In honour of the snow scene outside my window (snow in London is a pretty exciting, once a year occasion), I thought I'd share this excellent vintage image I found on the New York Public Library digital gallery: Perhaps there are slightly grumpy-looking men crouched above my house, right now, shaking great gold pans of … Continue reading Snow! Snow!
Daily life
Coughs and sneezes
Waddya know, you take the baby to the “well baby clinic” at the doctors and a few days later he’s struck down with a horrible cold. A few days after that, I’m struck down with the same horrible cold (not really surprising, given the number of times I’ve been sneezed at right in the face…) … Continue reading Coughs and sneezes
A wolf at the door…
Poor old wolves, I’ve only just noticed what a terribly bad press they get. Vilified in literature, always the bad guy (especially in 17th Century children’s books), it seems all they’re good for is blowing down adorable pigs’ houses or dressing up as old women in order to trick innocent young girls into being eaten. … Continue reading A wolf at the door…
Homemade cleaning products: a failed experiment
When we returned to London last March after six months in Hong Kong, I was four months pregnant and had no job. I got a bit obsessed with saving money. I spent hours a day reading every tip and thread on moneysavingexpert, forced my partner into making an annual budget with me, insisted that he … Continue reading Homemade cleaning products: a failed experiment
This year I could…
I’m something of an irritating perfectionist, I am old enough now to admit. I like to do well. I like to get 100% in tests. I don’t like to fail at things. If there is a target I haven’t met it makes me feel depressed. Even if the target was set by me. And New … Continue reading This year I could…
Man present: homemade paperweights
It turns out, it's really simple to make your own paperweights. Or, more accurately, it's really simple to insert your own pictures into some pre-made paperweights for a brilliant personalised present. I always struggle to come up with good homemade presents for men, so this is particularly pleasing as you can put in any images … Continue reading Man present: homemade paperweights
10 gift ideas for cooks
This is going to be my last post about my partner's birthday, I promise... But, I realised that, though I've already posted about the things I made, I haven't yet said anything about the other 25 presents that made up the box of his 30 presents for his 30th birthday. Some of these were a … Continue reading 10 gift ideas for cooks
All I want for Christmas
Somewhere around the time I hit 30, I started to become a bit mercenary with presents. No longer for me the joy of surprises, waiting to see what someone would get you, hoping that one of the things on your secret wish list might be wrapped up in that shiny paper and ribbon. Nope. I … Continue reading All I want for Christmas
Wolves in London 