It has been so cold the last few days. Luckily the toddler spends time playing outside whilst he’s at nursery which means I feel less guilty about not being outside for too long on the days he’s not there! I have a mental list of stuff to do on really cold days which keep us indoors. I’ve seen a great idea for a rainy day jar on Pinterest which I’m going to make in the New Year. Basically you write a different activity on a lollipop stick or piece of paper and pick one every time you need a little…
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I’ve been quite naughty and shown the 8 month old the iPad and now she knows it is a window to a whole new world of fun! She is very like her brother and will be tech-happy, like daddy too. We were offered a new iPad app to review and as it combined two of my favourite things – buttons and museums – I said yes. Following in the footsteps of the hugely successful book published by the V&A, Clara Button and her adventure at the museum has come to the iPad. Using the original illustrations by Emily Sutton and…
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Giveaway now closed. The winner, as chosen by the IWM, is Rebecca Murphy. The correct answer was King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. One of my favourite museums in London is the Imperial War Museum and we’ll be popping along between Christmas and New Year for a last look round the 1940s house which is due to close on the 2nd January 2012. The house, which is at the heart of the well-loved family exhibition The Children’s War, is all dressed up for a traditional Christmas in 1945 and this is the last chance to see it before the exhibition…
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Just before Christmas I was lucky enough to take part in a workshop with Julie Arkell. If you haven’t heard of her, where have you been! She’s a London-based contemporary artist who is well known for her papier mache dolls and I was really excited to find she was running a workshop at Sally Bourne Interiors. I spent all day with Julie and a group of like-minded women and it was fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever spent a whole day sewing but it was amazing, lovely to sit around a table, sew and chat. Julie’s recent work reflects vintage…
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Today we had a rare trip into the West End. We took the little one on his first trip to the British Museum followed by his first trips to Cath Kidston and Orla Kiely – my two favourite shops! I have a real passion for Orla Kiely. I drink out of Orla Kiely mugs, I sleep amongst Orla Kiely sheets, I use Orla Kiely handbags, and travel with my Orla Kiely suitcase, wash bag and make up bags! There’s only been one occasion when I rocked up at a hotel and realised I had a number of clashing Orla Kiely…
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Today I have been to Geneva and back. Yes, Geneva. From London and back again. I am very tired. I had a successful day though, visiting the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. The only problem was having too much time to spare at the airport on the way home. First I bought a copy of Marie Claire Idees (which I can’t seem to find in London). Then I bought some tacky souvenirs for my sister. Then I bought a whole load of chocolate for various friends and family members. Finally I bought some supplies in Duty Free. Not…
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I attended a really demoralising team away day today. To cheer myself up I had lunch looking across the Thames over to the South Bank. It was a wonderful sunny day, perfect for people watching. The day finished early so I walked through Covent Garden which was decorated for Christmas. I headed over to the London Transport Museum for a sneak preview before it opens tomorrow. They have a snazzy new layout but pretty much the same objects are on display as before their refit. I love these destination boards from buses.
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I managed to complete the application I had been working on all year and submit it on Friday. It felt like a complete anti-climax but I celebrated by heading off to the pub after work for a large glass of wine or two. On Saturday we visited Tate Modern to see the latest installation in the Turbine Hall. The work was by Doris Salcedo and was basically a large chasm in the floor, running from one end to the other. I didn’t think it was very special and it was actually more fun watching people’s response to it. Then we…
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I have had a great day today. I was on a course held at the Design Museum which was good as a) I wasn’t in the office and b) the course started late and finished early which meant c) I got to look round two exhibitions which I don’t get too do any more. When I got home I was really excited to find the postman had delivered my moo cards and some fabric from a swap, before the week long strike starts. I then spent this evening working on the doll quilt. A really good day, only slightly marred…