A room of one's own

I haven't been doing much on the wedding front lately, I suppose because there have been other more pressing things to get on with. Like interviews (which thus far haven't yielded anything - and that's getting me down) and appointments for Dad. But I'm looking forward to getting back into it - I have missed my crafts! The thing that's irritating me a bit right now is that they are taking up the house. I try to keep them compact, but it's very difficult.

Virginia Woolf wrote 'A Room of One's Own' to say that 'a woman must have... a room of her own if she is to write fiction'. She argued that a woman also needs personal freedom to create. Her arguments are deeper than mine, and more analytical, but suffice to say that I could not agree more. A space of one's own is a precious thing. Removed from the demands and distractions of everyday life, one is able to reflect and simply 'get on with' the task at hand. In a room of one's own one can think freely. And, not unimportantly, one can consolidate all the craft stuff spilling all over the house.

I long for the day when I have my very own craft room: a place in which I can organise all my goodies, that I can decorate to my taste and to which I can retreat when I need time to just think and be and create. How heavenly it will be!

Have any of you seen the book 'Where women create'?




It's a gorgeous book about the ways in which different women have organised their craft spaces. Very inspiring. Here are some that I like. Where do you create/read/retreat?

DIY List

I've decided to DIY lots of wedding things - I'm finding it so much fun and I love being able to customise things and have exactly what I want.

I'm making a list so I remember what I have done and what I have left to do... hopefully it will keep me in check!

The most ambitious project? I've decided to make my own wedding cake! It seems only apt, since I love baking, but also wedding cakes aren't really a done thing in Israel and the few places I've found won't let me have tastings. I refuse to serve a cake I haven't tasted. So that's decided. Don't ask me how to transport it or anything about the logistics just yet... I'll figure it out!

1. Save the Dates

2. Invitations

3. Thank you cards + RSVPs

4. Programs

5. Place cards

6. Seating plan

7. Decorate favour boxes

8. Make truffles for favours

9. Decorate bridesmaids' totes

10. Confetti cones

11. Bridesmaids' corsages

Which invitation?

I'm tentatively working away on our DIY invitations, for which I will put up instructions in due course. I haven't shown these designs to anyone yet because I want to get them right before subjecting them to scrutiny! So you are the first (apart from Marc) to see them.

A few disclaimers: the two sides are shown in English because the Hebrew text is not ready yet. I printed both in English for now to see what the effect would be. Font, wording and spacing will change. The font colour will be browner when I buy a new cartridge. Surnames have been blotted out and my stamping skills leave something to be desired. With all that in mind, which stamp pattern do you prefer?

I'm being really indecisive and I'm not 100% with either. I won't say which I'm leaning towards, but I would really appreciate your honest advice (the good and the bad please).

Thank you all in advance!

1. Mediterranean pattern A



2. Mediterranean pattern B

3. Leaf motif

How to make a corsage flower

1. Buy your fabric. I chose a variety of textures: dupioni silk in two colours, a chiffon and a gauze material, but yours can be different. You will need about 10cm of each one.


2. Cut out petal shapes. You will need 3-4 of each colour if you use 4 colours, so 12-16 petals in total. Cut each petal individually, as this creates a lack of uniformity that helps to create a more beautiful flower.

3. Coat the edge of each petal with non-fray glue, which can be bought in any craft shop. This is a crucial step, otherwise your material will fray, making for shabby flowers.



(optional step: if you want to achieve a tonal hue on your petals, brush some water onto them, then dilute some watercolour paint and dab on. This will spread, resulting in a lovely natural effect).

4. Get safety pins and attach the petals to each other to suit your taste. Think of folding the petals slightly or pinching the base when attaching them to achieve some texture. Secure together with safety pints.



5. With a needle and thread, sew the petals together. Gradually remove the safety pins.

6. Sew beads/buttons of your choice to the centre of the flower.

7. Cut out a circle of fabric and using fabric glue, attach to stiff lining/another stiff material. Attach a safety pin and using the same fabric glue, attach the circle (lining down) to the base of the flower to hide the base's bare threads.



8. (optional) scrunch the whole flower in your hand slightly to create texture.

Et voila!



As I stated before, this is not an 'official' method. There may be better ways, and if you know of any I would love to hear your suggestions. I do, however, think that this is a method anyone could use, so I encourage you to give it a try to spruce up an outfit. It's also a great way to use up your scraps of material and, best of all, it's so inexpensive yet pretty!

Bridesmaids outfits

I am feeling so proud of myself right now!

I always thought that I would never have bridesmaids when I got married, but I am so touched by my friends' generosity and support in coming to Israel to see me get married that I want to honour them. I haven't finished the asking, because I want to do it in person if possible, so I will introduce you to my lovely bridal party later.

For now though, let me share with you what they will wear. I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of bridal matchiness (I know that's not a word, but please bear with me). I like it enough for other people's weddings, but not for mine. Also, in England the bride pays for her girls' outfits, and prices are so high here that this would set me back nigh on $700, for dresses I am pretty certain the girls wouldn't wear again. With that in mind, I wanted to do something a little different. Something a bit vintage.

