INSPIRED: amy & ivor

It's hard not to be impressed with the amazing success Alice at Amy and Ivor has had. I've written about her beautiful Moccasins here, and whilst Josephine spent the summer wearing hers everywhere (getting compliments and enquiries about where they're from wherever we went) Coralie's are taking her into the winter and look gorgeous. This tiny pair of the palest grey are now a little too small, but we have a cinnamon pair just waiting to be tried out, thank goodness.

As a newly launched businesswoman (that sounds kinda funny!), I'm so taken by how Alice has taken her company to the next level. She's a really lovely person and has a wonderful product, and is inspiring me so much right now.



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"A portrait of our daughters, once a week every week in 2014".

Josephine: Sometimes it's the details I want to remember. The pushed up sleeve, the little turned out feet, that sweet polka dot skirt.

Coralie: Nanny-made booties, worn in a variety of colour, almost everyday. They're the best.

Taking part in Jodi's 52 Project.

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"A portrait of our daughters, once a week every week in 2014".

Josephine: Reading a Dutch magazine that incudes some of my photographs! She was rather bemused to see herself in a magazine and hasn't stopped 'reading' it.  

 

Coralie: Grabbing, reaching, eating her toes. Always.  

 

Taking part in Jodi's 52 Project.

 

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"A portrait of our daughters, once a week every week in 2014".

Josephine & Coralie: Is there really anything as sweet as matching sibling outfits?!

Taking part in Jodi's 52 Project.

 

  

 

NELL MALLIA PHOTOGRAPHY

Last summer I attended Tim Coulson's workshop in London and it changed the way I thought about the pictures I was taking. A real passion for photography had grown inside me over the previous couple of years and, listening to Tim, I realised that this was something I'd love to do professionally. I decided on the way home from London that I was going to snap, snap, snap away and one day I'd launch my own business and see where it would take me.

Today is that day, and I'm so happy to be introducing Nell Mallia Photography.

Since that hot July day, my life has changed in ways I could never have anticipated. Not in a million years. The following month we found out we were pregnant again. Then my Dad died, and then Coralie arrived. It's been a year like no other I've experienced. The highest of highs and lowest of lows. But through it all I knew I wanted, at some point, to pursue this photography dream. And as the weeks after my Dad died turned to months, and the babymoon haze lifted, I started taking pictures again and made a start on my website.

Inspired, always, by my beautiful Dad. By his passion for life. And by wanting to make him proud. And by wanting to be as inspirational a parent for our girls, as he was for me.

As with any big step and new venture, it's exciting and terrifying all at the same time. I'd love to hear what you think, and would really appreciate it if you could hope over to Facebook and like my page.

Here's to seizing life, living it to the full and following your dreams.

INSTA-SEPTEMBER

1. Admiring my two year old's unique sense of style. This kid is so awesome.
2. Love this face to the stars and back; her 'why?' face! Questioning why the graffiti in the tunnel on the walk to the canal and been painted over. As always, no answer we could give would suffice!
3. My mama and Coralie, watching the hot air balloons this afternoon xx
4. One year ago today my Dad took Josephine and I to a sweet little farm where we looked at the animals, played in the park and ate yummy food. We laughed so much. It was the last time I saw him in person, he went to Australia 2 days later. Today Ben and I took the girls back there, talked all about Grandpa and had a lovely day. I can't believe it's been a year since I got a cuddle from my dad. I miss him so much, today and always. Love you Daddy xxxxx
5. Cousins :)
6. Coralie, by Josephine :)
7. Happy Mondays
8. Baby toes are hard to beat. So teeny, so cute
9. I love seeing Coralie in the clothes Josephine wore when she was
10. Some morning hand holding :)

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"A portrait of our daughters, once a week every week in 2014".

Josephine: Sometimes an over-exposed shot is actually rather glorious. My girl in the sunshine.

 

Coralie: Already so used to having her photo taken - by me or Josephine!

 

Taking part in Jodi's 52 Project.

 

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"A portrait of our daughters, once a week every week in 2014".

Josephine: Josephine in Autumn, 2014. Josephine in Autumn, 2013 here.

Coralie: Such a frowner. Just like her Mama.

 

Taking part in Jodi's 52 Project.

INSPIRED: robin & mould

My sweet friend Amy, half of the super cool Robin and Mould, gave the girls some of their awesome cushions when Coralie was born and they have become favourites in our household. Josephine takes her hedgehog cushion to bed every night, and Coralie's cat regularly takes part in tea parties, trips to the 'park' and boat journeys across the sea.

Just a little shout out for an awesome Mama (and Papa) doing such awesome things creatively. The beginning of a new series celebrating some of the brilliant designers, photographers and writers who are inspiring me right now.

Check out their shop here. Beautiful colours and prints and perfect presents for Christmas.  

GEORGE HOME: my wishlist

On the tight budget that we're on, I'm always on the lookout for pieces for our home that offer good value for money. Absolutely I'd love to shop with independent brands making handcrafted items all the time, and yes I agree with buying less rubbish and spending more on quality items; but you know what, you can find some lovely pieces in unexpected places too that, importantly, look great and won't blow the budget.

Supermarkets are one such place, where you can find a little bit of treasure amongst the milk and frozen pizza, and the new ranges at George Home are particularly nice.

As I'm sure is the case for most parents out there, when you have a spare bit of cash it tends to go on the children, and there are certainly a few lovely pieces the would be quite at home in Josephine's room (sometime soon to be 'the girl's room'!)

Firstly, in the Kid's Room section, I love this toy box. It's clean and simple style is timeless and will grow with the girls as they get older. Plus, you can never have too much storage as for as I'm concerned.

There is also a really wonderful selection of wooden toys, perfect for (dare I say it) Christmas. From farm set to pirate ships, and the sweetest shop and café stand that may well be finding it's way to our house on Christmas morning. And all at really great prices.

Finally, if you're on the look out for a stylish and contemporary bunk beds (that's a bit further down the line for us!) you should check out this one. I love the wood, the simplicity and the desk and storage on the end. What more could you ask for?

This is a sponsored post, but all thoughts and opinions are my own. Photos taken from the George Home website.