21/52

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2014 (43 weeks)

It is a privilege to be a mother of twins. To witness this incredible bond between two little beings. It becomes more evident with each passing month. You smile when you see each other in the morning, you call out if you're not sure where the other is and I mention their name, you hold each other when I nurse you simultaneously, you copy each other in your high chairs, you laugh at one anothers antics, you suck fingers without knowing whose are whose, the same with toes in the bath, you wan the exact same toy, you scurry around our apartment as thick as thieves, you discuss things constantly. You are ten months this week my rambunctious little cubs. But for a whole nine months before that you heard each others heart beats as loudly as your own.

what the twins wore

White seersucker short sleeve onsies from Country Road at Woolworths

#lovebabiesinwhite

what the twins wore

Grey and navy today - beanies, long tops and leggings all from Country Road at Woolworths. 

20/52

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2014 (42 weeks) - Florence Willow (left) and Anna Clementine (right)

Because baby bums are irresistible.

what the twins wore

Snug and warm in our Country Road woolen onesies from Woolworths 

what the twins wore

Black geometric print leggings from Cotton On #alwaysonthemove #nonstop #twins

what the twins wore

Baby bums in frills. Blue and white striped leggings from Cotton On

happy weekend

Happy weekend lovely readers. This was our first full week in a while and I don't know about you but it felt as if it dragged on forever! So really and truly TGIF! What are your plans? I am looking forward to our Sunday lunch on Sunday - we are all back in town so it will be a full one - with some added friends, as I explained to them, "it's a big family day, under the trees, with wine, babies, loads of food and even more talking over each other."

{source}

Here are some links that caught my eye this week:

#shelfie

Breakfast that will make you jump out of bed. 

Good things happen. 

This looks like my kind of party. 

OMG The Rifle Paper Company is launching wallpaper. 

My dream chair.

DIY dancing family cut outs... I think I need to make these. 

what the twins wore

It's a classic - black and white stripes, leggings from H&M

what the twins wore

Jacadi onesies with Peter Pan collar

That ticklish spot

Discovering the babes' ticklish spots is a delightful joy. Anna is sometimes so ticklish that even the anticipation of being tickled sends her into a fit of giggles as I blow tiny kisses down her spine or nibble on the dimple of her elbow. What I love about these pictures is that you can see how much Florence is enjoying Anna being tickled, until she eventually joins in.

delicious winter dinner

I don't usually share recipes on the blog but this delicious winter dinner find is just too good (and easy, it only has two steps) not to share.

Martha Stewart's Lamb, Bulgar and White Bean Stew... it's a true one pot wonder!

Ingredients:

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (*I used a red onion ever since my mama told me they are better for you)
• 500g lamb mince (*I actually used beef mince)
• 2/3 cup of bulgar wheat
• 3/4 teaspoons of red-pepper flakes
• Coarse salf and freshly ground pepper
• 2 teaspoons sweet paprika
• 1 can of chopped tomatoes
• 2 cups of water
• 1 can of cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 5 cups of baby spinach (*I just used ordinary spinach) 
• 2/3 cup of crumbled fetter 

Directions: 

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, lamb, bulgar wheat, red-pepper flakes, 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. Cook, stirring to break up the mince, until the mince is cooked (it takes about 5 minutes). Add paprika, stir until fragrant (for about 30 seconds). Add the canned tomatoes and the water, bring to a simmer, and cover. Lower the heat and allow to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the bulgar wheat is tender (it takes about 20 min). 
• Stir in the beans, spinach and feat and cook until the feat is almost melted and the beans are warmed through. Garnish with feta and fresh herbs. 

Enjoy! xxx

19/52

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2014 (41 weeks)

Light floods into our apartment in the mornings, making us feel deceptively warmer than the crispy morning winter air outside. Yes, I think we can say winter has arrived, despite the fact that your bare bodies were basking in the sun just a week ago and a few of our afternoon walks have required no jerseys at all.  But in the last few days we've brought out the beanies and booties and cardigans. It's not just your wardrobe that's changing as I've noticed subtle differences in both of you this passed week. A little more knowing. A little more deliberate. A delight in cause and effect as you expect the same reaction of fright to funny noises you make. You giggle in glee as I chase after you, threatening to gobble you up. Anna, tooth number five has appeared next to your bottom right tooth. Florence, you are determined to stand by yourself, practicing your balance as you push against objects to get up. You both learned to suck through a straw (I think the freshly squeezed carrot juice on the other end was an enticing incentive). Florence, you have the cutest little extra crinkle in your nose when you smile back at me, and Anna, you have an expression of co-conspirator as if you're laughing at an inside joke. This week you tasted naartjies for the first time. We bathed you in the kitchen sinks to wash off little bodies smothered in squished strawberries; we voted in your first national elections and went on a long neighborhood walk with you sleeping against our chests; we sang faux Italian songs at dinner and slept in late in the mornings, usually snug in our bed. I love this age you're at, the season you're in - forty one weeks in the middle of May my delicious little beings.

what the twins wore

Classic colour combo: cream and black cardigans with pink pants, all from Country Road from Woolworths

hair dream

This girl's hair is my dream - dark chocolate locks with the perfect amount of curl/bed head effect and an oversized fringe.

