♥ 13 years ♥

Thirteen years ago I was studying for my masters in English and was living in a box room provided by the university. I'd already met Mr Lavender a few months before and we'd been out for drinks and had spent many an evening together with common friends. I was carefree and so was he. I had a part-time job in a restaurant that I loved (lots of tips = lots of new clothes all the time!) and didn't ever worry about the future.
In a lot of ways things have changed dramatically. We have already sort of grown old together. We've been on never-ending cheap road trips in Europe for our holidays, made and lost friends along the way, moved a couple of times, realised some of our dream trips, become more serious, put a few kilos on, finally got married and had a baby,etc. and...  we've always kept our complicity.
I wouldn't change any of it, for he still makes me laugh, still holds my hand when I need him to, but can also give me a push in the right direction when I am undecided...and he cooks like a chef!
Thirteen years already!
Last year I was persuaded that Baby would come on this anniversary date of ours, but she waited a few more days. Some of our NCT friends have started to celebrate their little ones' first birthdays though, so I embarked on this mini sewing project for them. I figure most couples will be snowed under with gifts for babies, so I made something useful for their wardrobe, and being the thrifty person I am, I used up some of my scraps.

home and away

 ♥ Did I enjoy being away from my baby (and my gorgeous husband) for the first time?
A definite no. The nice thing is that I got to see a few lovely windows and stocked up on some home products. We used to have a whole cupboard full of French stuff that we called "le supermarché francais" but we never keep as much now. It's a very weird feeling being away from Baby for the first time, especially over the Channel - hello worst case scenarios...what if the shuttle breaks down and I'm stuck for 2 days? what if the husband can't cope without me? Guess what, they got on just fine without me!

♥ Home is where the heart is. Mine is in my little corner of London with my two favourite people around. It's far from perfect but I wouldn't change any of it right now. As a true capricorn, I am allergic to change anyway. That said, I think it might be time to make an alteration to the blog and capitalise on my language skills to write in my home language too, for those of you who follow me from France. But right now Baby has just woken from her nap, so duty calls.

dreaming allowed

Probably the best perk of being a teacher is all the lovely trips you get to go on. Over the years I have been to France and Spain many times, of course, but also Germany, and loads of different places around the UK. I love a day out and often volunteer - well, who wouldn't? Beats sitting behind a desk.
 I loved making candles at the Jewish museum, having a lecture on perspective in Canaletto's paintings at the National Gallery, seeing amazing mosaics at Fishbourne, and of course watching plays. A couple of weeks ago I got to see the lovely Jude Law on stage for example. Nice!
Today I was allowed a bit of respite from the gruelling routine (it's hard going back after a week of farniente with baby) and spent the day at the museum. Amongst other things, the fashion gallery at the V&A really caught my eye, especially since I am reading Marie-Antoinette's biography at the moment. On display were some 18th century dresses and shoes, and they reminded me of that other book of mine on the fabulous work of Rose Bertin (I must have a look at it again soon!)

More inspiration came from the lovely floor mosaics in the corridors - they made me think of potential patterns for quilts. Speaking of which, I was surprised to see some limited-edition fabric for sale in the shop. I purchased some years ago when they had their quilt exhibition, but they still had some of the old pattern ones and a couple of new ones. I refrained from buying any - goodness knows how. Maybe the bulging stash I have at home is just begging to be used up a bit before being replaced. Maybe. Food for thought!

This month I like...

♥ flowers beds in complete bloom everywhere in our local park, something like a magical carpet
♥ feeling much better after a horrible few days with tonsilitis
♥ spotting birds in the trees outside my windows and out and about
♥ baking a couple of new recipes
♥ browsing stationery over at Paperchase. I know it could be called an obsession but there's nothing I can do about it. Every time I step foot in this shop I see a little something I like. Last time it was that desk organiser from the Woodland collection. Well, it does seem like the essential item to lead a more organised life, doesn't it?
♥ watching some old-school Ally MacBeal on DVD - the perfect no-brainer before going to bed

pink

♪ the Stone Roses ~ Waterfall ♪

This week has been all about pink so far. Baby has new PJs with the most adorable collar and bodysuits full of my favourite matriochkas. My devoted husband has decided to bring home some flowers for Valentine's night - to my confused look, as we never do anything to mark the occasion. Beautiful flowers though, I am really enjoying them. And I was made up with the tasty meal he cooked for us this weekend too.

Rosy things:

* started a  mini sewing project for upcoming birthdays

* made my first carrot and walnut cake and it was yummy

* getting baby to sleep with the Stone roses - she is one cool chick already!

* watching a bit of ice skating on catch-up TV and re-reading Marie Antoinette's biography

* the return of the sewing bee

Less rosy things:

* being sick during your one and only week of holidays

* your baby girl being sick and waking up in floods of tears with toothache

Hopefully we'll be better before the week is over. I blame the lack of cold weather. Still, it's not too late for a big snow system to hit us. Fingers crossed.