‘Tis the Weekend to get Christmassy

Posted in Family Life by A Spoonful of Style

{A white Amaryllis from our local florist, which will hopefully flower in the next week or so}

The Friday night calm has once again descended over our house and the children are watching a DVD before bedtime. We have started to add the first festive touches to our house, keeping it fairly simple so far, but this morning my husband was dispatched to the loft to bring down five huge boxes so by tomorrow there will be no holding back on the Christmas cheer! We’re hopefully buying the tree on Sunday (a little bit late for my liking…) so that too will be ready by the start of next week.

Have you gone all out on the Christmas decs yet or are you still exercising some restraint?

{I planted some wintery flowers last weekend which take pride of place on our front doorstep along with a small Christmas tree decked out with twinkly fairy lights}

{White paper advent stars hanging in the windows. They look beautiful lit up at night}

{The advent candle holder again, with some red Christmas ribbon tied around two of the candles}

{The children’s wooden advent calendar sits on the mantlepiece in the playroom and each night a drawer is magically filled with three chocolate coins. Apart from this morning when I forgot and had to sneak the chocs in while they were having breakfast}

5Dec2013

Behind the Scenes at Liberty of London

Posted in Beauty, Fashion by A Spoonful of Style

I finally watched the TV programme about Liberty of London last night. It aired on Monday here in the UK but these days I hardly watch any TV in ‘real time’! I found it fascinating (and moving in parts, the scenes with the 70-year-old Shukla who has worked at Liberty for 40 years almost brought a tear to my eye) especially as I interviewed the MD, Ed Burstell, last year about his vision for Liberty and the need for retail theatre on the high street.

Liberty has always been one of my favourite London stores. Founded in 1875, the magnificent Tudor building itself is such a treat to wander around, even it there weren’t delectable products on every shelf and rail. Easier to navigate than the vast retail emporiums that are Selfridges and Harrods, it may lack the uber-cool of Harvey Nichols but the atmosphere seems somehow warmer and more inviting. Its carefully edited beauty, lingerie and footwear (the Manolo Blahnik collaboration was pure genius) departments are arguably the best you’ll find anywhere in London and I love that Liberty has held onto its history as a leading textile design house and has not been swayed to ditch the more traditional elements of the store, such as its haberdashery department.

The highlight of the first installment of the three-part series for me was without a doubt Grayson Perry proclaiming that Liberty is the store “for people who find John Lewis too beige”.

3Dec2013

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Posted in Family Life by A Spoonful of Style

Poor Clemmie has got tonsillitis so it was a day at home for us today, curled up on the sofa in front of CBeebies while I did my best to boost the country’s economy by pressing the ‘click to buy’ button on my computer more times than I care to remember. We did venture out to pick up some antibiotics from the chemist and I couldn’t resist snapping some pictures of the lovely Christmas displays in the shop windows. Our village is pretty all year round but it really comes into its own at Christmas time.

2Dec2013

Six Month Blog Anniversary and Thank You for the Awards

Posted in Uncategorized by A Spoonful of Style

I just realised today that November 12 marked the six month anniversary of A Spoonful of Style! My goodness, where has the time gone? I have enjoyed every minute of blogging so far, largely thanks to the amazing people that I have connected with – I know I’ve said it before but it really does feel like we’re part of a lovely little cyber community. I really do appreciate every single visit, like or comment that people take the time to make and I am constantly in awe of all the great blogs out there. It seems fitting to use this post to say thank you for the awards I have received in the past few weeks. I am truly grateful and humbled to be nominated by these inspiring bloggers and hope to get time in the new year to respond in full with my own nominations.

Ada from More Food, Please and Judit from Judit Bakes both nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award. Check out their fantastic blogs for delicious recipes.

Here are seven facts about me:

1. I shop far too much online and have been known to hide packages from my husband.

2. I would love to be the type of mum who organises home made nutritious meals way in advance but usually I’m scrambling around the fridge and kitchen cupboards looking for something to cook at 5pm

3. I hate board games but when I do play I usually win (much to the annoyance of my kids)

4. I was a cheerleader in high school.

5. I’m quite claustrophobic and hate going on the Tube or in lifts

6. I love baking and am pretty good at it but I’m rubbish at cake decorating

7. It frustrates me that I have had a very nice camera for over a year now but still don’t know how to use it to its full extent.

The lovely Donna from Donz Webb nominated me for the Unique Leaves award and asked me this question: What makes you unique? Everyone is unique in their own way but if I had to pick one thing I would probably say my international background. I think (and hope!) that having lived in four different countries (and attended an international school), has made me more tolerant and accepting of other people and cultures.

Evelen Margaret, whose blog is an endless source of fashion inspiration, nominated me for the Liebster Award.

Here are my answers to the questions:

1.What’s your daily motivation?

I will let this image answer it for me:

2.Do you have a particular song that makes your day?

Hobart Paving by St Etienne

3.Name five items that you always carry with you.

My phone, purse, lipstick, keys, sunglasses/umbrella and wet wipes

4.What was your best movie you’ve seen recently?

