guest post: best etsy find

These artworks by Alexandra Ethell, available from her Esty shop In the Early Hours, are just magical. I completely love them. I think my favourite is the cockatoo kite, because wouldn't such a thing be fantastic! 

guest post: i'm craving a donut

Donuts have made a come back! And looking at the ones below I am not surprised at all! Jo (from Cup of Jo) is all about donut cakes, so much so she had one for her son's birthday cake, which I think is kind of cute.

Mini pistachio and almond donuts

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Oh my! How delicious?

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Mini donuts

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Every flavour you can imagine

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A donut cake

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guest post: how cool are these?

Six Lee (a clothing designer) teamed up with a Spanish artist, Ernesto Artillo to turn his SS14 collection  into beautiful collages. I think they are super cool. 

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On independence

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"Independence? That's middle class blasphemy. We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth." ~ George Bernard Shaw

guest post: happy weekend

Oh my goodness this weekend has come! It is action packed for me: the husband arrived home (after 2 months away) last night and so we are on our staycation! Today is my friend's wedding, tomorrow is my, wait for it, 10 year high school reunion (oh my!) and on Sunday we are celebrating Bailey's birthday under the tress at my parents, a usual Sunday for us!

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Some fun posts from around the web:

Incase you missed it, read about Bailey's first 12 weeks of being a mama here. This is my best post on B&D yet. 

Grooms seeing their brides for the first time, so romantic!

The best marriage advice I have ever read! 

Remember I told you about that holiday homes website, well I think this looks like a lovely rental in SA. And while we are talking about travel: doesn't this boutique hotel in Stellenbosch look amazing!

This is heartbreaking: a photographer captured every stage of his girlfriend's battle with cancer.

This is an awesome interactive map which gives you all the facts about Africa and will make you think twice about our continent. 

How do you guys feel about the royals? I am a little obsessed. I loved the Christening pics and think this Refinery29 article "When will the Royal baby realize he's the royal baby?" is cool.

The perfect summer dessert! YUM.

This book made me laugh and I think it will make a fantastic Christmas gift for a brother-in-law. 

guest post: stay-cation

The husband arrives home from the Karoo today and I am whisking him off on a three day, surprise stay-cation! Some (read my husband) think holidays in your home town are a (and I quote) "waste of money" or "pointless" but I think they are super romantic! I've packed our things and am heading to the hotel this afternoon before he even arrives home. I'm going to sms him that he must meet me in room xxx. What do you think?

I am looking forward to some hotel pampering, movie nights and dinner dates. Lazy days by a fancy pool and breakfast room service.

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ps. I chose the Hyde Park hotel for a few reasons:

i. Its really and truly a stay-cation because it's literally 5 minutes form our home

ii. The hotel has breathtaking views over Jo'burg, so whether by the pool or in bed we will enjoy the city. 

iii. They make great cocktails and Don Pedros (my after dinner weakness). 

iv. The hotel is linked to Hyde Park shopping center which has a whole range of delish restaurants, movies and a beauty salon. 

guest post: my bff is getting married

My best friend is getting married on Friday. So in the spirit of attending a wedding, here are some magical wedding dresses by a French designer.

ps. A whole lot of Bury and Discover wedding posts.  

guest post: happy birthday bailey!

Happy birthday Bailey, my dear sister, a loving daughter, my best friend, an brilliant wife and the most amazing mama! Wishing you a day of baby giggles and sleeping through nights, and a glass or two of Champagne!

I love this pic of my sisters, dressed the same!

PS. Some other Bailey birthday posts from the last couple years:
When Bailey turned 30 (loads of baby pics!)
Bailey's birthday dinner at The Leopard. 

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Marking 12 weeks

Twelve weeks in baby terms is quite a milestone. Twelve weeks in numbers is gobsmacking. Twelve weeks with twins means:

1344 breast feeds
1406 nappy changes
84 daily matching outfits
Mama's longest sleep stretch 3.5 hours
336000kj burnt
Two babies' cries distinguished
Countless tears shed
Endless newborn smiles
24 baths

The soles of four tiny feet spreading their roots into our lives

I have been taking a photograph of the babes in my arms each week to track (with disbelief!) how fast they are growing. So to celebrate this twelve week mark and all that it entailed, I would like to share 12 weekly portraits of the twins.

 One week

 Two weeks

 Three weeks

 Four weeks

 Five weeks

 Six weeks

Seven weeks

 Eight weeks

 Nine weeks

 Ten weeks

 Eleven weeks

Twelve weeks

guest post: happy weekend

Yay for the weekend! This is my last all girl/home alone weekend as the husband gets back next week. I am looking forward to time with the twins, a pampering session at Sorbet, playtime with Honor, a friend's engagement party, a lazy Sunday afternoon and putting the final touches to our hoe before the husband arrives!

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A holiday home rental site for families! What a great idea!

My dream hair style.

Truth or lie?

Knitwear that makes me squeal!

Get ready to laugh: Brides throwing cats.

Talking of brides: 39 stages of being a bride. 

Fruit and herb pairing: So useful for summer time salad making. 

An elephant family reuniting. Break. My. Heart.

Kate Moss is now a fashion editor! 

And finally, the funniest parenting tweets ever. 

guest post: this way for an adventure

Isn't this the loveliest print? 

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love = desire

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The term “love” is from the Sanskrit lubhyati, meaning “desire.”

Spread a little love today.

xxx

Wish list

Let's Make Some Great Art is my kind of colouring in book - how much fun does it look! I suppose it would be good for kids too ;)

I have Walls Notebook which is a perfectly nerdy way of unleashing your inner graffiti artist. As an incessant doodler it suits me perfectly.

Draw Me a House would be another great one to add to the collection.