There is much to be grateful for and many people who, whilst they would not expect it, I feel like thanking.  I suspect most would welcome a good book and chocolates never fail to please but the two together is a winning formula and one adopted by the chocolate library.  You order a book and a bar of personalised chocolate and it’s delivered all wrapped and ready to devour.

I have never been keen on pets but after much coaxing from the children, I caved in and so it was that STAR came home last week. Yes, it’s like having another baby, the cleaning is a chore, then there is dog training, obligatory pet-grooming, not to mention over-exorbitant vet fees and insurance.  Whilst life won’t be financially richer it will be happier, so it’s all good.  My super-stylish friend Ilona, who inspired our search, once told me that no amount of threapy could compare to the having a dog and I am already beginning to see she was right. Ilona gave us her wisdom and the coolest Anya Hindmarch  puppy carrier and it opened my eyes to the range of dog accessories out there, including Yasmin Le Bon’s range for Mungo and Maud.  Anyway, fancy accessories or not, I shall promise to love, honour and cherish little Star.

Super-STAR has his first Skype conversation.

We have all heard of the power of meditation; a practice that brings amongst other things, clarity and space between thoughts. I have read much recently on the power of being in the now and as I cultivate this presence, a sense of peace does indeed prevail.  Of all the things I have read it is my own daughters words that resonate the most, so I hope you will not mind my indulgence in sharing her beautiful poem called LISTEN.

Silence is when you can hear things. 

Listen: to the sound of pink blossoms falling. 
The sound of love spreading.

The sound of air moving.

The sound of butterflies flying.

The sound of the sun setting.

my precious angel Milli. x

It’s that time of year again and as much as on-line shopping beats pounding the pavement whilst jostling past shopping bags and brollies, there is still much joy in visiting a well-curated store and it’s so easy with the pop-up shop phenomenon.

Check out Kensal Flea at the Paradise, as they are bound to have another sale before Christmas.  I have purchased vintage clothing and home accessories there, whilst the children were entertained with a spot of needlework and a delicious cupcake. Okay, local plug over with, I shall tell you about another event.

My good friend and photographer (images below) Christina Wilson, will be selling her limited-edition prints and cards, along with Amanda Cox from the noted Nonesuchthings online emporium and a dozen hand picked crafts folks and like minded creative sorts. The first of these pop up sales will be Sunday 4^th December upstairs at the Victoria Pub, 2 Mornington Terrace, London.  NW1. Take a look at nonesuchthings.com, christinawilson.co.uk, beingcontent.com to see what grabs you.

My last post bemoaned the lack of Georgian splendour in Kensal Rise/Queens Park but what I did not mention is that whilst the red-brick houses look pretty unassuming on the outside, the interiors are a real feast.  So, in celebration of my hood, I shall be showing you around local spaces from time to time, starting here with our friends spacious and super-welcoming home on Kingswood Avenue. A true party house, as I can testify having watched Kate and Williams’s nuptials here with family by day and partied here with husband and locals by night.

Now on the market with Domus Nova.

My dream home was and always will be Georgian. Not many of those to the pound in Kensal Rise sadly!  Perhaps it has something to do with the perfect symmetry and proportions, the rows of tall windows and Alice in Wonderland style over-sized door or perhaps Georgian houses remind me of the way I drew castles as a child. My daughter still draws castles in the same way except hers are pink and why not?

Now my Georgian dream just got more desirable in the form of Dinder House in Somerset.  Sat in 23 acres of landscaped and walled gardens, the interiors have recently been thoughtfully designed for family living by Ilse Crawford. Each of the 39 rooms have retained their magnificent features but been re-configured for modern family living.   We can’t all live in such a grand home but what fun to dream and to relish these photographs taken by Magnus Marding.

We have just moved a large glass fronted cabinet from bedroom to living room.  I have so enjoyed filling the cabinet with books that were previously hidden away but now give the living room a soul and my heart such joy.  Whilst it would be lovely to have large wall to wall bookshelves, even smaller creative solutions look equally appealing.

my idea of bliss; endless books, a quiet, empty day and a cup of tea. as seen in elledeco

this came from a great blog called DIY craftiness by danielle Baker. It just shows that what we needed was there all along; we just have to look.

not much reading going on here but my, what a striking display as seen in an anthropologie window

if you are short of space but like the idea of book displays, this white wallpaper would look lovely in an unexpected space such as a kitchen. available from OnYourDoorStep.com

We celebrated Diwali yesterday, which many of you will know is the festival of lights.  The house was decorated with t-lights placed in colourful candleholders made by the children.  Our families came over to take part in the evening pooja (prayers) before tucking into a feast and watching firework displays put on by my husband, as that amongst other things is a family tradition.  This was the first time we celebrated without our parents, (who for various reasons could not be there) and it made us more aware of the value of preserving and passing on traditions to the ten little cousins present. When thinking of beauty and heritage, the magnificent Rohit Bhal store in Dehli comes to mind.  

It’s one of those things; the longer you leave it, the harder it becomes.  I have wanted to write for sometime but because I am aware I will break the blog habit yet again at some point, I have resisted starting at all.  However, since time is an illusion and it is intention that matters, I will continue to share that which enriches life.

As the days get darker, I wanted to start my random thoughts by sharing the site actionforhappiness, which does what it says on the tin and here are their  key to living’ manifesto as beautified and simplified by Allies.  (more…)

I am sitting at my desk clearing my work, cutting out the ‘should do’ from the ‘could do’ etc.  My random thoughts are going to get a little more random for a while, probably not returning for several months.  I am telling you this because it takes the burden off me knowing I have ticked another box.  No drama; just want time with my two children during the summer.  I will return but for now, thanks for reading the blog, for your comments and appreciation.  See you soon. x