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three new things that make me happy.

one. the fantastic polaroid spectra, or more accurately, a minolta instant pro. this is my (only and) very first shot. I’m in love, already.

two. some illustrations I made for foodbeam. drawing feels like kissing, for hours.

three. the bridge that I cross every night. the view from my bike is just breath-taking. I love riding back and forth to work. such a lovely moment.

any happy list to share?

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I’m in love with my flickr favourites. and waking up to them is like opening a box of marrons glacés.

thank you my friends for noticing how beautiful our world is.

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it’s been a while since the last hello monday. and to be honest the couple past mondays have been less than great, as in break-up less than great.

but today already feels perfect. I took our bunny peanut into the garden. he just loves being in the grass and eating too many flowers.

later, I will go for lunch on the beach with a new friend, get some new pied-de-poule pants for work, and help my sister on her poetry report.

have a lovely monday, wherever in the world you’re stuck!

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here is our new friend who followed us through hyde park. he was so adorable. and really liked pecan nuts; which are also a favourite of mine.

so are: having friends visiting, going to a nice restaurant, being in love with foodbeam, making cheesecake, and getting wet with spring rain showers.

have a lovely week!

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I know it’s actually not monday, but I have one reason good enough not to have posted yesterday.

namely, macarons.

after weeks of experimenting, I’ve finally come up with the perfect recipe that gives me lovely macarons every single time.
I’m thrilled because those little guys are so going to be part of the book I’m – deceptively slowly – trying to write.

it feels so good to start the week with such a great achievement.

so, how was your monday?

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lately, some facts have pushed me to reconsider my love for film.

facts like:
one, a conversation with Guillaume.
two, the delivery of TZ polaroid film.
three, the abusive use of my pentax me super.
four, my upcoming-birthday wishlist: a mamiya rz 67.

ever since my playground friend Anne lent me her polaroid camera one day when we were running around stables – back in the mid-nineties – I knew I was holding something special.

something that could capture moments of life. something that could make me see the beauty of the world we live in. something that could stop the time.

at the time, the standard in photography was film. film that produced flawless results. today, it’s the same with digital cameras. when you shoot you know what you’re going to get.

but to me photography is different. my daily life is as imperfect as imperfect can be. and whenever I collect a moment through my camera, I want it to be a reflect of who I am.

over the years, this collection has grown into a book that could define me. moments to be remembered, happy or sad. with an occasional light leak or unexpected blur.
it’s those same imperfections that connect everything. they act as a reminder of how fragile the time that goes by is.

and this is why I fall for old cameras, knowing they will render my life as it is. imperfect ordinary made less ordinary – not to say – magical.

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the planned unwinding took place sooner than expected as I woke up early this morning only to find myself too sick to go to work.

in between naps, I found the time to take a couple of polaroid pictures, experimenting with this film.
having removed the ND2 filter of the electric eye ages ago, I had to make up for it by using sunglasses. and it’s quite tricky. I need a new filter.

the sound of the shutter had an instant effect on me. it makes me happy. I love film. and polaroid cameras.

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this monday has been tough on me despite a somewhat late – eight am – wake-up time, a bright sun, and a walk through hyde park with Guillaume.

to be completely honest and accurate, I am exhausted.

quite happily, I found a moustache on the sidewalk. reminding me of my best friend Anna-Sarah, and the amazing times we spent together laughing, making things, and eating. I miss her.

enjoy this last winter week. on my side of the world, it’s pretty much going to be about slowing down and making the most of every moment.

one remedy: the stash of polaroid film that got delivered today. I’m thrilled! it’s almost been ten months since I last had some on my hands.

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it’s been such a sunny week in London. and all the birds of the serpentine river seemed excited, even when the sun set.

today, I’m inspired by this blog redesign. and this amazing list of kitchen utensils.

today, I need to go to work soon. write my book for an hour or two. take pictures of the desserts we make at the capital.

what are your plans for this monday?

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for the first time in weeks, I feel that spring is just around the corner. today we woke up to a bright sun, blue sky, and no rain.

nothing feels better than a sunny day. or maybe a couple of things does, like:
one. being offered a lollipop by a new friend, in my absolute favourite flavour which I never mentioned to him.
two. spending a day off with my boyfriend, exploring china town and having one too many bubble tea.
three. getting a roll of film developed.

those three point pretty much sums up my past week. let’s hope this one is going to turn out even better!

happy march.