waking up with a teeny tiny hangover. I may have polished off an entire bottle of wine on Friday night. Contemplating the greatness of Dallas Buyers Club, having watched it while drinking the aforementioned wine. Drifting in and out of sleep as I snuggled with Jesse....
Our Dorset Holiday – Part 2
Aside from the countless beach walks, our trip to Dorset also involved some fabulous family days out. Mr. LA was able to join us half way through the week and we spent Thursday and Friday enjoying some Halloween themed adventures at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens and...
My weekend has mainly been spent…
Waking up before the children. Shaking my fist at the ceiling and shouting 'WHY GOD, WHY?' Trying desperately to drift off to sleep again. Cuddling up to Jesse as he slipped in beside me. Heading downstairs for a cup of tea. Administering cold and flu remedies. I seem...
Our Dorset Holiday ~ Part 1
Dorset gets under your skin. My mother spent summers there as a child. Her family had a house in Charmouth, right near the beach. Years later, my sister and I enjoyed similar holidays along the Jurassic Coast, chasing waves and hunting for fossils. It came as no...
