goodbye 2014!

I can’t believe this year is coming to an end. In a way I can see exactly where the time went. It has been a year full of ups and downs, challenges and triumphs, and so many life lessons I have learned this year. 

Since the arrival of our lil man over a fortnight ago, the whole family has been soaking up some much needed rest and spending some precious time with our loved ones. I have also been using my confinement time doing what I love most, being with my family and taking pictures!

Time is precious so spend 2015 with people and things you love, make it a year to remember. Wishing you all a healthy and fun 2015! 

Fe xo

he's here!

The newest member of team Miles.

Marceau Tysen
6.38am | 14.12.14 | 8lbs 1oz | 52cm

We are so happy he is finally here. Welcome to the world our little man!

Mummy and Daddy love you xo

dune du pilat

The highest sand dune in Europe. It is located in the Arcachon Bay area, France.

A beautiful location to spend a few hours in the afternoon soaking up some sunshine whilst enjoying the spectacular view from the summit.

afternoon sun kisses

Bathing in warm sunshine at Torch Lake, Michigan.

little bear

Little bear, not long now till we can put on our flip flops, shorts and t-shirts again. 

I can't wait to share the photographs from our recent trip to Malaysia with you. First thing first, I better finish my current project and will update again soon.

Fe xo

apple of our eyes

Milou is 1

My sweet lil angel turned one yesterday and we had a birthday party for her over the weekend. She was so blessed to have so many friends and family to celebrate with her. 

My baby is no longer a baby and she has accomplished so much in the past year. I still remember the first time I laid eyes on her and how it felt when I first held her. For 39 weeks, I was anxiously waiting to see this little life that was growing inside me; one day I woke up and a year has gone by! 

Milou melts my heart every time she smiles or when she lays her head on my shoulder. It has been such an amazing journey. I cherish the precious memories we have had together so far and look forward to another year full of laughter and happiness. 

Milou, mummy loves you to the moon and back, always and forever! xo

Here's an album from Milou's 6 months shoot.

http://books.milkbooks.com/projects/cf1a16f9-b639-4a23-acec-046b8dd0dac0/161116/1004812/pages_1004812.pdf

my mummy

 This is my mummy, who has sacrificed so much so I could chase my dreams. 

Love you! xo

her many firsts...

your smile creates a dream of possibilities
Milou at 5 months old

Milou and I spend almost 24/7 together, however I still worry sometimes that I may miss the very first time she crawls, walks, says her first word... I am so grateful that I get to spend a lot of precious time with Milou, learning from her everyday. It is amazing how a mother understands what her baby does not say and every little thing she does is magic! 

Here's a photograph from her first outdoor photoshoot taken at Hyde Park last month on Father's Day.

ever after honeymoon | Los Angeles

To love and to be loved must be one of the happiest thing in life.

Our ever after honeymoon trip started in Los Angeles, where we welcomed in the New Year. LA was so different from the other cities in the States that we have visited. First of all, meal portions were edible in size! We loved the healthy options on the menu too.

The weather was glorious everyday. It was definitely a nice change to have 20+ degrees celsius for Winter but the Christmas decorations did seem to be out of place without some bitterly cold temperature and snow.

We didn't spot any celebrities during our short 3 days stay in LA but enjoyed checking out the local farmer's market and had some delicious pastries at the celebrity's favourite Urth cafe on Melrose Avenue.

Check back soon for some pictures from our next stop - Big Island, Hawaii.

pleasant surprises

Camera: Vintage Lubitel 2
Film: expired Kodak E100G

This picture was converted to black and white in Photoshop, which I much prefer than the colour version. The vintage camera is a birthday present from my husband off eBay. It amazes me how a cheap piece of kit is capable of producing such beautiful images. 

We visit our local Aquadrome regularly and it is always so beautiful and tranquil regardless of the season. Our doggies love their walks there, occasionally our puppy Duke would sneak in for a quick dip in the lake. It is ever so popular for families on sunny days. 

I enjoy running around the lakes and had my last run there nearly a year ago when I just got pregnant with Milou. Tomorrow I will be joining a buggy fit class with other local mums and babies. Can't wait to get back into it!

3 months today!

It is hard to be believe James and I were waiting anxiously to meet our baby girl at Watford General Hospital only 3 months ago.

We are so proud to be Milou's parents. She is a sweet little girl who loves nothing more than a cuddle from her mummy and daddy.  We love her big brown eyes, chubby cheeks, button nose, pointy chin, squidgy bum and tiny toes. 

To us, Milou is the cutest girl in the world! 

motherhood

Photo by my lovely husband, James

Another weekend nearly over. This year is definitely flying by!

This Sunday has been a very different Mother's Day from previous years as I am embracing the title of being a mummy!  It's weird that I still don't see myself as a mum even though I had an amazing little creature happily hibernating in my tummy for 39 weeks and 1 day and she is now almost 2 months old.

The journey has been absolutely incredible so far and I can't wait to spend many more wonderful times with my precious girl and little family.

Happy Mother's Day to my loving and beautiful mummy plus all the other extraodinary mums in the world!!

