A LOT OF LOVE AND OUR FAMILY OF FOUR

I always wondered what it would be like living as a family of four. How I would be able to divide my love between two children and how the new family dynamics would work? Well as it turns out this little maths puzzle was quickly resolved when our new daughter, Romi, came along and I realised – probably as most parents do – that it's a simple multiplication rather than division sum.

MY PINK VALENTINE

When stepping into February it’s hard not to think about love filling the air, cheeky cupid flying around with his quiver full of love shaped arrows, ready to send the likes of you and me into a dreamy state of affairs. So what better time to get my colour love on then a month full of sweethearts and roses, and this month I’m thinking of a pink valentine.

I’m not a girly girl by nature, but I’m loving this pearlised Pink Parker from Laura Ashley, mixed with black skinnies, silver brogues and a wide brimmed hat or polka dot skirt and black wedge boots, this parka is making all sorts of fashion sense, plus the colour is so on trend. I love the detailing on this jacket with the rolled up button back cuff, lined with a light grey teamed with the pink making it the perfect pair. 

What other perfect pinks would be on my list for the month of love? 

1. Pink Macaroons with hug and kisses. Use pink macaroons and DIY with gold food paint.
2. How about a coffee a good old fashioned love note? Love this idea from Oh Happy Day.
3. If you're dreaming of romantic weekend away but the purse don't stretch then cuddle up under this blanket.
4. Get some love for you walls with affordable art from Lumitrix.
5. Fill the room with heart shaped balloons or just give then out to strangers and spread the love.
6. How about a good old fashion mix tape CD, playlist? you get the idea.
7. Explore your city and take valentine selfies/melfies with this cute polaroid camera ;)
8. Declare your love with these temporary tattoos.
9. Love yourself and keep stylish with this pink parker. 

This month the idea of love is thrown around like confetti, and the heart flutters on receiving its very own valentine in the post, email, snap chat?…or whatever method secret confessions of admiration are delivered these days – a sign I’m getting old! So however you decide to spend Valentines I hope your day is full of love. x

PARIS IN PICTURES // KID IN THE CITY // PART TWO

I've finally got round to posting the second half of our Paris trip, I'm not sure what has taken me so long but it's proof that life has been rushing past in a blur this last month. Sifting through the gazillion images we took, I can't quite believe how long ago this trip was and how much I feel like I'm in need of another holiday already. Here's Paris in Pictures Part One for those of you who missed it.

This post is a long one so click to read more.

PARIS IN PICTURES // KID IN THE CITY // PART ONE

It's officially over a week since I've been back in the comforts of home rather than the luxuries of our Parisian bolt hole and it's taking some getting used too. Forgotten are the lazy mornings, slow wakes and gentle starts to the day, being replaced by the stark reality of beeping alarms, mad dashes and to do lists. After such a long awaited return to the city of light, I must admit it didn't disappoint. We arrived seamlessly at Gare du Nord fresh faced and full of smiles from our train journey, lugging our bags into the back of a taxi we headed for our first stop, our home away from home.

This is a long post so click to read more

VALENTINE'S DAY RECIPE // Strawberry Stack Pancakes

With Valentine's Day around the corner, what better way to treat your loved one than a simple heart felt breakfast in bed. These quick and easy Valentine Strawberry Stack Pancakes taste as good as they look, with fresh strawberries stuffed between layers of heart shaped yumminess.

You'll need:

• Pinch of salt

• 110g/4oz of plain flour

• 2 free range eggs

• 200ml/7 fl oz of semi-skimmed milk

• 50g of unsalted butter

• Handful of sliced strawberries

• Heart shaped cookie cutter

• Icing sugar

• Small frying pan

To make your pancakes:

1. Sift the salt and flour into a large mixing bowl.

2. Make a well in the centre of the flour and break your eggs into the middle.

3. Whisk the eggs, flour and salt together and slowly add the milk into the mixture while whisking.

4. Whisk until the batter is smooth and there is no flour left in the bowl.

5. Melt the butter in the frying pan.

6. Pour most of the melted butter into the batter mix leaving a little in the pan and stir butter into the batter.

7. Pour in a small amount of batter (3 tablespoons) into the centre of the pan and tilt the pan to spread the batter evenly.

8. After a minute - when the batter has turned golden - use a spatular to flip the pancake over.

9. Cook again until golden and transfer to plate.

10. Repeat steps 7-9 to make another 4 pancakes.

11. Cut as many heart shapes as you can from each pancake and keep the hearts to one side.

12. Move the first heart pancake to a serving plate and layer the sliced strawberries on top.

13. Alternate layering strawberries and heart pancake slices on top of each other.

14. Dust lightly with icing sugar or drizzle with honey and use fresh strawberries to garnish.

A sweet for your sweet. Enjoy x