I settled on each of the girls wearing a black dress of her choice. I will give each one a chocolate brown shawl and a brown/pearly necklace. She will wear a sash with a hand-made corsage on it. I saw these in a London department store and they were so expensive. But it was love at first sight, so I thought I'd buy them. Then I decided that I should at least try to make them myself. If it didn't work I would not have wasted too much money. And I am so glad I tried because I LOVE the outcome and I am so happy that my girls will be getting something that I made. I think that's so much more special than a shop bought piece. I was going to make the necklaces too, and even ordered the beads, but when I found a pre-made one that was perfect I thought I'd cut out the hassle.

I didn't have instructions on how to make the corsage flowers so it may well be that there is a better method out there than mine. If you know of one please comment. Otherwise, this is a method that anyone can use to achieve a good result. I will provide instructions soon, but in the meantime here is the outfit!

Please let me know what you think!

Grumpy

Ok, so I don't like to get too self-righteous/ grumpy on you but how much do you think a cake tin costs in France? A madeleine tin? A set of cookie cutters? Well, they are 30 euros, 20 euros and 26 euros respectively! That is about $100! That is the craziest thing I have ever heard!

Needless to say, I didn' t buy any of them, which has put paid to my baking ideas in the very near future. I mean, 3 gingerbread cookie cutters were $34. That isn't for real.

I was grumpy, so I treated myself to a mug some might deem ugly, but which I think is cute, and to some inspiring books on crafting. I am obsessed with red/white home decorations. Check out this brand, which I discovered tonight. I think it is divine. I dream of having a really rustic looking house. One whose mess is homely. One of my crafting books has ways to replicate these designs and I can't wait to get stuck in.







Whilst I'm at it, I thought I'd share with you some more photos of my way to work. Isn't it cool that I can see the Eiffel Tower from the metro? Apologies for the poor quality of these photos, but please remember that they are taken from a dirty moving carriage.

And, as promised, a picture of the snow. I know most of you are seeing more spectacular snow; still, to us, it is pretty special.

Wishing you all a lovely evening!

Happy Wednesday

Just a regular work day, post-lunch slump, and I thought I’d write a little update message !

It is sooo cold in Paris right now that yesterday it actually snowed. This is quite rare but it was spectacular and it put everyone in a great mood. It motivated me to learn how to use the slow mode in my camera as the automatic mode doesn’t catch snowflakes, rain etc.

I was so tired yesterday that I had no energy to cook when I got home. I stopped off at a fancy deli on my way home and spent too much money on not very much food. But it was delicious: poached egg with salmon on artichoke and beetroot and apple salad with Poilâne bread (for those who don't know it, some of the most delicious sour dough bread in the world). Gotta love the French take on a takeaway! Why no photos ? You guessed it: I was too hungry to wait to take them! After a long chat with Marc I started thinking about a few things. If I am always so tired why do I waste so much time in the evenings? Why do I take harried morning showers when I could treat myself to long leisurely soaks in the evening? Why do I spend hours on the internet and start my cleaning at 11? I have decided from now on that by 11pm I will be in bed. I have to do it to get the most out of myself and out of my day. Last night I took a silly girlie novel and sat in my grape smelling bubble bath and just enjoyed reading! It was so lovely and I mean to continue the trend.

I love Wednesdays and I think they are under-appreciated! Half way through the week, they are also BHV days. Audrey and I are going back to the BHV, to buy curtains for her and cake pans for me. I have a dearth of cake pans and cookie cutters and am excited to finally get some new ones. I want to buy some little organza bags to put homemade cookies and truffles in to give to my colleagues for Christmas. But the best thing of all? Dinner! Right behind the BHV is my favourite Japanese in Paris. I am obsessed with it (ie: have eaten there 3 times this week obsessed). You get Miso soup, salad, shashimi and tiny grilled skewers and rice all for 15 Euros, which I think is a steal. It’s fabulous quality and tastes amazing. I can’t wait!

Here is my shopping list, since last time I managed to forget the very thing I came for:








And as I googled for images, I found this. Click on it to see the funniest cake mould I have ever seen. What could it be used for? I didn't really want the picture on my blog, and you'll see why! ha ha! You really can find everything on the internet!

Check back for photos of the snow and of the day in a few hours !

Perfect flowers

Today something wonderful happened at work: Marc had flowers, the most resplendent beautiful flowers, delivered to my office. They made me grin from ear to ear with happiness. I knew that morning that they were coming because Interflora had called, and I was so excited! The delivery man didn't come til 5pm - it was a long wait!

Flowers are really some of my favourite things. They are just so beautiful and they make me so happy. I dream of a house filled with flowers! I have turned the heating down so they'll last longer. A habit of mine in to take photos of flowers I am given, so that I always have a memory of them. These photos don't capture my flowers' beauty, but I hope they brighten your screen and make you smile. They definitely lifted my spirits in a big way.