Philomena

5.Full breakfast or on the go?

I prefer a full breakfast with pancakes, bacon, eggs etc but I usually only manage that on the weekends. During the week it’s breakfast on the go.

6.What do you first notice on another person?

As the shallow fashion obsessed person I am, I usually notice what they’re wearing first!

7.Do you agree :”Less is more”?

Yes, except at Christmas!
8.You can’t live without …

My family.. and that first cup of coffee in the morning!
9.First Love is unforgetable but second Love is Lovelier .Do you agree ?

I met my husband when I was quite young, 18 years ago, so in many ways he is my first love.

10. Last but not least :Have you already bought your Xmas gifts or at least made a list?

I’m working on it this week! I have a list in my head – does that count?

Aspiring designer Kat who writes the blog My Journey on Becoming a Full Time Designer also nominated me for the Liebster Award and here are my answers to her questions:

1. Who are your three favourite comedians and why?

Cameron, Casper and Clementine – my three children who make me laugh on a daily basis

2. What made you decide to be Kat’s follower or a friend?

I admire her determination and creativity and wanted to follow her exciting journey.

3. What is your favourite book now and which one was it as a child?

I don’t have much time to read at the moment but it’s an ambition of mine to read more of the great classics in the future. As a child I loved the books by the late Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.

4. The shoes to wear in Prague are..? Heels or flats? Do you have any connections to anything Czech?

I have never been to Prague so I would have to say flats as they would be most comfortable for walking around the city and seeing as much as possible.

5. How about everyday challenge, as Kat writes right now, would you go for that and what would you write about?

I would love to exercise regularly but am very much a stop/starter. Maybe writing about it would encourage me to stick to an exercise regime for longer than a month or two. But I think I’m to lazy to get started!

6. Do you have any regrets in life?

No I don’t, although I do sometimes wonder how my life would have turned out if I hadn’t left Sweden as a child or if I had stayed and settled in the US, where I spent a year when I was 19.

7. What is your next project? And did you start already?

My next project will be to figure out what I want to do work-wise when Clemmie starts school next September.

And finally, the amazing Angela from Ruby Angel 711 – her blog is a daily source of fashion & beauty temptation for me! – nominated me for the Wonderful Team Membership Award.

Thank you so much to all of you! X

1Dec2013

This Week’s Favourites

Posted in Family Life by A Spoonful of Style

Finally December is here and the countdown to Christmas has begun in earnest. I have vowed that this is the year I am going to be organised and on top of things – no more frantically running around crowded shops the day before school breaks up or sitting up until 2am wrapping Christmas presents on the 24th. I have one friend who had already finished her shopping (including all the stocking fillers) and wrapped it all by mid November! Well, that is never going to be me and in some ways I think it would take the fun out of the run-up to Christmas to be finished so early on (or maybe I’m just jealous that I will never attain that level of organisation) BUT I am working my way through the mammoth list of presents (every year we say we’re going to cut down on the number of gifts and then still end up thinking ‘oh well, just one more won’t hurt..’) and even plan to do some wrapping this week which is a definite first for me.

Here are some pictures and a brief round-up of the last week of November:

1. The boys are on their best behaviour at the moment, knowing that Santa is watching every move. Cameron was being extra helpful this week and even helped to brush his little sister’s teeth.

2. He also read a bedtime story to both his siblings. Believe me, bedtime is not usually this calm in our household!

3. On Tuesday I went to the Swedish shop in south west London with my mum and Clemmie to stock up on Christmas essentials like saffron, gingerbread dough (so much easier than making your own) and glogg.

4. Just like the September issues of the fashion glossies are a must-buy, I think interior magazines really come into their own in December with each sumptuous cover outdoing the next in terms of Christmas decadence. Living Etc is hands down my favourite any time of year.

5. With two older brothers, I thought Clemmie would turn into a little Tomboy but at the moment it is all about dolls, princesses and pink everything.

6. We had some friends over for dinner last night and couldn’t resist cracking open the champagne while we were waiting for them to arrive.

7. Their daughter is Clemmie’s best friend so she had been asking all day when they coming. I bought this dress for her this week from Zara – so cute, I wish it came in an adult version!

8. The first of December and the first of Advent today so we lit a candle in the Iittala candle holder. Let the Christmas countdown begin!

Have a wonderful evening. X

29Nov2013

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Posted in Family Life by A Spoonful of Style

{I love this quote by Coco Chanel – picture from Pinterest}

Hello! It’s only 4.30pm and it is already getting very dark outside. Time to call in Cameron and his friend who are playing football out in the garden – how they can possibly see the ball I do not know. Pizza and hot dogs for dinner followed by ice cream and hot chocolate – it is Friday after all.

