Category Archives: Family

The Alhambra and tapas.

After a day lazing on the beach near Motril yesterday, we headed out for some proper sight seeing today.  Just 45 minutes North lies the beautiful city of Granada.

Spain became my top pick for our vacation destination this year after seeing Anthony Bourdain visit Granada on his series ‘Parts Unknown.  Granada relies almost entirely on tourism for it’s revenue, and is the location of the stunning Alhambra Palace – one of the best examples of Moorish architecture.  Thankfully we booked tickets before we departed for Spain as the queues were huge even at 9am this morning – though not that surprising really given it was almost 38 degrees celsius at midday when we were leaving.  If you ever head to Andalucia the Alhambra is a must see – it is spectacular and incredibly romantic offering some amazing views of Granada and the Sierra Nevadas.

DSC_0498 DSC_0500 DSC_0556 DSC_0562 DSC_0565My dress is River Island, bought from ASOS.  Incredibly comfortable for the heat though I did nearly come a cropper when I stood on it walking up the stairs in the castle!

After the Alhambra we met up with Simon and Karin who are staying with us this week.  Lots of fun, laughter, chat and wine of course!  We headed to one of the most highly rated Tapas Bars in Granada – the Bodegas Espadafor.  When you order a drink you get free tapas – at least in this part of Spain.  We ate sausage, squid, croquettes, paella, broad beans and ham – just the most amazing food – all washed down with beer and sherry – well for us non-drivers at least;)

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Finally I forgot about this outfit photo from our last night in Sevilla.  The M&S playsuit got an outing with the Oslo sandals from Nine West – the most comfortable sandals that I own – and they are now in the sale.

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We are connected!

Phew!  After a week offline we’re back in the land of the living.  We have just driven 3 hours from outside Sevilla to Orgiva, South of Granada and North of Motril.  It’s a little town in the valley – very bohemian and laid back with amazing vistas of mountains around us.  I can hear the kids screaming in the pool now, after a lunch of Spanish omelet, pork meatballs, and maybe a couple of cervezas.  Life is good.

In Sevilla, with Noddy – our Fiat 500L:

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Tapas in Cadiz:

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Performing our ablutions before heading into the Cathedral in Cordoba:

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My outfit for the blazing heat of Cordoba:

Cordoba.jpgTop – Mango Sale bought in Cadiz! // Shorts – Mango // Shoes – Sam Edelman // Flamenco Dancer – Unknown

 

The craziness is over…

I’ve been neglecting the blog – apologies.  I did warn you that May was full of events that need planning and execution!  Today is Poppy’s 8th birthday.  I cannot believe that 8 years ago I was lying in L&D having just had my first child at around 6.30pm…

The party was on Friday early evening and I have to say it was one of our best.  I had the great fortune of catching up with Moms I hadn’t seen for weeks, some months!  It was planned from 5-7pm and you can tell it was a great night as our last guests didn’t leave till 10ish – we didn’t want it to end.  We were trying to make it a surprise for Poppy but of course 8 year olds have loose lips:)  She loved the red carpet, VIP sign and VIP badges!

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Poppy’s dress is H&M as is most of her closet these days!  I find they are great for a girl who no longer wants to wear Boden appliqué, but they are still totally appropriate for a young girl.

Mikey from VibeSquad was our amazing DJ for the evening, ironically he’s a Londoner!

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DSC_0019I tried to go with the disco theme in my ASOS Bowie t-shirt, Mango harems and silver Ancient Greeks.  Thanks to the Husband for the super unflattering photo but it makes me smile – we had amazing fun catching up:)

Today after present opening we headed to the American Girl Store to pick up Isabelle – new friend to Saige from last year.  I am not buying anymore American Girl Dolls…that store is my idea of hell on earth.

AGD(Yes – another H&M dress!)

Lunch was by choice of the birthday girl at Verde and I decided to wear glitter, at least on my feet, for the occasion.

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(Poppy in another H&M dress!)

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Top – Mango // Jeans – H&M boyfriend jeans // Shoes – Golden Goose (back in stock in Barneys!) // Jacket – Zara (old)

Sorry PETA and all the vegan readers – I am completely obsessed with my new cowhide from IKEA!  You can catchup with my IKEA trip on Instagram – we’ve just ordered the kids their new loft beds after having their rooms painted!  They are growing up too fast!

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One other thing to let you all know about before the vanish immediately – the new Nike Blazers are now in stock at J.Crew!  If you love a hi-top, and don’t want to pay Golden Goose prices, these are a must!  They’ll be sold out in the bat of an eye, I assure you.

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Last week of school here this week – wooo hooo – summer is here!!

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23 years ago.

