Happy Monday!

Gosh, how yet another Monday just rolls up from right under TGIFriday!

But hey, that's The Way It Is! ;)

(pic via caitlihne)

10 Days

Impress Me Not

I ran into our neighbour from across the street for the first time last week.  A tall French guy, looks about 40.

Him:  Hello!  Nice to finally meet you -- I met your husband sometime back.
Me:  Hi, nice to meet you.  How are you?  I hear you guys just had a baby -- Congratulations!
Him:  Me and my partner have TWO actually, one is 2 years old, and the new one is 2 months.
Me:  Wow!  Must be tough...
Him:  ... plus I have THREE other kids with my former partner, so I have FIVE actually.
Me:  Oh -- wow... (WTF! O_O)
Him:  Hey, you and your husband should pop by and have a drink sometime!
Me:  Sure, yeah! (M-kay...)
Him:  See you around then!
Me:  Yup, see ya!

And it struck me that night, how different attitudes towards marriage and partnership is here.  Back home, you don't divulge this sort of information to people you meet for the first time.  It's still a taboo, and as first impressions matter, you don't want someone to think you might be an irresponsible, philandering commitment-phobic git.  Coz, really, at this point, that's what I am thinking.  Wouldn't you?

Of course, I'm no unreasonable prude.  Everybody has their reasons for doing the things they do.  This guy could have been having a super miserable marriage with some Ultimate Diva.  Matter of fact, they could all be happier with this arrangement, including the kids.

Now I'm thinking: this guy is either oblivious to the impression he's giving, or, doesn't give a toss about what other people may think.  Either way, I won't say no to drinks with him and his partner to get to know them a little better. :)

(pic via Savage Chickens)

Tapas Of Sorts

We had a small do over the weekend, and here's what was on the table:

roasted peppers

lamb koftas

Hoisin sauce ribs

garlic mushrooms

chorizo

gambas

Let's not forget the salads, hams and breads.  And of course, beer, cider and champagne.

Inevitably, lunch became tea, and tea became dinner...

I like these day-drunk do's.  Can't wait for the weather to get better to do a BBQ! :)

A Small Buy

Over the weekend, I acquired myself some art.  Lovely, isn't it? :)  The clouds, the waves, the gorgeous blues... *happy sigh*

This is the work of Wimbledon artist, Moya Hogarth.  A talented, lovely lady whom I got to meet and shake hands with at the recent Worple Art Group Exhibition.

Best thing about it: Its itty-bitty! :D

New Stuff!

Some in the shop, some not quite yet... so here's heads up! ;)

Do check at the store for more pics and prices.  And remember, the Mother's Day sale is now on!  See you at the shop! :)

Stormy Weather

Yes, it's been pretty much sloshing it down the past few days.

So we've been house-bound, save for the necessary trips to the supermarket and the library.

The weather is so dank, there isn't even enough natural light to photograph the new pieces I have cranked out.  In the meantime, I shall just crank out a few more, over hot chocolate and digestives.

Here's a good day to all, whatever the weather! :)

"All the Rain in London"by James Gulliver Hancock

Mother's Day Sale

It's weird. But for some reason, Mother's Day in the UK is somewhere in March.  Whereas I've grown up with the American version in May.  As such, I'm doing a Mother's Day Sale!

15% off the listed price, storewide.  All you have to do is use the Coupon Code MOM15 at checkout.  So go ahead and take your pick! :)



More in the store... Check it out!

Collar Me Fancy

I discovered these recently, and can't get over how absolutely fabulous they are.  Collar necklaces: accessory, jewelry, or clothing?  Plus, the looks you can put to them are endless...

Chic and cute at adaoz

Edgy glam at SultryAffair

Preppy chic at ChiChiDee

Sexy cool at DeuceFashion

"I'm So Hot!" at lovesexton

More Scenes from Paris

These are pics off Maya's camera.  She is quite excited to share them.  So here's Paris through Maya's eyes...

 

(Fascination with Champs Elysee shop windows.  I suppose tween-hood does that to you.)

 

(I didn't realise she had so much food porn! O_O)

(Not only did she manage to get this moody look of the Eiffel Tower...

... she also had the artistic sense to capture it on my sunglasses...

... and the good sense to get one of Mum and Dad together with a pretty goddamned classic backdrop.)

(Them Two with Cousin Isha had a blast.  I suppose this is what they looked like to each other after having too much Dora the Explorer champagne... :S)

(Seriously, the longest travelator EVAH, through one of the metro connections.)

Yes, Maya is quite nifty with a camera! :)

Scenes from Paris

Truth be told, I was a little appalled at how shambolic Paris looked as our train pulled into the City of Lurve...

 

Maya's Happy Dance says it all.  Coz with the good food, good wine (complete with waiters who present your food with a Regarde! before they set the plate down) and a few cheesy snaps of the must-sees, it all sank in - we were in Paris!!  Add to that the fact that I didn't have to doing any cooking, cleaning or laundry for the next few days, things couldn't have been better.  :)

In Paris, even the lamp-posts are pretty...

...and the public transport is all of Art Nouveau. *happy sigh*

  

Sadly, I didn't manage to get all the museums done.  You will not believe the queues!  And with These Two, standing in any queue for more than 15 minutes would be a danger to your sanity.

So, I've gotta do Paris again.  And get a Museum Pass this time.