Valentine's Day

Sadly, the day before Valentine's day I got sick, very sick. Just a few days before, Emilia had had a bad stomach flu and my silly immune system didn't protect me from her germs. So, not only I spent a couple of days in bed feeling miserable and throwing up, but also we couldn't celebrate Valentine's Day as I had planned. Thankfully, I had bought a few things well in advance, so at the very least there were enough heart shaped tings around the house! A big hit were the personalised biscuits, aren't they super cute? And Emilia had made little heart shaped paper fans that we used to decorate the table. She also painted portraits of Rob and myself and I think she did a great job. All of us girls got beautiful flowers from Rob and I got cards and gifts from friends as well. I love Valentine's day!

Valentine's Day 2014

This year Valentine's Day felt even more special than usual and not because we did anything unusual, particularly interesting or extravagant but simply because the three of us were able to spend the entire day together, from the moment we woke up to the moment we went to bed. It's moments like this when you really appreciate how important your little family is. 

In the morning Rob gave Emilia her first Valentine's card. She was so excited to receive something. And then, of course, she wanted my card too. If this baby will stay an only child, we will need to teach her that she is not allowed to have and do everything she wants. Tough job. 

After we exchanged cards and presents (by the way, the card in the back is huge, it is not an optical illusion- it's a card for all three of us from my parents. I guess they thought that since they were buying one card for three people, it'd better be very big!), we went to a local Costa cafe' for breakfast. Emilia loves being around people and she kept looking around hoping for someone to look back at her and say something to her, and perhaps play a bit together too. Everyone, however, was busy busy and involved in their work conversations and even when she started singing (attention seeker!), nobody turned to look at her. Disappointing. 

 

 

 

Sadly, the weather in London couldn't be more miserable today, with heavy rain and strong winds throughout the day,  so our wandering around didn't last long. Back home, it was all about crafting, dressing up, playing with stickers and sponges, singing and dancing. And of course hearts were everywhere around the flat. It's Valentine's Day after all!

 

 

 

 

Oh, and walking, lots of walking too. It only took Emilia 17 months and 10 days to feel confident enough to walk without any sort of aid but the wait is finally, and I say FINALLY, over. And now, of course, she loves walking (in fact, running) around the flat.

Overall, it was a super fun day full of activities with baby. And when baby went to sleep, Rob and I were finally able to relax with a good, Valentine's sushi meal. 

Happy Valentine's Day everyone, I hope your day was just as special!

 

Call me romantic

Some people hate Valentine's Day, I *love*it. It's my name day and I have always celebrated it since I was a little girl. This year, of course, everything is special for us thanks to the new entry to our family, and so was Valentine's Day. I didn't have anything too fitting for the occasion in terms of outfits for Emilia, nothing with hearts, but I still wanted to dress her somehow for the festivity, so we picked a red dress. And I think she looks adorable. Unfortunately, both Rob and I had to work today but we were sure to give Emilia some extra love before leaving her with her babysitter. 

At my lunch break I went to Gap Kids and bought a couple of gifs for Emilia, she is one love of my life, after all. Of course, she doesn't understand the concept of gift yet but I still wanted to give her something. At the very least she could play with the wrapping paper! I tried to leave work as soon as I could this evening and when I was walking home, guess whom I bumped into? Rob and baby Emilia, who were carefully choosing a nice bunch of flowers for mummy at the local florist. It was such a nice surprise. Rob was holding Emilia and they were both looking down at the flowers, they were very cute.

Once Emilia fell asleep, Rob and I ordered some sushi and exchanged gifts. I gave him a pack of six bottles of organic beer  from Freedom Brewery (a sort of mini beer tasting experience at home), a Pretty Green t-shirt and a dim sum Afternoon Tea at the Crazy Bear (I thought we may want to have some time alone without baby at some point and this afternoon tea with dumplings instead of scones, biscuits and cucumber sandwiches sounded very cool!). And I received a lovely Paul Smith purse. 

Now, what's not to like about a day of celebration, gifts, and love? 

Men and Flowers

On my way home after work yesterday I passed by a lovely florist and smiled. It was full of men looking for flowers to bring to their Valentines. It made me smile to see so many men, of different age, browsing around and looking for the perfect flowers to surprise their partners.You should have seen their expressions, they were serious, satisfied with their choices and looking forward to joining their lovers. 

