Wished & gifted

This is decidedly a list of things on my wish list. I'm therefore placing a disclaimer that it's not a general list of things I think would suit a category (for the guys, girls, moms, cooks etc.). It is simply a collection of things that caught and held my magpie eye. For the inexpensive to the unattainable and everything in between.

Logifaces concrete minimalist puzzle because when a game is this pretty I'm might get over my group games phobia. Not one, not two but three fabulous gifts spotted at Dutch Design Year; a do-it-yourself small light gift that is perfect for highlighting other treasures such as the faceted ceramic ring and abstract brass sculpture. By far the spanning the highest price award this grey horsehair trolley that transforms into a handbag from Jannissima for if I ever get to take that luxurious midweek break..

The only bugs I want to see in my kitchen; the insect tea towels from Mae Engelgeer. Two books I spotted at Dutch Design Week; Paris Designers and their Interiors & Northern Delights. A delicately scented body mist with peaches, flowers and musk because I love sliding into bed dreamlike. As the body mist another little gem from &Other Stories in the form of a make-up brush so pretty it calls out to sit on my equally pretty jewellery cupboard. Last but not least a replacement for my headphones who are so busted from six months of work-outs that replacement outside of exercise is inevitable..so why get the prettiest, shiniest of lovelies; The Frends Taylor in rose gold..

Read more

Matched

While I'm still procrastinating about clearing out my closet, meaning pushing it further back to Christmas break, I am slowly building a new wardrobe, one that fits. Not only with the look that feels like me but one that simply fits. And pants are hard to get a good fit on and where weight gain or lost is most apparent. But I tried these two while getting some extra winter gear for the kids and loved them first go. Both cropped because that little bit of ankle, especially in winter, gives a bit of sex amongst the sweaters. What can I say, there has to be a wee bit of bring it!

The first look is an evening look, nothing too flash or overt but fitted and striking. All black, textural, with one statement piece of jewellery. Red lippy, swept back messy bun and we're good to go..out. Pants, shoes, top and necklace.

The second look is a look I am appreciating more and more; relaxed. What I love about this one is that the pants are actually really dressy which makes the combo more interesting. I wear them with my Hello Kitty Vans and H&M Studio zipped polo sweater unzipped and love it. This is a more upscale version of that look. Pictured with a pair of grey (or winter black) Nike Rosherun trainers, a bolt cuff and a luscious relaxed fit fine knit in prune with zips that go from side of the waist, over the shoulders, to the neck.

Read more

Woodlands

A week later and the hall now has a Christmas feel. You, and by that I mean myself, might not like the icy cold of winter but you have to love the cosy look of this season. Plaids, throws, cushion, candles and all in natural, earthy muted tones. For me all the more reason to make the first stop a warm one.

Mixing some new and old things together, it is all about natural texture with a cool postcard print for a bit of cheek..if I can find it, there will be a sprig of mistletoe above my door. Now I'm off to write Santa asking for the obligatory hottie for under my mistletoe..



Have a great week!

Read more

Schedule

First week of December down..Christmas is that much closer. The lights are up in the neighbourhood, which is a gleeful surprise every time my kids sit in the car..but I am as enchanted as they are. Decorations are going up around our home, gifts are being wrapped and hidden. And this week two of the three posts are about my kind of Christmas..

• A peek at some of the decorations with a woodsy feel.
• An idea board for wearing some new pieces a bit differently.
• And a list that I would love for Santa to make come true!

• And last post of the week; bringing sexy back.. a happy, feisty, smiling, smoking Santa's helper!

Signed 

xxx-Santa's helper-xxx

Read more

The F's

Thanksgiving was a little over a week ago and is a holiday I have only celebrated once. Of course in the US with turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberries. But that's not what I remember best. What stuck with me was how desperate and upset colleagues were when flights got cancelled due to snow and they might not be able to get home to their families. The warmth of colleagues to make it a good day for us foreigners despite longing to be with their own family. How grateful everyone seemed, how warmth it felt despite the icy temperatures. It's still what I think when I see all the posts about how to..prep a turkey, bake the bird, make the pumpkin pie and decorate the table. So it got me thinking what am I thankful for? 