23 years ago today I had what I thought was a one night stand. It turned out to be the beginning of an incredible, amazing journey of love, passion, laughter and risks.

I love you Dave – thank you for being the MOST amazing partner to live this life with xxx

Dave Turkey

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Weekend outfits & the Golden Globes!

I’m sitting here watching the Golden Globes red carpet – gee I wish I could wear a full length gown someday!  The last time I wore one was probably at my graduation ball in 1992!  I’ll pick some more of my favorites to share tomorrow but right now I am loving all the nude blush tones that I am seeing.

I love Michelle Dockery’s Oscar De La Renta dress:

Michelle Dochery

 

Lupita Nyong’O blew me away in this statuesque red dress with cape – no overwhelming jewelry – just tiny earrings and a couple of rings.  So stunning.

Lupita Nyong'o

I have to say Lena Dunham totally rocked it – and as uncomfortable as she claims to be on the red carpet – she is a pure gem.  I cannot wait to see the first episode of the new series of Girls tonight!

71st Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

(image from http://www.justjared.com)

So as I watch the A listers arrive with Poppy – who happens to be the BEST ‘love it or hate it’ critic (she isn’t backwards in coming forwards!) – I thought I’d do a quick update on my weekend attire.

Friday was spent running errands but I was still inspired to wear a dress – even if it was a sweater dress.  In fact I love my 5050s so much that I have been planning whole outfits from the feet up.

Allsaints 2 Boots – Stuart Weitzman 5050 black suede // Dress – AllSaints (old – similar here) // Jacket – AllSaints Monument jacket // Tights – Marks and Spencer

Saturday I was fortunate to hang out with Hugh all day while Poppy went swimming with her Dad.  Hugh and I did some shopping at Whole Foods, cooked Korean beef short ribs, and then played LOTS of rounds of cards – the boy is obsessed and I am over it.  This was one of those days though where I got dressed and LOVED how I felt – every time I wear these Mango jeans I can’t help but feel like a rock chick.  Chrissie Hynde eat your heart out.

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Boots – Rag & Bone Newbury classic black // Jeans – Mango // T-shirt – Zara (old) // Cardigan – AllSaints (old) // Scarf – H&M (old)

Today we headed out for lunch.  After the Polar Vortex last week we are now basking in 60 degree sunshine – it won’t last.  Following on with the rock vibe from yesterday, I really wanted to try something different today, so the flares came out.  I loved wearing them – they really are great for leg lengthening!  It was fun to have bell bottoms swishing around my ankles for a change.

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Boots – Zara wedge boots (old) // Jeans – Hudson flares // Tank – H&M (old) // T-shirt – Bowie from ASOS (similar here) // Jacket – AllSaints (sale)

Hope you all had a fun weekend too!  Any sale bargains bagged?

 

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Well they’re not clothes…

To my horror I discovered that the kids don’t go back to school till Tuesday!  I thought I had my routine back tomorrow!  Don’t get me wrong we’ve had an amazing break – but 2 weeks is plenty thanks.  Of course the other issue at stake is the fact that Atlanta is due to get temperatures of -10 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday – yes I said Fahrenheit!  This means that school may be out anyway due to severe weather – God help me.  I will not complain about the cold, especially as I am currently watching the NFL playoffs – Green Bay are at home and the stadium is full – talk about risking frostbite!  I’m not kidding when I tell you they are Arctic conditions.

We did venture out yesterday before the cold arrives.  It was one of those lovely spontaneous outings.  We mooched around a couple of boutiques and furniture stores and then took the kids for ice cream – even when it’s cold they won’t refuse it!   I suggested our initial destination, a fabulous mid-century modern furniture store in Inman Park called City Issue.  I mentioned a long time ago that I was looking out for my perfect vanity.  Well before the holidays I noticed a desk on their Facebook page.  I’d long ago realized that anything described as a ‘vanity’ or ‘dressing table’ was going to be too ornate for my tastes.  A contemporary, slim line desk seemed the perfect option – if I could find one.  Well after a teeny, tiny bit of ummming and ahhing this beautiful Danish masterpiece is now mine.  I am in love with her.  I love the fact that she has been used before, and I like to imagine that love letters were once written on her.  I’m using an IKEA chair till I find the perfect partner for her – but I quite like the contrast of the wood with perspex.

vanity vanity 1

 

After arranging my new love and organizing the drawers it was time to eat.  I want to share my brilliant new gadget with you.  As you know I’m trying the Paleo diet – I’m really enjoying cooking so much, but I do miss pasta and rice sometimes.  My rice substitute is ground cauliflower (blend it), fried with onions – it is delicious.  As for pasta I’ve tried spaghetti squash but there is a lot of prep required.  Today I used my spiral vegetable cutter to make noodles from zucchini/courgette – it worked a treat!! I LOVE it!  It comes with 3 blades and lets you cut ribbons too.  I made a thai shrimp curry using them – just throw them in at the end so they don’t get soggy.  DELICIOUS!

