La Source

Winter always destroys my hands  (I'm one of those people who always forgets gloves aka an idiot) so a good hand cream is a lifesaver for me.

My mama always takes great care of her hands, so, over the years, I have seen all kinds of lotions come and go, and tried most of them.. but I can say, without a doubt, that my ABSOLUTE favourite is Crabtree and Evelyn's La Source.

Hand creams can smell floral, herbal, botanical, medicinal, sweet, coconutty, fruity, whatever. This smells like none of those things: I can barely describe it. It smells clean, and is reminiscent of the sea - it has a bracing freshness that is at once subtle and luxurious. In short, it smells utterly divine, and, what's more, transforms my battered and rough scullery-maid's paws to smooth and glowing objects of delight.

It's not the cheapest but won't break the bank either. A little goes a long way. Let me know what you think!

E xxx

P.S. The picture is from Amazon, where you can buy a smaller tube if you just want to try it!

Dear Diary...

Do you keep a diary/journal? I don't - well, not exactly - I used to write diaries when I was younger and always want to die with embarrassment whenever I reread them now - I can't bear it!

What I have now is a bit more casual - it's called One Line A Day - and it bills itself as "A Five-Year Memory Book". I know five-year diaries are fairly well-established, but this one is different in that it really is pretty small (see its size in comparison to my iPod)- there's only room for about 25 words for each day. That makes it easy to keep up to date, and also minimises any possibility of cringe-worthy confessions...

My entries aren't ground breaking - I always try and write what I wouldn't mind anyone reading.. So it's not exactly "something sensational to read on the train" (in the immortal words of Oscar Wilde) - but it's fun to look back at the previous year and see what was happening a year ago...

I can't wait to be 4 years in, and able to look back and see how far (or not!) I've come!

E xxx

P.S. They make great presents! Amazon sells them but I got mine at the V&A shop

P.P.S. There are quite a few novelty diaries out there, actually, if you want to write a journal but find it too time-consuming- I like mine best (of course!) but here are some others:

The Q&A 5 Year Journal - It asks a question (can people change? what was the last restaurant you went to? are you a leader or a follower? what's the oldest thing you're wearing today?) at the top of each page and you can see how your answers differ from year to year.

The Q&A a Day for Kids - This looks seriously cute. Same publishers as above, but a 3 year journal, with questions to spark conversation with children. How sweet would it be to do this every night before bed and see the answers change over the years? Questions such as "when were you last brave?" and "what is your favourite toy?" Also, judging by the amazon reviews, children LOVE it..

Jane-A-Day: 5 Year Journal: Another five year journal, topped with a Jane Austen witticism for inspiration.

Listography: Your Life in Lists - List-writers rejoice! Filled with headings such as "list your favourite restaurant" and "list bad things you did as a kid", this is a gradual process you can add to as and when you think of things. Gradually, a sort of autobiography will emerge from the pages...

One Sketch a Day for the artists among you

The Boat

You've probably gathered by now that I am a bit obsessed with boats, and this post will do nothing to vanquish that notion...

This boat bowl is incredible - it's so striking and simple. The only bad thing about it is it's not quite big enough for my liking - 33cm long. But it is beautiful. You can get it from Blank for £119 - imagine it piled high with strawberries!

E xxx

Rain, rain, go away

So in the UK (or London, anyway), it is currently very grey and sad and rainy.
This is the sky outside my window:

Pretty grim, yes?

This Rifle Paper Co. print would brighten anyone's day!

I want it to be spring! 

E xxx

March Hare

I think this Peony and Sage hare print cushion is perfect for springtime. If only the weather would brighten over London!

Kissing Stags

This amazing trunk from Anorak has been on my (very long) wish-list for some time now. I just love it. It looks so stylish and useful! However, it's a more than I can afford these days, so I guess I'll have to wait for it! Do you like it? I would obviously store things in it, but I'd also put it next to a sofa as a low side table.

E xxx

P.S. Anorak do so many other cool homewares, from washbags to placemats to sleeping bags, all sporting their awesome animal silhouettes... Aren't they great?

Lunchbox love

I love these little stickers from Etsy - wouldn't they be so cute to stick on kids' fruit in their lunchboxes? (Or maybe they'd be embarrassed!)

E xxx