{quotable thursdays}

Hello from Bella Napoli!
Today is my dear HRH Simla's 3rd birthday!! I have to celebrate from afar, unfortunately, but my parent's friends who are staying in my house are treating her royally today.
I'm very grateful for her constant support and love and her general presence in my life!
So today it is less a quote than a hilarious but poignant image which sums up the fact that my dear Simla is my destresser in life:

{prescription for happiness}

She has apparently taken to her cat sitters and in particular has taken to sitting on her cat sitters' laps, especially Brian's who is also an academic. My Dad then made up this poem:

 There once was a cat named Simla

   Who had tastes quite particular

   If taking a nap

   On somebody's lap

   She preferred academia or similar.

I am currently sitting in my Neapolitan flat, having a glass of wine, & eating chorizo pasta, with my laundry hanging out the window. These past two weeks have been so fantastic! So much to report, but for now, you can check out my instagram for an up-to-date image narrative of my comings & goings and I'll try to do some blog posts soon!

xo

L

{quotable thursdays}

In honour of National Cat Day:

{cats & music}

{how cute!}

Friends who know me well know I always have music playing in my home (usually classical, but sometimes jazz) and my cat is my best companion. After a very long day the very best thing is to come home to classical music playing and a sweet purring Simla. The best way for me to unwind is to play the piano... unfortunately I don't yet have one in this house but I'm hoping I can get one soon! Just need to save up as these house renovations & the move has been rather costly!

Because I can't resist, some pictures of my sweet Simla:

xo 

L

{quotable thursdays}

{indeed!}

Couldn't agree more! been a bit of a crazy, stressful week. Simla has been my respite.

xo,
L

{Simla turns 1!}

Today my dear little cat, Simla turns 1!

{all dressed up in her birthday hat!}

She's named after my granny who was born in Simla--amazing coincidence but my granny's birthday is tomorrow!
Simla was born near Ipswich to 'Kindaposh Royal Stroller' (father, a Havana brown) and 'Moonsfield Darkdate' (mother, a seal point Siamese). She gets her blue points from her grandfather 'He'smydarling.'
Here are some of my favourite pics since the day she arrived in my life:

{my portrait of her in a LBD}

{the day she arrived in the flat}

{similar? or simla'?}

{kisses}

{pillow hog}

{afternoon tea in the garden}

{special delivery}

{her favourite thing is to ride around in the laundry basket!}

{playing with her birthday 'mouse'}

{she even received a card all the way from Mexico!}

xo, 

L

{quotable thursdays}

{cats & home & soul}

I know what you're thinking...I'm becoming a crazy cat lady. But I have to dedicate this week's quote to this tiny feline friend of mine because being confined to this flat with this recovering knee means my only companion is Simla. And she is keeping me sane!

She also really makes this flat feel like a home.
We've been having some lovely sunny warm weather here & I've been enjoying meals in the back garden. This bank holiday weekend I'm *hoping* the sun will shine as I'm planning a very small do with croquet & a bbq...

{croquet?}

{vintage croquet}

& hoping we can eat outside: 

{fancy dining}

well, in reality it'll look more like this:

the forecast calls for rain, but let's cross our fingers it doesn't come!

Happy Bank Holiday weekend!!!

xo, 

L

{Introducing Simla!}

hello blog-readers!

Sorry I forgot my quotable thursdays yesterday...slipped my mind...things just seem to be super busy at the moment.
& if I get a spare moment, I've been spending it with my dear, dear kitty!
So, with that, let me introduce you to Simla! She is a blue point Siamese and I collected her on Sunday. Since then, my life has been filled with such joy!

{hello!}

Simla is named after the birthplace of my Granny. My Dad's mum was born and raised in Simla during the British Raj (her parents, my great grandparents (below) were English).

{my granny as a baby in Simla}

 She was married to my grandpa in Simla too:

{my grandparents at Wild Flower Hall on their wedding day in Simla (my grandfather was born in Bristol)}

My father was also born in India but they all immigrated to Canada after Partition. My move back to the UK (settling here and making a home with a cat) completes a full circle of the family history. We have visited India many times and when I was 10, we visited Wild Flower Hall and all the old haunts of my ancestors in Simla.
It seemed an appropriate name for this little cat. Simla's bright blue eyes mimic the incredibly blue skies you find in the Himalayas...

{bright blue eyes}

{blue skies of the Himalayas}

...and her blue points remind me of the blue-ish tinge of the Himalayan mountains as well as the silvery grey leaves of the Eucalyptus trees that fill the air with such fragrance in that region.

{making herself at home--she matches the decor!}

{looking at the big wide world}

{helping with the laundry!}

{taking over the bed!}

Simla is still a kitten--around 14 weeks, although she appears much bigger in the pictures than she really is. She can curl up in one arm-- she loves to play in my arms!
She is inquisitive and curious, but can be a little shy, and is very very affectionate and sweet. It took her a day to warm up, but now she follows me around the flat and likes to chat away all day (& night!).
We are already the best of friends and I love her to bits!
she was well worth the wait!
xo
L