It's been a while + Purl Soho Review

Hi Folks. Yes, I know it's been a very long time since my last post. I think I needed a blog vacation for longer than I thought. I suppose I felt a little burned out after the holidays.

But the real reason for my long hiatus is the very happy fact that we are expecting baby #2 this summer. I've been experiencing a lot of fatigue this second time around so instead of using my spare time to sew or blog, I am trying to rest as much as I can.

I hope to get some, ok, any sewing at all done in the next few months but I'm going to let myself off the hook and just do what I can :)

With that, I'll leave you with a quick review of my trip to Purl Soho when I was in NYC over the holiday. Enjoy!

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I finally got the chance to visit Purl Soho back in December while I was in NY. I've been drooling over  their blog for ages so I'm glad I got the chance to actually visit the store. Unfortunately, I have to say that I was a bit disappointed. I guess I was expecting to find some new and different fabrics but didn't come across any.

The store was certainly attractive, but I came away empty handed despite spending a good 30 minutes looking for some project inspiration. However, it was exciting to see many of the actual projects featured on the purl bee to touch and admire.

The verdict? Purl Soho is great for fabric/yarn eye candy but I'm still loyal to The City Quilter for fabric.

 Modern holiday display & wall of fabrics

 Pretty quilts on display

Handmade wool felt ornaments

It's Home Time....

(image via CBS New York)

I'm off to New York tomorrow for a pre-Christmas trip to visit my hometown, friends and family so things will be quiet here for the next week or so. 

(There will be no sewing on this trip... although I did sneak some knitting needles into my suitcase!)

A few things on the agenda:

- Take little miss to see the Christmas tree and ice-skating rink at Rockefellar Center (just like my parents did when I was a child) 

- Stuff myself with NYC street food (just like my college days)

- Consume multiple medium sized cups of hazelnut coffee from D&D

- One word..."iHOP"

- Stock up on US craft supplies (Target, Michael's, Joanns, The City Quilter)

- Outlet shopping!!!

See you folks on the other side of the pond...

London Transport Museum

One of our favorite day trips out in London is to the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden.  There are plenty of working models and interactive exhibits to keep your little ones engaged. Little miss just loves being able to "drive" all the real busses and trains. Also, your ticket entitles you to an annual membership so the museum is great value as well. 

The old double decker route masters are so cool :)

A really gorgeous exhibit of transport inspired art...

The gift shop is really nice and not filled with the usual fodder. They even sell textiles! Check out this display of really gorgeous pillows...

Since it was the last day of the Olympics, we wanted to soak up the atmosphere and we weren't dissapointed. Just look at how crowded Covent Garden was...

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Oh and if you're itching for some cupcakes, check out sweet couture cupcake boutique which is only a 5 minute walk from the museum. I always pop in when in the area :)

Enjoy!

Amsterdam...Here We Come!

* Everyman Mapguide to Amsterdam

My mother and sister are both coming from the US next month for a visit here to London (Hooray!) and we've all decided to take a girl's weekend trip to Amsterdam (Hooray! Hooray!). I've planned many trips on my own, but this will be my first with a toddler and without the help of DH so I've been planning like crazy.

I've already checked off a few major things on my to-do list:
1. Book all flights (including sister's flight to London and roundtrip ticket's from LHR to AMS).
2. Find self-serve apartment to rent in Amsterdam close to large park, tram stops and tourist area.
3. Locate places to buy nappies in Amsterdam.
4. Download Play!Amsterdam App (guide to all playgrounds in Amseterdam)

Things I'm working on:
1. Packing list (i.e decide which pram to bring).
2. Create a Google Map with all the places I want to visit.
3. Look up child friendly restaurants, parks, attractions and cool shops.

I've also been checking out other blogs for tips on traveling to Amsterdam with kids: Babychino Kids, Travels with Clara, babygadget, Tot 'n Tow and of course, Design Mom.

* (I highly recommend Everyman Mapguides if you're in the market for a travel guide. Their best feature is the small fold out map included for each major area of your city. The map is comprehensive yet small enough so that you're not labelled a tourist!)

Millie Moon Haberdashery in Somerset

On a recent weekend trip to Somerset, I came across a lovely fabric store in Frome. Millie Moon Haberdashery is full of wonderful bright fabrics, a great selection of sewing books and one of the largest button selections that I've seen (they take online orders as well). Oh, and the service there was bright, cheery and very helpful too.

I managed to pick up a few lovely fat quarters and felt squares for some upcoming sewing projects:

The rainbow chevron fabric is my favorite.

I'm really into charcoal greys, pinks and purples at the moment.

Not real wool felt, but a great eco alternative made from recycled materials. 

Daylesford Organic = Heaven

During a recent weekend trip to Cheltenham, I managed to stop by the Daylesford Organic farm shop (located in Daylesford of course), on our way back home to London. I have to say, that this is one of the most gorgeous farm shops I've ever seen. When you walk in, you are immediately surrounded by fresh organic produce and prepared foods. You can also find housewares, a lovely wine shop and a wonderful cafe.

I myself came away with some fresh baked pastries or an organic hot chocolate (to fight the cold rainy day outside).

If you live in London, you can also visit their shop located in Notting Hill. It's not as large as the farm shop in Daylesford but you can still purchase the same products and the food in the cafe is just as delicious.