My advent candle holder arrived in the post today (just in time for Sunday, phew!) so I’ve been busy getting that sorted and hanging up our white paper stars in the windows of the conservatory. I will try to take some pictures tomorrow when the light is better to show you. Otherwise, there is not much planned for tonight – just a movie with the kids, an episode or two of Breaking Bad (we have just started the second series) and maybe a glass of mulled wine. My kind of Friday night 🙂

What are your plans? X

28Nov2013

Wrap it up

Posted in Fashion by A Spoonful of Style

Scarves in all different colours and patterns are an essential part of my autumn/winter wardrobe. Not only do they keep me warm but they also instantly update my “boring” uniform of skinny jeans and baggy jumper. I already have a rather large collection of scarves tucked away in my wardrobe but on my Christmas list this year is a warm, tartan scarf to snuggle up in when the really cold weather hits (typically in January/February). A classic Burberry scarf in the softest cashmere would really hit the spot but I have a feeling that Father Christmas will be on a budget this year, so a nice one from Zara or Topshop would do just nicely.

{In the picture above, clockwise from top left, is just a small selection of my current favourites: Grey and white star scarf from Danish brand Becksondergaard; Pink with stars from another Danish label Kudibal; Black & white leopard print from Swedish brand Ester Elenora; Flowery tube scarf from H&M; Another favourite from Ester Elenora; My favourite winter wrap-around in grey and white, also by Ester Elenora; Classic Alexander McQueen skull scarf; The perfect summer scarf in the softest pink with tiny white hearts from Becksondergaard.}

26Nov2013

I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas…

Posted in Interior by A Spoonful of Style

{Winter Fairylight Tree, £65; Silver Spray Wreath, was £70 now £56; Candles of various sizes in The White Company’s gorgeous Winter scent, from £10; Set of 2 Spruce Stars, was £12, now £9.60}

I love The White Company any time of year but especially at Christmas. I was flicking through their catalogue at a friend’s house this afternoon and found so many lovely decorations that I would love to have in my house this festive season. My favourite is the Winter Fairylight Tree in the top left picture which would look perfect by the window in our dining area. At the moment, many items in The White Company Christmas range are 20% off, but I know from past experience that they tend to sell out fast, so hurry if you want to grab a bargain!

The first of our decorations will go up at the end of this week, in time for the First of Advent on Sunday. When do you start to deck the halls for Christmas?

{Christmas wrapping, from £3.50; Knitted Father Christmas decoration, was £10 now £8; Set of 3 Pine Cone Decorative Ties, was £6 now £4.80; Knitted Christmas Stockings, from £30}

24Nov2013

This Week’s Favourites

Posted in Family Life by A Spoonful of Style

Happy Sunday everyone!

We’ve had a lovely day with a trip into town to buy a new coat for Daddy and shoes for Cameron followed by a visit to the school Christmas fair, where the children managed to spend their allocated £4 in about 10 minutes flat. Once we were back home I cooked a big cottage pie (comfort food at its best!) which we ate after the boys had finished their homework, with a large glass of red wine for the grown ups. We’re just about to round off the evening with a game of Cluedo before bedtime but I thought I’d get a quick blog post in while the boys are setting it all up. It’s been a quiet week so not too many pictures this time…

1. Clemmie enjoying a cake pop at the cafe while we’re waiting for Casper to finish his piano lesson.

2. A leisurely breakfast after the kids went off to school and preschool. I love my grey and pale pink Mateus china (hope to get some more from Father Christmas..)

3. I FINALLY ordered the pictures for my picture wall which has now turned into four photos propped up on a picture shelf from Ikea (but hey it’s better than nothing and easier than trying to line up all the frames evenly on the wall)

4. The children were all playing quietly while I was cleaning the house. I went upstairs to find Clemmie sitting in Casper’s toy box reading a book. She looks very pleased with herself!

5. I can’t even begin to tell you how long my list of things to do before Christmas is, especially now that all three of them have their own Christmas plays/concerts. Much of this week was spent preparing for Cameron’s school Christmas fair – all the parents are asked to donate tombola and lucky dip prizes, buy raffle tickets, bake cakes and then help out on the day.

6. If we didn’t know already that Christmas was just around the corner Clemmie was happy to remind us, dancing around the kitchen this morning in her little Santa outfit. The cutest elf in the house!

Right, they’re calling me now so I’d better go downstairs. Have a good night everyone! x

22Nov2013

Currently Coveting #14: Vivienne Westwood x The Cambridge Satchel Company

Posted in Currently Coveting, Fashion by A Spoonful of Style

I’ve been looking for a bag that is both practical and stylish – and, most importantl, not black – for quite a while now. A couple of days ago I stumbled across this beautiful satchel by The Cambridge Satchel Company and I think the search is officially over. To celebrate its fifth birthday, the brand has collaborated with iconic British designer Vivienne Westwood to produce a limited edition range that combines the classic satchel with the queen of punk’s infamous squiggle print. The design also incorporates the pale tan straps and buckles which first featured in Westwood’s Pirate collection from 1981.

The bags, which come in two sizes and three colourways: yellow and black, white and red, and brown and black, retail at £195 for the 14″ size and £165 for the 11″ version. They are sold exclusively at Vivienne Westwood standalone boutiques and The Cambridge Satchel Company stores in central London, so I think a trip up to town is on the cards for me if I want to get my hands on one before they sell out.