Hello Friday!

Girls only day today, scooting around the neighbourhood and lunching at Bill's.  Mum is staying the night so we're planning a cosy evening in with some bubbles and gossip.
💕Happy Friday 💕

In Love With LV

 My 41st is approaching quickly and these are an early birthday pressie, (sold out everywhere) trainers in this year's hottest fusion of orange and pink. Love love love em! Been bed bound with the worst of colds since returning from our amazing New York trip, but pics coming up soon.  

Good Morning from New York City!

Iphone Images

Last week's sleep over at Erik and JJ's new flat in Mile End

A typical high fat fuller for longer lunch for me, here's yesterday's brussel sprouts and crispy pancetta

Footie is coming wherever he goes

School pick up in Connaught Square with kiddies wearing matching uniforms 

New plant in my "recycled" Diptyque candle holder, now functioning as a pot. 

She loves her grandma!

Video message from Scarlett Grace to my Mum ❤️

Lunch Bunch

Snaps from Saturday at the Ivy Cafe St Johns Wood

Happy Friday!

YESTERDAY: Mum, the kids and I went for lunch at Natural Kitchen on Baker Street (they do a fab bunless burger).

TODAY: I had mashed avocado with chili flakes on a low carb bread for brunch and I put up a new framed Scandinavia poster as I sang along to this tune. 

TOMORROW: We are having lunch with Andrea, David and all the kids at The Ivy Cafe in St Johns Wood (booked table no 40 which seats 8 people).

Yesterday

 Yesterday the kids and I jumped on the train from Marylebone Station to my Mums in Amersham. Sean's friends Nicole and Amelia (two local girls that he has befriended), came around, and we all had lunch together. I later went back home with Scarlett Grace as Sean will be staying with his grandma until Thursday. I can't begin to express my gratitude that my Mum is the same country let alone only a short journey from us. 💕

Fab Five - Inside Info

A very excited Little Madam this morning in our downstairs garage, as we were heading off to Holiday Academy in Primrose Hill 

1 - What am I currently doing: Planning our New York itinerary - only 15 more sleeps yay!

2 - My musical tastes range from: 60s to electro & house - Currently on repeat is this brand new tune with Katy Perry feat Skip Marley (yes, Bob's grandson).

3 - Worst job I've ever done: Working in 'Factory Outlet' on Hounslow High Street in the changing rooms (during my first year in London 1996). I had to stand up from 9am-9pm and I still have nightmares about the pain in my feet!

4 - Last film that made me cry: The Good Dinosaur - there is a scene that tackles the death of a parent-subject (in this case Arlo's poppa).  It was so sad it had both Sean and I in tears!

5 - Plan for Half Term? Kids are at the Holiday Academy  a couple of days ( this is the first time they can attend together, as the minimum age is 3), and Sean will also go and stay with Grandma in Amersham two nights.

This week in pictures

Bear and I were invited to an 'Open Morning' at Queens College Prep School (we were very impressed!) - a girls only school from the age of 4, where Scarlett Grace has been on a waiting list since she was a couple of months old. 

I went to a workshop at the flagship Apple Store on Regent Street called "organise your photos".

The kids had their desk delivered 

We celebrated Bear's birthday at a Peruvian hotspot in Mayfair on Thursday 

 Keeping it shrimple ;-) We stayed until midnight and then ended the evening at The Arts Club

On Saturday we celebrated Andrea's boy Harry's 7th bday with cake and bowling in North London. 

And we wrapped up the week today at Cote Brassiere with a family lunch.  

Supa Dupa Gal outfit - a bday pressie from Erik and JJ for Little Madam who loves to dress up in just about anything 🙋

Green Cola 🌿

This new Green Cola does not contain aspartame, but the natural Stevia sweetener (that has no effect on the blood glucose) instead.

 I will definitely replace the Diet Coke with this - 5 stars from me! *****

Weekend sleep over at Grandma's

Train from Marylebone 👉🏻 Amersham 

Our little bambina (or more like 'bunny' with those headphones 🐰) playing the iPad

Turkish take-away. Chicken shish with salad, chili and garlic sauce

Costa Coffee - Americano (with pouring cream) on the high street 

Case closed

💗  New phone, new case💗
Marble print slim hard case with initials for my brand spanking new iPhone 7

The perfect blazer - a wardrobe essential

I’ve finally found the perfect blazer! Usually I have to compromise on certain factors but this gorge black satin-lapel blazer has got it all. 

The picture doesn’t do it justice, but it’s very flattering as got a slick feminine tailoring, and what I really like about it is that it’s a longline design (below the bum) and it’s got padded shoulders too . 

I shall be wearing mine with ripped jeans and black court shoes for my lunch with Andrea on Wednesday. See more pics here.

Inside Info

This is my spot at the moment, waiting for an Apple advisor at the Genius Bar in Covent Garden

Where am I right now?

Apple Store

Do you have a name that only your family calls you?

Bear always calls me Rina (short for Catharina, pronounced “Reena”)

Do you have a strange habit? 

Sleeping with a sheet and a duvet and swapping throughout the night when I get hot/cold

Which song do you love, and sing when nobody is listening?

The Boxer by Simon and Garfunkel 

What do you get annoyed by in others? 

Sloppy handshakes, no eye contact, people speaking really loud on the trains and when they dump litter on the street 

What do you do when you get nervous?

Go to the toilet every 10 minutes

Which side of the bed do you sleep on? 

On the side nearest to the toilet.

Some things about you that would surprise others? 

I have a phobia of birds and germs in public places

What was the last thing you ate?

A packet of abt 15 steamed brussel sprouts with garlic salt and melted butter

Who was the last person you spoke to on the phone? 

My very good friend Andrea. Some days we speak several times a day abt  everything and nothing 

Song of the moment: Not in love 

What was the last thing you watched online?  

Walt Disney’s Three little pigs from 1933 -  Scarlett Grace happens to be obsessed with it at the mo and must’ve watched it at least a hundred times!

What’s the first thing you notice in a man? 

His eyes, his posture, his watch and his shoes (and shoe size lol, I do not like men with small feet).

Siblings? Two brothers, Henrik in Sweden and Erik in London

Good news?

My clean eating/living and exercising the last three weeks have resulted in an inch off my waist and less ab-flab 

Tattoos? Nope 

Upcoming trips this year?

Child free trip to New York with the man in exactly 5 weeks today, YAY! (not that I’m counting!). We’ve also booked a skiing trip to Courchevel around Easter, our usual two weeks in Turkey mid Summer, and South of France in late August

Drink of the moment? Green matcha tea and hot water with fresh ginger, lemon juice and a touch of Stevia

Last but not least? I'm on day 25 of no booze and no carbs - needless to say I'm feeling very virtuous!