taking stock

A little snapshot of life as it is right now, because it's fun to look back one day and remember.

Making: A mobile to hang above Pearl's cot, from driftwood and tiny ceramic birds, a ceramic leaf and a tiny ceramic toadstool.
Cooking: Lots of roast chicken, parmesan baked potatoes, and asparagus while it's still in season.
Drinking: A glass of warm water with lemon every morning when I wake, and a glass of pinot before bed.
Reading: Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery (the author of Anne of Green Gables). I should probably start reading real books for grown ups again but this is just pure escapism for me and about all my weary brain can handle right now.
Wanting: To make a new batch of granola as my breakfasts have been decidedly lacking it without it for the past couple of weeks.
Deciding: On a pre-school for Rose for next year, the local Steiner school is topping the list for me at the moment.
Enjoying: Dipping into 'An Everlasting Meal' by Tamar Adler. A different kind of cookbook which is changing the way I look at food, cooking and eating in general.
Waiting: Not very patiently, and with a great deal of excitement for our upcoming trip back to England in December.
Liking: Starting to do some work from home for a few hours a week and earn a little money again.
Wondering: When Pearl's first tooth will decide to arrive because it feels like she's been teething forever with nothing to show for it yet.
Loving: The warmer, lighter evenings.
Considering: An attempt at baking a loaf of sourdough bread.
Watching: Recorded episodes of George Clarke's Amazing Spaces.
Marvelling: At the garden bursting into Spring bloom. Every morning we wake to discover that a new plant has flowered.
Needing: More hours in the day.
Smelling: Pearl's little head, to get my fix of that new baby smell before it disappears.
Following: Along as this lady rocks her minimalist wardrobe and feeling inspired to do the same.
Admiring: Anyone who manages top get out of the house in the mornings without leaving the place looking like it's been burgled.
Buying: A few Christmas presents for the girls, including this book and these storytelling dice for Lila, so that we don't bankrupt ourselves in December.
Noticing: I really need to re-paint my toenails and get a fringe trim so I can actually see again.
Getting: The house decluttered by purging it of things we no longer need or don't actually use. It's a never-ending process.
Bookmarking: This list of Ways to be Kind to Your Children. Because lately I feel like I've been tired and snappy with them too often.
Disliking: The constant stream of illness that has rampaged through our household non-stop during the colder months. Please let it be over now!
Opening: A frighteningly big electricity bill that we managed to rack up over the Winter. Vowing that I will make everyone wear three jumpers each next Winter and never turn the heating on.
Laughing: At Rose and the way she says 'I-chair' instead of high chair and how she informs me that her hands have gone all 'sprinkly' after spending too long in the bath.
Feeling: Tired but happy.
Snacking: On bowls of chopped fruit mixed with natural Greek yoghurts, a handful of almonds and a drizzle of honey.
Wishing: That we had a dishwasher. Three children and no dishwasher is not a situation I could recommend to anyone.
Coveting: A new pair of summer sandals. There's a pair of Birks in my online shopping cart patiently waiting for payday.
Hearing: The girls playing outside together in the garden
Looking: Forward to getting back in the water and reacquainted with my surfboard again over the next few months.
Feeling: Virtuous that we've finally started using cloth nappies with Pearl, and guilty that we didn't with the other two, but all that washing whilst living in tiny apartments and homes with no drying space was just not feasible.
Hoping: to make a Saturday morning yoga class a regular thing. I've managed to get there the past three weekends and I've been feeling so much better because of it.
Wearing: A lot of outfits revolving around black skinny jeans, Breton striped t-shirts and a chambray shirt because it's easy and requires little effort. Thinking I should apply a dab of red lip stain to try and avoid looking completely like a boy, but usually forgetting.
Reminding: myself that I have a lot to be thankful for.

Pictures...the beautiful pink king proteas currently gracing our table...the mobile I made to hang above Pearl's cot...a newly flowering geranium....a newly sitting Pearl discovering grass for the first time...my vision of a wooden fence with climbing flowers growing up it is slowly coming to fruition.

on the radar

I'm working my way through an endless pile of laundry, making frantic lists and packing in preparation for our holiday. We fly to South Africa on Saturday and there seems so much to be done before then. Travelling with kids (especially for a three week trip) just requires such an enormous amount of planning and stuff. We spoke to Curt's parents on Skype last night and there has been something of a heat wave in Durban the past few days so looks like we should be in for some sun. Maybe even in the UK too if I'm lucky :) It's exciting to dig out all my summer clothes again after being jeans and knitwear clad for the past few months of the Australian winter. I've got to get back to the grindstone but here are some things that have caught my eye over the past few days...

I've always been an advocate of the 'no regrets' school of thought, so I am seriously coveting one of these awesome posters by Sarah & Bendrix (pictured above) to adorn the walls of of new home. Avaliable here from their Etsy shop. Translation from French to English: No, I regret nothing.

This one below is awfully romantic too...

I can't get enough of this lady's effortless, laid back style of late. Love.

The work of Australian artist Belinda Fox is magical and mesmerising. If I was to start seriously investing in an art collection, I can't think of a better place to start. See more on her website.

wishlist #4: the wear it edition

some things I like a lot.