Okay, some of my favourite F-words are not in here..like food and fashion (hey, get your mind out of the bowl). But seriously these are what matter to me, what I am thankful for and what I strive for. No doubt, it has been a tough year but that those not mean it was not worthwhile.

The fun has been a bit low (actually near non-eistent) but I'm starting to build that in and I do enjoy the fun times I have, no matter how small. Simple joys like going to the Uni campus on a Starbucks run or tex-mexing with the Friday crew. Or just making a batch of popcorn and watching Indiana Jones for the umpteenth time on Friday night. 

Family is core. I think most would agree but if you have ever had to do without, didn't grow from a nest to give you wings and roots then you know. My social butterfly and spicy tamale are the apples of my eye and have a different nest that I had pictured but still a warm, happy and large one and that was my greatest wish for them since before there was a single cell. My big sis who was my rock when I was little and again now, because I was such an awkward outcast and still a late learner. But what I learnt now was not to be so strict. Your family is ever growing and changing. The work-family that helped me when I was in the US, the Friday crew that make me smile and laugh when I forget how. The trainer who lends supports to the steps but also the person stepping. The yogi who never mentions my silent sobs in the meditation but just rests reassuring hands on my shoulders till my sobs become peaceful breaths. Those who offer me ticket home for the holidays, let me do the horribly ugly cry, give me a shoulder to rest on, offer to take me bowling (which I suck majorly at) or simply said they were thinking of me. Not necessarily my family, but those who show what family, what being a friend, what being a person is about. Family implies a certain selflessness, a level of affection and humanity that we sadly don't show enough in this world. When you are less concerned with being considered a good person and more with being one, esp. when hard, uncomfortable, inappropriate they give. Those rushing home for Thanksgiving were not doing so for eating the turkey but because family are the ones who make it worth the trip, whether there is a turkey or gift. Those are the ones that give you roots and wings, no matter if you're old as...

I longed to be free. I remember when I was maybe three of four and had to go back to the baby bed for visiting family, oh how trapped I felt. Even when I was little, no matter how shy and quiet, I had my inner drummer and wanted to go by that beat. I couldn't at the time and for many years after. After college, in work and life I still struggled to play my beat out loud. Everyone has expectations and ideas and I tried to follow what I thought those were above my own. I now follow me, my soul, my beat. My beat is me, sometimes soft, sometimes crazy energetic, sometimes downright wild, sometimes hurt, sometimes pensive but never hidden. That is my freedom; to be myself, to let it beat & to follow that beat..my inner rhythm and boy can I shake my tailfeathers on my beat!

Do what makes you happy? I do what fulfils me. I am busy, making the fun less than desired but I am mostly busy with the things that give me fulfilment. I love baking with the kids, working on this blog, making my home sing and especially whipping my body into a sweaty athletic lather. It's more than happy, it is fulfilment that makes me do it all again the next week. What else keeps you going when there is a cost? If you had to work for fun, they how often would you choose it? What keeps me choosing the things I choose, makes me set my alarm for 6am on weekends, start each day with push-ups and end them with planks is fulfilment; satisfaction and appreciation. I feel fulfilled and that is an amazing feeling. 

Read more

Autumn pie; peaches, blueberries & booze

Yes, I remember saying that I was exiting food off the blog but heck we all have to eat, right? I bake alot, mostly for the kids meaning loads of cupcakes and cookies. This week I wanted something a bit more grown-up. Something warming because it is actually kind of cold out and I despise layers so I need that warmth shot when I get in.

I had a batch of rum soaked blueberries in the fridge, a can of peaches in the cupboard and a container of leftover bottle of muscat in the fridge. Combined together and I get a free form rustic peach and blueberry  pie. A super thick, almost cake-like crust, soft caramelised muscat peaches with a boozeberries pick me up. Drizzled with a creamy cinnamon glaze for extra autumnal warm, it’s like summer and autumn's lovechild. Joined by a big glass of fresh mint and lime tea because I love unexpected combo's. , it’s best eaten warm on the couch, under a soft blanket and wearing woolly socks. 

It's now almost too warm..but I have one peach dripping in caramel stashed away for an ice cream treat and the blueberry infused rum will make a great cocktail. Is it weekend yet?

Read more