May 2008

May 28th, 2008

Our new family member

Six weeks, 2 days. A little beating heart. Still only 6mm long.



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May 28th, 2008

Putumayo World Music

When Putumayo got in touch asking if I’d have a listen to some of their music and write about it on my blog I more than happily agreed. Putumayo is a very cool record label specialising in World Music. They also do kids music – and I knew Astrid would love that!



I’m a bit music deprived sometimes – since I lost my entire CD collection and then had my iPod stolen I’ve sort of learned to live without it. So it’s been lovely indeed to have some tunes to work away to these past few weeks.

I knew my favourite would be Women of Africa, and I’m also mad about the Paris CD – well all of them actually – world music is just so interesting to listen to. There’s a distinct possibility that Music from the Tealands – and from Cairo to Casablanca will end up in my shopping basket very soon.

It’s going to make for excellent afternoons at our new place in London, reading the Guardian, sipping apple tea, the doors and windows flung open, the curtains gently rippling and twirling – feeling as though we’re in a secret art cafe with our interesting music fluttering outside on the summer breeze.

I just can’t shake one of the kids songs out of my head, so all this past week I’ve been singing “don’t ever step on a snake… it would be a big mistake…”

The best thing about the Putumayo site is you can listen to little snippets of the music online. And the other nice thing about them, apart from their diverse array of music is that they support non-profits and have been for the last fifteen years.

Now that’s music worth supporting. You can find out more about them here.

Oh yes. Now I couldn’t keep all this goodness all to myself, so I’m going to randomly give a couple away. Just leave a comment below if you’d like one!

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May 19th, 2008

I really should be working

Um yes. Last week was the last week of work. But this week is the new last week and here I am. Now at my sewing table while the office is being painted, using my old iMac from 2003. This iMac used to live with me in my old house over the road from where we’re moving to in less than two weeks.



We’ve had some beautiful sights in the garden mornings of late. Friday saw me dashing out to capture the night’s rain on the trees. The best photo is over at 44, so you’ll just have to look there to get the treasure.

Speaking of treasure, I was a very lucky lady to receive a little bundle of CDs in the post a few weeks back. I’ve been listening to them on my iMac and I gotta say I’m loving it – music from all over the world – from Africa to New Orleans, Paris to Cuba, Tango to Kids. Excellent fun! So keep your eyes open for my next post because I’ll be giving some away – a leaving NZ present if you like. I might even post them from the airport.

Right. Back to work. Music post coming soon.

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May 13th, 2008

Enfant Terrible

My new favourite shop; Enfant Terrible. A shop with many carefully chosen and very beautiful items for babies and children – to wear – to play – to read.



Inside the little parcel that arrived for Astrid today were some very sweet leggings by mor mor rita. I find it terribly exciting the label says made in Brooklyn. We’ve never had clothes from Brooklyn before.



Sweet little leggings – perfect for running around on the Heath – perfect for wearing under little dresses and skirts – perfect for our next summer.

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May 10th, 2008

Our lovely morning

This morning we walked down to the Pyrenees for breakfast. A lovely stroll down the hill, through tree-lined streets, past elegant villas with pretty gardens and tall trees.



Mt Albert’s one of the early Auckland suburbs, complete with both Bowling and Croquet clubs. And quite a few two-storey villas. And lots and lots of trees (just none at the bowling club).



Down the second hill – look babychops! There’s daddy pushing you in your pram.



Down the hill for a yummy mocha and croissant sitting at the big rustic, communal table where one may browse old books about Paris, or add delicious morsels to their shopping basket. A place to read the paper, or just to watch the morning go by. Astrid even gets to sit in a very nice highchair when we’re there.



On the walk back home we take a wrong turning and get to see even more lovely houses. Our favourite street is called Violet Street. Mummy also takes lots of photos of her feet in amongst all the autumness on the footpaths near Violet Street.



She took a lot of photos of her feet and a lot of photos of houses she likes, by which to come back and look at to remember the old neighbourhood.



This is mummy’s favourite house. And here are mummy’s feet again with leaves and different flowers in a different location this time. Nearly home.



But not until she trotted up the hill to take another photo of her also-favourite house.



And not until she’s taken a photo of this letterbox tucked neatly inside the local hedge plant whatever it’s called.



Back down the hill, around the corner and there’s daddy pushing the babychops up the road now. Up the tree-lined road that greets us every day on the way home.



And when we arrived home we found a lovely treat in the letterbox, all the way from Sweden.



And what a little treat it is. I think I love the packaging as much as the contents.



See the Manos post for more info. A lovely morning indeed. Hooray for no car!

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May 9th, 2008

Hello



More lovely tempting delicious things out there in blog-shop-land. We’re painting and sewing curtains this weekend. What are you doing?

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May 8th, 2008

Today,



I am having trouble concentrating. Today I needed to focus. One week of work left. Instead I am having fantasies about lying on hotel beds, eating satay noodles, watching television. Currently I am in love with television. Every night when Astrid is asleep I get out my sketchbook, my pen and pencil and I draw whilst watching crap tele. The other night I inadvertently watched a horror film, dark water, based on a Japanese book. Last night I watched some English drama with lots of people from Spooks in it.

Today I have made notes of nice things, taken some photos, had lunch with Dad. Today I am thankful for my host of moleskines, each with their special task, to help organise my life. I like crossing out tasks completed.

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May 8th, 2008

London to do

I’m going to keep adding to this – this is my repository of things to remember to do in London when we arrive:

Cabbages & Frocks Jewellery Show: 11th-12th June
Cabbages & Frocks Summer Festival: 13th-15th June
more info

Petit Aime delightful french children’s shop that might have a certain doll I seek

Tate Modern membership
Kew Gardens membership

Rob Ryan mini show at Tatty Devine, 236 Brick Lane E2 until June 20th




Why Are You So Naughty Handprinted Tile by Rob Ryan (image from Rob’s shop)
Rob’s shop | Rob’s blog

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May 2nd, 2008

Window shopping…

It’s funny what the clicking of one link can lead to. A link via Blair’s flickr led me to Swallowfield, and one thing led to another and we’ll have this lovely print waiting for us when we arrive in London. And so another thing led to another thing and this is how my quest to collect my favourite blogland shops began.



Veil of Flowers by Swallowfield

I’ve been saving the links, which you can find on my new links page. I’ve also hooked my del.icio.us into my blog – so it will always show my most recent twenty bookmarks. You can find that over there (she says, pointing), at the bottom of my right side bar.

Note – images are from the shop websites and are copyright © their respective owners.

Please keep on reading to some more favourites…

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May 2nd, 2008

Ashley G

Every good blogger must have an Ashley G, so this was my second port of call in my shop quest. I just adore the family sweet family print, and the idea of the story time print is also very beautiful.



family sweet family and story time by Ashley G 

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