Orla Kiely charity shopping tote

Tesco is not my supermarket of choice, so it was possible that the recently issued a charity shopping tote designed for them by Orla Kiely would have passed me by if it weren't for one of my sisters-in-law. Thank you Rachael!

This is the first design in a range which will follow in 2011. They're limited and cost £4.00, with 50p being split between two charities (children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent and Orla’s personal charity which funds bursaries for textile students at the Royal College of Art).

Sufjan Stevens Presents Songs for Christmas part 6

Happy Christmas and all good wishes for 2011 and, whatever it may bring, I hope at least some of it is what you wish for!

Sufjan Stevens Presents Songs for Christmas part 5

Sufjan Stevens Presents Songs for Christmas part 4

Sufjan Stevens Presents Songs for Christmas part 3

Sufjan Stevens Presents Songs for Christmas part 2

Sufjan Stevens Presents Songs for Christmas

I've been playing Songs for Christmas to Milo during our play time recently. It's a wonderful festive collection of tunes from Sufjan Stevens which always gets a good airing at this time of year in our house. Until Christmas Day I thought I'd share some of my favourites...

Few & Far

Photos of me are few and far between, especially full length ones, but P managed to sneak this one of me today admiring the festive wreaths at Maltby Street this morning. Unusual for me to say about a photo of me but I kind of like it.

Maltby Street

This morning, just as the snow started to fall, we took a short walk from home to Maltby Street for coffee (two each as one is never enough) and the best custard doughnuts you will ever taste, seriously. It's a place we visit often on Saturday mornings, but today, in the snow, it felt a little magical.

And, as a day like today requires the very best of treats, we stopped by Violet Cakes to buy a slice of ginger molasses cake and a pumpkin whoopie pie from Claire Ptak, who is very nice indeed. The samples of her candid peel were delicious!

Do take the time to visit this wonderful collection of London's finest food retailers in our corner of Bermondsey. They're open for Christmas this coming Thursday, 9.00 am to 3.00 pm.

10 Years

Dear P

Can you believe that it's 10 years today since our first date and 3 years since you became my husband?

There are many reasons why, without a doubt, you're my perfect match and I feel privileged to have spent the last 3,652 days with you by my side.

Milo and I are so lucky to be your family.

Happy anniversary Winks, I love sharing my life with you.

X

A new toy

Received in the post today, this Sophie la Girafe rattle from Vuli has been a huge success with my little man.

Happy Birthday Margaret

Today one of my oldest and dearest friends turns 40... just 5 months ahead of me.

Happy birthday Margaret, enjoy your day!






















Me and Margaret on my wedding day, 8 December 2007.

Milo's Chair

Here's the chair I mentioned in my recent post about Robin Day. An original Hille manufactured chair from the 1960s, won for 99p on ebay.

Pirate

Yesterday, our very good friends Stephen and Christophe came for lunch and brought with them this lovely gift for Milo, a Carlton Ware Pirate money box.

Thank you very much dear boys... x

Cushions

Back in February I received a beautiful gift of toadstool fabric from Lisa, of Krims Krams blog. It has taken a while, but the fabric has been turned in to a comfy cushion (by P's Aunty Joan) which now resides on our Arka chair.

There was also some fabric left over from Milo's nursery blind, so we have two new cushions made from that too!

Robin Day

In the week when I won my 99p starting bid on a navy blue child's Robin Day designed, Hille manufactured, polypropylene stacking chair, I was very sad to learn that the greatest of British designers has passed away, in the same year as his wife Lucienne, aged 95.

We also have a white Polo Sled chair which is a dream to sit in and, until we have more space at home, lives at P's studio.

Images:
1. Robin Day Poly Armchair from John Lewis
2. our Polo Sled chair
3. Reusable 2010 Tote Bag by Barber Osgerby at Twentytwentyone
4. Hillestack chair via the Design Museum
5. Days Forum 2 seater sofa at Habitat
6. Dining Chair at Habitat
7. Tricorne tray at Twentytwentyone
8. Festival of Britain coffee table found at Design Addict
9. stacking chairs found on the RCA website
10. Form Seat with Lucienne Day fabric found at Design Addict

FLATOUTbear

Of all the gifts Milo received when he was born, his favourite by far is his bear, which my parents gave to him.

The bear in question is a FLATOUTbear, made from 100% Australian sheepskin.

Affectionately named Rocky Dennis by me and P, it's the best thing for comforting Milo when he is over-tired or just a little grumpy. Rocky Dennis travels with us everywhere, even though I am a little allergic to him.

Visit Seventy Tree if you would like the opportunity to win something lovely.

Globe chandelier

I absolutely love this globe chandelier, found at Åpent hus.

Letters

TOP: Hand printed letter postcards; consonants black, vowels red; £3.00 each; Labour and Wait

BOTTOM: Make your own words plaster letters; £4.00-£9.00 each; Shelf

Bust of a Child

On a recent trip to Tate to see Ai Weiwei's Sunflower Seeds, a rather dapper French gent approached me in the shop to say that he thought Milo looked like Paul Klee's painting 'Bust of a Child' (1933)... I can see why.

Milo's things

For a very small boy, Milo already owns lots of things. Some new (gifts from family and friends) and some old (my Snoopy and dolls house, which I've had since I was 5, to name a few). Here's some of Milo's things...