{quotable thursdays}

Hello Blogland! Thursday again, already?!
I spent my last weekend like a maniac--I painted the exterior of the house, the guest bedroom and the kitchen! phew! I was inspired because my middle sister is coming this weekend with her two kids!!!
I haven't seen her or them in over three years. Super super super excited!!!!
She is an amazing woman--a graduate of Oxford and Cambridge, she's often on the news because of her research on refugees and displaced youth, she is successful in her career but still manages to make homemade cookies for her children. I live in awe. But she's also super down to earth and I can't wait to just catch up!
So today, a quote about the people in our lives that make us feel good:

{feed your soul}

In case you're interested, a couple of pics of my painting transformations, but stay tuned for a proper blog dedicated to the renos!
The exterior:

The guest bedroom:

{BEFORE}

... & now that's the last of the dreaded wallpaper in the house-GONE!

{AFTER}

 et, la cuisine:

xo,
L

{quotable thursdays}

I've been missing my sisters recently... It's hard living apart from the people that you love. But this quote reminds me about something important: 

{friends}

It's true: the lovely women in my life--my friends, my sisters, my mum, my aunts, my cousins, my nieces--make my world, even if they're not in the same country or on the same continent. 

{sisters}

{cousins}

{best friends}

{friends since high school}

{crazy friends}

{sisterly love}

xo, 

L

{girls' weekend in Lancashire}

{beautiful farm house}

A couple of weekends ago I spent the weekend at my friend, Ruth's family's home in Lancashire. It was simply divine. Ruth is a wonderful hostess and two other friends came up, so there were four of us. We drank lots, went for walks in the countryside, ate yummy food, and simply relaxed!
The best part was waking up to the sound of sheep baaaing in the countryside--nothing like it. Their house is an old 17th-century farmhouse, which was also immaculately decorated.
It was all just fantastic!

{room with a stunning view!}

{first night, chilling with drinks}

{Ruth (the superb hostess) & Lara in the gorgeous kitchen}

{lovely details everywhere}

{lots of laughing was had!}

{the girls!}

{delish bbq}

{beautiful sylvie with her beautiful aubergines!}

{local eggs}

xo,
L

{quotable thursdays}

{croquet last weekend}

{wedding party two weeks ago}

Dear blog readers,
Things have been a bit manic over here. Work is crazy busy, but in addition to that, I've been away for the last two weekends--for a wedding in Edinburgh (fantastic!) and at my cousins (last weekend)...so many pics to upload!
all in time, all in time...
but for now, this post will be quick, and I'm hoping to find some time to catch up on everything this weekend...
Today's quote celebrates the joys of friendship & family--the company of which I've surrounded myself with the last few weekends. It comes from the will of Sydney Cockerell born 1867 died 1962:

I have been blessed throughout my long life with a number of the dearest and kindest friends, both men and women, that ever man had. Gratefully conscious of all they have meant to me, I declare friendship to be precious beyond all words. But it is like a plant that withers if it be not carefully tended. It must be fostered by means of visits, of letters, of little services and attentions and by constant thought, sympathy and kindness. I implore my children and my grandchildren to remember this.

For me, I want to add I'm grateful for the support & love my friends and family have shown me throughout the knee surgery. I'm happy to report that I've had the all clear from the surgeon and that my knee woes should be behind me!

ciao for now,
L

{quotable thursdays}

Hello all!
it's been a crazy few weeks! I just got back from Chicago on Tuesday morning and have hit the ground running catching up on emails and work...
Chicago was great--I was there for a conference (CAA 2014) and gave a paper, but lucky for me, it's also where my bestie lives, so we got to hang out & catch up.
We attended a great Courtauld alumni party at the Museum of Contemporary Art (the Courtauld is where we both met).... & we spent loads of time just chatting and hanging out.
So today, a quote in honour of my best friend, katie:

{that sums up Katie!}

{best buds!}

{fantastic restaurants with cool architecture}

{answering questions on my panel}

{caa}

xo, 

L