Baxter skinny jeans in Dirty Raspberry// Topshop

Ballerina metal toe cap cream flats//Zara

Gretchen Mini clutch// Miller and Jeeves

Handmade bead necklace//Not Tuesday

love her look

I'm very inspired to rock this gorgeous, vintage inspired hair and make up look during the party season. That red lip is just the right amount of festive. The good news is that there is a brilliant tutorial on exactly how to do it here. Yay :)

Via Miss Moss

the dreamiest of dresses

Take note all brides to be! I've fallen head over heels with these beautiful wedding dresses by French designer Laure De Sagazan. They would be perfect for someone looking for a romantic, understated and ultra feminine dress. They could totally work for other occasions too (see how I'm trying to justify buying one some day, despite the fact I'm already married). Though definitely avoid wearing one as a wedding guest unless you want to completely upstage the bride ;)

Discovered via A Cup of Jo

wishlist #3

Finders Keepers Telling Tales top- This Summery little number would look equally good with a pair of denim cut-offs or dressed up for after dark with some tight cropped trousers and statement heels.

Revlon Just Bitten Lip Stain & Balm- Seeing as my daily make-up routine is low maintenance to say the least these days (read: moisturiser, concealer, a dust of mineral powder and some blush) dual purpose products are king and I like the look of this flattering shade.

Donna Hay Fast, Fresh, Simple- The latest tome by the Australian cooking maestro and food stylist. I've been watching the accompanying TV series and these recipes are seriously good (and fast, fresh and simple).

Frankie 2012 Daily Journal- Though I usually try and use the calendar on my ipad for day to day scheduling, I still love carrying around a paper diary in my bag to scribble down appointments and reminders, especially when it's one as pretty as this.

the great gatsby

Getting very excited about these pictures from the set of The Great Gatsby which is currently being filmed in Australia. It is one of my all time favourite books and I can't wait to see director Baz Luhrmanns take on it. If you haven't read it yet, now is the time! All of Fitzgerald's novels are classics. The casting looks promising with Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby, the enchanting Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan and Tobey Maguire as Nick Carraway, the story's narrator. Other cast members include Australian supermodel Gemma Ward (pictured in the sparkling ensemble below) and red headed bombshell Isla Fisher.

The roaring '20's were the decadent decade of dapper gentlemen, glitz, glamour and good times and the fabulous costumes will no doubt be influencing how we will be dressing next year, as already evidenced in a number of collections for Spring/Summer 2012 from designers including Ralph Lauren, Gucci and Alberta Ferretti. Bring it on.

Images from Daily Mail and Grazia UK

a forever dress

Wouldn't it be wonderful to make, or if like me your sewing skills currently aren't really quite up to it- buy, a couple of exquisite, classic, enduring garments for you child which would be worn and dearly loved and could then be passed down to other siblings and then future generations. Family heirlooms that could be discovered in an ancient trunk in the attic in ninety years, carefully unwrapped from faded tissue paper.

I remember my Mum once sewed me a long sleeved Winter dress from fabric covered with red roses that was passed down to my sister, then my cousin Natacha and eventually her little sister Zoe. By that point it was probably getting a little shabby but we all adored it equally and have photos of each of us proudly wearing it. I must ask if it is still in existence now so Lila and Rose could have their turn but I fear it may have been loved to pieces and relegated to a cleaning rag by now.

These four garments have been created for the Anthropologie children's collection by Handmade Charlotte and they are exactly the kind of forever pieces that I'm talking about. Garments that will never date and are beautifully crafted with hand embroidery, applique and intricate attention to detail. I would never usually spend so much on a piece of children's clothing but these are more like little worksof art. They may have even inspired me enough to consider digging out the sewing machine from the garage one day and putting in some hours of practice to make something special for my girls.

This peacock coat (above) is a real show stopper but I am also very taken with the green dress.

Discovered via Design Mom.

back to the 40's

The 1940's are having a fashion moment this upcoming Autumn/Winter season and I couldn't be happier about it. I've long admired the look of this era- all printed tea dresses, leather gloves, perfectly waved hair and red lips. I've even been known to embrace entire films solely because of their fabulous forties costumes, yes The Edge of Love, I'm talking about you. I'm throughly enjoying soaking up all the chic eye candy coming to the fore in magazine editorials such as these (which I found over atDust Jacket Attic). If they feature grand country houses then even better.

The Glitter Guide has also put together a darling 1940's style shopping roundup which can be seen here- the red dress has stolen my heart in a rather large way I must admit. I think I may have to make a place for it in my wardrobe.

Image credits: Top set of images photographed by Andreas Ohlund for Elle Sweden.

Images above photographed by Tom Craig for Vogue Russia.

wish list #2

CURRENTLY COVETING...

Bracelet by dullDiamond- Love the pop of colour in this wooden bracelet to brighten up Spring outfits.

True British book- The new coffee table tome by UK fashion designer Alice Temperley, covering the development of her style and the growth of her mega successful company. I've long been a fan of her glamorous, bohemian designs and admired the way she has created a highly desirable brand epitomising her own enviable lifestyle.

Love pillowcase set from Not On The High Street- A sweet, affordable way to spruce up the bedroom.

Swimsuit by ASOS- I've been a bikini wearer for the past couple of decades but this retro number might just be the one to tempt me back into a swimsuit this Summer.