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As much as I encourage excitement and novelty in my life, which is why I welcomed the idea of moving our +2 (toddler and baby) family across the Atlantic, I’m the type that needs a degree of silhouettetiquette-designed predictable order to feel balanced and lean on my nest for that balance. Lately, I’ve been wondering about the moment when this empty white shell I’ve moved to in London and drizzled my furniture around truly started feeling like “home”. It’s been a slow process this time around as the logistics with two kids are many many times multiplied (and I think I’m getting more silhouettetiquette (i.e. demanding on the required esthetics) with age) but thankfully I am getting that home feeling back and here’s why:

  • No more boxes!
  • I’ve stopped moving furniture around to find their optimal place
  • Kitchen appliances are working again after investing in voltage transformers (seriously this London/NYC difference in voltage makes no sense in a globalized world and they need to end it for all us cooking moms out there!)
  • Curtains/blinds are installed. Sorry neighbors for discontinuing your favorite baby vs. toddler and home decoration reality shows!
  • British jargon is starting to sound natural: Rapessed oil for canola oil, buggy for stroller, nappy for diaper, lift for elevator, cheers for thank you, court shoes for high heels, pound instead of dollar and entrée is finally a starter and not a main course.

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  • I can take a shower without first getting splashed by ice-cold or burning hot water because I wasn’t sure how to use the shower handles.
  • I don’t spend 5 minutes at the door figuring out which key opens which lock.
  • I can finish a cup of tea without being disturbed by a zillion bell rings… ok, not really…but at least this time around it’s a delivery from net-a-porter and not the plumber! (oh and that door bell ring finally sounds familiar and doesn’t startle me anymore. Although for God’s sake does it have to be that loud!)
  • My toddler daughter declared “j’aime ma nouvelle maison!”

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  • I can blog again.
  • Me time is back (i.e. read something other than how to deal with baby crises and home maintenance + finally I get to do some of my internet shopping!)
  • We’re eating more home cooked meals again rather than delivery! (sorry salt)

Ultimately, after having moved so many times in the past decade I believe that one can truly make anywhere feel like home as long as they unconditionally dedicate themselves to make the place functional and customized to their lifestyle (i.e. in my case a whole lot of silouhettetiquette touches here and there!)

Happy Autumn Everyone, soon the weather won’t be warm anymore, but there will always be the warmth and blessing of home so cozy it up for the new season.

Share your thoughts and let me know what/where “home” is for you…xoxo

LoOse Yourself!

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Hanging out in the Victoria and Albert Museum I was reminded of the creative ways 18th Century fashionistas showcased their silhouettes while adding sophistication and story to their looks. While tight body outfits definitely have their place in a woman’s wardrobe, playing with loose effects (in the right proportions of course!), can throw in a unique edge and flow to your look and when contrasted with tight closing in the rest of the outfit can still highlight the hard work you’ve put into your silhouette. So don’t be afraid to mix it up and if you’re in London and want to try on the effect, head to the Victoria and Albert Museum where you can try on a wide petticoat… Now of course, you won’t be streetstyling the 18th Century look (although it would be priceless to see someone try that in a crowded city! Weddings however are fair game… done that! 😉 ) but what you can definitely do is loosen your streestyle looks with wide-leg trousers or harem pants…

Right: Adjusting dress volume to nowadays city life where living spaces are shrinking compared to Left: Mantua and petticoat illustrating the grandest style of court dress in the 1740’s and 1750’s in England. This mantua is a display of decoration in Rococo embroidery along with patterned silks and printed textiles. The dress can be seen at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

My favorite on the run, comfy and passe-partout outfits

38 Weeks: Can’t Hide

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…which means I now have to debrief Manhattan pedestrians on every block (and in every elevator) on my pregnancy. Questions range from, “how far are you?” to “any minute now?” to “is it just one?” (with the best follow-up, “are you sure?”)… Too much for New Yorkers not caring, with a belly this size (see pic) the questions flow and they’re unavoidable (because they usually come with a huge smile and surprised eyes)! The best of course was the person who told me “Honey, I think you need to head to the hospital right now!”

huge belly