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!

Tanto tanto cosi'

Sorry non-Italian speakers but this video is mostly in Italian and concerns mostly Italian friends and members of the Italian family. In short, I am asking Emilia if she loves people and how much she loves them. She replies by saying that she loves them either very much (tanto) or so much (tanto cosi'). Of course she kisses Tommaso, Aso, when asked if she loves him, and at the end of the video she says that she loves everybody (tutti). The girl has got a lot of love to give!

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? 

Once Upon A Time...

Rob and I went back to lovely Durham after over seven years since our Master's days and spent a wonderful long weekend strolling around and revisiting all the *scenes of the crime*! It was incredibly romantic to go back to where we met and I found it particularly emotional to go now, just a couple of months before our wedding. 

We stayed at the lovely Marriott Durham and had a wonderful and relaxing time wandering around this fairy-tale town. Durham really is magic and for us it will always be a special place. I can't wait to go back with our kids...one day!

But tell me, where did you meet your partners? I'd love to hear your stories!

Mr and Mrs

The moment we promised eternal love to each other. We are over the moon!

All you need is Love...Friends and Cross-Stich!

{photo from heartzeena}

Last night I hosted the first event of a series of *Learn How To* sessions. After a long day in meetings in Oxford, it was just what I needed. I got home around 5.30 and had about an hour to make the spread and set up the table. There were nibbles, drinks, Classical music, scented candles and of course colourful Aida fabrics, threads and cross-stich templates. I had a lot of fun teaching my girlfriends how to cross-stich and I was impressed with the results. They made me proud. It was a very relaxing evening, we chatted about everything, from movies to food, from education to travel and of course wedding, and clothes, and accessories...We ended the evening with a cup of lavender tea and delicious cookies made by my friend Tiffany. 

I had a great time and can't wait for our next session. In such a complicated  and hectic world, it is nice from time to time to stop and appreciate the little things, like friendship, tea and, why not, cross-stich!

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}

I would like to hear from you

{16 gift tags}

{happy birthday cards}

{two birds love cards}

I have worked on a couple of new designs recently and would like to hear your comments.

Do you like them? All three are available to buy in my etsy shop, spread the world!

Gipsy Love

Another Mulberry piece I am after. Much less expensive than Alexa, it won't take too long before I can own one...I hope!

I'm in love

Because Valentine's Day is coming up and...I am in love!

Check out Wildfox very cool website here and I am sure you will find something you'll like...

Big Tomato Company

I {heart} these Love mugs by Big Tomato Comany

White London

{picture from here}

It is snowing in London and I love it!

What's the weather like where you live?