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My final recent acquisition is the Conair InfinitPro spin air brush.  Many of my UK blogging friends have raved about the Babyliss Big Hair version – most recently Trea.  For the life of me I couldn’t find it anywhere here.  Then I realized it is branded differently – Conair own Babyliss and here it is called the Conair InfinitiPro spin air brush.  I do as Trea does – I dry my hair with my ghd dryer till it is about 80% dry and then use the spin brush.  It catches hold of my hair nicely and works a treat on my shorter length hair giving me lovely smooth locks.  I highly recommend it – my only criticism is that it seems quite loud after the quietness of my ghd dryer – but the price point is significantly different too!

Infinit pro

So there we go – a vanity, a vegetable slicer and a hair styler – and like I said none of them can be worn so I’ve not broken any shopping rules yet – though admittedly I’m still trying to determine what those rules are for 2014 – I cannot subscribe to any kind of total abstinence.

Here’s my outfit from yesterday.  I bought the Only jeans back in the sale from ASOS before the Holidays.  I was trying to resist, but a couple of the AllWornOutBlog.com girls (here and here) and Avril all looked amazing in them, so I resisted no more.

Onlyjeans M&S shearling jacket

Boots – Petrol Rag & Bone Newbury boots (similar here) // Jeans – Only from ASOS (on sale) // Tank – H&M // Grey sweatshirt – ASOS // Jacket – M&S (old – similar here) // Scarf – Zara (old)

Today I used the InfiitiPro spin brush and hopefully you can see how much smoother and less curly my hair looks.

ASOS dress

 

Sneakers – Converse (similar here) // Leggings – H&M (old) // Dress – ASOS (on sale)

So now to watch the end of the football and do some menu planning for next week.  Let’s hope we don’t get iced in as I might have to crack the wine open in desperation!

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Back from DC!

Howdy all!!  We’re back!  I’ve had a fabulous short break in Washington D.C. doing lots of touristy stuff.  We must have been very good this year as Santa left us all tickets on Christmas morning, so after unwrapping the gifts to squeals of excitement, we left for the airport.

It truly was amazing to see the sights in real life that we are so used to seeing on t.v. in the news or in movies.  The weather was perfect too – glorious sun – but I was pretty happy I had my Marks & Spencer Per Una Christmas present to wear too – I’ve never had so many compliments about a coat before!

Here’s a quick photo round up of the highlights – for more you can check out my Instagram account.

One of the Elves got sidetracked on the way back to the North Pole…

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Fortunately Santa still had time for a hug with Poppy before leaving the hotel.

 

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We headed straight to the White House – along with everyone else!  I wore my super comfy and very festive Golden Goose for the occasion.  The cashmere beany was absolutely required in the cold and my Husband got to wear his gorgeous Elder Statesman hat that I bought him for our anniversary this year.

 

White House

The Capital is just amazing.

Capital

This view from Lincoln’s Memorial always makes me think of Forrest Gump.  The view and the Memorial are stunning and quite awe inspiring.

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The MLK memorial was a highlight for the children as they know so much about him.

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Although I had a break from outfit photos while away – here is my outfit from the 23rd, when I headed out with the girls from work for our Christmas celebration.

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Boots – Stuart Weitzman Highland (my favorite purchase from AW 2013) // Dress – Zara (old)

As much as I love traveling it is always great to get home.  Today I am heading out for some retail therapy.  I haven’t really looked too much at the sales and the boots I am after probably won’t even be in the sale.  I still may treat myself given a) how much I have worn my Highlands and b) I have no need for a NYE outfit as we are staying home with Chinese and Carson Daly.  These boots will be the perfect transitional boot from winter to spring – the 5050 in tan nubuck.

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I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and I am certainly ready to throw myself into 2014!  Who has fabulous plans for Tuesday evening?

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It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas!

After a wild, fun night on Thursday, that ended later than expected at 3am, I headed out of the house on Friday to get the tree, again later than expected…The kids were eager to decorate and for the first time ever I let them at it – all except the stringing of the lights that my OCD just couldn’t bear to let go of, not just yet anyway…I have to say they did a mighty fine job.  Even our daredevil elf, Maximus, was suitably impressed.

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While we were waiting for the tree to be delivered I asked the children to write their lists for Santa.  As you can see Poppy was less than impressed for some reason, though Hugh had a blast writing his – I must teach him to do ditto marks next time poor lad!

