Time for a Lie down.

Yesterday was the first time that I've been alone with both Cubs, all day, by myself;

After a string of up-all-nighters, it was never going to be the easiest.

I got a glimpse of what was ahead of me when I sprayed what I thought was dry shampoo into my hair and it turned out to be strawberry flavoured deodorant instead.

Then, while having breakfast, trying to convince Cub Senior that he had 100% of my attention, I turned my head for a micro-milli second, to find him, "ta-da-ing", arms in the air celebrating that he was now wearing his bowl of cereal- milk included - as a hat.

Subconsciously, I think I wanted to prove to myself that I could easily cope single handedly and decided a trip to the supermarket seemed the perfect opportunity to test this theory. After some military style planning, I decided the mission would be easilyaccomplishable with a magic combo of baby sling and a trolley with one of those seats in.

Great, until we pulled into the multi story car park and I realised the baby sling was still sitting on the kitchen table. Meanwhile, Big Cub's shouts of 'Wake Oooop" - in his newly adopted Yorkshire accent - had succeeded and the smaller one, was now going mental.

We end up with Cub senior in the magic trolley chair and the smallest one, in his baby seat, in the food section of the trolley. Feeling rather pleased with myself we headed into the shop. The problem presented itself pretty quickly in the potato aisle; picking up a large sack, guess what, there's no where to put them. The next ten minutes is spent trying to bargain with Cub Senior to allow me to put the shopping, on top of him, in his little area. Cutting a very long, painful story short, it all ended in tears, (mine) when I moronically asked him to hold a box of eggs. No prizes for guessing what happened.

My lesson is now well and truly learnt. I don't think I will be leaving the house for at least another year or two...

Time for a Lie down.

Yesterday was the first time that I've been alone with both Cubs, all day, by myself;

After a string of up-all-nighters, it was never going to be the easiest.

I got a glimpse of what was ahead of me when I sprayed what I thought was dry shampoo into my hair and it turned out to be strawberry flavoured deodorant instead.

Then, while having breakfast, trying to convince Cub Senior that he had 100% of my attention, I turned my head for a micro-milli second, to find him, "ta-da-ing", arms in the air celebrating that he was now wearing his bowl of cereal- milk included - as a hat.

Subconsciously, I think I wanted to prove to myself that I could easily cope single handedly and decided a trip to the supermarket seemed the perfect opportunity to test this theory. After some military style planning, I decided the mission would be easilyaccomplishable with a magic combo of baby sling and a trolley with one of those seats in. Great, until we pulled into the multi story car park and I realised the baby sling was still sitting on the kitchen table. Meanwhile, Big Cub's shouts of 'Wake Oooop" - in his newly adopted Yorkshire accent - had succeeded and the smaller one, was now going mental.

We end up with Cub senior in the magic trolley chair and the smallest one, in his baby seat, in the food section of the trolley. Feeling rather pleased with myself we headed into the shop. The problem presented itself pretty quickly in the potato aisle; picking up a large sack, guess what, there's no where to put them. The next ten minutes is spent trying to bargain with Cub Senior to allow me to put the shopping, on top of him, in his little area. Cutting a very long, painful story short, it all ended in tears, (mine) when I moronically asked him to hold a box of eggs. No prizes for guessing what happened.

My lesson is now well and truly learnt. I don't think I will be leaving the house for at least another year or two...

Time for a Lie down.

Yesterday was the first time that I've been alone with both Cubs, all day, by myself;

After a string of up-all-nighters, it was never going to be the easiest.

I got a glimpse of what was ahead of me when I sprayed what I thought was dry shampoo into my hair and it turned out to be strawberry flavoured deodorant instead.

Then, while having breakfast, trying to convince Cub Senior that he had 100% of my attention, I turned my head for a micro-milli second, to find him, "ta-da-ing", arms in the air celebrating that he was now wearing his bowl of cereal- milk included - as a hat.

Subconsciously, I think I wanted to prove to myself that I could easily cope single handedly and decided a trip to the supermarket seemed the perfect opportunity to test this theory. After some military style planning, I decided the mission would be easilyaccomplishable with a magic combo of baby sling and a trolley with one of those seats in. Great, until we pulled into the multi story car park and I realised the baby sling was still sitting on the kitchen table. Meanwhile, Big Cub's shouts of 'Wake Oooop" - in his newly adopted Yorkshire accent - had succeeded and the smaller one, was now going mental.

We end up with Cub senior in the magic trolley chair and the smallest one, in his baby seat, in the food section of the trolley. Feeling rather pleased with myself we headed into the shop. The problem presented itself pretty quickly in the potato aisle; picking up a large sack, guess what, there's no where to put them. The next ten minutes is spent trying to bargain with Cub Senior to allow me to put the shopping, on top of him, in his little area. Cutting a very long, painful story short, it all ended in tears, (mine) when I moronically asked him to hold a box of eggs. No prizes for guessing what happened.

My lesson is now well and truly learnt. I don't think I will be leaving the house for at least another year or two...

Time for a Lie down.

Yesterday was the first time that I've been alone with both Cubs, all day, by myself;

After a string of up-all-nighters, it was never going to be the easiest.

I got a glimpse of what was ahead of me when I sprayed what I thought was dry shampoo into my hair and it turned out to be strawberry flavoured deodorant instead.

Then, while having breakfast, trying to convince Cub Senior that he had 100% of my attention, I turned my head for a micro-milli second, to find him, "ta-da-ing", arms in the air celebrating that he was now wearing his bowl of cereal- milk included - as a hat.

