Bank Holiday Brunch

On Sunday the four of us had a three(!) hour long alfresco lunch in the beautiful courtyard of  Chiltern Firehouse.  We indulged in lobster pasta, fresh oysters and sipped rose in the sunshine.

Bank Holiday Weekend

Picture: Regents Park Baker Street entrance, taken on this morning's run 
  Text: extract from the book "Reasons to stay alive"


Upcoming plans for the Bank Holiday weekend:

Sean's friend Nick coming for sleep-over
Take away dinner Friday night
Book Sean's Sweden flights & Mum's London flight
Collect my watch in town 
Boots flagship store for stocking up on baby food and formula milk
Coil - follow up appointment in clinic
Hair appointment at Selfridges Sat morning
5k run Sunday morning
Family lunch at Chiltern Firehouse 

Under offer!

Erik and I drove out out to Amersham yesterday to view a property for sale, as we are hoping that Mum is going to relocate closer to us.

We found an ideal two bedroom apartment with an outside space and a garage within 5 minutes walking distance from the train station (direct train approx 30 minutes to Marylebone Station) - this type of property doesn't come on the market very often, so without hesitation we made our formal offer - so exciting!

The English legal property system is strange and can be quite stressful as nothing is legally binding at this stage, and therefore we're not getting our hopes up too high - yet! 

Quote

My eight year old(!) pink Smythson organiser, which is also my diary, comes with me pretty much everywhere I go!

As part of my six week CBT course, I'm writing daily mantras (or affirmations should you prefer) in my diary as I get up.

But this morning, I accidentally overheard from the television as "House" was on in the background, and he (the main character Dr. House) said something that had me think...  

So today's spiritual exercise was just writing down a quote from an American TV series. Well hey ho, here it goes:

"It's what life is. It's a series of rooms and who we get stuck in those rooms with adds up to what our lives are."

Cape casual & Rock My Run

     Connaught Village Tuesday morning

And so I went for another 5k run prior to the school run, this time using "Rock My Run" - A free app with great DJ mixes made exclusively for runners, where the music matches your steps, and plays to the beat of your heart. Highly recommended!

According to me, it's simply the best way to start the day, and get the metabolism going. A protein only breakfast to follow. My new sleeveless cape has come in so handy, as it even makes the running gear look glam :-)

Serene Sunday

A very quiet Marylebone road, with not a car in sight - very rare!

Even though the weather was glorious, this early on a Sunday morning, there is almost no one else around - bliss!

Photos taken on my iPhone at 7.30am this morning

Oh, the sheer pleasure of going for a run first thing in the morning, before eating breakfast, and before the whole city wakes up - So quiet, beautiful and serene.. 

My postpartum progress hasn't progressed as quickly as I would have hoped for, as I'm still nearly half a stone (2.5kg) heavier than before falling pregnant. It's definitely more difficult to shift the weight after your second child, although I remain 100% determined to get there! 

Girls in the city

 

Me and mah gals - Andrea, Gerry and Kat, catching up over drinks and dinner on Wednesday night - Seriously, nothing beats a girls night out! Did I mention I love them to bits?!

16 months old

Yesterday's pics from the playground, where she's eating carrot and cauliflower sticks 

My little Madam turned 16 months yesterday! At this age it's very clear that she understands most of what I say, even if her own conversation still relies on gibberish. 

So far she can only say "Mamma" "Pappa", and "Bye Bye". I am very persistent with speaking only Swedish to her, like I was with Sean (which has resulted in Sean being fluent in Swedish and answering me back in Swedish too), hence the delay in her starting to speak, as she hears two languages daily.

She shows a lot of affection with hugs and kisses, does not want to sit still for more than a minute at a time, and climbs absolutely everywhere (all our furniture around the apartment presents another climbing opportunity for her!).

Very different indeed from her brother at that age. After lots of accidents at home as she tests boundaries, and the constant "No's" "don't do this", "don't to that" from me, we finally agreed on putting her in nursery part-time. A nearby Montessori that she totally loves, and gets upset when I pick her up from there as she wants to stay longer! What a girl :)

Le Gavroche

Saturday night with Gerry and Richard at Le Gavroche - what a wonderful dining experience it was (and great company too of course lol)! Service impeccable with a cosy atmosphere, dim lighting, and last but not least, my lobster was utterly divine! We rounded up the evening with dancing and plenty of cocktails until 3am at Mortons :-)

Tonight's accessories

Opted for statement gold jewellery and watch, to jazz up my quite plain outfit this evening:-) 

Saturday morning

At 6.30am this morning, just as the sun was rising and everyone was still sleeping, I grabbed the opportunity to go for a run around the park, and simultaneously snapped these pictures on my phone - Regents Park is truly the most beautiful park in London and Im very grateful to have it on my door step!

As Bear is at the gym for an hour now, the kids and I are dancing to this new Shaggy tune which has a fab mixture of Arabic and Reggae vibes :-)

Later I'm going to the hair salon for a wash, treatment and blow dry.  Super excited to be going out with friends tonight for fine dining at Le Gavroche, a Michelin starred restaurant in Mayfair that I always wanted to go to, but just never got around to (during nearly 20 years in the capital!).  

Oh and check out my little Madam this morning; Miss Curly Twirl haha! 

Superficial L.O.V.E

Did I mention I'm utterly in love with my Love Bracelet in white gold, and feel so blessed to wear it on my wrist!
Cartier launched them as far back as 1969, and from what I gather they were designed to be given to one’s true love and then screwed on to their wrist, for all eternity I suppose :-)

The bracelet can be removed using a special mini screwdriver, but that has not been a problem to me, as I've only ever taken it off once, since getting it in March (and that was before having a spray tan LOL!).

I'm obviously planning on spreading the LOVE, haha, by passing it on to Scarlett Grace when she gets older!

Have a happy Friday and a fabulous weekend

 xxx

Election, stripes and trial at new school

Today as the nation is voting in the General Election (sadly I'm not allowed to vote! Citizens of the EU can only vote in European and local elections in UK, not in UK Parliamentary general elections), I'm wearing nautical stripes in typical Swedish style, and our little fella has a trial morning at a new school that he potentially would join after the Summer term. 

The one when Mummy looks away...

....for one minute only, and cheeky little Madam quickly empties the coffee table drawer and tries on my hats LOL! 

Mah gurls ♥

Friday Fun

Kick starting weekend at our ole time fave, Alfred Dunhill in Mayfair

Happy birthday Mum!

On Wednesday we celebrated my Mum's birthday at Gaucho Picadilly - amazing evening and possibly the best steak ever in London! Below is my bday message to her: 

"Today is the most amazing woman in the world's birthday. If I can be half the mother, my mum is to me, my children will be seriously blessed.
She is just spectacular, she's wise, chic, warm, kind, caring and always has the best advice..
Thank you for everything you do for me and my family - I look forward to celebrating you this evening!

Mamma, Happy Birthday... I hope this year is everything you hope and dream it will be.
I love you so much"

Mum at the tender age of 16