Hidden black sand beach by Adam.

Before we moved to London I had every intention of writing a daily diary and I’ve got the brand new notebooks to prove it.

But, before I knew it, 7 months have passed and guess what? Those spanking new notebooks still don’t have the story of our daily life written on their pages.

That’s why I was so excited to see this calendar/journal DIY from Design*Sponge.

I’ve made a variation of it that I keep on table next to my lounge using index cards and a black box. Every evening I’ve been writing down a few bullet points of things I’ve done that day.

Dropping in to Nomad Books for a coffee might not seem like the most exciting thing now – but I know when I’m back in Australia I’ll read over it and smile.

Do you keep a daily journal?

Image credit.

How was your Christmas? We had a lovely day with our roast duck, Brussels sprouts, paper crowns and walk in the cold. I read through my new book and my husband became skilled in the art of making balloon animals. It was simple – just how I like it.

Now I’m thinking of the new year. I need a wardrobe revamp. These outfits from Yves Salomon with their white on white and black on black are inspiring me with their simplicity and lux quality.

Are you all excited for Christmas this weekend? It’s the first time that my husband and I will be celebrating without any family around so we’re taking all the traditions that we love and making them our own.

We’ll have the roast dinner (duck) and brussels sprouts (seem to be compulsory with Christmas dinner here in the UK!) and my favourite, roast potatoes cooked with no consideration for health (hello butter). Christmas crackers are a must!

Then we’ll spend the afternoon with paper crowns on our heads, watching some movies and reading the new books we’ve got. I think there will be an Elderflower cocktail or two in there somewhere too.

I’ve been so excited to see that I’ve had new visitors dropping by daily. The shop is closed for the holidays but when I return it’ll be time to launch the personalisation options and I CAN’T WAIT TO GET STARTED!

I hope you have a lovely time over the next few weeks. Do you spend Christmas with family? What are your family traditions?

Image credit.

Today we’re not going to the South of France or the Belgian Ardennes.

Instead, I’m taking you on a stroll to the post office and back home through my neighbourhood of Putney. It’s the journey all Stevie and Three prints take before they’re in the hands of their new owner.

Let’s go!

We’ll walk down the hill, past a few restaurants and cafes and the East Putney tube station.

I just want to stop in to say hello to my husband who is helping a friend start up a business along the main road.

After we’ve dropped the packages off at the post office (my first orders!) we’ll drop in to WH Smith on the high street. Then we pop in to Sainsbury’s to pick up some ingredients for dinner and we’re off down a street lined with cute little houses.

We turn a corner and past the Putney School of Art. We peek in the window and see a group of people learning screen printing. I really want to take a class there!

Back up the hill and we cross a bridge over the tube line. It’s our lucky day as we cross a train beeps its horn as it passes under the bridge.

We walk a few more minutes and that’s it – we’ve arrived back home. Thanks for the company! Do you want to come in for a tea?

I’m so pleased to say that the Stevie and Three online shop is now open!

I was uming and ahing over opening before Christmas because the shipping cut off dates were fast approaching (and whoosing by) but with some Christmas helpers I was able to open.

The note to self print is available to purchase in a variety of lovely colours. If one takes your fancy be quick – I’ve only got limited stock available before Christmas.

All three designs can be personalised – that option will be available after Christmas.

There’s the note to self for your words to live by, the wanderlust design for those special adventures and the children’s case collection for typography loving modern parents.

I’ve had so much fun putting this shop together and can’t wait to start working on personalised commissions. I hope you like it!

P.S. The most popular colour so far is a tie between this one and this one.

P.P.S So thrilled that the shop was featured in Sarah Wilson’s Christmas Guide!! Yes – this was a big motivator to get the shop open!

One of the things someone told me before we moved to London was to stick to your plan no matter what the weather does.

Last Sunday I’d planned a day trip to Brighton and woke up to see mist and not much else. It was 4 degrees at 9am.

We put on our coats, jumped on the train from Clapham Junction and a hour later we were in Brighton.

The sky was blue, it was warm and there were people lying on the pebbly beach (mmm comfy!). We had fish and chips and sat in the sun on the stripped deckchairs dotted along the pier. After, we went for a stroll through town checking out the little shops on the lanes, my favourites were this sweet lighting shop and this very sweet chocolatier! Was a gorgeous day, I love the relaxed vibe of Brighton and can’t wait to go back.

It’s starting to get proper cold here in London and I keep seeing shearling jackets in the shops and foxes in my garden. I like both.

Images 1, 2.

Ring from Bjorg. Sometimes it’s nice to stop and rethink the rules. I think.