Happy May Day

If we were still living in France, our house would be over-flowing with Lily of the Valley right now. It's been a tradition for centuries in France that on May 1st you give Lily of the Valley to your loved ones as a gesture of friendship and in celebration of spring. For the whole week running up to May Day it's everywhere. People even set up special stalls on the side of the road selling it so everyone can get their hands on it. I absolutely adore it and wish that it was easier - and cheaper - to get here.

Until I come up with a new English, May Day present, here is some virtual Muguet.

Happy May Day!

Giddie Up Horsey

This could be the coolest bike I've ever seen. 'Horsey' was designed by genius, Eungi Kim for the Seoul Cycle Design competition. I cant quite understand how on earth it didn't win - Who in their right mind wouldn't want to peddle around with a wooden silhouette of a horse attached to their bike frame?

Now I just need to work out how to get hold of one these horseys.

OBSESSED xx

Free People go Tribal

I've tried resisting but I'm afraid the pull of the IRO silk shorts in the last photo is too much to bare. These photos of Martha Hunt are taken from the Free People Spring/Summer look book. The 'Primal Scream' themed shoot is full of the most divine, me-all-over, floaty, layered sensations that would all look very at home in my wardrobe.

The IRO shorts

www.freepeople.com

Easter Egg Hunt in the Vallies

Cub's first Easter Egg

Hunting for the magic eggs

Easter Lunch

barbecued butterflied lamb, colourful bean salad and buttery new potatoes

Easter breakfast

Queen of Crochet

I found these adorable stools in a weekend supplement and ten seconds later was on their website with a couple of the beauties in my virtual basket. I was about to 'proceed to checkout' and then thought it'd be a bit silly not to have a look at the rest of the collection. Now i'm in a bit of a frenzy and cant decide what to get now and what to come back for another day. We may be on holiday but I don't think even Easter's a good enough excuse to buy the whole lot. Even if they are very useful things. Buying 'useful' things definitely doesn't count as real shopping. Coat hangers are an essential for sure. Everyone needs them. And it's just even better when they happen to be really beautiful too. So I think I'm going to get a stool for the Cub. Or maybe a pair -things always look better in pairs. Some hangers for 'us'. And then maybe a blanket for the Cub too. I can always borrow it once in a while. I might just slip in one of those 'Love' signs too while no ones looking.

www.woodwoolstool.com

Happy Easter x

Flower Fairies

I adore this shoot. My bridesmaid and I wore flowery headpieces like these on my wedding day and felt like fairies. I might re-create one for Easter. And hide chocolate tiny eggs in it.

Photographs from Danish Elle. April 2011

My beautiful bridesmaid, Nancy and I on my wedding day

Dear Noah

Heaven is a Place on Earth

I have dreamt about going to Petersham Nurseries for ever. We finally made it there this weekend and it was so heavenly I am practically speechless. It couldn't have been a more perfect day for it if it tried. Beautifully sunny and warm - it felt like summer. The restaurant has just got a Michelin star which probably explains a bit about why you cant get a table for love nor money. I had burata with San Daniel ham and a broad bean and mint concoction, then a fancy lamb and chick pea number and a delicious chocolate mousse for pudding. A proper culinary sensation. Albeit a seriously expensive one. I could have bought the whole shop and am not sure quite what came over me to have left totally empty handed. Most unlike me. I must be getting a cold or something. Anyway, I will be heading back there for sure. I was even quite tempted to apply for one of their job vacancies, just so I could go there every day...

The Kitchen

Inside the Tea Rooms

HB's squid sensation

My burata and San Daniel starter which looked much better in real life

We are all in love with this lamp

www.petershamnurseries.com