London Southern Belle

Sneak Peek

I've been in complete nesting mode and wanted to share with you what has been in the making! A little treasure box for the twins. I'm so pleased!

First view as you walk upstairs towards the babies room....

Hello, Mr Wikkerty the Owl! (named by handsome man 'o mine himself)....

A place to lay their sweet little heads.....

Can you solve the mystery?

Any crafty readers out there? This crafty mama-to-be is wanting to pinch a few pennies (not to mentioned you do not need a £40 mobile to stimulate a baby, right?) and create baby mobiles for the twins BUT I am puzzled as to what type of wire is used? Any ideas?

*Update:  Anna has on her clever clogs today! She solved the mystery! A 'photo mobile' can be used by replacing photos with circles of your choice cut from card stock. No messing about with floristry wire (which is what I was originally going to try!) Cheers Anna!

My Entry

My photo entry for a 'LOVE' themed competition for American Expats forum.

In twenty-nine years I can remember eating one banana. Ever. And, on Monday of last week, I was craving them like mad. I have once everyday, since. I lurve 'em!

Cat lady

I suppose the simple pleasures in life are what count - a nice cuppa', warm socks, Cath Kidston fabric for small projects, a day trip with handsome man 'o mine and a couple of furry cats purring perfectly. I feel like the neighborhood cat lady most days with my two purr-pals, but they make me incredibly happy.

Pippi [with one orange stripey leg! so cute.] is settling in well.She spends most days straddling the radiator consuming as much heat as humanly kitten-ly possible. I cannot say I blame her. She is my kind of girl - enjoys warmth, sunshine and napping on expensive bedding. I feel with the gray days we are experiencing here in England, we may need a holiday soon.  Pippi is quickly approaching her 3rd month of life and I feel her home with us suits her well. Mau Mau has taken to the kitten happily which puts our mind at ease. Handsome man 'o mine spend a lot of time scooping poop from the litter tray yet, I see it as practice for what we hope to come later this year. The upside is that a scoop will not be needed.

Embracing my inner Martha

Eventful weekend. I am learning to sew. No, even better - I am teaching myself to sew. As I am swiftly approaching my 29th birthday and realizing I have yet to even warm up the sewing machine I bought with last year's birthday vouchers from John Lewis, I had an epiphany - Being able to sew on a button is just not that impressive. So, I embraced a trip to a local craft shop full of fabrics and eager crafters and took the plunge. I bought fabric. It was exhilarating.

Thanks to the [ever so talented so much better than Martha softie doll creator extraordinaire] Hillary Lang of Wee Wonderfuls, I was able to create my first softie - a bunny. The pattern booklet arrived in the mail last week and the glossy pages of creations-to-be excited me to no end. The clincher? I had no idea where to even begin.

Firstly, hats off to handsome man 'o mine. He taught me to use my new sewing machine. Did I mention the man cooks, cleans, makes my lunch daily and irons my work clothes? Yes, every single day. And, no you may not rent him and no he is definitely not gay. He is something closely resembling perfection and I am completely smitten as a kitten. I can say that he grew up with a grandmother that  knitted his action men sweaters and she definitely had sewing machines in use throughout his childhood. It was his mum that taught me last Christmas to knit. I reminded him how fortunate he is to have had this teaching despite being more interested in football and making hot air balloons out of trash bags and small explosives. My own mother was more interested in bowling and playing bunko. I cannot say I blame her and my father for leaving us with babysitters - we were an unruly pair growing up. Starving for attention more than anything.

Mechanics aside, I managed to trace over my newly expiring bunny pattern and cut out the patterns. By this time, pink softness and tiny fleece shoes were taking shape and I could barely contain myself.
My project ended with many hiccups but I consider it a trial run. And for a first creation ever, even as a profectionist, I am pleased. By easter, I hope to have perfected a little bunny that my niece may call her own - it will fit perfectly with a set of my favorite series of children's books called Lettuce the Rabbit by Mandy Stanley.

I may just have embraced my inner Martha Stewart. 

Baby Goodness

My husband's best friend and wife just had their first child. A baby boy. He is the utter most perfect little life I have laid eyes on. Because they are incredibly special and have always done so much for us, we wanted to give them a thoughtful gift. As they have chosen to live an "organic lifestyle" and are leery of additives in foods, I felt a "baby food making" basket (a la Martha Stewart) would be the perfect gift! It is useful plus thoughtful.

The verdict: She likes loves it.

Create your own "Baby Food Making" Basket:
Lined Basket. I found this sweet basket lined in tan linen with the word "BABY" embroidered on the side. Tres sweet!
"Feeding Your Baby & Toddler" by Annabell Karmel. This book is fantastic and is full of dietary information for children as well as yummy baby food recipes including homemade purees.
Mini blender.  Compact and easy to clean.
Spatula. I searched high and low for a slotted spatula. I never did find one.
Baby spoons & bowls
Baby bibs
Muslin cloths
Food containers
Labels
Strainer
Hand soap
Tea Towels

Handsome man of mine was very hesitant to hold Joe however, after reassuring him, "I will teach you how to old him properly," he gave in. It was endearing to see him holding a tiny life with such care. I would say that it was written in the stars for him to be a father. It suits him to perfection. If only.

Simplify your holiday planning

Planning the festivities can be an extremely daunting task each year. The buying of presents, the thoughtful label that accompanies the shiny wrapping paper, Christmas cards to sign, updated mailing addresses to remember and the countless dinner parties and festivities to attend - it is enough to create a whirl-wind of panic attacks lasting only minutes on the grand scale of life, but is enough to make us want to pull our hair out.

Cast your cares away holiday planners! Thanks to Ready Set Holiday , you may use a well presented spreadsheet tool that simplifies your festivity planning from the largest of tasks such as creating a holiday budget to the tiniest of details of who you sent a Christmas card to and if they returned the favor!

You won't forget that all important beauty appointment before a glittery evening with friends or groceries to buy in order to fulfill your Christmas day menu with the help of this spreadsheet! Click here, to download it now and keep track through the new year!

PS- Feel free to add my birthday - 29th Jan *wink*

of course children deliver mail in the moonlight riding a red robin

The latest artwork, soon to dazzle the walls in my room thanks to Inside A Black Apple. Are these not magical?