Did you receive any flower yesterday? Do you like flowers?

Rob came home with a nice bunch of twelve red roses and a card that said *For my wife*...

...soon, my love, soon!

(Happy) Valentine's Day!

 {photo: Marks&Spencer Rose Cake}

So, this is the day many people love and many other people hate. I personally, and I am sure it doesn't sound as a surprise to you, love it! 

I have always celebrated Valentine's Day, way before I had a lover, as a sort of second birthday. I have always celebrated my *name day* with a cake and gifts and I have always been looking forward  to it. Not only my boyfriend, but also my parents, relatives and friends have always given me gifts and they still call me to wish me a happy day. So, to me, it's a wonderful day.

As anticipated in my previous post, Rob and I decided to treat each other to a lovely lunch at The River Restaurant at the Savoy this year and I am very glad we did it. It was the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day. The Savoy really impressed me. From that understated entrance on The Strand, you would never imagine what beautiful world you'll find inside. The River Resaturant has been decorated with a very classy and modern decor, I loved the cream leather armchairs and the white orchids added a gorgeous extra touch. The service was outstanding and the food delicious. We both started with an asparagus and spinach soup, which was superb, and then Rob had fregola risotto with seafood and I had an amazing sea brass with potato pie and cucumber tagliatelle cooked in miso soup. I am still dreaming about this! 

I tried it and loved it. Can we go again, please?

Valentine's Weekend

It has been a quite busy week and I am so looking forward to a nice weekend of relaxation and fun. 

First on the agenda is the Wedding Show at Battersea Park. Rob will be all day at a rugby match with Andrew tomorrow so I have opted for a girlie day out with my friends Natalie, Emma and Steph and what better choice than a wedding show to keep us all wow and uh-oh! I am really looking forward to this. Emma got engaged a week after us, so it will be fun to share thoughts with her. And I know Natalie and Steph will be the perfect companions! I hope to get inspired and spot a lot of interesting ideas.

On Sunday Rob and I will be treating ourselves to a nice lunch at the Savoy River Restaurant as a Valentine's Day gift to each other. Revived as part of the Savoy’s grandiose restoration programme, the River Restaurant has been given a glamorous contemporary look. I am expecting a lot from this. Fingers crossed for some lovely weather to complement lunch.

 

And what are you up to? How are you celebrating Valentine's Day? 

Valentine's Pop-Up Shop

Love is in the air and Valentine's Day is slowly approaching.
I am very excited to say that valeasc treats will be displayed and available to buy at the lovely Valentine's Pop-Up Shop organised by The Create Place this Saturday, February-5th, from 10am to 5pm. Make sure to pop by, lots of wonderful handmade gifts and cards to choose from, your beloved ones deserve the best!

Valentine's Day - My fabric cards

And now, my cards...

{Two Hearts}

{Strawberry Heart}

{Love Set}

Do you like them?

Valentine's Day - Letterpress Cards

Valentine's Day is about a month away but hearts and heart shaped objects seem to be everywhere already. I am working on my Valentine's items and while browsing for inspiration I could not avoid to notice these beautiful letterpress cards. Aren't they lovely?

{FatBunnyPress}

{finedaypress}

{penelopespress}

{tuttaloupress}

Girls Night Out - Four O Nine

Last Tuesday was Girls Night Out for me and my lovely girlfriends and we had a superb time! My friend Natalie picked this very beautiful and romantic place in Clapham North and she could have not made a better choice! The atmosphere was absolutely magical and I really enjoyed the food as well. We sat at a long table since it was eleven of us but I'd like to go back with Rob to sit at one of those adorable round tables and try those super confortable chairs.

Four O Nine is the perfect venue for a special evening out and I would totally recommend it to all of you. Valentine's Day is on its way...

Once again, thank you London! I will never get bored with you!

Big Tomato Company

I {heart} these Love mugs by Big Tomato Comany

Paper doilies

New at valeasc. Set of three colourful A6 folded cards embellished with white paper doilies. Available in my etsy shop.

Pictures taken with the help of my colleague and friend Mike Priddy. Check more of his work here.