good morning!

weekend starts on a friday here in our house.

it meant no rude awakening from the alarm clock at 5:30.

hoooray!

if you think porridge oats for breakfast is boring...cook it in the hob with milk for 3 minutes, top with your favorite cereal (mine's Oats & More from Nestle), some sultanas and a generous sprinkle of flaked almonds. yum. goes well with a cup of green tea and a splash of morning sunshine.

happy friday!

p.s. Prettige Koninginnedag!!!

{It's Queen's Day today in the Netherlands}

spring lovely spring

i spent a lovely afternoon today with my friend Deirdre and her daughter M at the National Botanic Gardens. i was torn between stopping to admire and smell the flowers and capturing them on my camera before the day ended. half a day certainly is not enough, so i'm definitely going back there with the husband sometime soon, perhaps with a blanket for lying on the grass and a thermos of hot coffee!

i wish i can bottle up the freshness of the spring air and the gaiety of the flowers because it'd be something i would love splashing on myself every day.

the garden is open for everyone - there's no entrance fee and there's a lovely cafe close to the entrance gate which is a wonderful treat to cap your day out.

if you're in Dublin, the National Botanic Gardens is about 10minutes from the city centre and there are a few bus routes that can take you there. click here for more information on how to get there.

will post more pictures soon!

have a great day everyone!♥

Layla Grace

I just found another eye candy online which is too hard to resist ogling at. Layla Grace is an online boutique which carries a sophisticated and clearly carefully selected treasure trove of things for the home, for you and your family.  The website is beautifully presented in elegant floral design and vibrant colors, which make browsing a treat in itself.

Product categories are mainly classified into Home and Bedding, Children and Women. If you need ideas for presents to give, there's a Gifts category which can help you decide according to your budget, the occasion, and the person you are giving it to. You can even make your own Gift Registry for your special occasion!

{click photos to enlarge}

For a nesting mother looking for a crib bedding, here are a few goodies which might catch your fancy. Pictured above are designs from Matteo Bambino, if you're looking for vintage linens and  classic heirloom materials.

If you love shabby chic and good old red white and blue dotty goodness, here's a cute set for your little man from Little Bunny Blue.

If your style veers towards modern prints, here's a gorgeous vine floral design in beautiful shades of pinks and greens from Skip Hop. For more designs, see here.

Lastly, I can't help but include these baby pettiskirts which are just too cute for words. There are sizes for toddlers and children, and even for newborns! The pettiskirts are perfect for wearing to any special occasion such as a birthday party or a wedding, or for making memorable portraits, or just for your little one to prance and flounce with.

Enjoy the cuteness overload!