Subconsciously, I think I wanted to prove to myself that I could easily cope single handedly and decided a trip to the supermarket seemed the perfect opportunity to test this theory. After some military style planning, I decided the mission would be easilyaccomplishable with a magic combo of baby sling and a trolley with one of those seats in. Great, until we pulled into the multi story car park and I realised the baby sling was still sitting on the kitchen table. Meanwhile, Big Cub's shouts of 'Wake Oooop" - in his newly adopted Yorkshire accent - had succeeded and the smaller one, was now going mental.

We end up with Cub senior in the magic trolley chair and the smallest one, in his baby seat, in the food section of the trolley. Feeling rather pleased with myself we headed into the shop. The problem presented itself pretty quickly in the potato aisle; picking up a large sack, guess what, there's no where to put them. The next ten minutes is spent trying to bargain with Cub Senior to allow me to put the shopping, on top of him, in his little area. Cutting a very long, painful story short, it all ended in tears, (mine) when I moronically asked him to hold a box of eggs. No prizes for guessing what happened.

My lesson is now well and truly learnt. I don't think I will be leaving the house for at least another year or two...

IRO

Yes please to the whole of the new

IRO Spring/Summer 12 collection...

Printed Pants

A printed trouser is definitely one of my all time favourite wardrobe staples. The first glimpse of sunshine and my collection of floral wide legs are the first to be dusted off from winter hibernation. I'm mega excited about all these new printed visions that keep appearing and have been spending quite a few hours wondering how to get my hands on the JW Anderson paisley ones worn by Alexa Chung last week. Paying £795 is not an option...

A beauty at Milan Fashion week wearing DKNY

Image from blog.style-sight.com

J.W Anderson paisley dreams

Image from the telegraph.co.uk

Elizabeth and James A/W 12/13 collection

Head to toe JW Anderson at London Fashion Week

Poppy Delevingne looking visionary at the Topshop show

Alexa Chung in the paisley dreams

at the House of Holland show

Right up my Strata

Yet again, I'm desperate for another of Hattie Rickard's creations. She's just brought out a new design, an enamel and gold plated ring called 'The Strata'.

Like her mainline pieces, this is also made to order; meaning you can take your pick from all the colours in the rainbow and design your dream colour combo.

www.hattierickards.com

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

The Edun Project

Ever since seeing one of Philip Treacy's feathered creations strutting down Matthew Williamson's catwalk - I've been hooked on butterflies. There's something so mesmerizing about them. The way they flit around looking beautiful, without a care in the world.

Edun's first ever campaign - shot by Ryan McGinley for spring/summer 2012 - is a butterfly lovers dream come true...

www.eu.edun.com

Mary Katrantzou for Topshop

Oooh I'm excited about Mary K's new line for Topshop. Almost as much as Marni in March for H&M.

Launching on February 17th in time for London Fashion week means there's only seven days to go. I'm mentally in line already...

Magic Garden

Every year, until I was about nine years old, I would write to Father Christmas asking him to bring me the two same things. The first were long, white, lacy socks from Woolworths. The second was a Magic Garden.

You'll be pleased to know I've grown out of the longing for the socks but you can give me a garden any day.

If you haven't yet come across a Magic Garden - you have one big treat in store. They are still completely captivating to me twenty years on.

All you have to do is add the magic sachet of liquid to the dish housing the cardboard garden and watch...

Right in front of your eyes the naked bit of card transforms into a magical garden full of delicate, tiny crystal flowers and snow.

Paul Daniels eat your heart out.

I now know why I love these apartments in Phuket so much. A real, life size Magic House...

The New Small Cub

I've been attempting to write a post for about a week now but such is the extent of my baby brain, I haven't got further than one line. And even that didn't make any sense. So here goes, attempt number six...

If you've read any of my previous posts you have probably gathered that I have just had another baby. We've had another divine - if I do say so myself - little boy, called Rafferty Lyon. So we now have two Cubs. One each of the Wolf and the Lyon variety. He is so heavenly and couldn't be more chilled out if he tried. Definitely taking after Chaz so far. Cub Senior adores his new friend. Most of my energy is spent trying to shower them both with equal amounts of love and attention, the rest goes on trying to sensitively stop Cub Senior squashing Cub Junior with one of his half hourly squeeeeezes or ensuring that he can still breathe after one of his 'special kisses' - basically a sloppy lick.

Smallest new Cub

I always presumed with a second baby people wouldn't be as interested as they were first time round. Flowers and presents would be slightly thinner on the ground and there wouldn't be so many people wanting to help out. I couldn't have been more wrong and we have been inundated with more teddies, bouquets and help than I know what to do with. I feel a bit like Lady Muck sitting around being waited on hand and foot, not allowed to lift a finger.

Obviously I've loved them all but there have been two presents that have been completely magical. The first was a huge parcel of home cooked delights from the Food Stork sent by our divine friend Hattie. A hamper filled with healthy, delicious feasts, a box of brownies cooked by the Gods and banana and poppy seed cake, also sent from above. The last thing in the world I feel like doing at the moment is thinking about cooking, let alone actually doing it. Definitely in the top ten most thoughtful presents ever list.

Also up there is the heavenly bracelet sent over from our Singapore based besties. It's a gold coin charm sensation with the Cubs names and birthdays engraved on each side and threaded onto a gorgeous piece of Liberty Lawn fabric. Definitely never coming off.

If you're feeling jealous you can get one too at www.mercimaman.co.uk

Test Tube Creation

I am completely obsessed with this chandelier. The Maria S.C (named after the legendary Marie Curie)

is made by Polish designer Pani Jurek using simple science lab, glass test tubes. Fill the tubes with whatever takes your fancy - coloured water, candles, spray painted twigs - I'm especially loving the wild flower creation.

www.etsy.com/shop/PaniJurek