{source}

what the twins wore

 

Cool kids in our grey Country Road track pants with knee patches from Woolworths

what the twins wore

In H&M onesies with black spots and grey tracksuits pants from Country Road from Woolworths outside Max Mara #wishfulthinking 

happy weekend

Happy weekend lovely readers! What are you up to? I am desperate to attend The Winter Sculpture Fair, it's a wonderful event and a perfect way to celebrate the start of winter in Jo'burg. We are also on the hunt for the perfect counter tops and a sink... romance at it's max! Are you doing something special to celebrate mothers day on Sunday? Here are some last minute ideas for a brunch for mum.

{source}

Here are some links that caught my eye this week

Kindness

A magical wedding surrounded by palm trees. 

What Anna Wintour is really like as a mum. 

Afraid of dining alone? This restaurant offers the best solution.

How to do just about anything.  

This tutorial solves your eyeshadow dilemmas. 

I loved Google tribute to our elections on Wednesday. 

what the twins wore

Another favorite from the Gap Paddington Bear Collection - long sleeve onesies with purple floral print

cool fonts & even better ampersands

Here are some of my fave fonts at the moment, all downloadable for free. 

1. Abraham Lincoln | 2. Satisfy | 3. Alex Brush |  4. Halo Handletter | 5. Black Jack | 6. Lover's quarrel | 7. All new things | 8. Champagne | 9. My Own Topher

what the twins wore

Autumn weather calls for our Paddington Bear hoodies from Gap

18/52

 A portrait of my babes once a week in 2014 (40 weeks)

Discovering the magic of dandelion wishes. Dancing to the beat  of morning alarm songs. Playing peek-a-boo with each other, unawares of our observation. Bath time giggles with toothbrush tongue tickles. Squishing ripe strawberries into pink mulch. Teasing ticklish spots behind knees and in the deep folds of neck rolls. Late afternoon naps in baby wraps. Falling asleep in my arms while the world is in deep slumber. New teeth (Anna). New smiles (Florence) - now with an extra twinkle in your eye. Loving bedtime stories and stroking my hair when I let it down at night. Amongst all the busyness and incessant motion required to keep up with you, you bring me these moments of delight.

what the twins wore

We love our floral babygrowns from Uniqlo - thanks you BrandSlut for our spoil (all the way from New York) you rock! 

my new favourite dress

I just couldn't resist this dress from Witchery at Woolworths. Do you love it? I know I am going to wear it to death this season.

R849, Witchery at Woolworths

can these guys come live with me please?

How great are these prints? My favourite is the lion one and the flamingo one too. Love it. 

{source}

we are back!

Sorry that we disappeared for a couple weeks! April is always a mess in South Africa with so many public holidays! Not that we are complaining. We celebrated Easter, went to weddings, Bailey took the girls on a trip and I played house-house, loving extra days off from work. But now we are back! 

It's officially the start of winter - Bailey and my style rule is stockings are only allowed to be warn after Easter. So bring of the winter fashion, warm soups, long walks and nights by a fire! 

{source}

Ps. How fantastic is this ponytail? 

what the twins wore

I Love My Auntie onsesies from Gap - oh yes we do! 

17/52

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2014 (39 weeks)

You are nine months this week sweet babes of mine. I wish I could capture every single little thing about you at this most delicious age. I want to bottle your smell. Forever feel your limbs as they are. Record every sound you're learning to make. Never forget your expressions.It would be impossibel to sum you up in words (I even find it hard to describe your differences when people ask) but here ae nine things about you right now.

1. Anna, your top two teeth have come through making your smile better than ever as you tease us with a faint hint your dad's dimples in your cheeks and a cheeky sparkle in your eye. You are enjoying the feel of your tongue on teeth so it is often sticking out like a crazy child.

2. You two are as thick as thieves at the moment. Where one goes, the other follows. What one looks at, becomes the most interesting thing in the world. If one is being tickled, the other laughs. I watch you scramble around the apartment, madly crawling after each other. Stopping here and there to examine a scratch on the floor, or the leg of a table, or the page of a book and then you are off again.

3. Florence, you love drinking water, straight from the glass. You shake your arms with glee and gulp it down too quickly more often than not. It is so sweet to see how excited you get about water.

4. When it comes to food, the only thing as exciting as water is double thick Greek yogurt (who cant resist it?). But this you eat very slowly, savouring each mouthful as you slowly lick it off the spoon, grinning at me with a big smile in between mouthfuls.

5. Anna your favourite foods are green smoothies which you sip from my glass, holding it grasped in your little hands; and freshly squeezed carrot juice (I give you tiny teaspoons  of mine and you cant seem to get enough).

6. Anna you have learnt to clap. And you are very proud of it. It is not quite on demad but when you get it you are delighted. Florence, you are learning to wave. Your little arm is arm held out and your hand moves up and down. You also hold your hand in a "come here" gesture, although sometimes used in the right context, it is also a display of excitement.

7. Florence, you sing and talk all day. Melodic little sounds of chatting and gurgling and gargling sweetly emerge from your big lips giving us a running commentary or a glimpse into your your own little world. "Tickle tickle tickle" you whisper. "Olayolayolay" you explain. You love the sound of your voice, trying out new sounds, repeating ones you like.

8. Anna you are so ticklish. Your most ticklish spots are behind your knees, in the dimple of your elbow, the lovely roll at the top of your thigh, and right down your spine. You also love the lightest, softest stroking across your cheeks, with your head flung back and your neck completely exposed.

9. You still fall asleep in the same cot at night. Top to tail. Although I do move you if you are disturbed. It is still one of my favourite things to see you sleeping together.

16/52

A portrait of my babes once a week in 2014 (38 weeks)

Oh these faces. I couldn't possibly love them more.