Fe xo

enjoying the outdoor

I uploaded this picture of Princess to the blog nearly a year ago but forgot to post it. She had been enjoying a bit of run about and some sunshine at the local Aquadrome. If you look closely you could see a leaf sticking out just under her chin. It is Princess' favourite thing to do running through a bunch of dried leaves. My little baby girl is turning 4 in July.

welcome to the world Milou ♥

Milou Chevelle Miles
1.12pm | 15.01.2013 | 7lbs 8ozs | 52cm
Picture taken at 4 days new

James and I have taken the parenthood plunge!

We are proud parents to a beautiful girl, Milou and still can't believe our good fortune even though it has been 2 weeks. It seems like we were just watching her kick and roll around inside my belly or touching her little foot under my skin not long ago; and now we have this sweet little girl right in front of us.

It is crazy how quickly the time passes; the clockwork of changing diapers, dealing with the feeding schedule, dressing and play time. It is amazing how much she changes every day. I often linger around her cot just in case I miss a cute facial expression or sound. 

I still haven't got over the fact that this wonderful creature is ours - FOR KEEPS! I love this new mum job and wouldn't trade any of it for the world.

Welcome to the world Milou ~ Love Mummy and Daddy xo

a day that I'll always remember

Saint Mark's Basilica

Two years ago today, I was in one of the most romantic and gorgeous cities, Venice, where James proposed. It was snowing when we arrived and everything just seemed perfect and magical. December the 18th will always be a day that gives me butterflies in the stomach. 

I love you, James! xo

English countryside

Autumn is a great time of year to get outside and get active. What better way to enjoy the great outdoors than taking your family or dogs to discover some beautiful English countryside. 

These pictures were taken during our walk around Flauden, a short 15 minutes drive from Rickmansworth or Amersham. The route follows mainly field side boundaries with some stunning views over the rolling hills of the Chess Valley, cutting across the minor roads that link the area together. The area is pleasantly rural, with crops or horses occupying the fields. 

We often reward ourselves with a good old Sunday roast after the walk. One of the two local pubs, The Bricklayers Arms definitely makes the walk all worthwhile! It is located in the hamlet of Hogpits Bottom, just outside of Flaunden; it's a 200 year old multi award wining gastro-pub. If you don't fancy a roast, their menu offers plenty of other equally delicious options. The food has made it irresistible for us to keep returning, it is also a bonus that they are dog friendly and the owner is ever so welcoming and helpful. 

springtime colour

After a rather long Winter with short days and cold weather, the burst of vibrant Spring colours finally took over! Here are a couple of pictures from a recent visit to rapeseed fields that will hopefully brighten the home, body and spirit.

If you happen to be in Hemel Hempstead or Berkhamstead area, you must visit the Three Horseshoes. It is a charming English pub that's tucked away down a narrow lane and offers tranquil al fresco dining next to the Grand Union canal. The most important thing is their food has never failed to impress every time we have been there. One of the best Sunday roasts I have had for a while and they even have Japanese Kirin beer on tap!

childhood love affair

love what you do now
love what you do forever

What was your favourite toy or a hobby that you had as a child? Barbie, plush toys or tea sets were never on my wish list but I have always enjoyed taking photographs for as long as I can remember. Apart from the occasional shots taken with my dad's Nikon FE slr, I had lots of fun using the Kodak 35mm self-wind camera that my uncle gave me back in the 80s.

I love the accessibility and convenience of a digital camera, however film has always been my first love. There are many fond memories from using the Kodak, whether it was a a double exposure by accident or the anticipation of waiting for my films to be processed at the 1 hour photo shop.

Three years ago, I splashed out and spent £70 on a Holga. A camera that is made of plastic! It is the most fun toy ever and it got me back into film again. My collection now consists a mini Diana and Lubitel 2 that I received as gifts,  I have since then also bought a couple of Kodak brownies from a vintage shop for a tenner, a Nikon F5 and a Mamiya 645. The pictures above are from the very first roll of film that I shot recently with the Mamiya and I am on cloud nine!

There are so many other temptations these days that we easily take things or people for granted. Why not just slow down and spend sometime doing what you love but have not done for a while.

help

help me not to be like be the rest of them

help me let my past make me better not bitter

help me not to let a negative comment kill a dream

help me forget shit and move on

Who needs a camera to take picture?! Today, I discovered the world of scanography on Flickr and wasted no time in trying it out. I converted the scanned image to black and white plus adding some texture for some dramas. A bit of fun was exactly what I needed on a rainy day.

birthday month

April is my favourite time of the year, it's the month that my husband and I celebrate our birthdays! James arranged a surprise burlesques lesson for me, followed by a show and dinner at the Cafe de Paris in London. It was totally my cup of tea and thoroughly enjoyed it! James even got some extra attention from lead dancer Lady Alex, made it a very unforgettable night.

You have probably gathered by now that I spend half my time in the kitchen. My new cookbook The Little Paris Kitchen by Rachel Khoo gave me some wonderful ideas for a 4 course dinner that I prepared for James' birthday. I was over the moon when the cheese soufflé (soufflé au fromage) rose to the occasion since it was my very first attempt!

To honour his birthday, here is a picture of my lovely husband during a walk around the Ranelagh Gardens by the Royal Chelsea Hospital on Sunday.