2 peas in a pod...

There is no doubt that Tilly is husby's daughter.  I mean I carried her in my belly and sure as hell pushed her out, but when it comes to how she looks and how she behaves, she is his.

They both love books and reading which is a fantastic hobby and since Tilly was a baby she has been gentle and thoughtful with books, magazine or anything with pages.  We have read to her since she was born and it's now a standard thing for everyone to have reading time.

They both have a cleft on their chins, which is super cool and very rare and they can both twist their tongues in a weird way, that I heard was only something geniuses could do.  That explains why they are both rather odd creatures too!

They both love travelling, playing hockey, eating Kalle's caviar, they don't like mushrooms, they loves milk, they like the Beach Boys, Elvis and Sam Cooke, they both have a bad case of OCD and are super impatient!
So not too much like me at all!  But I suppose as she gets older it will even out, and of course she will be like herself - which is the best way to be - An individual.....

Inspiration...

Today I treated myself with the new UnderbaraClara book from blogger Clara Lindström.  She has my dream life!  It's not so much that I want to be her or someone else for that matter, but I would like to have the motivation and creativity she has, as well as the house!  Living in the countryside away from the big cities.  Baking, gardening, sewing, painting, creating and taking care of her son - all as part of her job.  Now that is what I call a modern housewife.  And as anyone who knows me knows, that I think being a housewife is the best job ever!

So its not a bad term as lots of woman nowadays think.    I think 'chicks with dicks'  my affectionate name for 'independent woman' have messed up the way both genders feel in current times.  Men are so confused of their role and are too afraid to be chivalrous in case they get a kick in the groin.  Woman are exhausted for trying to be as successful as men in their careers, while being good mothers and wives.  So I say whoever burnt that bra, better stay outta my way!  I'm glad woman have rights now of course but that gives them the right to choose.  So if its a housewife or an electrician they choose, it shouldn't make a difference, and we shouldn't be so obsessed about proving ourselves.  You can never get away from the fact that men and woman are not the same and will never be!

Anyway whatever type of woman you are, if you want to feel feminine, creative or inspired, have a look at this book.

PO.Psicle...

I realised today when we were on our way to daycare (which was one of the better mornings we have had!) that Tilly was dressed literally head-to-toe in Polarn O. Pyret.  It wasn't intentional, but I guess this will be the way things are from now.  The dress, leggings, scarf, fleece, jacket, socks, boots and hat are all PO.P!
There was a time not too long ago, that I was thrilled to just have a pair of socks from there.  So we really are fortunate and grateful to have such a good quality brand as our normal attire.  Thank you clothes gods!
So now anyone with a daughter younger than Tilly needs to become my new best friend when I update her wardrobe!  Watch this space....

Best mexican restaurant ever...

Last week I was lucky enough to have a night out with my friends in Dublin in the new hot spot 777.
This is the 3rd restaurant by my oldest friend John who in recent times has taken over Dublin with his cool ideas, excellent service, and super tasty food.

777 is the kind of place that in my opinion suits busy professionals who don't have the time or strength to go out for drinks, dinner and a club like they did in the old days.  It has a Mexican theme but it ain't no burrito joint.  This is the real deal.  Hard to pronounce, weird cuts of meat, odd mixtures and the best, strongest and largest cocktails in town.  The decor is bling in a kind of east LA Latino, tits and ass kind of way -if you get the picture!  The music is throbbing and loud and immediately when you sit down and the first cocktail arrives, you know you're in the danger zone!

The food is the hero here because its not the usual fare which I was stoked about.  You can order a starter and a main or you can order a few dishes to share or have as a main.  I went for the tuna tostados, taquitos carnitas, and the dish that shocked the table - medulas which is roasted bone marrow.     

By the time we had got through all the food and the well priced, delicious wine, dessert seemed too much.  But cocktails sounded like a much better idea! So we ordered some more of those babies and enjoyed our last chats and laughs before we stumbled home to the babysitters at 01:00!

777 did it in every way for all of us.  I've heard some who have moaned about the price of the cocktails but when you live in Stockholm and pay the same 12euro for half a small glass of a weak run of the mill drink, it's money well spent!  And anyone complaining about the food, doesn't know food and should stick to oily enchiladas at those tacky pretend Mexican places.

So if you on for a good night out with that party feel get down to 777.  And if you looking for any other kind of great food experience try one of John's other places Dillinger's and the Butcher Grill in Ranelagh.

Home Sweet Home...

We have just got back from one of the best trips home to Dublin in a long while.  Many reasons for this but mostly I'd say it was the great weather.  For once it was dry and sunny the whole time we were there.  It's amazing what a difference it makes, especially when you have a little lady to entertain.  Normally I find we are indoors too much and she ends up watching TV and getting bored.
This time we did lots of fun things outdoors, while spending time with family and friends.

First it was celebrating my sister Amy's graduation which was great and I am super proud of her.  Then it was dinner at the Unicorn restaurant which was not as good as I remember, but nevertheless we had a great time.

Then it was a day at the Zoo with granny and all the fun animals.  Tilly was mostly searching for monkeys and 'dragons' otherwise known as crocodiles.  We had a great time, bar the issue with the gift shop closing for an indefinite period.  It's amazing that you pay 15euro and kids are not free after 3 years, and then have to stand outside the shop until the rude bag comes back from her 'break' and doesn't apologise.  Even to the people who were leaving the zoo and wanted to buy a stuffed toy which they didn't have at the gift shop at the exit, and then were made to walk all the way to the other end of the zoo to buy it, only to find the shop closed!  Service me arse!  But Tilly didn't care as long as she got her ice-cream and got to wear her ballerina dress!

Then it was a trip to the suburbs to visit her new best friend Z and the little man S at my wonderful friends L&D's pad.  What fun they had.  Lots of playing, eating, going to the beach, bathing together and watching Peppa Pig before bedtime.  We also met up with another great friend S and went to the pier where Tilly got her other new favourite friend Minnie.  Catching up with everyone while still having fun with the children was not stressful at all and I was really impressed at what a great sport Tilly always is.

Tilly got quick visits from her godmothers Leone and Hilary too and hopefully now has a better picture of them when she is looking through the albums.  She also was a gem when we went out for dinner (which deserves it's own post, so stay tuned) one night and stayed with a babysitter she had not met yet.  She ended up waking up and having a big chat with her before going back to bed, and when I asked her about it the next day, she was really positive and said she liked the lady very much!  Score!

The trip ended perfectly with cosy times back at granny before we headed back to Stockholm, where one pappa was VERY excited to have his little lady back!

Thank you L&D for making us feel so at home and for showing us a great time.  You are brilliant!
Thank you family for nice quality time with Tilly, she really enjoyed it and is still talking about it!
xxxx