Lausanne home exchange

For our stay in Lausanne, we did a home exchange with a lovely couplewith 2 little boy. The flat was so nice, we thought we lived there and could have moved in tomorrow. It was very colorful full of lots of quirky little things gave it a homely feel.

Ines really enjoyed playing with the shop they built in the storage units in the boys bedroom. It gave me ideas of what to do in her room under the bunk bed. Maybe I'll get around to it for christmas...

She also loved Agathe the crazy 1 year old cat, and ran after her all around the flat, only to run away when the cat deigned looking at her.

A peaceful moment, reading her new book.

Festival de fondue au fromage

Today, we drove up to Caux. I'll spare you talk about the amazing scenery and views to talk about food. We had one of the many fondues we've had during this trip to Switzerland. The menu at the Hostellerie de Caux was the largest selection of cheese fondues I have ever seen. Of course we had the Moitie-moitie, but we also tried the fondue Fribourgeoise. It is only made with Vacherin de Fribourg (no wine). yumyum... Also it is important to say that Ines had her first taste of fondue, and as a true Swiss girl, she loved it!

4x4 timber

While in Geneva, Nico had an appointment so Ines and I had a couple of hours to hang around. We went to visit Mamco: Musee d'Art Moderne et Contemporain. Although the work was interesting. I clicked on the flooring in the main entrance. They used stained off-cuts of 4x4 timber. It looks amazing. I particularly like the fact that the pieces are only placed and wedged next to each other.

Migros

I just love going to supermarkets when I am abroad. They are like a cave full of magic goodies. Migros holds a particularly special place in my hear, as it reminds me of my student years in lausanne. i did a food shop there today and bought some "viande des grisons" to take back home with me. Favourite product: definetly banana yoghurt.

Carambar

Do you have a favourite sweet? This is mine: the original Carambar. It hass got an amazing caramel flavour, it sticks to your teeth and there is the bonus joke inside (to be read with the whole carambar in your mouth please).

It remind's me of childhood, an in particular the fact that they were very special treats that friends and family brought us from France. I bought a packet today and I am not sharing.

Mudac in Lausanne, CH

Today we went to this little museum in Lausanne, Switzerland. The Musee de design et d'arts appliques contemporains is a young and vibrant place. It only opened in 2000, but it looks like there is a lot more interesting stuff to come. The temporary exhibit is called Nature en Kit and is about nature today and how it is perceived, experienced and mimicked. Check it out if you are ever in the area. Here are a couple of my favorite displays at the show.

Your message here

What a great installation by Something is hiding here. They designed it for uban outfitters' shop front in Philadelphia. Great stuff. I love the way it is playful. Imagine passing that window everyday... You might get a message or you can imagine the lives of the ones that get one.

Cookery book

I came across this book in a cute tea house in Highgate earlier this year. It is full of credit crunch recipes and tips.

Picture frame

Finally I got around to taking Nico's Christmas present to get framed. The process is quite nifty, they have these samples of frames and m

ounting card and you can assemble as you want. My favourite was the little weights that have a padded underside that they place on the image to keep it from rolling back up. Cute. I'll keep you posted with the result.

10 ways to infuse your work with your personality

I came across Wish Jar by Kerry Smith today. A wonderful blog full of wise and playfull postings. This one was particularly charming:

I made you a beard

I love this very distinguished zeus beard by erin on I made you a beard. I might have to make one. check out her collection.

Mad Men

Finally, season 3 is starting in the USA. It's been worth the wait. I just love this tv show. It is about the life of the people that work for an advertising company on Madison Avenue, NY in the early sixties. Very non PC, sexist... ie: mom rocking the craddle smoking a cigarette in the nursery, lots of casual drinking going on during work meetings... That's just the backdrop, it is not really a comment on the 60s, merely an observation. It's an insight into the lives of these people. Very touching and beautifully shot.

Switch it on, you'll like it.

Happy dinner

Summer fruit

A fresh idea...

Some pink, some blue

My friend Jasmine remembered the party bags I made for Ines' birthday last year and asked where I got them. So I offered to make her the ones she needed for Athina's 2nd birthday next saturday. I love the pinks.

