Hello Dolly

I bought Hellp Dolly a couple of weeks ago and Ines and I have already watched it 3 times. I just love this musical! I grew up on this stuff. I even called my dog Dolly (tragic I know, I was only 10...). I love it all: the music, the dancing, the costumes, the sets.

I know you either love Barbra Streisand or you hate her, but I like her streetwise outspoken girl kind of attitude. She is not scared to disagree with anyone and defend herself.

Nice graphic too.

Louis Amstrong, Barbra Streisand & Gene Kelly

Playdough time

Here are some creations that Ines has been working on. I love the armless monkey.

Lego stuff

Since we went to Louisiana, I've been keen to get my hands on some lego bricks and play around with them.

I ordered some bricks on ebay and we all chipped in and made a few brooches. They make great home made gifts. Here are some of my favourites.

Anyone for Pimm's

British summer is upon us and if like me you like hanging out with friends in the park with a glass of Pimms. Cheers.

For 4 drinks you will need:

-1 cup Pimm's No1

-3 cups Lemonade or Tonic

-sliced 4 strawberries

-sliced 1/2 orange

-sliced 1/2 cucumber

-fresh mint

Mix the lot with lots of ice et voila

The kids are at the theatre

I love this collection of buggies. The kids are all attending a play at the Royal Festival Hall and have parked their buddies in the main hall.

Drawing faces

Ines is going through a phase of drawing faces. She is getting quite good at it and tests various options every time she gets a chance. She drew these ones is drawn on a paper tablecloth when we went for dim sum in Chinatown, while we wait for our order. I particularly like no2 with the pearly whites...

The doll house

Finally Ines is interested in her doll house. We got her that for christmas and she was never really interested. But lately she has been playing with it and making up stories. It's so funny the way she always speaks english when she is in play mode.

Marry Poppins

Ines has a go at trying to fly around with the help of her umbrella (and daddy)...

Herrick road street party

My friend Emma invited us to join come to the Herrick Road party. Can one expect good weather on a mid-july sunday? Not in London!

It drizzelled most of the time but that didn't spoil the fun. The food was amazing: apparently a michelin starred chef living on the street was in charge of it. The band was well suited to my age group.

And there was plenty of activities for the little one: a train, a bouncy castle and face painting to name a few. Ines and I had a go at the face painting. It was a great excuse to catch up with some local friends and meet new ones

Spotty clown skirt

I made this spotty clown skirt for Ines to wear at her friend June's birthday party. Unfortunately the party was postponed, but the skirt was a hit. Ines ran around in it all day, and puts it on after school most days... I made it out of some pink satin that I had and cut felt circles that I added onto the fabric. Note to self: sew appliques on fabric prior to making garment. Much easier!

Peg princess

Last sunday morning, we had a craft session with Ines. We opened the lovely "make your own peg dolls" gift box that Jen got Ines for her birthday and made this cute princess. As you can probably guess Ines had a lot to do with the choice of colours. Very successful, I have to say...

With the hand of a friend

We started this poster 7 years ago and as time went on, hands were added to it. Our friends made their mark on our interior. I will try and remember a few...

The one on top right with the slight blur of the fingers is David Benoit.

The large open one new to that is Manuel Capel Lopez.

The one below that with the index and middle finger together is Mark Devitt.

The one with the swipe of the thumb and index is Nicolas Oulevay

The lips are Camelia Bouazzaoui.

The little hand top left is Madjed Elanzani.

The small hand bottom left is Ines Oulevay.

The foot is Alexandre Michaud.

The one bottom left with the double fingerprint is Ax aka Ahmed Fiosal.

2nd down from the top and from the left is nadia Oulevay (that would be me).

Everyone needs an owl

I made this little owl out of some linen I had lying around for John's baby daughter (Isidora). I hope she likes it... It makes a crinkling sound when you touch it.

The best dad there's ever bean!

Ines made this at school for her dad for father's day 2009. I particularly like her drawing of daddy and mummy on the inside of the card and the comment: "I love you because I like you".

Simple and to the point.

Obamicon.me

Great idea on this website to turn your own pictures into an obamicone. Here's one I made today. Have a go it's fun.