Big shout out to Marc: thanks honey! xxx




On my way home tonight I went to a gourmet shop to fill my little painted box. It was so much fun and I am so pleased with what I found: marzipan fruit, chocolate discs with nuts and marrons glaces, sugared chestnuts. They are a French delicacy and I adore them. Here's the finished product, which will make its way to London tomorrow morning in the post!

Pen and paper

There has been a lot of talk of cake these past few months. Indeed, there is one baking in the oven for Sophie's birthday tomorrow.

But what about the pen and paper? I'll be honest: I didn't give all that much thought to the title of this blog. An image of me sitting down with a journal - pen and paper - eating cake wafted into my mind like the smell of cake itself, and there was my title. And I love writing. I love stationery, pens, exquisite paper. I love sending packages, people's handwriting, even the sound of pen on paper. I am a primitive girl: I still use a Filofax and probably always will. There is something so special about mail, about journals. Some of my favourite literature is epistolary: I love letter novels.

And where better to find exquisite paper than the BHV in Paris? This is a DIY shop with a difference: it has a whole floor devoted to crafts and arts. I get lost roaming the aisles. Today there were live demonstrations of embossing and heating stamps, and I was riveted. I have never grown out of it - I hope I never will. I go here many Wednesday nights when the shop is open till 9, allowing me to shop after work.

Since I have come to France I have had more time - and reason - to write to my friends. I have sat down on weekends and written letters for the first time in a long time, and gone to the BHV to carefully select paper.

Today I was there on a special mission, however: Chanukah presents. I do not bemoan Christmas's material aspects: I love it unreservedly. Chanukah, however, is different in nature. No big presents, less ceremony. But this year I want to give personal gifts to those I love. I feel an imminent need to celebrate. Marc's parents are off to Australia soon and I wanted to get their present completed first, before they left. So tonight I bought a box to decorate and fill with special cookies and homemade truffles. Can't wait to get started on those!

Being the impatient person that I am, I had to start and finish immediately - a terrible quality. I decorated this box in about 1-2 hours. The only thing I would say is that these can be expensive gifts: the wood is real and that costs money, and in all I spent 45 euros, though I'll be able to use many of the materials again. I loved every second of decorating. I really want to improve my Hebrew calligraphy, but I'm still reasonably pleased with the outcome. The paint dries so quickly - it's marvellous. It's also very forgiving because you can cover mistakes. I so hope they like their gift!

Here are some pictures of the BHV and of the box.







Starting to paint:




Inside message:



End result (just need to add one more coat of varnish):

Weekend and thoughts on home life and career

It's so good to be home! I came home on Saturday, thanks to a French bank holiday. I'm such a home girl. I love just mooching around, cooking, tidying, being in my space, being surrounded by my things. It will be so wonderful to have a home of my own one day.


I didn't do anything out of the ordinary, but I loved it. Just went to the supermarket, saw lovely Lizzie, spent time with Dad and Marc, caught up with correspondence, and did a lot of cooking. In Paris I have a strange electricity problem in my flat. The oven uses a disproportionate amount of electricity and can cut off electricity in the entire flat if too many lights are on. This means that I don't do much cooking, unfortunately. That and the fact that we get such enormous portions of delectable cuisine at work that it's impossible to eat a full dinner anyway. But when I return to London and my lovely kitchen, I can't wait to get my hands stuck in.

I made a chicken soup (Jewish pencillin!), the veg bake I wrote about earlier and an apple pie! If anyone wants the recipe just let me know. There are few more comforting smells (and sights!) than that of a piping hot apple pie with cinnamon. Mmmmmm! Through my Weight Watchers time I have learnt handy ways of cutting out fat in cakes, so this was even a virtuous one (well, relatively speaking!).

I did some crafts - I am making a rag doll. Her current state is that of nudity, so I'll spare you the photos, but I hope she'll be cute when she's ready. I do love my sewing machine.

All this cooking and crafting got me thinking of that age old question: home vs work. Of course, stopping to work is not an option for me, nor is it something I would like to do. I firmly believe that it is positive for a woman to have her own life, apart from that of being a wife and mother - something that is hers alone. I know that this is unorthodox to some, and I appreciate and am inspired by other people's choices (see post below about mothers) but for me having independence and a life outside the home is important. I've been inspired by my mother, who is passionate about her career (she's a doctor).

And yet I would love to be at home too, sewing, cooking, homemaking. As I said, not working is not an option, not now and probably not ever. But some jobs are more compatible with home life than others, and I need to think about what I want. I'm coming up to the point at which I have to decide which department to qualify into at my firm. This raises questions about the sort of professional life I want. I know that I don't want to spend my nights at the firm negotiating aircraft sales. I know I want a semblance of a life. A rich home life and a rewarding professional life. How to marry the two? I need to research further what sort of balance a post business school job would give me. I suspect that the balance in a corporate would be better than in a professional services firm. Big decisions are coming up, but it is exciting, forming your life, making choices, sculpting your very own path. Some of the readers of this blog have done an amazing job of taking risks and following their dreams and it is so inspiring. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!