Lists for Santa

Hat – Nordstrom // T-shirt – Zara (old) // Cardigan – AllSaints // Jeans – Zara coated jeans (similar here) // Boots – Frye Jane Tall boots

The house feels and smells so festive now – I love having the trees up – but it’s hard to believe it really is almost Xmas!!  I haven’t sent cards yet or transferred the kids’ lists into my Amazon cart – thank goodness I had the foresight to photograph them before they were handed over to Santa!

Today I had a good run with Tennyson in the drizzle – the boy is a trouper – 4 miles in the wet and cold was not was not what he was expecting as he bounded out of the door!  I then enjoyed a good old family day watching football and Christmas movies while indulging with peppermint bark and hot chocolate…I think a run will be required most days in this run up to the 25th!

Zara sweater

 Sneakers – Golden Goose // Jeans – Diesel Fayza Jogg Jeans // Tank – Gap // Sweater – Zara

 

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Kids, who’d have ’em?

In previous years, when the children have been in daycare in the days running up to Thanksgiving, the Husband and I have taken advantage of the the child free time and headed out for some indulgent lunches.  Now both of them are out of school for the whole Thanksgiving week so we go out for a few family meals instead – just as much fun – but a different type of fun;)  Yesterday my Husband surprised me by planning a lovely posh lunch for him and I on the kids’ last day at school.  I was SO excited!  We were just about to head out of the door when the phone rang – I could see it was school.  Dilemma – run for it and pretend you didn’t see or hear it – or pick it up in case it was a life or death emergency.  As any parent would (though I did pause for a second) we picked up and Hugh was sick:(  Dang!  Lunch out postponed to collect a poor wee boy from school with an apparent ear infection.  Of course once at home he proceeded to run wildly around the house with no apparent illness, ache or pain, though he is on antibiotics now:(

So today marks the first day of our Thanksgiving Holiday and we’re off to choose bikes for them both.  Santa has sent Mum and Dad a letter telling us that we have to help Poppy and Hugh choose, as he is worried about space in his sleigh this year…:)  I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when we tell them where we are going!

In the meantime here is what Mom has been wearing this week.  Starting with yesterday – I was trying to channel Emmanuelle Alt by wearing a collar, and I originally had on a black tuxedo jacket for the lunch-that-didn’t-happen instead of this fabulous cardigan.  I will just harp on for a moment about these Mango jeans – I’ve had lots of compliments which surprised me as they are not for everyone, and they are super comfortable – lots of stretch in the denim and pleather.  In fact these blue denim ones fit a tad looser than the black denim ones I have.  These are a US 6 and I would say fit true to size.

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Boots – Isabel Marant Dickers // Jeans – Mango combi jeans // Shirt – J.Crew chambray popover (similar here on sale) // Cardigan – AllSaints

Thursday was spent snuggled in cashmere.

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Hat – J.Crew // Scarf – Uniqlo cashmere // Sweater – Uniqlo men’s cashmere crewneck // Jeans – Gap Always skinny // Boots – AllSaints Bonny Cuban

And here was a major fail on Wednesday – not really sure what look I was trying to create – but I really did end up looking like a baby in a babygrow – I think the pink fluffy cardigan took it a step too far:)  Individually I love all the items but together they certainly did not create the fashion forward look I had envisioned in my head.  Ah well – we can laugh and try again:)

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Jumpsuit – Zara (old – similar here) // Cardigan – Zara (similar here) // Boots – grey nubuck Newbury boots

It’s a grey, damp day here today so it maybe a day for the cashmere onesie again🙂

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Belated birthday night out.

On Friday my lovely Husband got to celebrate his birthday at last.  On the 30th I was so full of a cold that we decided to postpone till I had more ‘get up and go’.  That happened on Friday.  We went to Abattoir – absolutely our favorite restaurant to dine at here in Atlanta.  There is a new chef and I was thrilled to see the steak tartare back on the menu, along with oysters.  If you’d asked me five years ago if I’d be craving raw beef and oysters I would have heaved – how tastes change!  If you get chance to go you must try the duck empanadas – they are to die for!

I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to wear my Zara harem jumpsuit – unfortunately as I swaggered into the living room feeling happy with my attire, my Husband had to quickly change his plans to wear his harems – we’re not ones to go out coordinated like Posh and Becks:)

As it was his birthday I decided not to wear a tank underneath and show a little cleavage.  I don’t think he noticed…though he did notice my fabulous new AllSaints Monument jacket.  I ADORE this coat – it’s so versatile and warm.

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Abattoir

 

Shoes – Nine West (old) // Clutch – Boden Canonbury clutch // Jumpsuit – Zara // Jacket – AllSaints Monument jacket

He even got his birthday cake – thank you Abattoir for another stella night.

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