The fastest way to a woman’s heart is beauty. Speaking for myself anyway. Alright then, beauty OR kitchen things.

For me beauty comes in many forms. Beeswax, organic wool, rainbows, hand carved wood, rain pouring down on a tin roof. The golden honey colour of Kevin’s forearms. The crystalline brightness of Edith’s aquamarine eyes. Astrid’s inherent kindness and the softness of her true self.

Other things of beauty include my hairdresser! She’s been cutting my hair about once a year since 1999 and damn she’s good. I remember one time I went to have my hair cut she straightened it. And I met Kevin outside Selfridges. That was the day before I found out I was pregnant with Astrid.

And so when I was in London the other week the one thing I made sure I did was get a hair cut. And then I went to Selfridges. Of course. Alison – did I tell you the first thing that caught my eye was the Tom Ford counter? I thought, maybe I need a new brand. Maybe I need to be more interesting and more arty and indie. But I wasn’t sure so I went to my faithful Chanel. Just for a nailpolish. But I also needed the No.5 eau de toilette. And a pink lip gloss.

Aesop also – the last moisturiser before I start making my own again. I’ll save the jar.
I adore Aesop for being so natural and smelling like their ingredients.

And so my present to myself. Beautiful treasures to bring home from London in Chanel and Selfridges gift bags. A beautiful piece of time to myself in the gorgeous London winter sunshine. A glimmer of time, a fleeting moment.