Chicken doorstop

Athina is getting a new chicken doorstop for her bedroom door. We went to visit our friends this weekend and I remembered they needed one when I came across this tutorial on Bake and Sew.

A new tote for Miss Smith

Ines' teacher Miss Smith is moving rooms after the summer break. Although she will be around, I know that Ines will miss her. So we made her this personal little gift.

Best wrapping paper ever

I just love this wrapping paper. Although there is already a picture of this paper somewhere in my blog, this version has evolved. Ines colored it in and it just looks great. I have to get some more from Ikea.

Shirt dress

I made Ines this really cute summer dress with one of nico's shirts. It is a soft cotton and he never wore the shirt, so I thought I'd use this great tutorial by crafster to recycle it.

Peter Pan

Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. A treat for imaginative kids... Ines particularly enjoyed climbing on it and finding all the little animals and the fairies.

One O'clock club

We sometimes go to Highbury's One O'clock club and Ines just loves the craft section.

I like the drying rack that keeps all the precious drawings safe until they are dry and taken home.

A day at the beach

The thermometer was above 20C on Sunday, so we headed for the beach. Camber Sands in East Sussex. It was a perfect day, temperature was just right with a little breeze. We has a greasy fish & chips and made lots of sand castles.

Ines' favourite was "the mud". We'll have to do it again soon.

Car boot sales

I just love car boot sales! On a day trip out of London we came across this country carboot sale near Rye, East Sussex. Lots of stuff to buy for between 20p and 5£. I came back with nothing as I only had 8p in my purse. Silly mummy! I forgot to take cash with me...

Cookie cutter

Isn't this just so perfect to share?

Special moment

At 12hr 34 minutes and 56 seconds on the 7th August 2009 the date will be: 12:34:56 7/8/9

This will never occur again! (unless you were in the usa last month)

Thanks you for having us

I love this cute little card that Barbara thoughtfully left us before she left for her trip yesterday.

Have a good trip

Barbara mentioned that Hassan could use a new toiletry bag. So I made him this one to take on his travels. After staying with us for a few weeks they are leaving us this week. Snif, snif. It was nice having them around. We'll miss Marco & Serena...

Toile de Jouy

I bought this fabric a few weeks ago with the intention of making napkins out of it. I since stopped buying paper towels and everyone has been moaning about it at the dinner table. I only got around to making these 8 napkins today. I really like the fabric and look forward to using them.

Petit faune

I had to take a picture of this little jumper. It was given to Ines by tata Maguelone when she was born. Unfortunately moths have been munching on it... I had a pathetic go at fixing it and it is now in the freezer as I am writing this. My best bet, I think is to keep a memory of it here.

Flower picking

Ines asked me to take a picture of this flower she picked while out on a walk and put it on the computer. So here it is. She loves picking flowers and offering them. This particular one comes from clissold park.

George Barbier. Master illustrator

The book George Barbier - The Birth of Art Deco is a beautiful compilation of the work of George Barbier.

 

A Parisian fashion illustrator and costume designer. Barbier’s work ranges from illustrations for fashion magazines to wallpaper design and costume design. I was introduced to his work by Barbara who curated an exibition of his works in Venice in 2008. His work has grown me with his subtle use of colour and gentle feminine compositions. I particularly like the richness of colour of his interior scenes.

Laundry bag

I made this laundry bag for Barbara to take with her on holiday to italy. She asked me a while ago, when I showed her my fabric samples. I finally got around to it! Success, she is leaving tomorrow, and she'll have a cute little bag to put her laundry in. I used 2 different but coordinated fabrics from a sample book. I have lots more left so I need to get sewing.

The wicked witch

One evening after school last week, we got our peg doll kit out and made this wicked witch.

I was very suprised when Ines said she didn't want a princess, but a witch instead. Although she still loves her princesses, she is definitely more open to other suggestions...

Advanced style

I love the originality of the lovely people photographed on this website: Advanced style. The pictures put a smile on my face when I watch them. They remind me of my friend Barbara who loves her stylish silver haired ladies friends.