Iris, Betty Rose, Jasmine, Bluebell, Constance, Harper, Flora and Posie are just a few of the names being bandied about for Gypsy Rose Junior but it’s Blossom that seems to be getting suggested the most in our daft floral name search. Not least because we have a history with Blossom Dearie but also it’s just lovely.

Pretty apt then that this is the view from the window in our boat roof, that she is blasting out of the portholes and why I find myself in discussion with jazz cat Bob over May dates and if the late Ms Dearie herself would approve.

I reckon she, with a doobin doobin da dwee , just might…as for blooming trees, don’t you just wish they were like this all year round?

xxx

This week we found out that our Gypsy Rose Junior is a she and we’re sooo excited, now scouting for floral girls names…

xxx

It goes without saying I swan about in florals all day long tweaking my constance spry arrangements and live a cox and cox lifestyle.

I don’t, but if I did the above footwear would get a look in, bump would be swathed in a smock version of said frock and through my portholes you’d see rapunzel style piles of liberty cushions rather than piles of cut out fabric that lie quivering about their future.

I’m awaiting my dunks but too shy for the frilly thing …that said maybe a foray to one of Caroline’s finds would be the right excuse?

This week an appointment in Harley Street, Wimborne White in a Captains cabin and a chamomile lawn.

xxx

Boat stuff… swans, blooms, typewriters and polaroid shenanigans.

Good things this week – receiving our Bob Dorough tickets, set design commissions, ducklings on the canal and blossom appearing on our cherry tree.

Bad things – discovering aol had inapropriately spammed my whole address book with roode email, blunt floristry scissors and kicks in the night.

This week aside a big merci – I’ve been writing this for a year so thanks for putting up with all of my silly adventures xx

P.S Must be something to do with flowers but today I’m listening to this.

So, my lovely friend Shelagh opened Lantana a year and a half ago and has since won London’s Best New Cafe. The food is amazing – a sort of Peter Gordon of Providores meets Bill’s Kitchen with a twist of Tilda Swinton.

It has the BEST hot chocolate and flat whites ever (and I don’t even like coffee) and is hidden away just off Charlotte street.

Why the crush alert….? Apart from naming her joint after a pretty out there bloom, she’s just expanded with a take out grocer-like branch next door, you have to go if only to check out my staplegun action, giant sweet jars ( I got to style it) and the roasted aubergine salads.

Maybe have a hot chocolate with a swirly heart atop too. xxx

Think I’ll kick it down the street. My god daughter Elfin is coming next week so have to come up with some gypsyesque floral and fun adventure. Last visit trying to convince her that growing mint in an old welly didn’t rock her nine year old world, so…Ten and tins I reckon.

Stolen from Design Sponge, Blue Peter and the mad cat lady who lives on Stanley Crescent, W11. Lookie here.

xxx

In Paris is all the rage apparamment…

Flowers aside this week I have a pile of floral fabrics on the boat as high as the Eiffel tower, my mission being to get Annie as haberdashered up with soft furnishings as poss before Gypsy Rose junior pitches up.

Curtains cushions and culottes are all ear-marked for my 1970’s liberty prints and fabric roses are clogging up my flower room for said affairs. But will it happen?

Only problem is that my machine a coudre only has french instructions which really don’t tally with the french slang my ears are used to and erm, I can’t thread the silly thing. Zutt.

Now what we really need in London is a rent a granny who comes complete with rock cakes for a good days tuition. I dream of her coursing up the towpath in tweeds. Failing that somewhere like The Sweatshop that has opened in Paris, I love love love this idea and just how much to their interiors rock?

xxx

photos de Laurence Tarquin von Thomas

It’s been a weekend of my family and other animals, Owl based fairy tales for neices and nephews and bonfire nights on the towpath.

Life is slowing down as bump and I hit six months and flower-wise this is a good thing. No more ladders and heaving heavy urns or crazily teetering on high ledges with rolls of gaffer tape in my mouth whilst sprinkling fairy dust!

From here on in, I’m swapping Vogue Italia for Mamas and Papas catalogues, simple props and posies and spring projects inspired by illustrators.

My canalside collaborators? Introducing gentleman Arnold at the top (do you like his specs?) and our grumpy Duchess, Madame Cholet, below.

Happy Mondays

xxx

I have never been short on curves to clothe but Jeez louise am I the only mum to be trying to dress a tum without resorting to all these stretchy stripes?

My tired polka dot and nautica is well running its course so time for some machine a coudre action. I may even get embroidering flowers in fluorescents.

The mere thought of having to buy over-sized frocks must be making you pea green so check out some cool designs here, compete or have a looksie at Vintage Pedlar.

Third trimester and it’s Ugly Betty or bust.

xxx

Good things on the boat this week, cravings for strawbs, Captain starting his music mix for bambino, bluebells in the garden (finally) and a promise that someone will grow old gracefully…like this chap.

xxx

Oncewed, bluebell mania, Shelley Manne and Happy Birthday to my favouriite sailor.