14/52

"A portrait of my daughter, once a week every week in 2014".

Her bed is always filled with books. She falls asleep surrounded by them and they're the first thing she takes from the shelf when she wakes. Our little bookworm. 

Taking part in Jodi's 52 Project.

Moccasins c/o Amy and Ivor

CHILDHOOD FAVOURITES: great story/sweet style

It makes me so happy to see how much Josephine loves books. Whether it's a picture book in her toy box (cardboard only as she's still chewing everything she gets her hands on!) that she'll sit and flick through quietly on her own, or the stories we read together in the afternoon or at bedtime.

Of course, right now, it's up to Ben and I to choose which books we read to Phiney and we're loving the opportunity to re-discover our own childhood favourites. For both of us the beautiful stories by Shirley Hughes and Janet and Allan Ahlberg bring back fond memories and have been the first picked from the bookshelf.

Looking at these books now it's not just the story that I'm enjoying, it's the illustrations and style of the characters too. Traditional children's clothes - think homemade knits, t-bar leather shoes, sweet little dresses and woollen bonnets all of which are offering some fantastic winter wardrobe inspiration - as well as beautiful toys and prams, and real and endearing family scenes that are lovely to see. And that make these classic reads as enjoyable as ever.

Josephine's favourites? Peepo, of course, and The Baby Catalogue. Our cardboard copy of the latter is, as you can see, much loved :)

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Finally getting round to posting some of my beautiful Christmas presents; this year I really scored, with pieces from lovely shops and designers.

It's not hard to work out what my two favourite colours are right now, although I have to admit it wasn't until I gathered everything to take these pictures that I realised to what extent. And the blue velvet cushion? I bought the makings for that with some Christmas money after this lady inspired me with these beauties. I would have chosen it in green or pink (I'm also loving a bit of neon right now) but the fabric shop near us is hardly velvet central. The blue looks pretty rockin' on our bed though I have to say, and I'm pleased with my first attempt at a round cushion.

The Boy did especially well with my awesome Donna Wilson cushion and Scandinavian style wooden bird, but my favourite present has to be Rob Ryan's A Sky Full of Kindness. I read it on Christmas Day morning as we lazed around in bed and it's the most beautiful story. I am thankful everyday that I have Ben, now more than ever, and can never quite believe that I lucked out in finding him. A girl has to treasure a boy whose present choices are so spot on.

AND still to come ... a few Paumes books and the new Milk Decoration from this newly discovered and absolutely brilliant online store, courtesy of my Mum. I like to spread the receiving of gifts out a bit!

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Thankfully the OSG’s are casting their magic touch this way too and I’ve bagged some pretty awesome books (among other things) over the last few weeks. There were a few more I would have loved to get my hands on but boy oh boy these places like to charge a lot sometimes. There was one particular Dick Bruna alphabet book that had such awesome illustrations, but at £20 and with the thought of little grabby hands in my mind, I quickly returned it to the shelf.

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Some weeks are full of good things and some full of bad (well, a bit poo at least). This week was a mixed bag.

Bad things this week:

• Our four month old washing machine broke.
• The engineer isn't calling me until Monday to book a time to come look at it, so who knows when it will be fixed.
• The washing basket lid no longer fits, it's bulging that much.
• My lovely work colleague who was unselfishly giving me lifts home from work, and saving me a second half hour trek a day, has been off ill all week and I actually pulled my leg muscles from all the walking.
• On Tuesday I slipped on a paving slab in the rain and pulled my back horribly. Rain sucks.

Good things this week (because it's always better to end on a positive note):

• My Mum has a washing machine and is a part-time launderette in her spare time. For my sister mostly, but now also for us. Thanks Mum!
• No washing = no ironing. Always a silver lining, right
• The Baby's library is starting to grow, with the addition of this book.
• Our local junk shop is a treasure trove complete with chest of drawers for the nursery (£5) and Ercol dining chairs (£4 each.)
• Tomorrow we head to the circus with those little nephews of ours. They should feel quite at home with some crazy clowns.
• Our eBay score of the month (an Ergo baby carrier, used once, bought for the grand sum of £50) arrived yesterday. B pranced about (no joke) with it on for ages. And then we got all sentimental about when the time comes that our little one is snoozing in there.
• The Belly continues to grow and kick and bring plenty of smiles.

And that's all we need really. That makes it a good week.

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Some rather lovely things that are making me a happy bunny today and cheering up the day. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the day a little brighter. Something I’ve noticed more and more recently. Maybe it’s the little hands and feet knocking me in the belly that remind me the best things always come in small packages.

Firstly is this beautiful book. I saw a copy in a store in town and had to grab it. It’s basically how I want our house to be. Plus it’s written by Emily Chalmers, the owner of Caravan. Such a cool shop. The gal knows what she’s talking about.

Next is this awesome package from Kelly. The magnetic buttons are making their way to the fridge right now and I’m trying to decide whether to use the card and label or just keep them for myself. Thank you lovely Kelly.

A few days ago I got a message from Hinke, letting me know she was showcasing some of my Happy Circus booties on her blog. I was so happy to receive such a note, as it led me back to House of Hink. A beautiful blog from another corner of the world. Go check it out.

Another bundle of treats from the knitting machine that is my Mum, including these dungarees which are up there with my favourite pieces for the baby. And she made the pattern up as she went along. We’re building some ideas for her additions to Happy Circus and I think these have made the grade.

And this brilliant card, drawn by my sister and sent to us from her crazy rattakins to say thank you for the new cage B grabbed off the forums at work for a bargain price. Apparently Bette, Diane and Goldie are loving the extension to their home. Name explanation? Dora and I love the movie First Wives Club.

Oh, and thank you for the brilliant comments on our nappy quandary. It was so good to read some first-hand reviews and find out what works and what doesn’t. What fabulously helpful readers I have. Don’t go anywhere…your services may be required again.